Royal Restaurant has transformed into a horror fan’s paradise in time for Halloween season.
The restaurant at 730 N. St Asaph Street opened Royally Spooked Halloween Pop-up today (Oct. 1) on its patio. The pop-up with themed food and drink specials runs from 3 p.m. to closing.
The concept is inspired by the tale of a ghostly bride still in her wedding veil who is purported to keep visiting Royal Restaurant.
“The old-timers call her the Weaver Bride,” the restaurant says. “They say she isn’t trying to frighten you. She’s just still waiting to be seen. And this Halloween, she’ll be home.”
The pop-up will serve sweet and savory snacks, plus cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine. A few of the food highlights include the Spider Dip (black bean hummus, sour cream web and jalapeño-cheddar “ghostinis”) and raspberry brains (raspberry panna cotta and hibiscus ooze).
The restaurant also offers several spooky takes on cocktails such as the Dead Man’s Colada (don q cristal rum, don q reserva 7 rum, grilled pineapple, activated charcoal, coconut and “danger”), Creature from the Cove (New Amsterdam gin, pandan cold foam, pineapple, coconut and “eyeballs”), and Final Girl (don gato blanco tequila, blood orange, agave, habanero shrub and “type o blood”).
Diners can make a reservation to save a spot at the pop-up.
Royal Restaurant was acquired in 2023 by Alexandria Restaurant Partners and Sloan Hospitality. ARP has hosted seasonal pop-ups at other locations, including the recently-concluded Hi-Tide Tiki Pop-Up Bar at Vola’s Dockside Grill, and Christmas-themed Barca Wonderland at Barca Wine Bar & Pier.
The Royally Spooked Halloween Pop-up runs through Halloween (Oct. 31). It joins another Halloween-themed pop-up bar — Nightmare on the Avenue — that returned for another year at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue.
