Only in Washington would a city's nightlife grind to a halt when presidential debates are on. And only in Washington would folks think that watching election results on big screens constitutes a party. No wonder the rest of the country thinks we're dorks.
That said, here are some of the best election night parties around town. Most aren't charging a cover, and some said they'll stay open "as long as it takes." Good luck!
9:30 Club -- WHFS and Rock the Vote are sponsoring a party, hosted by local hip-hop act the Poem-Cees -- "probably the most intelligent hip-hop in D.C. right now," says organizer Nathan Ackerman -- and featuring the returns on a big screen, a special DJ set by Bob Mould, plus a performance by those perennial favorites "Special Guests." Tickets are $12; but special VIP seats -- yes, real tables and chairs at the 9:30 -- cost $25.
Andale -- Like many other bars, Andale is offering quasi-political cocktails named after presidential candidates. But because it's a tequila-centric bar, the drinks sound promising: Try the Bushrita (a combination of aged Sauza Hornitos Reposado tequila, raspberry schnapps, cranberry juice and lime) or the Kerryrita (El Jimador Blanco tequila, Blue Curaçao, lime juice and Triple Sec) for $5 on election night. In addition, the restaurant is extending its popular happy hour -- featuring half-price beer, wine, margaritas and appetizers -- from 4:30 to close.
Bar Rouge -- Besides showing the results on the bar's large flat-screen TV, Rouge is unveiling two special cocktails: Elegant Elephant (a martini with Tanqueray 10 gin and dry vermouth) and Raucous Caucus (Blavod black vodka, Stoli Orange vodka, Midori and Rose's Lime Juice). For the month of November, the bar is displaying political caricatures by the Spanish artist Gogue.
Black Cat -- DJ Spooky and the NoSkilz Sound and Video Syndicate are "remixing" the election live, combining electronic dance music with election-related audio and video clips. We're not sure what to expect, exactly, but Spooky is a talented turntablist, so the results should be fascinating. Tickets are $12 and doors open at 8:30.
Blue Gin -- The D.C. Young Republicans are confident enough about Tuesday's result to dub their gathering the "Election Day Victory Party." While the lounge's top level has been reserved by a low-profile government agency, everyone else -- Republicans, Democrats, cocktail lovers -- can hang out at the first floor bar. There's no cover charge.
Buffalo Billiards -- "We've got two Kerry groups and one Bush group coming in," says Buffalo Billiards owner Geoff Dawson. Is he enforcing segregation? "Nah." The whole of this subterranean pool hall is open to the public, and the huge expenditure on new plasma and projection screens is paying off: "We've had lines out the door for all three debates," Dawson says. And it's easy to see why: couches, multiple bars, five dart boards and 29 pool tables for killing time until those West Coast polls close.
Continental -- Details for the retro pool lounge's "Red, White and Blue" election night party are still being worked out, but it will definitely include $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon and election results on large flat-screen televisions.
Chief Ike's Mambo Room -- It's a scruffy little bar, but Chief Ike's always draws a great neighborhood crowd. It's oddly appropriate for election night, given the strange caricatures of President Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower adorning the walls. Drink specials include $3 cocktails and $2 beers.
The Exchange -- Located just down the street from the Old Executive Office Building and the White House, surrounded by various federal agencies, the Exchange is filled with government workers most nights of the week. That's why owner Jim Nicopoulos expects election night to be especially crazy. "It will be like last time," he predicts. "After about 5 o'clock, they'll pour in here and watch the elections, either crying or cheering." The Exchange's centerpiece is a 120-inch high-definition television, but other televisions throughout the bar will show results. "The Republicans will be in here very strong," he says. "They're the ones in the White House now."
Felix -- In the 19th century, large political machines like New York's Tammany Hall would trade drinks for votes. On election night, Felix is dispensing with the votes and just giving away food and drink. There's an open bar from 6 to 7, followed by a night of cheap drinks (including $2 Absolut shots and $4 red, white and blue martinis), free snacks and live music. Three-course meals are available for $25 per person, and Felix is picking up customers' sales tax all evening.
Hawk and Dove -- "In 2000, we had to kick people out at 2 a.m.," says manager Paul Meagher. "They didn't want to go home." The venerable Capitol Hill tavern has five different rooms, and it's putting them all to good use this time around, showing a different network's election night coverage in each. "People want variety," Meagher explains. "There's a lot of Chris Matthews fans, CNN fans, PBS fans. Not too many Fox fans." The Hawk is running its own election this weekend, with a battle of the beers --(Massachusetts) Samuel Adams vs. (Texas) Shiner Bock. "Votes" will be recorded between Saturday and 6 p.m. on election night, when sales will be tallied by computer and a winner will be announced. You're encouraged to vote early and vote often.
La Tasca -- The Clarendon and Chinatown branches of the Spanish tapas chain are rewarding anyone who shows up wearing an "I Voted" sticker. You get a free dish of Tortilla Americana (a Spanish potato and red pepper omelet), which can be washed down with a $2.50 glass of red, white and blue sangria. Just remember not to throw out the sticker.
Lounge 201 -- Art deco touches and comfortable leather booths put Lounge 201 a step above most Capitol Hill watering holes. The election night party is a little classier, too: All house martinis on Lounge 201's extensive list are $5 all night, and flatbread pizzas are half-price. Election results roll in on plasma screen TVs behind the bar. Doors open at 4; arrive early to get a good seat.
MCCXXIII -- One of the only election night parties with a VIP room, Election Night 2004 -- sponsored in part by Rock the Vote -- features three distinct price structures: $25 gets you in the door; $50 includes free food and an open bar; $75 VIP tickets allow you to mingle with celebrities-to-be-named-later, access to a private area and more. All include a DJ and dancing. Tickets for this 18-and-over party will double in price before election night, so visit www.electionnite.com to purchase cheap(er) admission.
The Pour House -- The top and bottom levels of the Pour House are rented out for private parties, but the weekly Tuesday night trivia Quizzo will carry on on the main level -- albeit with an election theme. "Asking who Monroe defeated to become President doesn't interest me," host Neal Racioppo says in an e-mail. Instead, he'll give the night a politics-meets-pop-culture bent, asking, for example, the name of the sheriff Michael Ontkean played on "Twin Peaks" (Harry S. Truman) or the band that wrote the '80s smash "Politics of Dancing" (the Reflex). There's no cover, and the game begins at 7.
Red River Grill -- A favorite hangout of young congressional staffers, Red River Grill offers $2.50 beers (including Sierra Nevada and Miller Lite) all night, along with televisions tuned to "CNN, Fox, whatever people want to watch."
Stetson's Famous Bar and Grill -- There's no taxation without representation at Stetson's on election night. Well, for customers, at least -- the bar's picking up all tax levied on food and drink. (That's equivalent to a 10 percent discount.) A favorite of both Democrats and the Bush twins, Stetson's will have both floors open and the results on two huge projection screens. "If the debates are any indication, it's going to be really busy," says General Manager Franke Feige.
Tequila Grill -- The D.C. Society of Young Professionals is hosting a bi-partisan viewing party at this Mexican-themed bar. Expect a crowd in its late twenties through forties to gather in front of big-screen televisions while taking advantage of discounted food and drinks. Tickets are $10 in advance from dcyoungpro.com.
Tortilla Coast -- Forget Democrats and Republicans -- Tortilla Coast is running a "Beer Election" through Nov. 1. Customers can vote for Samuel Adams, Sierra Nevada or hometown candidate Foggy Bottom, and the winner will be offered at discounted prices on election night. Noted for its Republican leanings and margaritas, Tortilla Coast will have election coverage on all its televisions.
Velvet Lounge -- Punk satirists Political Blockheads are headlining a show at the divey Velvet Lounge, but there's one problem -- the bar doesn't have any televisions. That's where you come in. Show up between 8 and 9 with a TV set -- any size or condition, but preferably one that can get some beer spilled on it -- and you can skip the $6 cover charge. That's a couple more cans of Schlitz.
