Election night is a big deal for D.C. drinkeries, and that’s the case even this year, as Donald Trump calls Democrats “the enemy within,” and Kamala Harris calls him a “fascist.” Come next Tuesday, bars across Washington will turn their televisions to cable news, crank up the volume, and help their clients celebrate or cope with drink specials.
Over at metrobar, people will be “rooting for Kamala” at their watch party, while the folks at Dirty Water warn they are “rooting for Trump and we plan on spraying champagne when we win,” per an Instagram post. “If that’s not your vibe, we kindly suggest you take in election night somewhere less fun.”
Alan Popovsky, who owns downtown spots Lincoln and Teddy & the Bully Bar, has been hosting election night parties for nearly 30 years now.
“We’re going to have fun with it,” said Popovsky of his watch party plans. “It’s just really the kind of a night where people, you know, they want to be around other people.”
“You’re in D.C. — this is essentially a sport,” said Colin McDonough, a co-owner of Boundary Stone.
It’s safe to say that, as far as allegiances are concerned, the Democrats have more loyal fans than any of the District’s pro teams. Joe Biden carried 92 percent of the vote here in 2020, while Donald Trump took just 5 percent. The city celebrated Barack Obama’s presidential victory in 2008 the way other cities celebrate Super Bowl wins, with throngs of residents rushing out into the streets to hug and high five one another.
The atmosphere in 2016 was a little different.
“You could have heard a pin drop when the results from Pennsylvania rolled in. And after that, you probably heard some sobbing,” said McDonough. “It was one of the saddest places I’ve ever been.”
That’s part of the appeal, said Popovsky, recalling all the tears he saw that night eight years ago. “A bar provides an outlet for those people that are disappointed to commiserate with other people,” he said. “I’ve had some experiences with people having too much fun, but not with election night. On election night, people are really paying attention. … There’s a lot of people that are concerned about their jobs.”
While a Harris victory could lead to bar-goers popping champagne and celebrating late into the night, a Trump win could mean a crowd drowning their sorrows. Either way, bartenders expect to do brisk business.
“You will feel it someway, somehow,” McDonough said.
Some spots in D.C. hold watch parties for midterm and other off-year elections, but those usually pale in comparison to the quadrennial presidential contests. Just how busy this year will be is an open question, given how the COVID-19 pandemic changed the bar scene in general.
Pre-pandemic, election nights were huge for Popovsky’s locations. He’s estimating 2024 will make about 70 percent of what he did in 2016, which is still good for a Tuesday. But with downtown D.C.’s office buildings remaining emptier during the week due to work-from-home policies, that’s just a guess.
The pandemic canceled most of the election night bashes in D.C. in 2020, but outdoor hangouts, like Wunder Garten in NoMa, managed to host socially distanced crowds. “It was pretty well attended,” said Brandon Bayton, the beer garden’s director of marketing and events.
Those attendees didn’t have to go home before that election was called, but they couldn’t stay there. It took days for The Associated Press to call the race for Biden.
“By the end of it, people had pretty much gotten what they wanted, judging by their reaction,” Bayton said. “A lot of the celebration for us happened that Saturday following the election, when news came out. To be honest with you, everyone had a huge celebration there and then marched to the White House.”
Boundary Stone will start its election night off with a special round of campaign-themed pub trivia, and then will turn its TVs to results coverage around 8 p.m. While some other venues are offering open bars or all-you-can-eat specials to entice crowds, Boundary Stone’s only other gimmicks are two drink specials: Kamala’s Coconut Daiquiri and The Palate Cleanser shot.
The first, an ode to a Harris rhetorical question that went viral, is a daiquiri featuring locally distilled Cotton & Reed coconut rum, McDonough said. But like what will happen Tuesday night, what’s in The Palate Cleanser remains a mystery for now. “Honestly, I don’t know,” McDonough said with a laugh. “It’s something our general manager must have come up with.”
At both Lincoln and Teddy & the Bully Bar, you can join impersonators of their presidential namesakes for a complimentary buffet before the results start coming in, and happy hour prices throughout the night.
Wunder Garten is offering two drink specials of their own, called the Red District and the Kamala, and staff will run a literal straw poll of the purchases to weigh the crowd’s allegiances.
What happens if the vote counts go late again or even don’t wrap up that night, like in 2020 or 2000? On weekdays, bars in the district can only stay open until 2 a.m, and most end up closing around midnight on a normal Tuesday. But many of those hosting election night events said they’ll stay open as long as the crowd keeps watching. “We’ll probably roll to [2 a.m.] if some big states are still coming in,” said McDonough. “That truly depends on the tilt of the election as well; if one of those big battleground states doesn’t go the way the crowd wants, then there’s probably not much cause to stay open.”
If you’re looking to bend an elbow on election night, here are a few establishments promising to air the results:
Union Pub
201 Massachusetts Ave. NE
“Specials begin at 11 a.m., 270 challenge begins at 5 p.m. … It might be packed, come right after you vote.”
Busboys and Poets
Locations around the district
“Come together with fellow changemakers to share in the excitement, discuss the possibilities, and stand united in our mission for a better tomorrow.”
Shaw’s Tavern
520 Florida Ave. NW
“$99 Includes 4 Hour Open Bar (7–11 p.m.) of select drafts, house wines and house spirits, a dinner buffet, passed apps as well as plenty of TVs with sound.”
Johnny Pistolas
2333 18th St. NW
“Specials include $10 cocktails & Taco Tuesday specials.”
Wunder Garten
1101 First St. NE
“Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of a historic moment in our country’s history.”
metrobar
640 Rhode Island Ave. NE
“Join us for a special Tuesday night opening and drink to democracy.”
DC Young Republicans host at Dirty Water
816 H St. NE
“Enjoy open bar access for $25 and a la carte drink specials all night. All patriots are welcome.”
Politicking hosts at Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley
1300 I St. NW
“Dress in your best BLACK and/or WHITE attire! Get ready to cheer, discuss, and maybe even debate the outcomes with fellow political enthusiasts. We will be vibing to the smooth sounds of Dj SetFire.”
Boundary Stone
116 Rhode Island Ave. NW
“The return of Kamala’s Coconut Daiquiri and The Palate Cleanser shot. Come watch with us while we all hope for the best.”
Madhatter
1319 Connecticut Ave. NW
“Enjoy food and drink specials ($10 Smash Burger & Fries, $24 margarita pitchers, $30 bottles of wine, $6 drafts), and real-time updates on our 20 screens.”
Red Derby
3718 14th St. NW
“$3 Tecate + $7 Margaritas + 1/2 price Chicken Tendies.”
Teddy & the Bully Bar
1200 19th St. NW
“We’ve hosted the city’s liveliest watch parties, and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better.”
Lincoln
1110 Vermont Ave. NW
“Featuring presidential-themed cocktails, a complimentary happy hour buffet, and a special appearance by Honest Abe himself.”
Merry Pin (craft store and community space)
7350 Georgia Ave. NW
“Watch the results roll in with fellow crafting enthusiasts, while crafting to relieve… the stress of waiting. …10% off any food or beverage order if you are working on a Kamala Harris craft.”
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