Haunted Circus at Chicken + Whiskey: The 14th Street Whiskey Bar's Halloween Pop-Up

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Behind a Peruvian chicken counter on 14th Street hides one of DC's best Halloween rooms this year. The whiskey bar tucked in the back of Chicken + Whiskey has been transformed into the Haunted Circus — a month-long Halloween pop-up of terrifying clowns and themed drinks, running through November 1, with a free costume party on Halloween night, Saturday, October 31.

The Setup: Dinner Up Front, Circus in the Back

Chicken + Whiskey, at 1738 14th St NW, works in two acts. The front is a Peruvian rotisserie chicken restaurant; walk through it and you reach the hidden whiskey bar in the back. For spooky season, that back bar has gone full big top — haunted circus décor, creepy clown figures, and a seasonal drink list built for the theme. It is the rare Halloween night that can start as a casual dinner and turn into a party without changing addresses.

What Happens During the Run

Themed Drinks and Haunted Décor

The pop-up runs through Sunday, November 1, so Halloween itself is the peak of a month-long takeover rather than a one-night decoration. Themed drink specials pour against the circus backdrop all run long.

Karaoke, DJs, and the Halloween-Night Party

Programming across the run has included an emo karaoke night and DJ performances. The finale is Halloween night: a costume party on Saturday, October 31 — listed from 6 p.m., admission free — with DJ AS-ONE playing the whiskey bar from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Costumes are highly encouraged.

Good to Know Before You Go

  • Where: Chicken + Whiskey, 1738 14th St NW, Washington, DC (14th Street corridor)
  • When: Haunted Circus pop-up through November 1; costume party Saturday, October 31
  • Cost: Admission to the Halloween party is free; drinks are on you
  • Costumes: Highly encouraged on Halloween night

No ticket tiers, no wristbands — of DC's Halloween options, this is the low-friction one: dinner in front, circus in the back, and a dance floor by 10 p.m.

FAQ

Is the Haunted Circus at Chicken + Whiskey free?
Admission to the Halloween-night costume party on October 31 is free, and the Haunted Circus pop-up itself runs through November 1 in the back whiskey bar. You pay only for food and drinks.

Where is the Haunted Circus, and how long does it run?
Inside the whiskey bar at Chicken + Whiskey, 1738 14th St NW in Washington, DC. The pop-up runs through Sunday, November 1, 2026, and closes with the Halloween costume party on October 31, with DJ AS-ONE from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

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