(Photo by Mr.TinDC)
Halloween is just a few days away and the holiday parties and specials will be in full swing around the city this weekend.
Halloween happenings
Divas from the dead
The eclectic Compass Rose (1346 T St. NW) has an entire weekend of music planned for Halloween. It starts on Saturday at 11 p.m. with old school hip hop, followed by “Brunch of the Living Dead” Sunday at 11 a.m., with a soundtrack exclusively from dead artists. The Halloween day party starts at 5 p.m. on Monday with happy hour specials.
Patio pumpkin painting
Brookland’s Finest (3126 12th St. NE) is hosting an outdoor pumpkin painting contest on Sunday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. There are three age brackets: age 5 and below, ages 6 to 10, and ages 10 and above. All supplies will be provided and there are prizes for the winners. Sip on happy hour specials while you (or your kids) get artsy.
Superhero party!
Black Jack (1612 14th St. NW) and its bar-within-a-bar, Tilt, are throwing a superhero-themed party on Saturday. Everyone in costume will get a free drink ticket. Come from 5 p.m. until close for tasty specials like a pumpkin spice slushy ($8) and a shareable “smoldering cauldron” ($20) made with pumpkin spice Baileys, cream, whiskey, and coffee.
Adult trick-or-treating and old school cocktails
The team at McClellan’s Retreat cocktail bar (2031 Florida Ave NW) is planning a Halloween night on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. complete with a special punch and prizes for creative costumes. There’s no cover and it’s 21+.
Spooky Spanish eats
If you prefer ticketed events, head to Estadio (1520 14th St. NW) this Monday for a costume party of pintxos, sandwiches, desserts, and cocktails. The $31 admission pays for food, and a cash bar will serve up pumpkin and Zombie slushitos along with Vampire’s blood sangria and Schafly pumpkin beer. Estadio gift cards will also be awarded for the best costumes.
Voodoo vibes
Escape the cool air (for a minute) with a Southern-inspired bash at Bayou (2519 Pennsylvania Ave, NW) on Saturday night at 10 p.m. There will be music by Katita and the Fajitas and bar specials including $4 peach Abita beers, $6 punches and hurricanes, and a $200 bar tab for best costume. Tickets are $20 and should be purchased in advance.
The week in openings
Adams Morgan got a new Mexican food option with the opening of Los Cuates (2429 18th St. NW). It’s the restaurant’s third location, in addition to Georgetown and Alexandria. For a different take on Ethiopian food, make a stop at the new Letena (3100 14th St., NW) for a fast-casual fix of injeera and favorites like tibs and stews. And check out our first exerpiences at Service Bar, which opened its doors on U Street last week advertising a $7 all-day cocktail menu.
Chef shuffles
Jammir Gray is the new executive chef at Dupont Circle’s Firefly restaurant (1310 New Hampshire Ave., NW). She’s got experience cooking at One Bar in San Francisco (Michelin starred, by the way) and plans a few tweaks to the menu. Among her new dishes are a fried chicken thigh sandwich and a special pork pozole recipe that will warm you up on even the chilliest days. Expect a bunch of pastries too, including sweet potato cake.
If you’re craving Italian, get over to Lupo Verde (1401 T St. NW) for new menu items and energy from incoming chef Matteo Venini (previously of Tosca DC and the now-closed Posto). His butternut squash cappellacci pasta stuffed ricotta salata, fresh ricotta, golden raisins, and sage is an especially craveable autumn dish.
