D.C. is famous for its annual Halloween Bar Crawls. We’ve selected our favorite three!
Back in my day (and I’m not saying in what decade or even century), my friends and I loved going into D.C. for the annual Halloween bar crawls—all dressed up in our costumes and hopping from bar to bar. We’d meet new people along the crawl and enjoy a night where everyone was out celebrating a fun Halloween evening. Things have evolved since those days way back then, and so much for the better—plus the fun remains the same!
Halloween bar crawls are exceptionally well-organized, each in their own particular D.C. neighborhood, with participating restaurants and bars—each with their own itinerary of fun. When you register for whichever one you choose, you'll receive your instructions, check-in location, and more.
Courtesy of Instagram
While each is a different experience, the major benefits are the same: forget cover charges (those are waived), and you'll get major drink and food discounts. There are other benefits and prizes depending on the Halloween Bar Crawl you choose. Gosh, I wish they had these bar crawls back in my day. How much more fun can you get? Someone else does all of the planning and you just show up and enjoy a great time!
Please remember, we at OCN always want you to have fun, but mostly we want you to be safe! Please don’t drink and drive, have a designated driver, call an Uber, Lyft, or take the Metro.
Now here are our favorite DC Halloween Bar Crawls of 2019:
D.C.’s Halloween Bar Crawl in DuPont Circle
Courtesy of Instagram
Saturday, October 26 | Hours: 3–11 p.m.
While this Halloween bar crawl includes the coolest, the sexiest, and the scariest costumes that you could possibly imagine, they also say they’re the "Official” Crawl in D.C. I’ll choose to agree as DuPont Circle was my OG crawling place. DuPont Circle is such a pretty and eclectic neighborhood, with the bars and restaurants (some beautifully restored, others brand new) all so conveniently lined next to each other. The first designated check-in is Dirty Bar, 1233 Connecticut Ave. NW., between 3 and 4:30 p.m.
The event includes an LED bracelet, a 16-oz. commemorative color-changing cup to take from bar to bar (then home), best costume prizes, and huge drink and food discounts at each location. Oh, and of course, no cover charge for “Official D.C. Halloween Bar Crawl” LED wristband wearers. Click here for more details and to buy your tickets.
The best thing I love about this Halloween Bar Crawl is that you'll have a designated bar crawl staffer who will guide you through your crawl, all the way through DuPont Circle.
The DuPont Circle Metro is close to the bar crawl route. Lyft, Uber, and cabs are also available.
The Halloween Hip Hop Bar Crawl
Courtesy of Instagram
Saturday, October 26 | 2–9 p.m. | Tickets are $20 in advance ($30 at door if available)
LOCATION: U Street Corridor of D.C.
What we love about this D.C. Bar Crawl is its old-school, retro hip hop theme, which is so popular these days. And this Halloween Bar Crawl is 100-percent all that. To keep in the spirit of the theme, hip hop costumes are encouraged. I mean, seriously, why would you go to Halloween Hip Hop Bar Crawl if you aren’t going to embrace it?
Celebrating hip hop classics from the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s, this crawl is all about fun and enjoying the music of 10 of the best-known hip hop DJs in town. Each DJ will be performing at the participating bars along the U Street corridor. The eight bars are offering their own drink specials, giveaways, and more.
Click here to purchase tickets or get more details about the DJs, bars, prizes, and more.
The U Street Cardozo Metro is along the bar crawl route. Lyft, Uber, and cabs are also available.
HalloWeekend Pub Crawl
Courtesy of Pub Crawls
Saturday, October 26 | 4–10 p.m. | Tickets are $18
This pub crawl promises to be a blast. The organizers aren't really too chatty with the evening's festivities, however, based on the three locations we know of that are located in the historic Penn Quarter, the entertainment is going to be off the charts. Check in at the Hard Rock Café on E Street off of 10th (999 E St. NW). Yes, I said it ... you're checking in at the HRC! There you will receive the details for the rest of your Pub Crawl. I can tell you that Penn Social and Pi Pizzeria are along the route, so dress up and get ready to have a blast on this HalloWeekend Pub Crawl!
The Gallery Place—Chinatown Metro is the closest to this pub crawl.
Have you been on an organized D.C. bar crawl before? Did you think it was worth it? Let us know what you think. And don't forget to tag us on your social media crawling experiences with #OCN. Happy Halloween!
