Celebrate Halloween with all Treats … and no Tricks! Many DC restaurants and lounges will celebrate Halloween with everything from a Ghost Roast at Poste, to a Doggie Happy Hour Costume Contest at Jackson 20, Pumpkin Carving competitions at Helix Lounge and Bar Dupont, a tweetup at Policy, and treats from Co Co. Sala! Have a huntingly good time while getting into the spirit of Halloween.
Spooktacular Parties
The new Station 4 (1101 4th Street, SW) is celebrating the Halloween spirit with a True Blood themed costume party Friday, October 28th through Monday October 31st. From 5 PM to 11 PM, regular dinner service will be available along with a variety of specials in the 52-seat bar/lounge. Guests can indulge in beer and wine specials including Miller Lite, Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, Blue Moon, Batch 19 and Transylvania wine for $4. Specialty cocktails will also be available for $6. Highlights include the True Blood Martini made from a combination of vodka, Chambord, Champagne and red sugar rim, and the Red Lips Cocktail made with rye whiskey, house-made raspberry syrup, lime juice and bitters. A tantalizing dessert menu will also be offered in keeping with the theme with sweets such as True Blood Cupcakes and Vampire Lava Cakes. Additionally, diners are encouraged to come in costume for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to the Southwest Waterfront hot spot. Dracula will see red with envy.
Each year, DC goblins shed their business attire and don the likenesses of Vampires, Witches, and Ghouls of all sorts at the Mayhem & Madness Halloween Bash hosted by K Street Lounge (1301 K St., NW) Saturday, October 29th. Glittering lights, frothy cobwebs, and cavernous cauldrons of candy transform this deliciously chic downtown lounge into a frightful labyrinth of fun and festivity. Arrive around 10PM to stake your place at this spooky soirée and dress to impress, dazzle, or terrify—the best costume wins a prize!
Don’t miss the “Witches of Willow” 5th Annual Halloween Bar Party on Saturday, October 29th (5:00 p.m. ’til the Witching Hour). Willow’s resident “Kitchen Witches”, Chefs Tracy O’Grady and Kate Jansen will serve up a spell-bound Nosh Bistro Menu and spooky Drink Specials. For the costumed crowd, there will be a Halloween Costume Contest! 1st prize wins a$100 Willow Gift Certificate! Walking distance from the Ballston Metro (4301North Fairfax Drive).
Eat, Drink & Be Scary with the Neighboooohood Restaurant Group. Choose a Party. Add Costume. Enjoy.
Vermilion | Superheros reign this Halloween at Vermilion. Dig out your spandex, red capes and pleather boots, and get ready for one bionic Costume Bash on Saturday, October 29 starting at 9 p.m. with awesome prizes awarded out for super-ness and originality. The mighty forces behind the bar at Vermilion will fuel partygoers with a cool new line-up of cocktails including The Captain America, Green Lantern and Fantastic Four. Live music all night from Don’t Panic, plus there’s no cover to join the fun. Vermilion, 1120 King St, Alexandria, VA.
EatBar | Halloween 2011 at EatBar honors the most awesomely costumed band ever: Parliament Funkadelic, aka P-funk, aka The Original P. It’s a Funky P-Funk Party on Saturday, October 29 beginning at 9 p.m. with enough soul tunes and spaceship landings to blow away George himself. Come sip on a “Star Child” cocktail, groove to “One Nation” and elbow it out for the top costume prize. While you don’t have to be a diehard P-Funk fanatic to join the fun, you do have to be down with a solid dose of Atomic Dogs and Motherships. Look at it this way: if you’re still undecided on costume, just dress up like a member of P-Funk – there are plenty to go around. No cover. EatBar, 2761 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA.
ChurchKey | Hail to ale this Halloween at the ChurchKey on Saturday, October 29 for one frighteningly awesome, costumed bash. They’re pouring killer seasonal brews, spinning spooky tunes and sizing up the Halloween attire starting at 8 p.m. and going late into evening. Come as a wood-clad gravity keg or the iconic CK tater tot, but the bottom line is creativity wins big on this night. Prizes include a private beer tasting for you and your pals, and a slew of brewed rarities from Greg Engert’s cellar. Free entry. ChurchKey, 1337 14th Street NW, Washington, DC.
And if you still can’t decide, there is more! The Brightest Young Things Night at the Newseum IV is being held on Friday October 28th. Tickets are $25 online or $30 at the door; buy here. Spend your Hallow’s Eve-Eve (Oct. 29) on the water with tickets to the Boo Cruise from Spirit Cruises, with Halloween-themed passed appetizers and a spooky dessert station; 21+ only, $44.90 per person; buy tickets online here.
The Grille at Morrison House t116 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria) and Chef Dennis Marron will host their annual Halloween Concert-Style Open Mic Night on Saturday October 29th, from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Pianist Bob Smith, who has played for a total of five presidents and their vice presidents from Nixon through Clinton will be on stage to lead the evening’s line-up of old favorites such as “Black Magic Woman,” “Monster Mash,” “Thriller,” and more. In addition to the great music, there will be a costume contest for most original costume, determined by special guest judge Alberto Moldanado from Keller-Williams Realty. Halloween-themed food and drink specials will be available throughout the evening.
Café Dupont and Bar Dupont, located in The Dupont Hotel, are spicing things up this All Hallows Night with a few tricks, treats and a contest for guests of all ages. The special three-day spooktacular celebration of this bloodcurdling holiday will take place on Saturday, October 29 through Halloween night on Monday, October 31. Enjoy Bar Dupont’s original scary drink menu with eerie garnishes while viewing favorite classic horror films on the large television screens. Fresh complimentary hot cider will be served to all guests as well as a candy station stocked full of sweets for any trick-or-treaters in costume. Enjoy Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. After brunch, patrons can enter a Pumpkin Carving contest for the chance to win a Café Dupont gift certificate. Starting at 2:00 p.m., contestants will have 30 minutes to carve their best jack-o-lantern. Enjoy Halloween-themed specialty drinks! Adult guests in costume will receive one complimentary Mimosa or Bloody Mary. For dinner, Executive Chef Silvan Kramer has crafted a Prix Fix 3 course menu available for $35/person.
Addie’s (11120 Rockville Pike in Rockville, MD) will be offering contests for oyster eating and best costume at their annual Oyster Roast on Sunday, October 30th. Guests are encouraged to bring their appetites as the chefs at Addie’s will be preparing oysters four ways – roasted, fried, shucked and barbequed. In addition, there will be a variety of other items available including BBQ chicken, chili, hot dogs and beer and wine courtesy of Republic National Distributing. Live music courtesy of Free Word Live featuring Incwell, and Sean Chyun & the Deceivers will keep the parents entertained while the kids take part in the oyster eating competition, costume contest, pumpkin decorating, and silent auction. Festivities run from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. $40 in advance, and $50 at the door. Kids under 12 are priced at $20, and children under five are free. Profits from this event will go to support the Washington Nationals Diabetes Care Complex.
It can’t be Halloween without a little magic — and as foodies, what’s better than a little magic in the kitchen? Brandon Millett, creator of the brand new magical recipe book Wizards in the Kitchen will host a kick-off party/ Halloween party on October 28th, 7pm at L2 Lounge (3315 Cady’s Alley, NW) in DC. The book releasing on October 31st will illustrate how to inspire romance, obtain wealth, achieve longevity and much more with dozens of magical recipes in this spectacularly designed, engagingly written cookbook. Special guests, former Miss DCs Jen Corey and Sonya Gavankar will judge the costume contest. (L2 is located in Cady’s Alley. The entrance is on M street, between 33rd and 34th streets. Walk down the steps to Leopolds Cafe; the entrance to L2 is on the right).
Frightfully Delicious Events
On October 29th (5 p.m.) the popular Ghost Roast at Poste will continue under Executive Chef Dennis Marron, who along with his team will serve roasted capretto (goat), roasted pig, bourbon cider and pumpkin ale, seasonal side dishes and dessert. There will be a Halloween costume contest with prizes including a hot cocktail happy hour for 12, dinner for four with sommelier Daniel Lobsenz’s selected wine pairings, and brunch for four with a full Bloody Mary bar. Tickets are required; $50 per person includes all food and a complimentary glass of bourbon cider or beer. For reservations contact Jennifer McDivitt at (202) 449-7062 or jennifer.mcdivitt@postebrasserie.com
On Saturday, October 29th (2:30-3:30pm) attend Co Co. Sala’s Spooky Sculpture class and learn how to create a Spook-tacular Edible Sculpture… fun for all ages. In this hands-on class chocolate comes alive as you learn to transform it into a BOO-tiful Halloween chocolate sculpture. Everyone takes home their own sculpture just in time for Halloween! Class includes hot chocolate & our Vampire’s Kiss Kupcake. Class size is limited. All tickets must be purchased prior to class. Both adults & children are welcome to take the class. Children must be 8 years or older and accompanied by an adult ($50 per person). Email events@coco-dc.com to rsvp or click here to register online.
Join sisters Sophie and Katherine from Georgetown Cupcake and TLC’s DC Cupcakes for a Halloween Cupcake Decorating Class and decorating workshop on Sunday, October 30th from 2 to 4 p.m at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown (Fahrenheit Ballroom). Guests of the class will each participant will frost, decorate, and gift-wrap their own assortment of Georgetown Cupcake’s most popular flavors with fun hand-made Halloween decorations and candy pieces. Hot holiday beverages like hot cocoa and apple cider and an assortment of mini-cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake will also be served to guests as they decorate cupcakes alongside Sophie and Katherine. $65 per person, ages 4 and older. To make a reservation, please contact (202) 912-4110.
Get ready for All Hallow’s Eve on October 30th with Pastry Chef Joanne Decoux of BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier. She will lead costumed friends with a sweet-toot in a festive Halloween Cupcake Decorating Class in the restaurant’s adjoining wine and food shop, The Butcher’s Block. For just $15 for adults with child, you’ll go away with a yummy “treat-bag”, cupcake and glass of wine for mom or dad! We’ll decorate “scary” cupcakes with Brabo Pastry Chef, Joanne Decoux. Come in costume! (The Butcher’s Block, 3-5 pm, Oct 30).
On Saturday, October 29th (12-3 p.m.) enjoy an afternoon celebration of all things pumpkin at RIS (2275 L St., NW). Guests will have the chance to taste some seasonal specialties made from America’s most storied autumn squash. In addition, RIS will provide perfect pumpkins and all the tools necessary to carve unique masterpieces to be proudly displayed candlelit on the patio through Halloween. Chef/Owner Ris Lacoste has a few tricks up her sleeve, but the treats will surely please: pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup and spiced pumpkin cocktails are just the beginning. All proceeds from donations will benefit DC Central Kitchen. Open to all ages with a suggested donation of $20/adult or $10/child.
Looking for fun, filling and philanthropic way to spend Halloween? How about Chipotle’s Annual BOORITO? Simply dress in a costume inspired by the family farm, come to any Chipotle restaurant between 6:00 PM and closing on October 31, Halloween, and Chipotle will give you a burrito, order of tacos, salad or bowl for $2, with proceeds (up to $1 million) benefiting the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation and Farm Aid.
Pumpkin Carving
Café Dupont and Bar Dupont, located in The Dupont Hotel, will host their annual jack-o-lantern carving contest on Sunday, October 30, at 2:00 p.m. along with a face painter and balloon artist for smaller ghosts and goblins. Bar and Café Dupont encourages everyone to write their scariest ghost stories or any other fun Halloween tales onto the official Bar Dupont/Café Dupont Facebook pages. So get your costumes ready and be prepared for this scary fun-filled weekend celebration.
Kimpton’s Helix Lounge ( 1430 Rhode Island Avenue, NW) will host its Seventh annual Pumpkin Carving Contest on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011. With the lounge providing pre-scooped pumpkins, carving tools and great prizes, all patrons will need to bring are creative ideas and a steady hand. * Beginning at 6 p.m., pumpkins will be distributed to patrons on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants will have until 8 p.m. to carve the pumpkins, at which point the winners will be announced. The winner of the “Spookiest Pumpkin” (scariest design) will receive a $50 certificate to Helix Lounge, and the winner of “Most Ghoulish Gourd” (best overall design) will receive a one night weekend stay at Kimpton’s Hotel Helix. The winning pumpkins will be displayed at the lounge through Halloween night. During the pumpkin carving, patrons will enjoy seasonal cocktails including the Pumpkin Martini, featuring vanilla vodka, pumpkin liquor and cream, garnished with a cinnamon stick ($7). Happy Hour prices will be offered for the duration of the event, including $7 burgers, $6 cosmos, $3 Yuengling drafts and $2 PBRs.
Spooktails / Happy Hour
No time for a costume? Still time for a cocktail. Celebrate Halloween, Monday, October 31st in the Wine Bar at J&G Steakhouse with Happy on the Hour. Come as you are – no costume required. Enjoy wine, beer and signature cocktail specials starting at $5 from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. Featured beverages are $5 at 5:00 pm, $6 at 6:00 pm, and $7 from 7:00 to 7:30 pm, including red and white wine by the glass, signature cocktails and two domestic beers. Halloween cocktails include the El Diablo and Blood Orange Mojito.
Trick or Treat, Give Me Something Good to Drink! at Buddha-Bar DC (455 Massachusetts Ave., NW) Friday, October 28th through Monday, October 31st. Patrons will enjoy an exclusive opportunity to enjoy bottle service at a fraction of the cost. From Friday, October 28, through Monday, October 31st, the restaurant will offer a buy one, get one 50% off all bottle service in its lounge. On Halloween, guests are encouraged to dress up to participate in a high-stakes costume contest where the winner will receive the biggest treat of the night: a complimentary bottle of Dom Pérignon. Escape the weekend madness and enjoy an adult spin on the classic holiday at Buddha-Bar DC! To make a reservation, please email Anna at events@buddhabardc.com and include the number of guests in your party and date and time. Reservations are based upon availability.
On Sunday October 30th and Monday October 31st, Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar will celebrate Halloween with a special All Night Happy Hour, featuring $5 Ketel One Bloody Marys and $4 bottles of Post Road Pumpkin Ale. Happy hour prices on drinks and small plates will be available to all guests from 5:00 p.m. to close.
Social Media Events
Food and drink and witch’s brew, a Spooktacular Trick or Tweet-Up a concept so new! On Thursday, October 27, 2011 (5 8:00pm) Policy (1904 14th Street, NW) is hosting a Spooktacular Trick or Tweet-Up. Use the hashtag #PolicyTrickorTweetup to help spread the word, and bring your friends with you too! Enjoy a spook-tactular evening including complimentary appetizers, drink specials & spookalicious fun! Come dressed in your best costumes for a chance to win the “Best Costume” Prize. RSVP here.
Ghost Tours
Nothing is spookier on Halloween than ghost stories. Check out the frightful Carlyle House (121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, Va.) hosts a funeral reenactment and ghost tour of the home from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 29. Pay respects to the surviving members of the Carlyle family and visit the Carlyle grave with others; $15 for tickets; call 703/683-3451.
No Tricks – Only Treats!
Co Co. Sala, DC’s only chocolate boutique and lounge, will be celebrating Halloween with treats o’plenty. Retail offerings include their seasonal special Somethin’ Pumpkin Bar, a sweet combination of chocolate and spiced pumpkin; caramel apples, Chocolate and Pumpkin Seed Brittle Bark. Treat your little ghosts, goblins and ghouls to Co Co. Sala’s Chocolate Spook Pops to make your party special with Co Co. Sala’s customized edible plaques decorated with pumpkins, ghosts and bats.
The newly opened Rabbit, located at 3035 Clarendon Blvd in Arlington, VA, will offer two seasonal Red Velvet Cupcakery confections in the days leading up to Halloween. The Dark and Stormy, a triple ginger cake with a spiced rum buttercream, and ginger beer gelée will be available October 21st through October 27th. Then, the Rocky Road, a chocolate cupcake with walnuts, baby marshmallows and chocolate chips will be available October 28th through November 3rd. Both cupcakes are priced at $3.25 each.
For Our Furry Friends
The Annual Doggie Happy Howl-o-ween Costume Contest benefiting the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Prizes will be held on Thursday, October 27th. Local pets and their human companions can model their Halloween finest while competing for prizes in a contest in the outdoor courtyard. Prizes will be awarded to the best owner/dog couple, the most glamorous canine, the overall “top dog”. The event is open to the public with a $10 registration fee for all participants, and a $10 suggested door donation for non-participants.**This year, the costume contest will be limited to 50 entrants. Once this limit is reached, registration will be closed. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Spectators are welcome. Contest registration is from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Contest begins promptly at 6:00 pm and winners are announced at approximately 7:00 to 8:00 pm. In addition, during the evening’s festivities, guests can purchase Halloween-themed cocktails and light bites from Jackson 20 restaurant, while complimentary doggie treats and fresh water bowls will be available for all canine friends. (Hotel Monaco Alexandria/Jackson 20, 5-8 p.m., Oct 27).
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