A D.C. Cocktail Week Offers Classes for At-Home Mixologists — And More Fall Pop-Ups

As the heat and humidity finally lifts away, there are plenty of new pop-ups to enjoy during the crisp fall season. From a neighborhood cocktail week to president-themed bars, here are a few fall pop-ups to look forward. Check back for updates to this list.

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Flavors of Bolivia in D.C.

Renowned Bolivian chef Valentina Arteaga of Phayawi—ranked among South America’s top 50 restaurants—comes to D.C. to present a four-course dinner. In partnership with Casa Kantuta, Nicky of How to La Paz, and Yalla, the two-night Bolivian menu (Monday, October 14 and Tuesday, October 15) starts with a welcome cocktail by Casa Kantuta made with Singani63. Each course, including hearty soups and savory mains, is paired with Bolivian wines from 1750 and Magnus. Both meat and vegetarian options are available. 1355 U Street NW

Double Up Burger at Hiraya

After rebranding the upscale top floor of his H Street spot as Kayu, chef Paolo Dungca is expanding the takeout options at Hiraya this week. Double Up Burger, a pop up kitchen, will be serving wagyu beef and halal options of smashburgers and chopped cheese sandwiches (like if a cheesesteak was mashed up with a cheeseburger) from Hiraya’s location. The sandwiches will only be available for pick-up or delivery from 4 to 9 p.m. from Oct. 16 to Oct. 20.

Dungca told Eater that he wants to make the casual spot “more accessible” by focusing on meals that can easily be ordered on platforms like Uber Eats. In November he’ll be opening a Little Hiraya stall in Union Market. 1248 H Street NE

Mount Pleasant Cocktail Week

Whether you’re a local bartender or aspiring to make the best drinks at upcoming holiday parties, bars and businesses from across Mount Pleasant Street are participating in a week of cocktail making classes and demonstrations that will allow professional or at-home mixologists to learn from and network with bar staff and owners. Classes include “Freezer Martinis & How to Host the Best Cocktail Party,” hosted by OKPB owner and cocktail week organizer David Strauss, and “Vermouth 202, Everything You Didn’t Know You Need to Know,” taught by Nido Wine Shop co-owner Morgan Stana. Th themed week also includes raffles for liquor-based prizes from Bold Fork Books, Nido, Each Peach, Irving Wines & Spirits, and OKPB, and special signature drinks at all participating venues that will contribute to capital improvements across the historic street.

A cocktail reception at Ellē on October 23 kicks off the festivities, which will last until a Bloody Mary competition and closing reception at OKPB on October 27. Tickets are available for each individual class ($25) or a weekly pass ($125) that grants entry to two demonstrations, plus the opening and closing ceremonies.

Moonshine Alley at Bistro Du Jour Capitol Hill

Bistro Du Jour’s historic alley space is taking diners back to the Prohibition with Roaring ’20s-themed cocktails, a live DJ, and speakeasy vibes. Specialty $10 drinks include the Scofflaw, with Sagamore Rye whiskey, dry vermouth, grenadine, lemon, and bitters, and the Southside, with Green Hat gin, lemon, and mint. Moonshine Alley pops up every Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. 20 Massachusetts Ave NW

Bottomless October Cocktails at Merry Pin

This Georgia Avenue craft shop is kicking off cozy season with bottomless cocktails in October, so you can toast to the sunset while shopping for supplies to make something special. Seven cocktails are on the $30 bottomless menu, which attendees can enjoy for two hours between Tuesday and Friday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The shop’s signature cocktails include the fruity, spiced, and red wine-based Like Mosaic To My Ears, the Sew Sweet margarita with a touch of guava, and the refreshing blackberry and lime-filled A Pigment of Our Imagination. 7350 Georgia Avenue NW

Sunday Patio Series at Opal

Opal is keeping patio season going until Thanksgiving this year, with an array of meat and seafood skewers being cooked up on an open flame in front of outdoor diners from 5 p.m. to close on Sundays. Select skewers filled with beef striploin, salmon belly, chicken thighs, or shrimp, plus you can order a combination platter to try one of each. Skewers come with wood-fired pita, roasted garlic hummus, tzatziki, pickled vegetables, plus more toppings and sides to build the perfect bite with. You can also order off the skewers menu from inside the restaurant. Check out the menu here. 5534 Connecticut Avenue NW

All the Presidents’ Bars at Barrel

Barrel’s five-part pop-up honoring the last five U.S. presidents is keeping hard-working campaign workers happy every weekend leading up to Election Day. The first weekend, October 3-5, will be a “saxy homage” to Bill Clinton, with live saxophone music filling “Slick Willy’s Jazz Lounge.” After that, “The Dubya Saloon,” “Barry’s Aloha Bar,” “The Barr-e-Lago Club,” and “Joe Cool’s Cocktail Parlor” will each get a turn in Barrel’s basement. Halloween night will still be themed after Joe Biden’s love of ice cream, with the “I Scream Halloween Costume Party.” 613 Pennsylvania Avenue SE

Chefs... On A Roll at Beresovksy’s Deli

The sandwich collaborations at Navy Yard’s Jewish-styled deli continue this fall, with an October version combining two cold-weather comfort foods: pho and French dips. The “Pho-Rench” Dip ($14.99) from acclaimed chef Kevin Tien (Moon Rabbit) includes sliced brisket with yuzu mayo, soy-marinated daikon, jalapeño, cucumber, and Thai basil, all served on a toasted baguette with a rich pho broth on the side to dip into. 1201 Half Street SE

Extended Summer Pop-Ups:

“Emily in Paris” at Morris American Bar

The Mount Vernon Square cocktail bar partners up with Netflix and Pernod Ricard to bring the infamous Emily Cooper — the perky Chicago heroine that moves to Paris for her marketing career — to D.C. From August 2 till November 1, the bar is designed to look like a glamorous version of the City of Lights, complete with themed cocktails and “Emily in Paris” watch parties. A 12-foot Eiffel Tower sits outside the door, round marble tables outside form a sidewalk café, and the baby-blue walls are dotted with framed photos of Paris and Emily-esque artwork. Morris American Bar is also creating cocktails with limited-edition Lillet, a wine-based aperitif by Pernod Ricard. 1020 7th Street NW

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