Halloween pop-up bars for D.C. spooky season
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Deadly drinks at Black Lagoon. Photo: Courtesy of Black Lagoon
Halloween pop-ups are here for your bar crawlies.
Why it matters: It's drink-or-treat for adults, a win-win!
Between the lines: Some haunts take reservations or sell tickets — book soon unless you want to wait in limbo.
🍸 Black Lagoon at Trouble Bird (Navy Yard): This national pop-up, conjured by bar industry vets, partners with over 30 bars across the U.S. It's as much about the creepily creative cocktails (including N/A options) as the spooky vibes, so down a citrusy rye-miso "Psychosis" shot and settle in.
- When: Oct. 8-Nov. 2
🎃 The Nightmare Before Bar (Penn Quarter): Halloween pub meets haunted historic building during this 90-minute immersive experience. Grab a free welcome drink before getting in the spirit with Halloween-themed activities like mini-pumpkin carving and gothic mask-making, plus access to a theme bar.
- When: Oct. 5-Nov. 3, tickets ($15).
😱 Booze and Boos Tour (Downtown): Hit up multiple haunted D.C. pubs on this historical walking tour where you can sip your scaries away (though drinks are optional).
- When: Thurs-Sat through Nov. 3, tickets ($30).
👻 Ghost Bar (Union Market): The evil geniuses behind Nightmare in Navy Yard are behind this Halloween-themed pop-up bar that's shrouded in mystery (more soon).
- When: Coming in October
🧙Never Looked Better (Shaw): Wizarding World comes to the basement Blagden Alley bar that's planning a potion cabinet-worth of cocktails and mystical decor.
- When: October
🍷Little Blackbird (Cleveland Park): Pairings get a holiday twist when matched with candy at this wine bar — Red Hots and sauternes, anyone? — which offers eight options over Halloween weekend, plus infused cocktails like a Nerd's martini or Reese's old fashioned.
- When: Oct. 31-Nov. 2