Way scarier than All Hallows Eve this year was the storm that tore through our streets. If high winds and heavy rains didn’t frighten you enough, however, we have the rundown on parties, specials, and spooky meals starting Tuesday—along with information about rescheduled events.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30
Day of the Dead Festivals Resume
Oyamel just decided to open at 5 today, so you can catch all the Day of the Dead Festival specials, which last through November 2. Offerings include drinks such as the rum-based Zombie Apocalypse and dishes like venison heart with pickled cactus.
The newly opened Fuego Cocina y Tequileria is also reopening at 4, which means you can celebrate the end of Sandy and the Dia de los Muertos festival all at once. Special drinks include tequila-spiked Aztec Poison and the Devil’s Swamp Water with Sauza Silver and house-made kiwi-mint agua fresca.
Spirits in Black
Plenty of Washington pride is planned for what sounds like a killer party at Dodge City and Velvet Lounge on Wednesday at 8 PM, where bar masters Patrick Owens, Ashley May, Gina Chersevani, and Owen Thompson have masterminded a devilish evening. The DC Brau crew is releasing its new beer—in addition to judging a costume contest at midnight—and Catoctin Creek is debuting its latest brandy. 13th Street Meats will be grilling special sausages.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31
Costume Contest
Thunder Burger in Georgetown is holding a costume contest on Wednesday night (final judging takes place at 10). The winning prize—awarded to one man and one woman—is a $50 gift certificate.
Dinner and a Scary Movie
Those looking for a more relaxed Halloween can head to the Queen Vic; the pub serves up dinner while showing a to-be-determined scary movie on the big screen.
Georgia Avenue Pub Crawl
Celebrate the spookiest evening of the year with $4 Chocolate City drafts at DC Reynolds, Blue Banana, and the Looking Glass Lounge, sponsored by the brewery. The evening marks the release of its Cerveza Nacional Dark Vienna Lager.
Halloween Benefit
Party with a purpose on Wednesday at 6:30, when the Violence Is Scary benefit returns to One Lounge. The $40 donation to DC Safe also buys you access to a two-hour open bar, “horror d’oeuvres,” a silent auction, and treats from Georgetown Cupcake. Just don’t forget to dress up.
Howl-o-Ween
Is Fido still a little shaky after the storm? Take him over to the Fairmont Georgetown, which is stocking the patio with treats for dogs and humans from 6 to 7:30. The party includes $5 “witch’s brew” cocktails for two-legged attendees and peanut butter doggie biscuits for the canines. Both species are encouraged to come in costume.
King of Pop Party
Celebrate the late Michael Jackson at Bar Pilar starting at 7 with plenty of pop tunes, $7 Halloween-themed cocktails, and Thriller-style fog machines. The best Jackson-inspired costume wins a $50 bar tab, so now’s the time to break out that red leather jacket.
Parisian Halloween
You’ll find mimes, absinthe, and other Francophile signatures at Napoleon Bistro in Adams Morgan on Wednesday, where the Alliance Française is putting on a fete starting at 8. Don the Frenchiest outfit to win a bottle of Champagne. Tickets are $12, and can be purchased on the event site.
Prince of Darkness
Win a $50 bar tab at Cafe Saint-Ex Monday when you don your best costume inspired by the Prince of Darkness—or an Osbourne family member. Fueling the party: special Black Sabbath-themed cocktails.
Mad Fox Brewing Company is celebrating survival on Wednesday with a screening of the Brit cult hit Shaun of the Dead at 8, alongside a menu of burgers inspired by the movie (we like the idea of the mac-and-cheese-topped zombie burger). Stop in between 3 and 7 to decorate cookies and grab a gratis trick-or-treat bag.
RESCHEDULED
High Heel Race
The annual High Heel Race that was supposed to happen Tuesday is clicking its stilettoed heels over to Thursday, November 1, due to the stormy weather. The fun starts in Dupont at 6 PM, and the official drag queen race down 17th Street goes down at 9. Check out our pics from last year.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
