(Photo by Tim Brown
If anything can take the edge off a tumultuous campaign, maybe it’s a cheap drink or some free food? In that spirit, a slew of bars and restaurants are organizing specials for the evening—assuming you’re not spending the evening cowering in a ball.
As we’ve reported in previous years, rewarding voters with free food and drinks is likely illegal. But, hey, there’s no law against businesses organizing discounts because it’s Tuesday. Here are some good bet deals and events happening around the city.
All About Burger
Multiple locations
Get a free burger with your “I Voted” sticker at this local chain.
Alta Strada
465 K St. NW
Michael Schlow’s Italian hit is offering happy hour all day for any early-afternoon anxiety. That means bar snacks like broccoli rabe bruschetta ($5) and crunchy meatballs ($8) along with a selection of $6 wines and $3 Natty Boh.
Bayou Bakery
1515 N Courthouse Rd. Arlington, 901 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Show your “I Voted” sticker at either location to receive 15 percent off orders of $10 or more.
This swanky Georgetown steakhouse is dishing out complimentary orders of “freedom fries” in the bar and lounge for those with an “I Voted” sticker.
Churchkey
1337 14th St. NW
Churchkey is teaming up with Flying Dog brewery for a unique IPA competition, starting at 5 p.m. Six of the premier beer minds in the city have created their own twists on Flying Dog’s “The Truth” IPA, including infusions with bourbon, gin, citrus and herbs. A flight of all 4 ounce pours are $12.
Compass Rose
1346 T St. NW
Reward yourself after a long day with lots of cheese, butter and carbs on the house. Compass Rose is offering a free order of its famous khachapuri for each table with an “I Voted” sticker.
Declaration
804 V St. NW
What better place to watch an election that at this political pizza spot? There will be all-night happy hour as well as a $35 all-you-can-eat Brooklyn and Margherita pizzas, draft beers, and mule cocktails.
Dirty Goose
913 U St. NW
This LGBT-friendly bar is pouring $25 bottomless rail drinks, crispy fries and fried pickles from 7 p.m. to midnight. Check out recent DCist coverage of the bar before you go.
Dirty Habit
700 F St NW
A good meal is always a welcome distraction, and Dirty Habit (located inside the Hotel Monaco in the former Poste space) is collaborating with celebrity chef Art Smith on its election day menu. Dig in to plates of buttermilk fried chicken and doughnuts, rosemary lamb kabob with falafel and burnt spinach and crispy spaetzli with mushrooms and butternut squash purée.
Duke’s Counter
3000 Connecticut Ave. NW
Customers at Duke’s election party can get their first glass of wine, 12 ounce beer, or rail cocktail for just $1. There will also be a free champagne toast when the race is called as well as discounts on U.S.-made beer, wine and spirits.
Duke’s Grocery
1513 17th St. NW
See above.
Garrison
524 8th St. SE
Snag $2.16 beers all night in addition to happy hour food and drink specials in the bar and dining room.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St. NW
Whiskey den Jack Rose is teaming up with Maine’s Allagash brewing to feature 13 of the breweries rare offerings on draft Tuesday, each for $2 off. It runs from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and there will be prizes and plenty of TVs.
Logan Tavern
1423 P St. NW
Election results will be showing on a projector screen “and election swag will be distributed” at this Logan Circle haunt. But more importantly, drink specials include $9 cocktails such as The Hillary, featuring gin and honey lemon syrup and The Donald, a screwdriver with golden cinnamon flakes and topped with a fluffy cotton candy “toupee.” Food deals will be available as well.
Maple
3418 11th St. NW
Maple’s back patio (yes, heaters will be fired up) will show election coverage on a big screen projector with half-priced drafts and $4 glasses of red and white wine and 16 percent off appetizers and pizza. Tuesday’s normal half-off wine bottles will be in effect too.
McClellan’s Retreat
2031 Florida Ave. NW
This upscale cocktail bar has plenty of fancy libations offering liquid comfort and will also roll out a television and happy hour deals Tuesday. Score discounts on Miller High Life, red and white wine, election punch, and rye old fashioneds. Elysian Night Owl beer will be $6.
Nando’s Peri Peri
Multiple locations
Nando’s is inviting diners to literally choose a side on election day. Show a sticker—any old sticker—and pick a free regular side off the menu like fries, mashed potatoes, or macho peas.
Shophouse
Multiple locations
Despite reports of doom and gloom, fans of Chipotle’s Southeast Asian offshoot will be delighted to know it’s not dead yet. Use the password “voter” on Tuesday to unlock a buy one get one free bowl offer.
Texas Jack’s Barbecue
2761 Washington Blvd. Arlington
Texas Jack’s is throwing a “Tears and Beers” party at its bar from 4 p.m. to close on Tuesday. Select beer and wine will be discounted to $5, as well as bites like pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, loaded nachos, and wings.
Tico
1926 14th St. NW
Come for all-night happy hour and drown the election madness in $6 hibiscus margaritas, $5 beers and $4 tacos and discounts on other small plates.
Tryst
2459 18th St. NW
Adams Morgan’s favorite coffee house is extending its $5 happy hour from 4 p.m. through closing and will be airing the results. Drinks include red and white wine, Irish coffees, and Old Ox Gold Ox and Flying Dog Pearl Necklace beer on tap.
Quill
1200 16th St. NW
Step inside the posh Jefferson hotel on election night, where Quill bar is offering two politically-inspired cocktails for half price from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for guests with a voting sticker. The Hillary option is good for any Rock Town vodka cocktail, while Trump’s drink is the Holy Grail Mocktail (a nod to the candidate’s lifelong sobriety).
Ventnor Sports Cafe
2411 18th St. NW
In addition to its normal Tuesday half-priced burgers, Ventnor will have politically themed cocktails including the Pant-Suit Power Punch and the Tremendous Orange Creamsicle. Sound will on at the bar TVs, with plenty of different channels.
