Camp Dawson Returns to The Dawson with Fright-Themed Cocktails & Wood-Fired Dishes

Adult camp, Camp Dawson, will return to The Dawson for a second year this summer, but this time with a terrifying twist. As summer camp has been a setting for horror films, from 1980’s cult classics to icons such as Friday the 13th, Camp Dawson 2: I Know What You Did Last Summer…Camp will pay homage to the genre a summer cocktail menu and activities.  Camp Dawson 2 will begin on Sunday, June 3 and run through the end of August during normal business hours. 

The cocktail menu will give new meaning to the term “scared stiff”. Patrons can choose from frozen drinks, craft cocktails, and large-format punches. Specialty cocktails ($13) include the frozen Camp Crystal Lake with Bacardi 8, wray & nephew rum, blood orange syrup, Doggie Paddle with vodka, sherry, crème de cocoa, amaro, pine nut horchata, Bunk Buddies with rum, matcha, allspice, blue curaçao and the Bark at the Moon with rum, macadamia nut, kalamansi and coconut.  Draft options ($13) include the G.T.O. and the Death to Short Shorts with tequila, black tea, aloe, agave and pineapple. Groups can share large-format cocktails including the Hot Mess Hall ($95) with  bourbon, raspberry, lemon, champagne or Mean Canteen ($55) with gin, Campari, vermouth, and madeira.   

The Dawson’s wood-fired grill allows for fireside dining where guests can choose from gluten-free menu items including the shareable Texas Redfish Tacos ($48) with guacamole and napa cabbage slaw or the Butcher Pork Chop ($32) with roasted poblano and chihuahua grits then. Additional wood-fired dishes include Oysters (six for $20) with giardiniera butter and grilled ciabatta, Carrots ($9) with tahini yogurt and Grilled Elotes($7) with black lime-chili aioli, cotija cheese. For brunch, snack on a Cheddar Bacon Biscuit ($12) with house-made biscuit, sausage gravy, eggs, and bacon, PB&J French Toast ($14) with house-made peanut butter, fresh blueberries, and candied peanuts or The Dawson’s Bacon Flight ($20) with rosemary honey, allspice jowl, Hungarian-style, and dill pickle bacon. 

Corporate Pastry Chef Greg Mosko, who recently joined Gage Hospitality Group, will offer an outdoor made-to-order S’mores Bar ($10) with house-made graham cracker, dark chocolate and a rotating flavored marshmallow along with a Red Velvet Milkshake ($10) with bourbon ice cream, strawberry whipped cream and pink pearls.  Campers can also add a liquor shot ($2) to any milkshake.

Finally, camp wouldn’t be camp without activities. Campers can bask in the sunlight or sit under the stars and listen to weekly Live Music, enjoy bi-weekly Scary Movie Screenings, and attend Dawson Beverage Academy classes. Live music will occur every Sunday beginning June 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. while every other Wednesday beginning June 5, classic horror films such as I Know What You Did Last Summer & Scream will play on the patio with complimentary popcorn. The Dawson Beverage Academy classes will continue on the second Sunday of every month ($35-$50 per person) where campers can learn how to craft their own Camp Dawson cocktails firsthand.