Get ready to drink in fear at PUB Dread this October. (Photo by Farrah Skeiky)

Forget the cheer and whimsy of Christmas or the elegance of cherry blossoms—even the intrigue of Westeros, for that matter. The latest pop up bar from the creative and cocktail minds at Drink Company is going all in on fear with its next concept.

PUB (short for pop-up bar) Dread will open October 1 and fittingly run for 31 days until Halloween. The Shaw space (1839-1849 7th St. NW) will be organized into three themed rooms: the haunted forest, with all the creeps of the dark woods; the dollhouse, with eerie vintage toys and dolls; and the crypt, with tombstones and coffins.

“For us, Halloween is the perfect foil to create a pop-up space,” says co-owner Derek Brown. “You’ve got horror, camp and pop-culture all wrapped in one season.”

As the name suggests, Drink Company takes beverages just as importantly as the decor, so expect some tasty concoctions. Bar Manager Paul Taylor has developed a menu that plays off favorite scary movies and Halloween memories like trick of treating.

“We had to add a couple cocktails to the cauldron that represent the holiday,” he says.

The opening announcement teases a variation on the Zombie called “BRAINS!,” served in a skull tiki mug along with a candy brain. There’s even a nod to Saturday Night Live character David S. Pumpkins in a drink with rum, sherry, and pumpkin spice. The cocktail averse can sip on Southern Tier Pumpking and DC Brau Oktoberfest.

The likely long lines will only build the anticipation. And with all the frights, you’ll want to keep your friends close, and your drink closer.

PUB DREAD from Drink Company on Vimeo.

PUB Dread runs October 1 through October 31. Hours are Mondays through Thursdays 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.