November 3, 2008
Five Horsemen of the Free-pocalypse
According to alarmists from both sides of the aisle, all hell is going to break loose depending on which candidate emerges from the ashes of tomorrow's presidential election. Pestilence, Famine, War, Death -- think your typical Adams Morgan Saturday night minus the jumbo slice.
But before the world comes to a fiery end come Wednesday morning, be sure to first vote, then take advantage of the slew of freebies available on election day. Caffeine, Fried Dough, Ice Cream, Cheese, Beer -- our favorite horsemen of the free-pocalypse.
Start off at a participating Starbucks with a free, tall (12-ounce) coffee. No proof needed, just say that you voted.
Next, pair that coffee with a special, star-shaped (and gratis) donut with "patriotic sprinkles" from Krispy Kreme. Just make sure you grab an "I Voted" sticker as proof of your vote. Locations at Dupont Circle, Alexandria, and Rockville.
Between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Ben & Jerry's will be giving away free scoops in celebration of democracy. Use the finder tool on their website to find a participating shop, but expect lines downtown (such as Eastern Market and Dupont Circle) to be long.
Among the many bar and restaurant specials around town tomorrow night, one of our favorites actually takes place Wednesday night. Starting at 6 p.m., celebrate (if your candidate wins) at Top of the Hill or lament (if your candidate loses) at 18th Amendment with free beer (while supplies last) and dinner specials. More details at ExpressNightOut.com.
Lastly, proof of your vote earns you a free two-cheese plate at Dino (domestic Constant Bliss and Sweet Grass's Double Cream) on Tuesday night. Discount on wine and cocktails if you arrive by 7 p.m.
If we miss any other great deals, spread the word by leaving a comment.
UPDATE 2:45 p.m.: One more deal to add on the calorie pile. Wear an "I Voted" sticker to California Tortilla tomorrow and snack on a free taco. (Note: Must be of voting age, sorry kids)
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i hear there's going to be a free junkpunching offered to anyone who asks at my house on wednesday if the election results turn out in any way that i don't approve of.
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Total discrimination against those of us who voted absentee! Maybe I should make a fake "I voted" sticker so I can eat for free all day long...
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Gifford's locations are also offering free hot chocolate for anyone with an I Voted sticker. Not that it's hot chocolate weather, but it's still free... which is better than a punch in the junk.
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Hey....I resemble that remark!!!
Ghostbear did you vote absentee in-person? You should have gotten a sticker...btw, there is a county New Mexico and county in Florida that have done away with the I Voted stickers (one for financial reasons and the other for touching reasons) I wonder what voters there will do... maybe a purple stained finger.
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So if I take advantage of all this, basically by 8 p.m. I'm a caffeine-addicted diabetic with cirrhosis of the liver?
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Camelot is offering a "pole-ster" special for all voters.
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adamsmorgan, no, I voted absentee by mail. I'm not a patient line person by any means. :)
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I dunno, I think the jumbo slice at the very least falls under "Pestilence," if not also under "Death."
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The Ben & Jerry's in Dupont has a sign up that says they are closed for the winter months, so maybe don't try there for your free ice cream fix.
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free stuff for those of you voting in ANC2C tomorrow at queen of sheba.
(bonus freebie: look for me doing a little electioneering outside of the 50 foot limit in ANC2C tomorrow!)
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At California Tortilla, it's not a free taco, but a free taco coupon--not instantaneous results.
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Ghostbear: theoretically, you shouldn't need to show any proof of having voted, or even need to claim to have voted, since Federal election law prohibits anyone from providing anything of value as an inducement for someone else to vote; the Washington (state) Secretary of State officially informed Starbucks earlier today, for example, that their coffee giveaway would, as advertised, be illegal, although he also implied strongly that if Starbucks went ahead w/ the promotion, they wouldn't be prosecuted.
More practically, I suspect that at any of the smaller or more customer-oriented places, you could explain your situation and get all of your freebies sans sticker.
(If that fails: junkpunch, grab a freebie, and run.)