My dog adored Halloween -not for the festivities, you understand, pagan celebrations hold little thrill for the modern canine - instead, Rafi (the dog) seemed to relish the unrelenting front door activity that this particular autumnal night would bring. Living on the periphery of a sleepy English town, my family home was neither doused in amber streetlight, nor was it a haunted manor. A pleasant combination of the two, it presented a prime location for plucky teens seeking a relatively tame scare. While I scornfully hid in my bedroom, twitching at the sound of hurried footfalls on my drive, Rafi found her calling as "guard dog supreme". A sizeable Italian gundog with a bark comparable to the mightiest of thunderclaps, naturally her vocal presence only heightened the experience for our plastic pitchfork-wielding visitors.

It’s upon coming to Hong Kong that my estimations of this pumpkin-headed holiday have improved. No longer relegated to the periphery of the merriment, a quick stroll through SoHo presents a number of parties providing free-flowing entertainment and plenty of festive frivolity. A world away from yesteryears disdain, I now find myself spoilt for choice and frantically raiding Pottinger Street seeking appropriate attire. Locating the right outfit only addresses part of the Halloween conundrum of course; finding the right party for your fright night festivities is and always will be paramount.

FINDS’ Dashing Doctors and Naughty Nurses party is certainly not for the faint of heart. Boasting happy pills, sweet cotton candy and their own in-house "medical" stuff, this unconventional dose of good medicine comes highly recommended to young professionals looking to let their hair down. Expect wall-to-wall costume clad celebrations lasting long into the wee small hours.

If you’re seeking something a little more refined, RED SoHo’s Halloween set dinner offers a gentile nod to all hallow’s eve in the form of creatively titled dishes. Although the likes of "werewolf game", "hannibal’s special" and the unassuming "spirit of darkness" might not get your taste buds dancing with anticipation, the tried and tested RED cuisine is sure to delight.

Finally, DROP’s Egyptian Tomb party will undoubtedly hide a treasure trove of secrets as partygoers can expect to find themselves dancing shoulder to shoulder with mummies, monsters and Cleopatra herself. A comfortable club with a dramatic circular bar, DROP has garnered a loyal troop of fans the world over thanks to its vibrant atmosphere, excellent service and contemporary playlists.

While the streets are soaked with sanguine and the fake blood glistens beneath SoHo’s neon glare, it’s impossible not to find a party that’s right for you. As the mid-levels escalator ushers you past pirates, zombies, vampires and skeletons, its easy to feel a little bewildered, but truth be told, the horrors that surround you are simply looking for the same good time that you are. You just need to enjoy yourself and look beneath the surface. And the fangs.