One day, several years ago, a striking lady caught the attention of a construction worker doing renovations on Washington D.C.’s Hotel Monaco. She was certainly beautiful but she looked so anxious, pacing back and forth in a courtyard area that was restricted to the public at the time. And what was the deal with that get-up? A full-length Victorian outfit. Was there a costume party somewhere? A movie shoot? It was just a matter of seconds before curiosity turned to confusion as the lady simply vanished into thin air.
Perhaps the answer was more than 140 years in the past, when the Monaco served as the city’s general post office. During the Civil War, women waited there daily for the mail, desperate for word from their men away at war. One woman is apparently still waiting.
Washington, D.C.’s, general post office, circa 1850. It’s now the Hotel Monaco, which some claim is haunted.
One thing nobody has to wait for is Halloween … it’s heeere. And if you enjoy frighteningly good DJs, scary-creative cocktails and mad revelry, we have some suggestions for you. And you best take heed, because to quote horrormeister Vincent Price and his immortal “Thriller” rap:
And whosoever shall be found
Without the soul for getting down
Must stand and face the hounds of hell
And rot inside a corpse’s shell.
And nobody wants that. Here are a few Kimpton Halloween events that just might save your soul.
The Starlight Room, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 26, 9pm to 2am
Tickets $25; for VIP booth reservations call 415.979.3031
No place is more into Halloween than San Francisco, and the Starlight Room is one of the city’s legendary nightlife spots. So what better place to be than 21 stories up at the top of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, shimmying the night away at this annual dance party? The dance troupe Desired Temptations makes a special appearance, too.
Helix Lounge, Washington, D.C.
9th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6pm
Free; call 202.462.9001 for more information
How fun is this? Pre-scooped pumpkins will be given out on a first-come, first-carve basis and participants will have until 8pm to create a masterpiece. Winner of the most locally themed jack-o-lantern (a politician or D.C. landmark) gets a $50 gift certificate to the Helix Lounge; the person who makes the most ghoulish gourd will receive a one-night stay at the Helix. Halloween-themed drink specials will help get the creative juices flowing.
Hotel Monaco and Jackson 20, Alexandria VA
Doggie Howl-o-ween Costume Contest
Thursday, Oct. 31, 6pm
Free ($10 suggested donation), $10 registration for participants; call 703.842.2790 for information
This belovedly wacky Halloween tradition features up to 50 contestants, dressed up as anything from Dog Vader to Elvis Pugsley (we love the Chia Pet entry, too). Best of all, this is a fundraiser for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Doggie treats will be on hand and water bowls will be brimming, but humans might be more interested in the holiday-themed cocktails. There will be winners in multiple categories, including Most Glamorous, Best Dressed Couple (pet/owner combo) and Top Dog. Prizes include overnight stays and dinner. Note: Participants can begin registering at 4:30pm.
Stratus Rooftop Lounge, Philadelphia
Halloween — High School Prom-Style
Thursday, Oct. 31, 6pm to midnight
Tickets $20
Big hair, taffeta and neon. What could be scarier? The punch (and maybe the hair) will be spiked, the tunes will be ’80s and ’90s, and a king and queen will be crowned as Stratus Rooftop Lounge celebrates Halloween by turning the clock back to those most diabolical of days: high school. And by the way, if you’re going with a girl named Carrie, please be extra-special nice to her.
Eventi, New York City
Thursday, Oct. 31, 7pm
Tickets $25 and $75 for VIP
Get glam and ghoulish at this charity-ball salute to classic Hollywood horror, hosted by Passport Magazine. Living or dead, you’re going to want to make an impression on the blood-red carpet. Proceeds benefit the Ali Forney Center, which provides a helping hand to homeless LGBTQ youth.
The Muse, New York City
Spook and Shiver Package
Through Nov. 10
Call 877.692.6873 for reservations
If you’re planning on being in New York anytime in the next few weeks, you can enhance your Halloween experience with this chilling package. It includes two tickets to Blackout, the ultra-creepy, walk-through haunted house experience; a Spooky Lych-eye cocktail (which you can learn how to make right here) and holiday appetizer at the hotel’s NIOS lounge; and trick-or-treat candy turndown service.
The Starlight Room, San Francisco
Thursday, Oct. 31, 9pm to 2am
Tickets $10; for VIP bottle service call 415.395.8595
The Starlight Room hosts its second Halloween extravaganza of the week and gets a Hollywood-style theatrical makeover in the process, transforming into a haunted house of terror and thrills. It’s another night of dancing to die for, hosted by local TV personality Liam Mayclem.
Canary Hotel, Santa Barbara, CA
Thursday, Oct. 31, 9pm to 1am
Tickets $40 and $75 for VIP
Get your spook on under the stars at the Canary Hotel’s Rooftop Perch. There’ll be cash prizes for the best costumes and VIP tickets available to get you into the party at 8pm to enjoy bubbling brews and bewitching bites.
Hotel Palomar, San Diego
Halloweird Hotel
Tickets $35
Thursday, Oct. 31, 9pm to 2am
Bates Motel? That is so 1960. For a scary good time this Halloween you can check into the Halloweird Hotel at the Palomar. It’s going to be four floors of music, mayhem and madness. And we all go a little mad sometimes. Haven’t you?
