This roundup comes with a caveat: Technically it’s illegal to monetarily reward citizens for voting—or not voting—and that includes discounted/free food and beverage as well as hard cash. (Benjamin Freed penned an interesting article on the topic two years ago.) Luckily, the law is generally ignored by the feds when it comes to restaurant deals, evidenced by the fact that California Tortilla employees are still roaming free, and yes, they’re back at it with giveaways.
That being said, if complimetnary queso is what drives a significant number of voters to the polls, we’re all doomed anyway. Go enjoy free chips with a side of civic duty. We’ll update throughout the day.
1200-1216 Bladensburg Rd., NE
Show your sticker and get a $4 pint.
414 H St., NE
Anyone who thinks their candidate is on a losing streak will want to drown their sorrows with this special: Natty Boh and a shot of Old Overholt rye for $6, all day long.
2800 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Look for swanky specials such as blue-state lobster corndogs, red-state A5 hot dogs with duck-fat fries, and a Hanging Chad cocktail made with vodka, habanero, and pineapple.
Multiple locations
All locations except in the Ronald Reagan Trade Center give away free chips and queso to anyone saying “I Voted,” or to actual voters who shower their sticker.
2411 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Show your sticker for a 15-percent discount on any domestic cheese.
1443 P St., NW
Vote, and then take a Tuesday funday at Commissary, which servers $2 drafts to stickered voters from 8 AM to 11 PM.
3100 South Street., NW
Conservative queso anyone? The bar area shows results while serving themed specials from 5 to 11 like the aforementioned cheese dip and “liberal fried pickles.”
Happy hour pricing runs until 2 AM at this Capitol Hill spot, so head in for $8 specialty cocktails and $4 pints of Dubliner amber ale and Smithwick’s IPA.
880 N. East St., Frederick
One of the most decadent deals out there: free fried chicken (dine-in only) for sticker-holding voters.
Hank’s Oyster Bar Capitol Hill
633 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
The Capitol Hill location serves happy hour from 5 to close while showing the election results. Look for a bipartisan serving of blue and red punch, plus drink and oyster specials.
3218 M St., NW
Watch the results on multiple TVs while enjoying extended happy hour from 4 to 11, including tasty $5 bowls of chili mac.
3410 11th St., NW
Show your sticker from 6:30 to last call for a dollar off all drafts.
2435 18th St., NW
Yet another bar offering the chance to drown your woes in a beer and a shot of rye whiskey.
3195 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Show your sticker and get any of the wood-oven pizzas, like a white clam pie or pork sausage with smoked mozzarella, for just $10 (typically $13 to $16).
1600 Rhode Island Ave., NW
Get your sticker and head over for a gratis glass of wine, draft beer, or choice of one bar bite.
3050 K St., NW
Appetizers go for $7 and drinks are discounted late into the night, from 4 to 1:30.
800 F St., NW
The bar servers a Bitter Sweet Victory cocktail made with infused calvados, pear vodka, and pineapple foam for $10 to sticker-bearers (usually $12). Televisions will also show the election results throughout the evening.
501 Seventh St., NW
The first 100 people who show their “I Voted” sticker receive free cupcake pops.
3015 M St., NW
Voters can buy one cupcake or scoop and get an extra free, while anyone under 18 can just say “election day” for the promo.
1433 P St., NW
Everyone wins at a viewing party with half-price appetizers, $4 house wines, and $4 select beers.
3000 K St., NW
Want to celebrate in style, but on the cheap(er)? This waterfront spot offers a 1.25-pound lobster dinner for half-price, along with a screening of election results.
2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
Sticker-holders can drop by the patio or bar area of this Indian spot from 5 to 7 for $5 tapas such as fried calamari masala and veggie samosas, $4 beers, and $5 wine and cocktails including mojitos and rail martinis (for those who had a really hard election day). TVs will broadcast results.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
