Looking for some booo-ze this Halloween? Area bars are concocting all sorts of spooky cocktails. The hardest part may be deciding witch (get it?) to try. Sip these ghostly quaffs before they disappear.
B Live and Coco B’s
These B Social Hospitality restaurants are serving up scary sips. At beachy B Live, find Blood Water (blue curacao, rum and grenadine), Proceed with Caution (vodka, pomegranate juice, hibiscus syrup, rum, tequila and orange juice), and Candy Corn & Soda (honey-infused vodka and soda). Next door, the newly opened and très tropical Coco B’s celebrates its first Halloween with Deadpool’s Punch (rum, pomegranate juice, pineapple juice, orange juice and dehydrated lime), Scarecrows’ Spritz (apple cider, Aperol, lemon juice and champagne) and Grimreaper-Rita (tequila, orange juice and, black raspberry liqueur). Bonus: Both places are participating in the Clarendon Halloween Block Party “Nightmare on Wilson Boulevard” on Oct. 28 from 3-11 p.m. // 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Banditos Tacos and Tequila
Every day is a good day for a taco, but two cocktails at this taqueria will be available only on Oct. 28 during its Day of the Dead celebration. Wash down your quesadilla, empanada or taco with a Blood Orange Rita (Don Julio Blanco, 21 Seeds orange tequila, blood orange puree and lime) or a Pumpkin Rita (Don Julio Reposado, lime juice, agave and pumpkin butter). // 1301 S. Joyce St., Arlington (National Landing)
Buena Vida Gastrolounge
Indulge your inner vampire Oct. 29-31 with a glass of El Beso de Dracula (the kiss of Dracula) at this Mexican restaurant in Clarendon. The cocktail is made with mezcal, lemon juice, angostura bitters, prickly pear puree, tart cranberry syrup and dry ice. Swing by in costume on Oct. 29 from 5-10 p.m. for a party with a DJ spinning hits (our money’s on Thriller) on the rooftop. // 2900 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Chicken + Whiskey
Opened in June, chef Enrique Limardo’s Peruvian rotisserie chicken joint and whiskey bar is having some fun with Halloween’s favorite vegetable. Now through Oct. 31, get the Squash It, made with Bacardi Rum, pumpkin, orange, cinnamon and lemon. // 3033 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
The Commentary Social House
Toast a good cause with a Pumpkin Cheesecake Graveyard Martini (vanilla vodka, pumpkin spice syrup, lemon juice, vanilla Greek yogurt, raspberry sauce and drizzled Oreo crumbs) at the Howl-O-Ween event at The Garden, the restaurant’s patio space that will officially debut in the spring. Freakishly good fun starts at 4 p.m. Oct. 28 with Pups on The Patio, an adoption event with dogs from Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation. Twenty percent of the proceeds made during the three-hour event will go to the nonprofit. Return on Oct. 29 from 12-2 p.m. for a Canine Costume Garden Soiree with prizes going to the cutest, scariest and funniest doggos. // 801 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
Dudley’s Sport and Ale
Embrace the Great Pumpkin while watching the game at this Shirlington sports bar. Seasonal beers include Hardywood Farmhouse Pumpkin Ale; Air Gourd’n Pumpkin Porter by Solace Brewing Co.; Starr Hill Brewery’s Wicked Harvest Imperial Pumpkin Ale; Pumpkin Ale from Manassas-based 2Silos Brewing Co.; and How Now Brown Cow Pumpkin Milk Stout by Aslin Beer Co. On Oct. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dudley’s will host a Boos and Brews Beerfest on its rooftop with a costume contest and $20 bottomless tasters. // 2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington (Shirlington)
Kusshi
This Westpost (Pentagon Row) sushi and sake bar is gravely serious about its three Halloween-themed cocktails. Calling all Edward Cullen fans, there’s the Vampire’s Kiss, made with vodka, crème de violet, cranberry juice and grenadine. Or, embrace All Hallow’s Eve with the Hollow-tini (dark rum, spiced rum, mango and pineapple) or Frankie shooter (gin, Midori, sour). // 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Nightmare on the Avenue
This Del Ray pop-up bar is serving 11 spooky cocktails, such as the Smoky Black Widow (Ilegal Mezcal, Chambord, lime, orange and a black-salt rim) and The Witch That Stole My Heart, a shareable potion for two made with dry ice, Tito’s vodka, black cherry nectar, ginger beer and lime juice-activated charcoal. // 2312 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)
Urbano
Frightful beverages available through Nov. 3 at this Tex-Mex destination in Mosaic include the Franken Sour (vodka, blue curacao, pineapple juice and egg white) and the Uncommon Treat (featuring tequila, honey, Aperol, passionfruit juice, blackberry syrup and egg white). On Oct. 31, make a night of it at the Mosaic Halloween Spooktacular from 4-7 p.m., when retailers will be passing out candy and Scooby Doo (the movie) will fill Strawberry Park’s big outdoor screen. Remember, sip and stroll is a thing there. // 2985 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Punch Bowl SocialÂ
Oct. 29, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
This multi-level establishment’s Halloween party promises a costume contest and specialty games, plus two limited-time cocktails. Halloween in Jalisco (Espolon Reposado Tequila, orange syrup, fresh lime juice, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram and orange peel, garnished with a mini cauldron and Halloween candy) will be served only at the party. But What Up Witches (cardamom-infused rum, Fernet Branca, crème de cassis, apple cider and simple syrup, and garnished with skull drink picks and Halloween spiders) will be available Oct. 20-Nov. 5. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1180, Arlington (Ballston)
Whino
On Oct. 28 at 9 p.m., the mixologists at this moody art bar will be brewing up three specialty cocktails—one classic and two of their own conjuring—during the Whino Halloween Party. The pre-Prohibition era Corpse Reviver #2 is made with Fords Gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau and absinthe rinse. The Poisoned Apple contains Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, apple cider, triple sec, lime juice, maple syrup and prosecco, plus a cinnamon sugar rim. The Bittersweet Brew (Bo & Ivy Bourbon, Demerara Syrup, Aztec chocolate bitters, orange bitters and a Luxardo maraschino cherry) rounds out the list. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., 2nd Floor, Arlington (Ballston)
Haunted Wine Tour at the Winery at Bull Run
During the one-hour guided walking tour, available on weekdays through Nov. 6, you can sample wines and listen to ghostly stories about soldiers who fought during the Civil War on the grounds of Manassas National Battlefield Park, which is adjacent to the winery. Tickets cost $55 per person and include a logo glass, the wine tasting and after-hours winery access. (Bonus: Halloween Movie Night Under the Stars on Oct. 28 from 8-10:30 p.m. features a showing of The Princess Bride.) // 15950 Lee Highway, Centreville