Updated Oct 31, 2024 - Things to Do
Election night watch parties and specials around D.C.
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The first debate night crowd at Union Pub, which is hosting an all-day election party. Photo: Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Election night is like D.C.'s Super Bowl — with our watch parties, all-night happy hours and politically themed drinks.
Yes, but: The game never ends here, and many predict a winner will be called after Nov. 5.
- Party now … the city's mood may go downhill fast.
The intrigue: If insane lines for debate nights are telling, the party people will head to Capitol Hill's Union Pub. Doors open at 11am.
- On tap: Presidential-themed drinks ($7-$15) and food like "they're eating the [corn] dogs" served in puppy bowls, plus games.
More watch parties!
- Teddy & the Bully Bar (Dupont): The Roosevelt-themed spot is home to a decade-worth of viewing parties. Go for happy hour (3-8pm), a complimentary food bar (5-6pm) and all-night fun.
- Shaw's Tavern (Shaw): A four-hour open bar (7-11pm), buffet dinner and passed apps are included in the ticket price ($99).
- DC Comedy Clubhouse (Shaw): Blow off steam with a show ($15) at 7:30pm followed by a watch party with specials, results on the big screen, hookah and DJ entertainment.
- Metrobar (Brentwood): Catch the results on a 20-foot screen with Harris-themed drink specials.
- Lulu's Winegarden (U Street): Play free election-themed trivia from 7-9pm while live poll results roll in. Spritzes, fizzy wines and beers are discounted.
- The Merry Pin (Shepherd Park): The new crafting store on Georgia Ave. combines artistic distractions with a watch party and all-night happy hour (4-11pm). Crafters working on a Harris theme get 10% off tabs. Register for free.
- Wundergarten (NoMa): The big beer garden, known for its sports watch parties, does it up for the election. Doors open at 5pm (free).
- Busboys and Poets (DMV): All locations of the progressive cafe are hosting watch parties with drink specials, and plan to remain open until results are announced.
- Dirty Water (H Street): Trump supporters can head to Dirty Water for a $30 open bar (Bud, Busch, mixed wells) and a watch party starting at 6:30pm.
Good deals:
- Cucina Morini (Downtown): The now-famous $7 martini deal extends to the main bar for catching results until 10pm.
- Boundary Stone (Bloomingdale): Distract yourself with political trivia and all-night happy hour, plus a Kamala daiquiri.
- Spin (Downtown): More distractions! An hour of free ping pong for anyone who voted (proof required) plus drinks and eats.
- Immigrant Food (Ballston): Join the "gastro-advocacy" restaurant to pour (😉) over results with 50% off bottles of wine.
- The Golden Age (Dupont): All-night happy hour and TVs tucked away in the back room for tuning in and out.
- The Roost (Capitol Hill): Many of NRG's bars will have sound-on TVs and good drink deals (e.g. Bluejacket, Churchkey). Groups can head to their roomy food and beer hall for $5 brews, $10 wings, $15 large pizzas and more.
- American Ice Co. (U Street) and Brighton (Wharf): The sister bars will have TVs on, a free "Swing State Raffle" game, and drink specials all night.
- Royal Sands (Navy Yard): D.C.'s Florida bar is channeling the beach with specials like $10 frozen drinks and $2 off sushi rolls, and offering group reservations.
- The Admiral (Dupont Circle): The circle's big pub has TVs indoors and out, plus specials like $6 draft refills.
Too stressed to go out?
- Le Diplomate's to-go snack board is loaded with meats, cheeses and bites – plus tissues "for tears of joy or despair" ($125, exclusively on DoorDash).
- Chang Chang in Dupont is dishing up a comfort food package with dumplings, lo mein, matcha cake and more. There's a vegetarian option ($120, feeds four, order by Nov. 1).
- Centrolina is closing for Election Day in CityCenter so employees can vote. Chef Amy Brandwein is offering a decadent to-go package for two ($150, pickup Monday), where proceeds go towards staff paid leave.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add new watch parties and specials.