Fall weather is scheduled to roll in over the next few days, so plan to keep warm with craft beer, Virginia wines, and maybe the scare of a Halloween flick.
Spooky movies, stiff drinks
Mount Pleasant hangout Suns Cinema will screen some Halloween-appropriate stories Wednesday to help everyone get into the holiday spirit. Take the edge off with some creepy-themed cocktails and slushies from the bar. Guests are encouraged to “dress to depress.” (3107 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, Wednesday starting at 8 p.m., no cover)
True crime gets the bar treatment
Drink Company is adding on to its GWAR pub in the run up to Halloween with a dive into the popular genre of true crime. The Death Becomes Us PUB, created in partnership with BYT, begins its limited run on Thursday with decor and drinks inspired by cases like Black Dahlia and the Salem Witch Trials. Cocktails include the Covered in Honey, a combination of gin, fino sherry, fig honey grenadine, bitters, and sparkling water. (1843 7th St. NW, open Thursday through November 4).
Oyster fest at Brasserie Beck
Head to Belgian hangout Brasserie Beck this Saturday for an all-you-can eat oyster festival. The ticketed afternoon bash will offer $20 bottles of rosé and $60 bottles of Veuve Clicquot along with $5 beers. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant (202-408-1717) or on OpenTable. (1101 K St. NW, Saturday, noon-3 p.m., $38 for food, drinks a la carte)
Snallygaster returns
D.C. sees plenty of beer festivals throughout the year, though few can match the magnitude of Snallygaster. The annual event is curated by Neighborhood Restaurant Group, the same beer geeks behind bars like Bluejacket, Churchkey, and The Sovereign, so expect an impressive roster of tasty brewers (127 in total) and beers (more than 390 this year). General admission “Kraken” passes are still available (early admission VIP is sold out) and include 30 food and drink tickets. Beers will range from four to nine tickets each, depending on the size and rarity. Day-of admission is available too, along with extra tickets. (Pennsylvania Ave. between 3rd and 6th St. NW, Saturday 1:30 p.m.-7 p.m., $15 to $40+).
Sip through Virginia wines
The 43rd annual Virginia Wine Festival arrives in Rosslyn this weekend and will feature nearly two dozen wineries and cideries from across the state. Tickets include unlimited samples of around 200 wines and ciders as well as access to the oyster pavilion (this requires an additional purchase) along with music and entertainment. Food vendors will be on site, too. (1300 Lee Highway, Saturday and Sunday, noon-6 p.m. $40-$65)
Hanks, in a hurry
The Dupont Circle location of Hank’s Oyster Bar has a new and budget-friendly way to beat those sad desk lunches. The two-course lunchtime express menu is $14.99 a person and heavy on fresh seafood. It includes choices like bacon deviled eggs, a cup of lobster bisque or New England clam chowder, a shrimp po’boy, and a chicken sandwich. (1624 Q St. NW, weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., $14.99).
