Where to Watch: Election Night Parties and Drink Specials in Washington, D.C.
On Election Day (Tuesday, November 6), Americans across the country participate in the important action of casting votes for candidates from President to local elected offices. On Election Night, Americans across the country participate in the national pastime of watching talking heads trying to keep you interested as results dribble in. What better way to pass the time than with a couple of drinks? Make sure you vote (find out where), and then afterwards head to one of these bars where you can keep abreast of the latest poll news with a brew, wine or cocktail in hand.
Art and Soul: Find happy hour prices until the decision is announced as you enjoy election themed drinks and bites in the tented patio and at the bar. Wear your “I Voted” sticker when you buy a cocktail from the Swing State menu and get a drink for a friend free. Plus, to make things more interesting, when a swing state’s results are announced, that state’s cocktail will be half-off for the 15 minutes following.
Acacia Bistro: The Van Ness restaurant is offering 20% off your check, along with happy hour all night long at the bar and selected tables.
Bar TNT: Todd Thrasher’s latest is offering a pair of drinks as part of the “These Cocktails Will Make the Election Slightly More Bearable.” Get both the Willard "Mitt" Romney-rita (a tequila based red cocktail) and the Obama-Mama (a rum based tiki style blue cocktail) for $12 total.
The Big Hunt: Results will play quietly on one side of the bar, but if you’re feeling wonky, head to the jungle room for six TVs with sound — we hear you can expect it to get pretty intense in there.
Black Jack: The big screen and bocce court TVs will be tuned into the results, and happy hour will run all night, featuring half-price drafts, $5 red, white and sparkling wine, half-price pizza and Addie’s mussels and $7 dive burgers.
Boqueria: The M Street tapas lounge is offering unlimited bites and drinks for $40 per person in the “official screening room” from 7:30–11:30 PM. Sips include DC Brau The Public, red or blue sangrias, Port City Optimal Wit and more. Reservations are encouraged.
The Bottom Line: Happy hour will be extended, so head over to find $3 rail drinks, $3.50 Sam Adams bottles and $12 Sam Adams pitchers and $3 appetizers as you watch results come in.
Breadsoda: The billiards lounge is amping up its regular Tuesday night tacos and ping pong with $3 PBR cans and $4 Bud bottles.
Dickson Wine Bar: The U Street bar will offer three drink specials at $6 each: one for Obama, one for Romney and one for undecided — though if you head over after voting, you’d better have decided already!
Duffy’s Irish Pub: Sound will be on all the TVs, along with specials starting at 7 PM, including $3 Natty Boh cans and the following pitcher deals: $18 Blue Moon and Heineken, $20 Sam Adams and $12 Miller Lite.
Hank’s Oyster Bar: “Shuck the vote” at this Alexandria oyster house by wearing your “I Voted” sticker when you head over — you’ll receive a free glass of punch and a gratis pair of Rappahannock oysters.
Irish Whiskey: The Dupont Circle pub will offer half-off on all Jameson Black Barrel cocktails, DC Brau draft beers and Irish Whiskey flights from 7 PM–close.
Meridian Pint: The beer haven will be airing results with sound downstairs, and offering $4 DC Brau The Public and $5 Filibuster bourbon drinks from 7 PM until the results are in.
Nellie’s Sports Bar: Watch the returns at the U Street pub while enjoying $4 Nellie beers adn $5 Absolut Outrageous cocktails.
1920DC: The hip hop bar will hook you up with a free shot if you wear your “I Voted” sticker, and will offer a free Champagne toast if/when Obama wins.
Oyamel: The private dining room at the Jose Andres Mexican will be the site for an election results party from 8 PM until the results are finalized (or last call, whichever comes first) with two special $10 cocktails: the red Ponche de Granada (cranberry tea infused tequila with fresh apple cider, ginger, Mexican cinnamon and lemon) and the Blue Hawaii (El Dorado rum, Del Maguey Mezcal Vida, Kalani, Blue Curacao, pineapple and lime juice, and coconut sorbet).
Policy: The restaurant will turn into the “Policy Media Room” starting at 5 PM, with CNN on all three TVs with sound. You’re invited to bring your laptops and tablets to stay connected as you watch the results come in. Enjoy an all night happy hour menu of $5 food and drinks, including the Basil “Barack” Berry (Blueberry Stoli, orange blossom syrup, muddled basil and lime, soda and Blue Curaçao) and the Pomegra”Mitt” Mojito (Pomegranik Stoli, cranberry, muddled mint and lime and soda).
Town Tavern: Head over to the Adams Morgan pub from 5 PM–midnight and watch with $5 domestic drafts, mixed rail drinks, patriotic shooters, burger baskets and other specials.
Vinoteca: The U Street wine bar will run happy hour all day with $5 wine, $5 Peroni drafts and $5 appetizers for those wearing their “I Voted” sticker.
Wonderland Ballroom: Results will be on the TVs in the upstairs ballroom, with $3 red state/blue state shots and $6 combos of Genesee Cream Ale and Jim Beam shots. Also look for election themed games.