If you don't want to watch from your living room, or can't stand watching alone, these bars offer everything from drinking games to half-price drinks.
The restaurant/bar/bookstore is broadcasting the debate at all eight of its locations, with programming slightly different: Busboys in Mount Vernon Triangle will feature a post-debate debate with former Ohio Sen. Nina Turner, co-chair of Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, while the branch at 14th and V Streets NW will feature a debate about a proposed ranked choice voting ballot amendment in Washington, D.C. Other restaurants will host open-mic poetry readings before the debate. Location and time vary.
The Dirty Goose will take a break from airing “RuPaul's Drag Race” and debates, and the U Street bar's special menu of $10 “Conviction Cocktails” will include drinks like a Dark and Stormy Daniels and a French 75-inspired Pheron Fizz. The special starts at 9 p.m..
For $25, you can enjoy unlimited Bud Light, Shock Top, Hoop Tee drafts, bottles of Yuengling, cans of Miller Lite and rail drinks at the H Street NE Sports Bar from 7pm until the end of the debate.
DC's first LGBTQ-owned brewery will be offering happy hour prices on its Descent Hazy IPA, St. Michael's Lyonnaise Distillery rum, Mount Defiance Smoked Virginia Whiskey and more during the debate. The special starts at 9 p.m..
Red Derby, recently named one of the top five dive bars in the DC area, offers two distinct experiences on Thursdays. Downstairs, a projector screen shows the debate as patrons sip $3 PBRs and $3.50 house tequilas or whiskeys and tuck into half-price grilled cheeses. Upstairs on the roof deck, it's business as usual and politics-free bliss. Specials will run throughout the night.
Shaw's Tavern is a well-known DC hangout spot for political theater, and it opens early for congressional testimony and confirmation hearings. All tables are already reserved for debate viewing parties on Florida Avenue NW, but bar stools and standing room only are available without reservations. Bottles of wine are half price all night. Seating will begin at 7:30 p.m..
Located just steps from the senator's office buildings, Union Pub boasts that it gets “busier during the State of the Union than any major sporting event.” On Thursdays, it offers a debate drinking game, a “drink poll” where you order a red and blue vodka drink to see which is more popular, and plenty of drink specials, including $4 house beers and $4 shots, discounted pints and pitchers of Yuengling and Pacifico, and $22 buckets of Bud Light. For groups, they offer a “Guilty Pleasure Platter” for 12 for $340, which includes 34 wings, a platter of totchos and mini corn dogs, 12 sliders, 12 house beers, 12 “orange shots” and 12 mystery beers. Specials start at 6 p.m..
