Free food, cheap drinks: Where to watch the midterms in D.C.

• Penn Social (Penn Quarter): The massive bar goes into watch party mode, 7pm-midnight, with $5-$6 beers — plus a "blue wave special" that includes free Jell-o shots or Pilsner if Talarico or El Sayed wins.
• Barrel (Capitol Hill): Red vs. blue, but drink it. Watch C-SPAN returns while voting with your drink order: a $14 blue passion fruit margarita or red strawberry daiquiri. The winning cocktail gets crowned at night's end. Happy hour runs 4–7pm with $9.50 Old Fashioneds and discount bites.
• Scarlet Oak (Navy Yard): Sip $12 espresso martinis and Old Fashioneds, $10 Sarti Spritzes and $8 mules while watching election returns with the sound on starting at 8pm.

• Union Pub (Capitol Hill): The "Midterm Massacre Menu" features $9 cocktails inspired by Senate races, from Ohio's "Buckeye Bloodbath" to Maine's "Maineiac Martini." Feeling bipartisan? Try Texas' dueling red-and-blue tequila shots.
• Shaw's Tavern (Shaw): Taco Tuesday meets Election Day, with margarita and taco specials while the returns roll in. Watch party starts at 7pm.
• Madhatter (Dupont Circle): Election night on a budget! Score $5 margaritas, $4 drafts, $6 wines and $10 smash burgers with fries. Or split a $24 margarita pitcher. Party runs 5pm–2am.
• Immigrant Food (Ballston): Half-off bottles of wine all evening — good for celebration or drowning sorrows. Reservations start at 6pm, with election coverage on TVs at 7pm.

🦆The intrigue: Pro Animal DC, the group behind the proposed foie gras ban, is joining forces with at-large candidate Oye Owolewa for a watch party at Solly's on U Street — expect speeches, local eats and Olivia the duck (free, 7–11:30pm).

Election Day specials

• Catahoula (Navy Yard): Election Day is also National Sandwich Day, so the first 50 guests score free cheeseburger po'boys at this New Orleans-style spot (limit one per person).
• ARTECHOUSE (Southwest Waterfront): Cast your ballot, then escape into another reality. Flash your "I Voted" sticker for buy-one-get-one-free admission to the immersive "SUBMERGE Project" exhibition. Open 10am–9pm; regular tickets $24+.
• Lucky Buns (Adams Morgan, Union Market): Free fries with any burger or chicken sandwich order, plus happy hour through closing.
• Bluejacket (Navy Yard): All-day drink deals include $5 beers, $9 cocktails, and $3 Malort, plus more discounts on cocktails.
• Joe's (Downtown): The swanky steak and seafood spot by the White House offers its cocktail hour all day and night (bar only).