D.C. bars treat presidential debates like Stanley Cup Finals viewing parties, with happy hour specials and the sound of televisions replacing the jukebox. At the same time, is it funny or sad that both Union Pub and Dirty Water have chosen a variation of “Here We Go Again” to announce their Thursday night events?
If you don’t want to look in your living room, or can’t stand the thought of looking alone, these bars offer everything from drinking games to half-price drinks.
The restaurant/bar/bookstore shows the debate at its eight locations. The shows vary slightly: The Busboys in Mount Vernon Triangle includes a post-debate discussion with former Ohio state senator Nina Turner, co-chair of Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign; branch at 14th and V streets NW offers discussion on proposed amendment to ranked-choice voting in DC; and other restaurants perform open-mic poetry before the debate. Locations and hours vary..
The Dirty Goose is taking a break from showing “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and streaming the debate. A special $10 “conviction cocktail” menu at the U Street bar includes drinks like the Dark and Stormy Daniels and the French 75-inspired Felon Fizz. Promotions start at 9 pm.
For $25, get unlimited drafts of Bud Light, Shock Top, and Hoop Tea; Yuengling Bottles; Miller Lite cans; and drinks at H Street NE sports bar from 19:00 until the end of the debate.
DC’s first LGBTQ-owned brewery is offering happy hour pricing during the debate, including on its own Dissent Hazy IPA, rums from St. Michaels’s Lyon Distillery, and smoked Virginia whiskey from Mount Defiance. Promotions start at 9 p.m..
The Red Derby, recently voted one of the top five dive bars in the DC area, is offering two different experiences on Thursday. Below, the debate streams on the projection screen, while patrons sip $3 PBR and $3.50 shots of tequila or house whiskey, or eat half-price grilled cheese. Up on the roof, everything remains the same and happily free of politics. Special offers all night.
Shaw’s Tavern has made a name for itself as a place to watch political theater in DC, and it opens early for testimony and congressional confirmation hearings. All tables are already reserved for the debate viewing party on Florida Avenue NW, but there will be stools at the bar and standing room for walk-ins. Bottles of wine are half price all night. Seating starts at 7:30pm.
Union Pub, located steps from the Senate office buildings, boasts that it is “busier during the State of the Union address than major sporting events.” On Thursday, it will offer a debate drinking game; a “drink poll” that encourages patrons to order red or blue vodka drinks to see which is more popular; and a slew of drink specials including $4 house beers and $4 shots, discounted pints and pitchers of Yuengling and Pacifico, and $22 buckets of Bud Light. For groups, the bar is keeping its $340 “Guilty Pleasure Platter,” recommended for 12 people, with 34 wings, plates of totchos and mini hot dogs, a dozen sandwiches, 12 house beers, 12 “Orange Shots” and 12 mystery beers. Promotions start at 6 p.m..
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