“Mummified” bacon dogs and Shack O’Lantern shakes at Shake Shack
Multiple Locations
Spooky specials include a Vienna all-beef hot dog that’s been “mummified” (a.k.a. wrapped with bacon, and pumpkin-maple mustard) for $4.50. Chase it with pumpkin and marshmallow-infused vanilla Shack O’Lantern shake for $5.50.
When: Now through Friday, October 31.
Mystery beer dinner at Mussel Bar & Grille
7262 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda
Reserve a seat for a four-course meal with a mystery menu that features seasonal food paired with Halloween-themed beers. We’d tell you more, but we’d hate to spoil the suspense.
When: Wednesday, October 29, at 6.
Pumpkin carving and zombie cocktails at Kimpton’s Helix Lounge
1430 Rhode Island Ave., NW
Design a winner at the Kimpton Hotel’s tenth annual pumpkin carving contest, which will award the “most local-themed” and the “most ghoulish” with a gift certificate to the lounge or a one-night weekend stay at the hotel. Sip an $8 cherry-and-blood-orange flavored Zombie Gut Punch with Smirnoff vodka, or take advantage of the $6 Sam Adams Octoberfest brews.
When: Thursday, October 30, from 6 to 9.
Party with your pooch at Jackson 20
480 King St., Alexandria
Dress up your dog and strut down the runway in the restaurant’s outdoor courtyard, which hosts a costume contest to benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Registration is $15, and you can sip Halloween-themed cocktails from head bartender Andy Nelson or sample pup-themed beers from Dogfish Head Brewery and Flying Dog Brewery while your canine enjoys complimentary treats and fresh water.
When: Thursday, October 30, at 5.
Pirate party, beer dinner, and brunch at Republic
6939 Laurel Ave., Takoma Park
A weekend of festivities stars on Thursday with a six-course “Belgian Americaine” beer dinner, with pairings by cicerone Brett Robison. The festivities continue on Friday with a Pirate Party, including a costume contest, “zombie killer” rum cocktails, and live music from One Word and Tony Grasso. Wrap up Halloween weekend with the Day of the Dead brunch on Saturday.
When: Thursday, October 30, at 7; Friday, October 31, at 10; and Saturday, November 1, from 11 to 2:30.
Trick or Treat mini dozen from Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
1308 G St., NW
Stop by the shop or food truck to pick up a $20 mini dozen that includes flavors topped with Halloween candy, such as vanilla-glazed doughnuts sprinkled with Kit Kats, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or Snickers, as well as Nutella-glazed and PB&J doughnuts.
When: Thursday, October 30, through Friday, October 31.
Costume Contest and Pumpkin Brews at Drafting Table
1529 14th St., NW
Don your Halloween best and head to this 14th Street bar for a chance to win the costume contest and a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant. At the very least, you can pick up a free Brooklyn Brewery T-shirt and sample seasonal ales, such as the Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest, Pumple Drumkin spiced ale from Cisco Brewers Inc., or Post Rode pumpkin ale from Brooklyn Brewery for $4.
When: Friday, October 31, from 4 to 2.
All-you-can-eat appetizers at Dino’s Grotto
1914 Ninth St., NW
Come in costume for the Grotto’s Halloween party. The $19 ticket gets you all-you-can-eat appetizers, including “zombie eyes”—meatballs in red sauce—and deviled eggs, free candy, and specialty drinks such as $6 Jack O punch made with pear-infused vodka, or $8 hot buttered rum cider.
When: Friday, October 31, at 7.
Disco is Dead at The Passenger
1021 Seventh St., NW
Dig out your best bellbottoms for this disco party hosted at the Warehouse Theater, adjoining the Passenger. You’ll find plenty of themed cocktails to fuel boogeying to the tunes of DJ Honest Lee. Tickets are $5 at the door after 9.
When: Friday, October 31, from 5 to 3.
No Tricks, All Treats dinner at Morton’s The Steakhouse
Multiple Locations
Dine on a four-course All Hallow’s Eve offering at this steakhouse chain. Menu options include baked five-onion soup, chili-glazed salmon, Chicago-style horseradish-mashed potatoes, and double-chocolate mousse. Tickets are $35.
When: Friday, October 31.
Skull sugar cookies at Taco Bamba
2190 Pimmit Dr., Falls Church
There’re no tricks when you drop by for Mexican candy and $3 skull-shaped sugar cookies by Buttercream Bakeshop’s Tiffany MacIsaac.
When: Friday, October 31, through Saturday, November 1.
All Saints Day bourbon bash at Acadiana
This New Orleans-style celebration includes live jazz, all-you-can-eat barbecue pork, braised short ribs, chicken satay, smoked mashed potatoes, bacon-bourbon pralines, specialty cocktails, and bourbon tastings. Tickets are $60.
When: Saturday, November 1 from 6 to 9.
Day of the (Un)Dead at The Yards
300 Tingey St., SE
Enjoy free admission to this block party, complete with live mariachi bands, street performers, fortune tellers, face painters, a celebrity “graveyard,” and a beer garden.
When: Saturday, November 1, from 6 to 10.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
