That is, assuming the park’s courses are still here when the boy is ready to learn.

President Trump has ambitions to turn the park’s rundown-but-beloved public courses private in hopes of attracting a PGA Tour event, and he has kept renovation plans close to the vest. How much of the park will be torn down to make space for Trump’s vision? Will the nine-hole white and red courses remain? Will the mini-golf course? The bike path? 

Nobody knows. The President’s first step was, in late 2025, to terminate the National Links Trust’s lease on East Potomac Golf Links and the District’s two other public courses, Langston Golf Course and Rock Creek Park Golf. At the time, Dickson assumed that the National Links Trust—a nonprofit set up in 2019 to preserve and maintain municipal golf courses, particularly those in DC—would sue the government to make sure any changes happen in the public eye and maintain the shape and character of the courses. 

No such lawsuit happened, so Dickson and some friends stepped in to fill the void. Together with another golfer and the DC Preservation League, an advocacy group that aims to maintain the District’s historic buildings and locations, Dickson became a plaintiff in a suit against the Trump administration that aims to slow or even halt the President’s plans for East Potomac Park.

So far, efforts to preserve the park have produced mixed results. A hill of toxic dirt and debris that once was the East Wing of the White House now sits, fenced off, in the middle of the white and red courses. Just last weekend, over 500 trees were suddenly cut down by the National Park Service.  

The way the tree-felling took place only added to the concern and confusion Dickson and other local golfers have about Trump’s plans. At 4:55 PM on Friday, October 9, the National Park Service quietly filed a notice that it would be cutting down up to 529 trees on the East Potomac courses—despite a court order that the Department of Interior must give prior notice before executing any changes to the park. 

This perceived end-around led to a heated day in court the following Monday, which saw Judge Ana C. Reyes tell the government’s lawyers that they “did [their] absolute worst” at keeping the court informed of its actions. Reyes has ordered that no trees be cut until October 26.

Gregory Wischer and Jessica Bowron, key figures at the Department of Interior who were involved in the sudden order to cut down the 500 trees, are scheduled to appear in court on Monday to explain the government’s actions.

The concern among Dickson and the golfers accompanying him for what they call the “Summit at East Potomac” is potentially losing the area’s cheapest and most diverse place to golf. “It’s the people’s course of DC,” says Andrew Uhlman, the group’s lone southpaw. Replacing it with a private course, the group worries, would drastically constrict the sport’s local accessibility—taking away a launchpad for young people like Dickson’s sons and countless high school golf teams, who, overwhelmingly, learn and then play at East Potomac.

The publisher of Beltway Golfer, Dickson knows just about every Washington-area course, the people who play there, and the history of both. Over the years, he’s played rounds at East Potomac with all sorts of people: congressional staffers; visitors in town for diplomatic events and State Department and National Guard trainings; and, on one memorable occasion, an elderly African-American local who spent the round regaling Dickson with tales of the course’s 1980s heyday, when the greens were hotbeds of gambling. 

While Presidents Harding and Coolidge were known to play at East Potomac, Dickson says he doesn’t think “a President has played one of DC’s public courses since [Gerald] Ford.” Most recent presidents, he continues, have preferred to golf at the courses at Joint Base Andrews, home to a pair of 18-hole courses.

(Uhlman says that golfers sometimes see three helicopters hovering over East Potomac and assume Trump is monitoring and planning from the skies. The Atlantic reports that these are flights to Joint Base Andrews, perhaps making them golf-related).

Dickson says Trump is also attempting renovations to the Andrews courses, something made possible by a presidential declaration easing environmental laws for the project. With all the attention given to East Potomac Park, he adds, this other local course is not getting enough coverage. 

Dickson’s propensity toward the historic and big-picture led him—after over a decade covering the region’s golf community online and via podcasts—to launch a print magazine this year. There used to be another DMV-specific golf magazine, Washington Golf Monthly, later called GolfStyles, but it folded. (Its former website now links to an illegal sports streaming site in Vietnamese). 

The golfers accompanying Dickson are readers, podcast guests, Instagram followers, and print subscribers of Beltway Golfer. Some have actually golfed with Dickson before; for others, this is the first time. The group is playing as a team. On each hole all of them attempt a drive, and they choose the best shot to represent them all, and so on, until they put a ball—any ball—in the hole. Particularly good shots are rewarded with Beltway Golfer merch. 

The guys are universally appreciative of Dickson. They ask him about the trees hugged by yellow caution tape, and turn in his direction as he tells me about reports people shared with him that some of the trees cut down last week materially changed the shots one can make on the 18-hole blue course. 

“It takes a lot of balls really to stand up to the government,” says Jason Miller, who has been coming to East Potomac Park since he was a kid, “and the fact that he’s willing to do that is amazing.”

Miller golfed when he was younger, and picked it back up as an empty-nester. He hosts a tournament on the blue course every spring. One element to getting back into the DC golf scene was following Beltway Golfer. He’s now a print subscriber. Dickson says his initial goal is for local golf clubs and courses to carry the magazine in their clubhouses. That’s where local golfers hang out, so that’s where he wants it to be. Dickson says he’s got about a thousand magazines out to readers and clubs so far. 

In the first—and so far only—issue of Beltway Golfer, Dickson shares reportage on the future of golf in Northern Virginia, unique food at an area clubhouse, and a service piece about the best golf on either side of the Potomac River, alongside which there are two stories about DC’s municipal golf courses, a photo essay about historic Langston Golf Course, and predictions for what could happen to East Potomac Golf Links in light of Trump’s interest. Somehow, this magazine’s publisher will sue to stop the president didn’t make it into the article.

As the group meanders around the course, I hear smatterings of complaints. Some about the tens of thousands of dollars they would have to pay annually to golf at a private club if East Potomac is closed, others about the trees that were cut down, others about the lack of transparency throughout the process. 

Then, the group approaches the third hole. Nearly every golfer announces that if they shank their shot, they will hit the White House. Just to the right of the tee is the mound of rubble and dirt that used to be the East Wing. They all turn to Miller and point to the image on his T-shirt: a drawing of the debris mound and a golf hole with the Washington Monument in the background, all below the words “say no to Trump’s dump.” “If you went into your backyard and dug up a bunch of dirt, you couldn’t just drop it in a national park,” Miller says. “I felt like I should do something. So I made a shirt.” 

Miller seems discouraged by the extent of the shirts’ impact: “I sold probably 15 of them to a few people.”

Since filing his lawsuit, Dickson has been getting tips from his readers and supporters. When the East Potomac tree-clearing operation began, he “woke up to pictures and videos of the trees cut down in my DMs.” Golfers who otherwise would have no outlet for the photos, presumably taken in frustration and anger, assumed that Dickson could use them. 

Near the end of the round, the golfers make plans to share “trunk beers,” since the clubhouse’s Potomac Grille closes early this time of year. I ask Dickson if suing the federal government has hurt or helped sales of his magazine. He says he’s not sure—he worried about it before joining the suit, but ultimately felt he had to do what he could to protect East Potomac. After all, it’s his home course. And what would Beltway Golfer be without one?

The post He’s Suing to Stymie Trump’s Takeover of East Potomac Park’s Golf Courses. We Went Golfing With Him. first appeared on Washingtonian.

A South Korean dessert giant with over 1,750 locations in its home country is opening stateside on Saturday, October 17, and it’s chosen Old Town Alexandria to host its first US branch. Twosome Place specializes in two things—coffee and cake—but the store will also feature a new flavored drinks and other Korean specialties.

Twosome’s cakes are imported from Korea, according to head of US operations Hyunji Kim, while toppings are applied stateside. Most are available by the slice as well as in their entirety, including their popular strawberry chocolate cream cake with layers of cream shuffled between tender sponge and crunchy chocolate pearls. It’s the only trademarked cake in Korea, with over 3 million sold annually.

Twosome’s icebox cake, Hyunji says, is also a crowd favorite in Korea, having been originally inspired by recipes from the American midwest. Despite featuring chocolate cookies, whipped cream, and mascarpone, the cake tastes light, almost as if it could be eaten for breakfast. In fact, that’s how it’s sometimes enjoyed overseas: “Just like cereal, some people pour milk on the icebox, and eat it with a spoon,” notes Twosome’s chief operating officer Shin Kim, who flew in from Seoul for the opening. “US cakes are more butter-rich, whereas our cakes [use] more fresh cream.”

Exclusive to the Alexandria location is a black sesame cake, which uses chocolate sponge and squishy rice cakes to create some textural variety. Other Twosome offerings include a mango cake, a seasonal pumpkin tart, and an injeolmi cake flavored with rice and roasted soybean powder. Shin adds that Twosome is considering selling bingsu, a Korean shaved ice dessert, during the summer months.

Beyond cakes, the store is also offering pastries from Union Market bakery Pluma, as well as savory items including a “Bulgogi Bibimbowl” and “K-Toast,” which features bulgogi, fried egg, vegetables, and chipotle mayo tucked between two thick slices of brioche.

While Twosome sells three distinct coffee blends in Korea, they’ve created just one for Alexandria, in collaboration with the Annapolis–based Ceremony Coffee Roasters. But you’ll also find a variety of specialty drinks, such as a yuzu espresso tonic and an iced apple cinnamon tea. There’s also the “Dalgona Cream Top,” a whipped coffee inspired by the traditional candy made famous by the Korean drama Squid Game. 

The space is comfortable and elegant, featuring cherry wood benches and traditional Korean light fixtures. “We didn’t want it to look like Korea Korea,” says Shin. “We wanted to provide very subtle Korean aesthetics.” 

With stylish merch on the shelves and a website flaunting collaborations with Porsche and Johnnie Walker, it’s perhaps little surprise that Twosome is backed by private equity—specifically, the DC-based Carlyle Group. The brand was created by another large conglomerate, CJ Foodville. “It was already big before Carlyle acquired the business,” Shin says. 

Old Town might not seem like an obvious location for the company’s first US branch, but Shin says the chain was drawn to the area because of its demographics. “Alexandria has very sophisticated consumers with very strong spending power, especially when it comes to dining and food,” he says. It’s also a central base for any possible expansion. “From a geographic perspective, it’s in a good location, where we can expand north and south as we go,” Shin says.

The post A Popular Korean Cafe with Specialty Cakes Opens in Alexandria first appeared on Washingtonian.

Held on October 8th at The Vault at The Watergate hotel, the evening honored the 2026 Tech Titans and their contributions to the region’s growing technology landscape. Honorees and guests connected over cocktails, delicious bites, and music, enjoying an evening of celebration and conversation. Attendees also had the opportunity to capture the moment with personalized keepsake photos at the signature Washingtonian faux cover station.

Washingtonian President and CEO Cathy Merrill welcomed guests and raised a toast to this year’s honorees, recognizing their leadership, accomplishments, and continued impact on the region’s technology community.

A special thank you to our sponsors; Intuit, Microsoft, Verizon, JP Morgan, Amazon, and NextEra Energy for helping bring this celebration to life. We also extend our gratitude to our event partners, The Watergate Hotel, Dan Swartz, Evy Mages, Washington Talent Agency, Snap Entertainment, Lee’s Flower Shop, and Mixing Maryland for making the evening a memorable one.

Take a look at some of our favorite moments from the celebration below!

Photography by: Dan Swartz and Evy Mages

The post Photos From Washingtonian’s 2026 Tech Titans Reception first appeared on Washingtonian.

1

Piper Holly, an online content creator, was wearing the Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT 2 x Teyana Taylor. The kicks, also called “A Rose From Harlem,” are a collaboration between Nike and the One Battle After An-other actor. “You won’t find a lot of sneakers like this,” Holly said. “I like unique detail—that’s part of my style.”

2

Ruen Baker has been building his sneaker collection since he was 13. Now 20, he owns more than 400 pairs, which he estimated cost him more than $300,000. His carefully curated Supreme outfit was half blue, half red, complete with one Air Jordan 4 Retro Flyknit in each color. What inspired it? “America,” he said.

3

These pearl-studded Lanvins were the key part of Bella Trivane’s outfit. “I usually pick something that’s loud and catches the eye, and then I wear something more muted on top,” she said.

4

Brian Strong won these vivid Nike x Cactus Plant Flea Market dunks in a raffle. He came to the convention to sell shoes from his collection, which he has built up over about ten years. “Right now I got, like, 40 [pairs of] shoes, and I don’t wear them for work, so they’re just kind of a collection.”

5

Craft Sutton’s interest in sneakers goes beyond the aesthetic and into the academic, as he said he studies connections between sneakers and Black history. Sutton traveled from southern Virginia to the convention and wore bright-pink Hyperflight DMVs, which pay tribute to DC and feature embroidered cherry blossoms.

6

Another pair of Nikes—this time paying tribute to the Grateful Dead and its connections to Oregon, where Nike is based—were worn by Matt Latif, who got into sneakers only about a year ago. “I went from having probably five pairs that you would pick up at Target to over 100 pairs.”

The post Eye-Popping Footwear at DC’s Sneaker Con first appeared on Washingtonian.

After exploring the park, drive 15 minutes to the Occoquan’s riverfront historic district. Ballywhack Shack Cafe is at the base of the area, an easy stop for sandwiches and all-day breakfast. It’s prime season for sitting on the quaint porch with a maple pumpkin latte. For a cozy souvenir, walk two blocks to tea shop Leaf and Petal and pick up autumnal sips such as apple pie black tea, spiced yerba mate chai, and a ginger pear blend.

Looking for more day trip ideas? Check out our Perfect Saturdays series.

The post This Fall Day Trip Features a Leaf-Peeping Hike and Cozy Drinks first appeared on Washingtonian.

Good morning. A chance of rain this morning, then partly cloudy with a high around 83. Rainy with a low around 50 overnight.

Sports this weekend: The Washington Wizards visit New Orleans for a preseason game tonight. The Capitals host New Jersey Saturday. The Washington Spirit host Gotham FC at Audi Field Saturday. Loudoun United FC visit Birmingham Legion FC Sunday.

How well do you know the District? Play our new geography game and test your local knowledge. You can find me on Bluesky, I’m @abeaujon.87 on Signal, and there’s a link to my email address below. This roundup is available as a morning email newsletter. Sign up here.

I can’t stop listening to

Brindley Brothers, “Playing With the Light.” Before they owned Union Stage Presents, Luke Brindley and Daniel Brindley were in this well-regarded Americana group. They’ll play a reunion show Saturday at Jammin’ Java with Michael Clem from the band Eddie From Ohio.

Take Washingtonian Today with you! I keep ridiculously long playlists on Apple Music and on Spotify of this year’s music recommendations. Here are 2025’s songs (Apple, Spotify), too.

Here’s some administration news you might have blocked out

Ukraine

Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian energy infrastructure yesterday, hitting an oil refinery near Moscow with a drone attack. (WSJ) The strike followed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing exasperation with President Trump‘s recent moves—including an abruptly announced deal to allow Russia to sell diesel fuel and a declaration that both sides had agreed to an “energy ceasefire” that was news to Zelensky—during an interview. (NYT) European leaders plan to urge Zelensky to tone it down during a meeting in Brussels today. (FT) US officials say someone inside the White House gave an order to throttle bandwidth for an important communication system Ukraine uses. (Reuters) It wasn’t Trump, another unnamed official said. (Bloomberg) Four Republican US senators signed a letter asking the Pentagon’s inspector general to look into the situation. (Hill) The White House hopes American voters, battered by high prices that stem from Trump’s war in Iran, will appreciate his attempt to bring down fuel costs. (NYT) But prices for diesel are sky-high and climbing, and they’re putting pressure on costs in the broader economy. (Reuters)

California

The Department of Justice filed a long-shot suit against California yesterday in an attempt to prevent the Golden State from counting votes DOJ claims may be from non-citizens. (NYT) The suit is Trump’s “latest bid to assert control over states’ voter rolls ahead of the midterms in under three weeks.” (Politico) The administration has lost dozens of previous similar suits. (WSJ)

Friends like these

The State Department fired Trump pal Paolo Zampolli, who has engaged in a months-long email feud with another State official. (Politico) Zampolli, who says he introduced Trump to his wife, Melania Trump, “is known in Washington for flaunting his proximity to the Trumps.” (NYT) New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia tried to explain her weird debut in an interview with Pizzagate conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec. (Washington Sun) Meanwhile, some Trump aides—including Stephen Miller and Bill Pulte—reportedly expect Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to step down if the midterms go as badly for the GOP as polling suggests and are “angling for the position.” (Washington Post) Kristi Noem‘s post-Homeland Security tenure as a special envoy to Trump’s Shield of the Americas initiative has also drawn to a close. (CBS News)

Administration perambulation

Trump officials scrutinized US Representative Ilhan Omar‘s immigration records during his first term, found nothing, and moved on. (Washington Post) Apple, Nvidia, and other firms have contributed millions to the ballroom Trump is building on the site of the White House’s former East Wing. Trump does not appear to have ponied up for the structure, despite his claims to the contrary. (Washington Post) The administration hopes to invoke executive privilege to shield Trump’s role in the Kennedy Center’s eventful recent history. (NBC News) Trump announced he wouldn’t use nukes or ground troops in Iran. (CNBC) ICE agents who ran over a man in Houston said they were looking for someone who reportedly died in 2017. (NYT) Vice President JD Vance said it was “disgusting and despicable” to sell access to the White House, as cashiered US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle is said to have done. (CBS News) Trump canceled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth‘s plans to live-stream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan. Trump didn’t know Hasan was paralyzed. (NYT)

Recently on Washingtonian dot com

• Three new spots—including a food hall with a fast-casual spinoff of Honey Pig—are freshening up the Eden Center.

• Media law experts weigh in on US Representative Andy Harris‘s recent threat to get a student journalist arrested.

• DC-area bars and restaurants are getting ready for Halloween. And here’s a list of scary parades, parties, and shows.

• A beatboxing competition is coming to town.

• This Adams Morgan wedding had a garden-party theme.

Local news links

• Inmates in the long-troubled DC Jail filed a suit saying the facility’s food contains “mice and insects.” (Washington Post)

• The administration moved ahead with plans to reinstall a Confederate monument at Arlington Cemetery. The memorial includes “a Black woman depicted as ‘Mammy’ holding what is said to be the child of a white officer.” (NBC4 Washington)

• A club tennis team at the University of Maryland apologized for sending an email that “featured the Maryland state flag alongside depictions of Ku Klux Klan members.” (DC News Now)

• Persistent elevator outages at DC public schools have forced staffers and students to improvise—one elementary school formed a weeks-long “human elevator” to ferry a teacher to her classroom. (Washington Post)

• DC’s likely next mayor Janeese Lewis George poured cold water on Waymo’s plans to run robot taxis on District streets. (City Cast DC)

• A man who was convicted of recording patrons in the bathroom of a Del Ray coffeehouse was arrested by ICE. (ALXnow)

• Arlington police say two men threw rocks at a local business and cut an employee of a towing company—guess which one—during a fight Wednesday. (ARLnow)

• Amtrak traffic between DC and Alexandria will pause for nine days starting this evening. Here’s how you can get around. (ABC7)

• Where does your grocery store rank on this list of the area’s most popular? I mostly shop at Giant, which is No. 1. (WBJ)

• Students at the University of Maryland hope to lure Larry David (B.A., 1970) back to College Park as a commencement speaker. (WTOP)

Things to Do

Friday: It’s the first night of Boo at the Zoo, when Smithsonian’s National Zoo gets spooooky.

Saturday: Eric Bentley‘s buzzy “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?” opens at Arena Stage.

Sunday: Take in the Turkish Festival downtown.

Briana Thomas, who writes our Things to Do newsletter, has many more ideas for your weekend.

The post State Department Fires Trump Pal, JLG Says Heck No to Waymo, and Maryland Students Hope Larry David Will Show Up for Graduation first appeared on Washingtonian.

PARTIES

1. Murder on the Dance Floor

Longview Gallery | October 22

The Washington Blade’s Best of LGBTQ DC celebrates its 25th anniversary with a DJ dance party and costume contest at Longview Gallery. The open bar affair is hosted by The Real Housewives of Potomac’s Ashley Darby ($37.50+).

2. District Horror Story

Wharf | October 31-November 1

Spend the day and night indulging in elevated fun at three of the Wharf’s rooftops and cocktail lounges: Zooz, 12 Stories, and Officina ($14+).

3. Nightmare in Navy Yard

Supplyhouse | October 31

Navy Yard’s spooky bash is back at a new location: Supplyhouse. This major dance jam boasts three dance floors with fog and laser shows, more than 50 animatronics, three DJs, cocktails, food trucks, and a Paranormal Activity virtual reality experience ($76+).

4. Eighties Mayhem

Black Cat | October 31

Retro music, ’80s costumes, and a Beetlejuice theme are highlights of Black Cat’s Halloween party. Deejays Steve EP and Missguided are headlining the five-hour dance jam in Shaw ($30).

5. Haunted Ballroom

Clarendon Ballroom | October 30-31

Dress in your favorite haunted—or glamorous—costume to enjoy three floors of music and entertainment across two parties featuring DJ James Kennedy and a photo booth ($15+).

6. Nightmare on U Street

U Street | October 31

Sip freaky cocktails from an IV bag in your scariest costume at Whitlow’s on U Street this Halloween. If you win the costume contest, you’ll score tickets to a Washington Capitals game or free shots and a cash prize (free entry).

7. Haunted Hop

U Street | October 31

U Street is popular for its nonstop parties, and this Halloween season partygoers can bar hop along the social corridor in wild and creepy outfits. A ticket grants access to live DJs and drink specials at Sudhouse, Dacha Beer Garden in Shaw, Calico, The Craft DC, The Alchemist DC, and others ($64+).

FESTIVALS AND PARADES

8. Halloween at The Boo-ro!

The Boro Tysons | October 24

Goblins, superheroes, and pets are welcome to join The Boro’s spook-tastic activity day. The family-friendly extravaganza includes a magic show, mini pumpkin decorating, Halloween goodies, and fun for pets (free).

9. Del Ray Halloween Parade

Del Ray | October 25

At Alexandria’s festive Halloween parade along Mount Vernon Avenue—with a starting point at E. Bellefonte Avenue—spectators and paraders alike can show off their costumes, pet outfits, and decorated children’s strollers. For extra-spirited fun, neighbors can complete a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt at area businesses decked out in creepy decor (free).

10. Pumpkins in the Park

Van Ness Elementary School | October 25

This beloved neighborhood-wide pumpkin celebration teams up with Van Ness Elementary School for pumpkin decorating, carnival attractions, a bake sale, and more all-ages entertainment (free).

11. Howll-O-Ween

Fairmont Washington, DC| October 29

Match your Halloween gear with your furry friend to win prizes. The Fairmont’s luxe courtyard will have coolers and peanut butter treats to keep your pups refreshed as well as spooky cocktails and bites for humans (free).

SHOWS

12. Candlelight concert 

National City Christian Church | October 30

Here’s a more relaxed way to partake in haunted festivities. Candlelight’s popular sensory music concert includes a collection of Halloween favorites such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” The Addams Family theme song, and several more tunes ($56+).

13. Drunk Dracula

Sage Theater | through November 1

Prepare for booze-inspired laughter as improv actors tell the story of the timeless bloodsucking villain Dracula. The trip to Transylvania is packed with comedy, live theater, and audience interaction ($53+).

EXPERIENCES

14. Howl at The Moon

Mansion on O Street | through November 1

Go on an adventurous stroll through the Mansion on O Street’s quirky museum to discover hidden doors. The attraction near Dupont Circle contains more than 100 rooms to explore and 80 secret doors to find. For this special Halloween event, there’s a pop-up exhibit to browse and free on-theme cocktails ($55+).

15. Masks & Motives

Viceory Washington DC | October 29

Step into an elegant masquerade where there’s a whodunit mystery to solve, sparkling wine, and a dinner buffet ($92).

If you enjoyed these events, please don’t forget to share this post with a friend on social media, and sign up for our newsletter for more things to do.

The post 15 Halloween Parties, Parades, and Shows in the DC Area first appeared on Washingtonian.

Pop-Up Bars

Nightmare on the Avenue at Del Ray’s Pop Up Bar

2312 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria

When: Through November 1.

Earlier this year, this Del Ray bar with rotating themes had been turned into a faux dive. Now, it’s embracing spooky season with ominous portraits, spider webs, and bloody hands. Its Halloween themed-menu offers treats like “zombie brain chunks” (fried cauliflower in a spicy/sweet gochujang sauce), and you can indulge in a cocktail that looks more like a potion than a drink.

Haunted Circus at Chicken and Whiskey

1738 14th St., NW

When: Through November 1.

Tucked in the back of this 14th Street Peruvian chicken joint is a whiskey bar that’s been turned into a haunted circus. Look for terrifying clowns, themed drink specials, an emo karaoke night and DJ performances, and, on October 31, a costume party.

The Haunting at Sense of Thai and Tiki Thai

20413 Exchange St., Ashburn; 12100 Sunset Hills Rd., Reston

When: Through October 31. 

This cocktail pop-up has locations across the country (and beyond). Around here, you’ll find it at two Thai restaurants in Virginia. Drinks in creepy doll head mugs and little witch’s cauldrons are served alongside the restaurants’ regular Thai menus.

Boo Bar at Makers Union Reston

1811 Library St., Reston

When: Through November 1.

This Reston tavern is decked out with purple and orange string lights and floating ghosts. Drinks include “Zombies Just Want to Have Rum” with passionfruit and lime, and a Munsters-themed margarita with pumpkin-spice puree.

Something Upstairs at Black Whiskey

1410 14th St., NW

When: October 15 through October 31.

At this Logan Circle hangout, visitors can follow a creepy stairwell to find bright green poison apple concoctions and blood moon margaritas. 

Costume Contests and Parties

Dolly Parton Look-Alike Contest at 1310 Kitchen & Bar

1310 Wisconsin Ave., NW

When: October 31.

Dress like the late, great Dolly Parton for this Georgetown restaurant’s costume contest, which starts at 9 PM. The winner will score a $250 gift card to the restaurant. It’s free to enter, but you have to RSVP.

Crush Dance Bar Costume Contest

2007 14th St NW

When: October 30 through November 1. 

For three nights, this LGBTQ+ dance bar on 14th Street is hosting a costume contest with prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000. Staying true to their weekly “Hot Dog Sunday” party, that day’s competition has a special theme: best hot dog costume. 

Osteria Morini Halloween Dog Costume Brunch

301 Water St., SE

When: October 31.

At this Navy Yard Italian dining room, costumed dogs are invited to stop by the waterfront patio for a contest and photo op. The best-dressed winner, which will be announced on Instagram, will win a $300 gift card to the Italian eatery. To participate, guests must spend at least $25. 

Cucina Morini Costume Contest

901 Fourth St., NW

When: October 31.

Sip martinis and dress to impress at this coastal Italian spot’s costume contest, held in the lounge. The winner gets a $500 gift card to the Mount Vernon Triangle restaurant. There’s a one-drink minimum to enter.

Dress Like a Taco at Taco Bamba

Several locations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

When: October 31.

Diners dressed in a taco costume will get a free taco (with the purchase of another item) at any location of Victor Albisu’s fast-casual operation.

Boos and Booze Halloween Party and Costume Contest at McClellan’s Retreat

2031 Florida Ave., NW

When: October 31.

This cozy Dupont bar is hosting a Clue-themed Halloween party and costume contest ($85 per person) with prizes, snacks, and unlimited cocktails. The party’s best-dressed have a chance at some prizes, and there’s a special category for those in costumes inspired by the 1985 murder mystery film. Meanwhile, Clue cocktails such as the “Mrs. White” (featuring vodka with cream cheese and Everything Bagel seasoning) are available all month.

Night of the Living Zoo

3001 Connecticut Ave., NW

When: October 23.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is throwing its annual adults-only Halloween party with live music, a dance floor, and roving entertainers. The event also offers special after-hours animal exhibits, and, with additional purchase, flash tattoos, piercings, and nighttime carousel rides. Tickets ($75) include unlimited drinks at the zoo’s pop-up bars, tarot readings, and face painting.

House of Hex at Dirty Habit DC

555 Eighth St., NW

When: October 31.

On Halloween night starting at 9 PM, the courtyard at this Penn Quarter hotel bar/restaurant will transform into an immersive voodoo-themed realm. Expect macabre decor, themed drinks and food, and a DJ spinning top 40 hits. The most impressive costumes will win up to $300. Tickets range from $30 to $47, and include one drink.

Alley Sessions 2: Tacos and Treats at Last Call Bar

1301-A Fourth St., NE

When: October 31.

This Union Market dive bar is collaborating with Taqueria Habanero for a Halloween party featuring a DJ, giveaways, tacos, and cocktails. One ticket ($28.52) includes two tacos, a Jell-O shot, and a trick-or-treat bucket, and the party kicks off at 8:30 PM.

Halloween After Dark: Rooftop Party at SLY

222 M St., NE

When: October 31.

The swank rooftop bar at NoMa’s Morrow hotel is hosting a Halloween party ($100 per person) with a live DJ, open bar, and unlimited snacking and dessert stations. The best-costumed attendee will win a $500 cash prize. 

Festivals, Markets, Movies, and More

Pumpkin Boulevard by Cookbook Courtyard

416 Morse St., NE

When: October 25.

For one Sunday, Autoshop at Union Market will turn into a fall market with over 60 local vendors selling everything from gourds to seasonal treats to homemade crafts. Tickets ($5) are offered for a few different admission times: 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM.  

Fall Harvest Festival at Fish Shop

610 Water St., SW

When: October 22. 

This Thursday evening celebration will feature various stations where attendees can watch Fish Shop purveyors do everything from break down a whole tuna to shuck oysters. Tickets ($75) include snacks, an open bar, and a DJ performance. The event begins at 6 PM.

Spooky Season at Metrobar

640 Rhode Island Ave., NE

When: October 23 through October 31.

From a Halloween market with body art to a zombie-themed singles mixer, this indoor/outdoor bar in Edgewood has a full slate of spooky activities. On Halloween eve, check out a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with drag performances and pre-show live music, games, and prizes. On Halloween, the bar will host a Soul Train party with plenty of dancing and Halloween cocktails.

Drag Bingo at Unconventional Diner

1207 Ninth St., NW

When: October 31. 

This Shaw dining room is celebrating Halloween night with a tarot card reader, drag performances, a buffet dinner with dessert, and bingo with prizes. Each ticket ($60) will cover five bingo cards, and the festivities start at 6:30 PM.

Halloween Movies at the Bit

613 Pennsylvania Ave., SE

When: Saturdays through October 31. 

Every October Saturday starting at 4 PM, Barrel’s downstairs speakeasy-style cocktail bar will screen a Halloween movie on a loop. Snack on popcorn and sip on themed drink specials with garnishes like sour gummy worms.

Dinners  

All Hallows Eve Wine Dinner at Cordelia Fishbar

550 Morse St., NE

When: October 29.

The seafood-focused Union Market restaurant will serve a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings ($130 per person) starting at 6:3o PM. 

Halloween Dinner at Del Mar

791 Wharf St., SW

When: October 31.

Fabio Trabocchi’s glittery Wharf Spanish restaurant will host a three course dinner ($70 per person) with dishes like roasted-kabocha-squash soup and pumpkin-spice tres leches. There will also be a DJ and costume contest with a restaurant gift card as the prize.  

An Evening at Jôntaine Estate at Jônt

1904 14th St., NW

When: October 31.

The splurgiest event in DC? This 14th Street tasting counter’s lavish Halloween menu ($795 per person) featuring roughly 17 courses with wine pairings. 

The Trick: Masquerade Mystery Dinner at 1310 Kitchen & Bar

1310 Wisconsin Ave., NW

When: October 30 and October 31.

At this Old-Hollywood-themed dinner ($95 per person), dig into a family-style spread of seasonal dishes while taking part in an interactive mystery experience, in which every guest may or may not be suspect.

Dinner for Charity at Inca Social 

1776 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 2670 Avenir Pl., Vienna

When: October 29 and October 31.

These Peruvian restaurants are holding a few Halloween events. On Thursday, October 29, the Vienna location will throw a party with dinner, music, drink specials, raffles, and a costume contest. A portion of the proceeds from the event, which is hosted by The Lending Hand, will help provide Thanksgiving food for families in need. On Halloween night, both locations will host a dinner with DJs, food and drink specials.

The post How DC Bars and Restaurants Are Celebrating Halloween first appeared on Washingtonian.

You might not think of beatboxing as fodder for a competition, but the musical form—which involves making beats with just your mouth and a mic—has earned popularity as a competitive sport in the same way breakdancing has.

Eulacio, who was born in Venezuela and grew up in DC, says he has achieved all he wants as a battler, finishing in the top 16 in the USA last year with a slow-paced hip-hop style driven by tongue rolls and clicks. Now he has turned his focus to organizing. He’s hoping that by hosting this competition, he can introduce the national community to the beatboxers he’s been cultivating here.

Beatboxing has been around for decades, with early practitioners such as Rahzel and Doug E. Fresh building hits around the technique. American servicemen brought the form to Europe during the late Cold War and inspired an international community that has kept it going as interest in the US waned. “It’s an extremely accessible art form,” says Eulacio, “that was born out of people who didn’t have the resources to buy equipment like drum machines, who started creating art with the tools they had—just their body.”

Eulacio got into beatboxing when he was a teen in Fairfax, then continued to develop his skills in college. In 2022, he went to Madrid to get a master’s degree in geographic information technologies, and it was there that he fell in with the competitive beatboxing scene. He’s been battling ever since.

After moving back to DC to work at an NGO, he continued to compete, traveling to battles like the Crossroads Beatbox Battle in Kansas City and the USA Championships in New York. But he was always drawn to the community-building aspect, and he wanted to try to bring beatboxing competitions to his home city. Last year he co-launched a group called Beatbox DMV, which is putting on the Capital Beatbox Battle. Contestants will showcase their skills in front of a panel of expert judges (anyone can participate in the open elimination round). The top-ranked performers are then slated into a battle bracket, with the judges deciding each winner based on two 90-second rounds. 

Eulacio is also promoting the event as an anti-fascism protest, tapping into hip-hop’s tradition of political activism. That aspect makes it a distinctly DC event, he says, since the modern beatbox battle scene “is very centered around competition and the nerdy elements of beatboxing, techniques and [new sounds]. There hasn’t really been much political activism.” 

The post DC Is Getting Its Own Beatboxing Competition first appeared on Washingtonian.

TamTam Brunch & Dinner

Amid the casual restaurants and grab-and-go shops, couple Thao Tran and Tin Truong wanted to offer a more upscale destination for sit-down coffees and date nights. Their menu includes familiar staples such as garden rolls and chicken pho, but also a citrusy salmon crudo with pickled green mango; abalone soup; and green-chili chicken hot pot. And don’t miss the icy flan for dessert. “[People] never think that they can look nice to go to Eden Center. So that’s what we want,” Tran says. Stop by the adjoining market, Viet Gourmet, for specialty ingredients imported from Vietnam or made in-house, such as dried dragonfruit blooms and shrimp paste with lemongrass.

Pop-Up District

This Asian food hall has a futuristic look, with metallic communal tables, massive screens, and pulsing neon lights. Stalls include a fast-casual spinoff of the Korean barbecue chain Honey Pig, which offers “cupbop”—grilled meats in customizable cups with rice, noodle, and salad bases. Eatsy serves Thai street foods like crispy coconut-rice salad and khao soi (chicken noodle curry). And Sun-C dishes up Vietnamese noodle bowls and steamed tapioca dumplings. Other vendors supply Vietnamese coffee and matcha drinks as well as egg tarts and croissants, while a central bar serves cocktails, soju, and izakaya snacks. Beyond food, Pop-Up District is adding nightlife to Eden Center with weekend DJs and other live performances and events.

Bánh Mì Oi

There’s often a line at this bánh mì cafe, which started in Boston before arriving in Falls Church in 2025. Like the best bánh mì shops, it bakes its own baguettes: light and airy inside with a delicate, crackly crust. It offers classic Vietnamese cold-cut sandwiches, with Viet pork bologna, ham, steamed pork belly, and pâté layered with housemade aïoli, pickled veggies, jalapeño, and cilantro. But the place also goes beyond tradition with a must-try Nashville hot chicken bánh mì, double-fried and tossed in a fiery, spiced wet rub. Grab a sesame Vietnamese coffee or mango-dragonfruit refresher to go with it.

The post Three Vietnamese Spots Are Bringing Fresh Energy to Falls Church’s Eden Center first appeared on Washingtonian.