Need a drink (or six) to get through election night? Here are the DC bars and restaurants where you can watch the election results roll in while enjoying discounted drinks or food. If you know of more bars or restaurants offering specials, let us know and we’ll keep updating this list.
Swing state cocktails at Art and Soul
415 New Jersey Ave., NW
This Southern restaurant is serving $10 cocktails inspired by swing states across the country. Take your pick of concoctions like the “The Granite State” (made with rye, bitters, sugar, and an orange slice) or “The Great Lakes” (made with bourbon, vermouth, and cherry juice).
Discount bar snacks and drinks at Bar Pilar
1833 14th St., NW
This two-story gastropub is offering food specials like $5 BBQ pork jowl and $7 arancini. Wash these snacks down with $5 house wines, $5 beers, or the $10 “Bartender’s Choice Combo” (a can of beer and a house shot).
15% off at Bayou Bakery
901 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Have a hankering for Louisiana-style eats on Election Day? New Orleans-born chef and owner David Guas is taking 15% off orders of $10 or more for customers who flaunt their “I Voted” stickers.
“Drag the vote” party at the BBQ Joint
2005 14th St., NW
Since Election Day coincides with “Drag Meat Tuesday” at the BBQ Joint, three drag queens are helping to ring in the new president. The restaurant is also serving $10 food specials that riff on memorable election moments, such as “Build a Taco Wall” and “Grab Them By the Ribs.” Wash these dishes down with the $8 “Whisky Leaks” cocktail.
Creative cocktails at Beuchert’s Saloon
623 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Looking for more creative options than your standard martini? Stop by this former Eastern Market speakeasy for drinks like the “Bad Hombre,” “Ken Bone Punch,” and “I’m With H.E.R.”
All-night happy hour at Black Jack
1612 14th St., NW
Happy hour prices last all night at this Logan Circle bar known for its killer cocktails, like the Blue Vein (made with vodka, cassis, and house-made ginger beer).
Burger specials at Black Squirrel
2427 18th St., NW
Unlimited tapas and drinks at Boqueria
1837 M St., NW
Eat and drink away the stress of the election at this trendy Spanish spot near Dupont Circle. For $50, you can feast on an unlimited number of tapas and drinks (stomach space permitting). Make a reservation here.
Free French fries at Bourbon Steak
2800 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
This steakhouse inside the Four Seasons Hotel is serving guests wearing “I Voted” stickers complimentary “Freedom fries” cooked in duck fat. Guests can also toss a vintage-style ballot in a whiskey barrel marked “D” or “R” for a shot at winning an all-inclusive, wine-paired dinner for two at Bourbon Steak and a night in the Four Seasons’ Presidential Suite.
All-day happy hour at Brookland’s Finest Bar & Kitchen
3126 12th St., NE
Starting at 11 am on Election Day, you can go to this American spot for $5 drafts and $6 glasses of house red or white wine. Just make sure to vote first—you’ll need to show your “I Voted” sticker.
Live coverage at Busboys and Poets
Multiple locations
Live broadcasts are happening at three locations of this chain. The location on 5th Street is hosting Carlos Watson of Ozy Media, while the location in Hyattsville is hosting multiple RadioONE announcers.
S’mores and hot drinks at Cafe Saint-Ex
1847 14th St., NW
The neighborhood bar is having a cozy viewing party on its back patio. Come roast s’mores and sip hot drinks while watching the election results on a projector.
Candidate cocktails at Carmine’s
425 7th St., NW
Head to this family-style Italian restaurant for the $12 “Trump-Tini” (made from Maker’s Mark bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters) or the $12 “Hilla-Rita” (made from tequila, limoncello, and amaretto).
Beer battle at Churchkey
1337 14th St., NW
Churchkey is challenging six local bartenders to put their own spin on Flying Dog Brewery’s Truth Imperial IPA by adding elements like lime peel, ginger, or cardamom. For $12, you can try a flight featuring 4-ounce samples of each version and vote for your favorite.
All-day happy hour at CIRCA
Multiple locations
All CIRCA locations are offering happy hour prices from the moment they open at 11 am. It’s never too early for a Bloody Mary, right?
All-you-can-eat pizza and beer at Declaration
804 V St., NW
Unlike most restaurants on this list, Declaration regularly offers politically-themed food in the form of pizzas inspired by the original 13 colonies. But on election day only, you can indulge in all-you-can-eat Brooklyn and Margherita pizzas and all-you-can-drink American mules and draft beers.
Election Day menu at Dirty Habit
700 F St., NW
Dirty Habit’s executive chef Kyoo Eom is collaborating with celebrity chef Art Smith on a special menu that fuses their signature styles. Stop by for creative fare like crispy spaetzli with mushrooms and butternut squash purée, rosemary lamb kebob with falafel and burnt spinach, and Smith’s famous fried chicken and doughnuts.
$1 drinks at Duke’s Counter and Duke’s Grocery
3000 Connecticut Ave., NW and 1513 17th St., NW
Duke’s is already known for its reasonable prices, with a shout-out in Washingtonian’s Cheap Eats 2014. Both locations of the gastropub are offering a stellar deal on Election Day, with customers wearing an “I Voted” sticker eligible for a $1 beer, wine, or mixed drink.
Anti-Trump party at El Rey
919 U St., NW
El Rey is going all out for HRC. If you’re with her, you can throw darts at a cardboard Trump cut-out, play Pin the Toupée on Trump, and drink $2 mini Coronas (perfect for small hands).
Complimentary bruschetta at ENO Wine Bar
2810 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
This Georgetown bar is offering a complimentary tomato bruschetta to guests who voted. Those who mention the password “POTUS” can also receive 30% off American wine bottles.
$2.16 beers at Garrison
524 8th St., SE
In honor of the 2016 election, the #13 restaurant on Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants list is pricing select beers at just $2.16.
$1 oysters at Hank’s Oyster Bar
Multiple locations
All three DC locations of Hank’s Oyster Bar are serving $1 oysters on the half shell. The Dupont Circle location is also getting crafty with “Wanna Go to Canada?” poutine and “Bi-Partisan” platters.
Bottomless bar snacks and cocktails at Lincoln
1110 Vermont Ave., NW
There may be no better place to watch the election results than a restaurant named after a president. For $50 per person, you can enjoy unlimited bar snacks, Moscow Mules, and Prosecco. You can also try specialty cocktails called “Hillary’s Inbox” and “Trump Tower” for $11 each.
Complimentary “campaign trail mix” at Logan Tavern
1423 P St., NW
The Logan Circle restaurant is supplying complimentary “campaign trail mix” along with some patriotic hats, tiaras, and leis. For $9 each, you can also try cocktails called “The Hillary” (a strong blend of gin and honey syrup) or “The Donald” (a screwdriver topped with golden cinnamon flakes and a cotton candy “toupée”).
Back patio party at Maple
3418 11th St., NW
While Maple has a TV at the bar, the real action is happening on the back patio. Under the warmth of heaters, you can watch a big-screen projection of the election results and fill in a giant electoral map as the states are called. In honor of the 2016 election, Maple is also taking 16% off all appetizers and 16% off flatbread pizzas.
Live coverage at Mulebone
2121 14th St., NW
Not quite satisfied with watching the election results on the TV screen? Head to Mulebone to watch TVone’s Roland Martin offer live commentary.
Bottomless Miller Lite and champagne at Orange Anchor
3050 K St., NW
For $10 per person, this nautical-themed restaurant on the Georgetown waterfront is providing unlimited Miller Lite bottles or champagne.
All-night happy hour at Policy Restaurant & Lounge
1904 14th St., NW
Get buzzed without breaking the bank at Policy, which is offering $4.50 beers, $5.50 wine, and $6.50 cocktails all night. Some of the happy hour food specials are also a steal, like the $4 quinoa-and-cheese fritters and the $4 shrimp empanadas.
All-night happy hour at Sauf Haus Bier Hall
1216 18th St., NW
Head to this beer garden wearing your “I Voted” sticker to take advantage of happy hour prices all night.
Half-priced wings at Takoda Restaurant & Beer Garden
715 Florida Ave., NW
While Takoda normally takes 50% off tacos on Tuesdays, the restaurant is expanding the deal to include wings through 7 pm on Election Day. You’re encouraged to share pics of the wings on social media using #teamtaco or #teamwing.
Creative cocktails and half-priced burgers at Ventnor Sports Cafe
2411 18th St., NW
Tuesdays are already Half-Priced Burger Night at this Adams Morgan bar. But election night is your only chance to try drinks like the “Pantsuit Power Punch,” “Tremendous Orange Creamsicle,” and “La Presidente.”
All-night happy hour at Wunder Garten
1101 First St., NE
This beer garden got a special liquor license just for the occasion, and happy hour prices will last all night both indoors and in the new insulated tent outdoors.
Maxine is an editorial fellow passionate about covering food, news, and politics. Her work has also been published in Forbes, Marie Claire, and Inside Higher Ed. She recently graduated from Brown University with honors in nonfiction writing.
