BACARDÍ Halloween: Back to the 00s
It’s almost October 31, and you know what that means. Skeletons! Zombies! A million low-effort recreations of Inde Navarrette in Obsession! But beyond the usual Halloween suspects, another familiar sight has been making its rounds again: the 00s. From Y2K fits to velour tracksuits, the decade has been back in our wardrobes and on our feeds for a while now, with its influence showing no signs of slowing down. So, for its latest Halloween party, BACARDÍ decided to take things back to an era that is constantly being referenced.
Taking place at London’s The Cross on October 22, the night got clubbers trading their spooky costumes for low-rise jeans, oversized jerseys and trucker caps. The event was headlined by Shy FX and featured a surprise set from grime legend D Double E, while BACARDÍ & Coke (a serve with its own unmistakable 00s heritage) felt right at home on the dancefloor.
Didn’t make it? We’ve gathered everything that went down below.
IT TOOK PLACE AT A LEGENDARY Y2K HAUNT
In the 2000s, The Cross was a favourite spot for London’s dance music scene, playing host to the city’s club kids plus a selection of rising music stars, who eventually went on to become some of the biggest names who shaped dance culture in the UK. Closed on New Year’s Day in 2008 but reopened as a club more than a decade later, it was the perfect place to summon up the energy of a bygone era, with the added touch of a Y2K makeover.
THE LINE-UP WAS STACKED WITH 00S ICONS
Topping the bill was 00s music legend Shy FX, famed for the Top 10 drum ‘n’ bass anthem “Shake Ur Body”. “The 00s were a mad time for partying,” the DJ reflects. “The energy on the dancefloor, the mix of people, everyone living in the moment. That’s what drum ‘n’ bass and jungle have always been about. The Cross was a massive part of that culture.” But he was far from the only 00s icon onstage at The Cross. Shy FX was joined by MC Rage, followed by a surprise performance from D Double E. The live music was also bookended by DJ sets from Jossy Mitsu and Gracie Convert.
“The energy in there was mad! It really felt like stepping back into the 00s, when everyone was out for the music, the vibes and just having a good time. Seeing everyone going crazy when I dropped some of my old-school tracks was a proper highlight!" says D Double E, reflecting back on the night. “The 00s were such a big time for UK music and club culture, especially with grime coming through, and it was sick to see that same energy back on the dancefloor. Back then, it was all about bringing people together through music, and tonight had that same raw energy. BACARDÍ really brought that era back to life at The Cross.”
THE STYLE WAS STRAIGHT OUT OF Y2K
To really set the scene, the invite encouraged guests to dress up in their best noughties club looks, or an homage to one of their favourite celeb moments from the era. And reader, they delivered. Think: baggy cargo pants, double denim à la Britney and Justin, velour tracksuits, baggy sportswear and skinny shades. Take a look for yourself in the gallery above.
THE BACARDÍ AND COKES WERE FLOWING, OBVIOUSLY
The BACARDÍ and Coke was a staple of 2000s culture, fuelling dancefloors then and continuing to this day. Needless to say, it was the drink of choice at the brand’s own Halloween party. And the Halloween spirit extended to the BACARDÍ bottle itself. Building on previous spooky designs, the limited-edition glow-in-the-dark ghost bottle features BACARDÍ Carta Blanca Rum, perfect for mixing with a BACARDÍ and Coke or a Spookito (a seasonal twist on the classic BACARDÍ mojito).
Missed the night? Take a look through the gallery below to see how BACARDÍ brought the 00s back to life.