Several venues and organizations are making an event out of President Bush’s eighth and last State of the Union address, which will be televised Monday, January 28, at 9 PM. Here’s a list of some great places to pour out a little liquor to mark the occasion.
Parties Sponsored by Organizations
Who: Arlington Young Democrats
What: State of the Union Watching Party including State of the Union bingo (likely keywords? “Iraq,” “terror(ist),” “victory”) with prizes for winners and the person who brings the most guests.
Where: Backroom of Bailey’s Pub & Grille, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: 7 to 11 PM
Contact: RSVP here.
Who: Drinking Liberally and The Seminal
What: These progressive groups are eager to usher out the old and ring in the new with toast after toast.
Where: 17th Street Cafe, 1513 17th St., NW
When: 8 to 10 PM
Contact: RSVP to seminal@theseminal.com
Bar and Restaurant Gatherings
Who: Bullfeathers of Capitol Hill
What: Two-dollar mini-burgers and cheap beer will be offered during the speech, shown with sound on all of the bar’s TVs. Even for the jaded, it’s pretty cool to think that the show is happening just steps from where you’re downing pints.
Where: 410 First St., SE
When: Happy Hour starts at 5 and will run to the end of the speech.
Contact: 202-543-5005
Who: Hawk ’n’ Dove
What: Groups from the Hill will flock to this political bar to catch the address three blocks from where the speech is given. Enjoy specials on Yuengling and a $3.50 pint-of-the-night (probably a winter microbrew.) Sixteen TVs will air the event on MSNBC and PBS. Show up by 8 PM to ensure prime viewing. The party goes until last call (1:30 AM).
Where: 329 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Contact: 202-543-3300
Who: Union Pub
What: Silently pledge allegiance to your party with $5 red and blue martinis and munch half-price burgers with a crowd of Hill staffers. Other specials include a $2.50 house draft and $12 Yuengling pitchers. On State of the Union night, the bar usually fills to its capacity of 150 people.
Where: 201 Massachusetts Ave., NE
When: Show up around 6:30 PM to get seats; last call is at 1:30 AM.
Contact: 202-546-7200
Who: Capital Grille
What: People-watching your thing? There are 535 members of Congress—you can bet some of them will be pregaming at this classic steakhouse with an iconic view of the Capitol from its front door. If you want to feel like part of the action, this is your spot.
Where: 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
When: Before and after the speech. Someone’s going to need a steak and a drink afterward, right?
Contact: 202-737-6200
Who: The Diner
What: You won’t see any power players here. You won’t be able to avoid dozens of Adams Morgan partiers who don’t even know the speech is going on. But you won’t be disappointed by $3 London Porters, two TVs and one big-screen broadcasting the address with sound, and the raucous cheers and jeers it will undoubtedly inspire.
Where: 2453 18th St., NW
When: There will be a crowd; show up early if you want a good spot.
Contact: 202-232-8800
