Watch for changes at the Waldorf Hotel, which has been flying somewhat under the radar since coming under new ownership in 2013. The fabled East Vancouver tiki landmark’s big upcoming event is a two-day Halloween bash, running Friday and Saturday (October 30 and 31).

Titled 7 Deadly Sins and curated in part by Intimate Productions, the blowout will feature four rooms, each tailored to one’s vice of choice. Think lust, pride, envy, and wrath on Saturday, with the cast of DJs including Nick Bike, Jon Lee, Sam Demoe, and Perkulator.

Friday’s lineup will spotlight, among others, Matt Cee, Seiz, Barlee and JP Valdes. Steve Gee of Intimate told the Straight that each room will feature multiple genres.

“The Tiki room upstairs is lust, and it’s going to be classic house, disco, and new disco,” he said. “In Tabu downstairs it’ll be deep house, tech house, and minimal. Friends of mine from Shambhala are playing in Nonna’s restaurant and they’ve got a bit of new sound—West Coast bass and soul.”

As for what the future holds at the Waldorf, new hospitality manager David Branigan said that the venue will be undergoing some changes. These include opening up the downstairs Tabu room as a pub during the day. The Waldorf hopes to attract longshoremen from the nearby ILWU Canada hall as well as postal workers from a nearby Canada Post sorting facility.

“The longshoremen, who are right behind us, used to frequent the hotel in a big way,” Branigan said.

The Waldorf will also take steps to make use of its lower kitchen by bringing in Vancouver caterer Kiss Yo Mama.

“Mama is a cook to the stars—she just got off Stevie Wonder’s tour, and tours with Snoop Dogg,” Branigan said. “She goes out on these tours and does soul food and Caribbean food, and does a lot of charity in the neighbourhood as well. We’re looking at bringing her in because there’s a whole commercial kitchen downstairs that’s not being fully used.

“Will have her do food service to Tiki, which is Polynesian themed, and to Tabu,” he continued. “We’ll drop in some screens for sports, put some furnishings in, and have Mama offer soul food in Tabu, and Polynesian in the Tiki bar.”

The Waldorf plans to ramp up its events, live and otherwise, and to work with local promoters.

“We’re also playing with the idea of doing more live music as well,” Branigan said.

On that front, veteran Vancouver R&B players that include Randall Stoll, Cam Grant, and Krystle Dos Santos will play the Tabu room on November 7 under the name Daddy and the Near Death Experience.

Looking a bit further down the line, watch for a birthday bash for the Waldorf’s iconic Tiki bar.

“The tiki bar was built originally in 1955, so we’re scheduling a 60th birthday party on December 12,” Branigan said. “We’re celebrating the tradition, as that room has largely been unchanged since 1955—it’s definitely a flashback when you go in there.”

In preparation for the party, crews have been replacing some of the room’s glass mirrors, putting stars back in the ceiling, and making sure the Tiki bar’s four famous Edgar Leetag paintings remain properly protected.

“We're getting that room completely restored to its preeminent state to celebrate 60 years in the Tiki bar,” Branigan said.