Ghosts & Goblets: Where to Drink in DC This Halloween
Halloween 2014 is extra special: by some miracle of calendar layout, everyone’s favorite costumed holiday falls on a Friday. No need to worry about day-after candy corn induced headaches or how you ended up in someone else’s costume. So put on your best drinking-related costume and get spooky! Here’s where to go:
Boss Shepherd's: This brand spanking-new Penn Quarter farm-to-table will be featuring Halloween cocktails and special prices for guests in costume on October 31. The Rum Punch gets its chill from dry ice and the Smoky Manhattan is a spooky twist on the classic cocktail. The glass is filled with woodsmoke before pouring. (513 13th St. NW; 202-347-2677)
Bier Baron: The basement beer bar will be hosting a HA!lloween Comedy Show on October 30. Revelers are encouraged to come in costume for the interactive performance and can choose from a huge selection of seasonals on tap, like Vermont’s Traveler Brewing Jack O Traveler or Elysian Great Pumpkin. (1523 22nd St. NW; 202-293-1885)
Port City Brewing Company: Come out to Port City Boo which will include music, food trucks and a cask of their Optimal Wit brewed with gummy bears. (3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria, VA; 703-797-2739)
Town Tavern: Halloween will bring plenty of drink specials to this Adam’s Morgan watering hole with a Comic-Con themed fete: $3 domestics, $4 mixed rail drinks, $5 drafts and “Pick Your Poison” $10 Open Bar from 9–11 PM. (2323 18th St. NW; 202-387-8696)
Policy: Kick off a weekend of parties with a Friday happy hour. The Memories & Nightmares night will feature free (yes, free!) spooky Stoli cocktails until they run out. Happy hour starts at 6 PM. (1904 14th St. NW; 202-387-7654)
Helix Lounge: Stop by this Dupont hotel on October 30 for their annual pumpkin carving contest and win a prize for the best D.C.-themed design. Drink specials include $2 PBR, $3 Miller Lite, $5 Cosmos and Zombie Gut Punch for $8. (1430 Rhode Island Ave. NW; 202-462-9001)
RFD: The RFD Nightmare on 7th Street has all the Halloween drink specials: $4 Pumpkin and seasonal drafts, $5 regular drafts, cocktails and special party drinks: the Dark and Spooky (ginger beer with spiced rum), RFD’s Spiked Cider, and the Smashing Pumpkin Shooter (Kahlua, Bailey’s, Goldschlager and cinnamon). (810 7th St. NW; 202-289-2030)
Black Cat: On October 30, the annual Spirits in Black celebrates the scariest of evenings with a huge metal party featuring music from local metal heroes Loud Boyz and a Misfits tribute band. The 14th Street club usually goes all-out with the themed cocktails. Expect gross (or awesome, depending on how you look at it) concoctions mixed with squid ink or cocktails served in a blood bag. The extravaganza continues on the 31st with a circus-themed party with burlesque and classic sideshow performers. (1811 14th St. NW; 202-667-7960)
Jailbreak Brewing Company: One of Maryland’s newest breweries will be throwing a huge, outdoor party on November 1 with live music, food, scary movies and games. Brand new brews as well as special casks will be on tap. We called out their twist on the usual pumpkin ale, The Carrot Cake Conspiracy, as one of the best local beers for fall. (9445 Washington Blvd. N, Laurel, MD; 443-345-9699)
Public Bar: Party every night of the weekend with a 3-day All Access Pass from this Dupont bar. $3 Coors and Blue Moon and $4 Bacardi drinks await. (1214 18th St. NW; 202-223-2200)
DC9: The Discnothèque party series encourages revelers to shut off their cellphones and enjoy the music distraction free. This Friday is Scooby Doo-themed for Halloween with $2 drinks all night long. (1940 9th St. NW; 202-483-5000)
La Tasca: If you’re afraid of clowns, La Tasca’s creepy-circus themed party might be the worst or best place for you, depending how you look at it. Drink specials and “monster munchies” will also be flowing all night. (722 7th St. NW; 202-347-9190)
The Queen Vic: Head out to H St for the Vic’s Clockwork Orange themed party with drink specials and movie screenings. Hopefully there won’t be any re-enactments from the film. (1206 H St. NE; 202-396-2001)
Photo via Flickr
