Fright at the White House and Haunted Washington Scavenger Hunt
Meet near the intersection of New York Avenue and 15th Street, Northwest, in front of the Treasury Department.
Family teams will awaken White House spirits on a scavenger hunt at 4 PM on Saturday, October 27. At 7, adults brandishing flashlights will troll around Lafayette Park—perhaps meeting Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Decatur, Abigail Adams, and others along the way.
Cost: Tickets must be purchased in advance here or at 877-946-4868, ext. 22; $17.50 for families at 4 PM; $22.50 for adults at 7.
Nightmare on M Street
Register between 6 and 11 PM at Rumors (1900 M St., NW; 202-466-7378) or the Front Page (1333 New Hampshire Ave., NW; 202-296-6500).
From 6 PM to 2 AM on Saturday, October 27, crawl along M Street with other creatures of the night. Thirteen bars are participating in the bar crawl, including Black Rooster Pub, Five, James Hoban’s, Madhatter, McFadden’s, Overtime Cafe, Ozio, Penang, Porter’s, Recessions, Rumors, Singapore Bistro, and the Front Page.
Cost: Purchase $15 tickets in advance here; www.LindyPromo.com $15 with costume at door; $20 without costume at door.
Drink specials: $2 Miller Lite, $3 Miller Chill and Pilsner Urquell, $4.50 Captain Morgan and Parrot Bay drinks, $4.50 Cuervo shots.
Costume contest? As the clock strikes midnight, revelers will emerge from the night, pour into Five, and vie for part of the $1,000 costume prize. To compete, register at Five before 10:30 PM.
Halloween Monster Bash
Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Blvd. Arlington; 703-469-2244.
This wicked evening out includes entertainment by the band Mr. GreenGenes and a dance party with DJ Pat Premier. Party favors, too. Doors open at 6 on Saturday, October 27.
Cost: Starts at $10; will go up to $20 later in the evening.
Costume contest? With 15 years of costume-contest experience, the Clarendon Ballroom knows how to rate them. First place wins $200; second wins $100; third and most original win $50. Print a registration form here. Take it with you or fill one out by 9:30 PM at the event.
Rocktober Graveyard Jam
Hard Rock Cafe, 999 E St., NW; 202-737-7625.
Last year, more than 1,000 Halloween revelers rocked out at the Graveyard Jam. Doors open at 9 PM on Saturday, October 27, and DJ Cadillac starts playing around 10. Enter the raffle and you might leave with a trip to Iceland or an Ovation guitar.
Cost: Buy $10 tickets in advance here or call 301-519-8030; $15 at door.
Drink specials: A “Think Pink” satellite bar will serve rosy-colored concoctions—part of the proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Costume contest? Judges will determine contest winners and give out prizes.
High Heel Drag Show and Halloween Party
17th Street Cafe, 1513 17th St., NW, 202-234-2470.
Stormy Starfyre Vain and her Angels of Entertainment host this fete, which starts at 9 PM on Saturday, October 27, and includes a drag show. Come back Tuesday, October 30, from around 7 to 9 PM for the lead-up to the annual High Heel Drag Race, then cheer on the drag queens as they sashay as fast as they can from the 17th Street Cafe to R Street; the race begins at 9.
Cost: Free.
Drink specials: Free pucker shots from shirtless men wielding water guns.
Costume contest: Stormy will judge the contest and award prizes including a free bar tab.
SpeakeasyDC’s Halloween Campfire Bus Trip
Meet at Station 9, 1438 U St., NW; 240-888-9751.
In the spirit of preserving oral tradition, SpeakeasyDC is renting a bus, driving out to Patuxent River Park, setting up a campfire, and telling ghost stories. Participants will also go for a haunted nighttime hike, so bring warm clothes, walking shoes, and a flashlight. Meet at Station 9 on Saturday, October 27, at 7:30 and you’ll be back by 12:30 AM—chilled by the stories but warmed by the fire and drinks.
Cost: $31 a person; $50 a couple. Purchase tickets here.
Drink specials: Some beer will be provided, but bring your own as well.
Costume contest? No, and don’t wear one.
