This Halloween, The Kraken is opening one of the spookiest galleries in the city, Screamfest: House of Curses. 

The temporary Soho exhibition will, for the first time, bring together the most notorious haunted and cursed artworks and objects in the country – all known to have inflicted terror and suffering upon those who have gazed upon them.

Expertly curated by art historian and critic, Ruth Millington, the House of Curses comprises six psychologically thrilling themed mini-exhibits, including ‘Cursed Creatures’, ‘Possessed Children’ and modern day Creepypasta ‘Internet Lore’, with visitors receiving a walkthrough audio guide delving into the haunted backstories of each piece.

Among the ‘exorcibits’, is one of the UK’s most haunted items – The Grace Doll – that is known as the UK’s ‘Annabelle’ and has been seen to move inside her enclosed glass box and threaten to ‘burn [visitors’] eyes out.’ Other haunting pieces of work include the fire-starting Crying Boy painting and Damian Hirst’s ‘The Dream is Dead’ skull. 

With a menu of cocktails inspired by the haunted artworks, as well as burning sage-laced drinks to ward away evil, shell-shocked guests can begin to unwind in the bar, where they’ll also find a tarot card reader and Zoltar machine for further evening thrills.

Tickets for Screamfest: House of Curses cost £10 and include entry and two free drinks, including a welcome drink.

The exhibition is live from Thursday 31 October through to Saturday 2 November at 51 Poland Street, W1F 7ND and guests can select a ticketed session between 5pm to 8pm and 8pm to 11pm. 

Walk-in sessions are also available on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 November, between 12pm and 4pm on a first-come-first-served basis. As these sessions are free of charge, free drinks will not be available, however, the Kraken bar will be open. 

The Kraken have also suggested the following recipes to summon – or repel evil – to get you into the Halloween spirit at home. 

• 50ml Kraken Rum 
• 25ml Fresh Lime
• 5ml Tamarind Concentrate 
• 15ml Fig Liqueur
• 5ml Mulberry Syrup
• 25ml Apple Juice
• Garnish: 1/4 fresh fig

1. Shake all ingredients and serve in a Hiball, over ice. 

1. Add 50ml Kraken Rum, 5ml rose liqueur, 2.5ml sugar syrup to a glass
2. Separately, combine 2g cayenne pepper, 25ml aloe vera juice (food grade), 10 dashes Peychauds bitters and 200ml vodka and leave for one hour
3. Strain the bitters through coffee filter paper
4. Add 2ml of the cayenne pepper and aloe vera bitters to the rum mixture
5. Fill with ice and stir until chilled

1. Add 50ml Kraken Rum, 5ml rose liqueur, 2.5ml sugar syrup to a glass
2. Prick holes in 2 cloves of garlic and leave in 200ml of salted (holy) water for 24 hours
3. After 24 hours, discard the garlic cloves and add 10 dashes of orange bitters
4. Add 2ml of the garlic and ‘holy water’ bitters to the rum mixture
5. Fill with ice and stir until chilled

1. Add 50ml Kraken Rum, 5ml rose liqueur, 2.5ml sugar syrup to a glass
2. Separately, combine 2g dried sage, 2g dried thyme, 200ml vodka and 10 dashes of grapefruit bitters and leave for one hour
3. Strain the bitters through coffee filter paper
4. Add 2ml of the sage and thyme bitters to the rum mixture
5. Fill with ice and stir until chilled

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