Candidate-themed cocktails and big-screen TVs set the stage for watching election night returns at bistros, restaurants and watering holes around town:
Art & Soul: Art Bar, the slick-looking lounge in Art Smith’s new restaurant on Capitol Hill, will offer voters a complimentary appetizer with the purchase of two signature cocktails from 5–10 PM (though the party will continue as the returns roll in).
Bourbon: This cool Adams Morgan spot will be pouring $3 drafts and, of course, plenty of whiskey all night.
Chef Geoff's and LIA'S: Happy Hour will run ‘til closing at these popular bistros’ bars, where special $5 cocktails will be poured as you watch the owner’s wife (MSNBC news correspondent Norah O’Donnell), on TV.
Degrees: The swank lounge in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Georgetown be stocked with election elixirs and themed snacks like the “Barack ‘n’ Rolls” (spicy tuna rolls) and “Shrimp McCain” (grilled shrimp on a sugarcane skewer).
EatBar: Popular mixologist Gina Chersevani will be concocting red and blue drinks, and complimentary snacks will be served to folks sporting their “I voted” badge at this trendy Arlington venue.
Johnny’s Half Shell: This Capitol Hill legislators lair will trade a free election day cocktail for your “I voted” sticker, kicking off what is billed as a “Grand Old Party for both parties.”
Sonoma: Sipping vino and snacking on charcuterie and cheese or pizzas will help pass the time at this loungey Capitol Hill haunt that plans to stay open “until we know the next President,” at which point everyone will be served a complimentary glass of champagne to toast the victor.
Town & Country Bar at the Renaissance Mayflower: This DC power venue near the White House is likely to be a prime spot for people- and poll-watching, and longtime bartender Sambonn Lek will be mixing Red Elephants and Blue Donkeys and pouring Moët & Chandon champagne by the glass; free hors d’oeuvres will be served from 5:30–7:30 PM.
– Olga Boikess