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The D.C. Area Restaurants Offering Election Day Freebies and Specials

Where to find patriotic popcorn, free beer, candidate-themed sandwiches, and “Covfefe” cocktails on Tuesday, November 3

Ivy City’s Republic Restoratives will add an election swag set to any D.C. order through election night.
Republic Restoratives/official photo
Tierney Plumb is the editor of Eater DC, covering all things food and drink around the nation's capital.

While election watch parties are largely on hiatus this year in order to stem the spread of COVID-19, area restaurants have plenty of to-go specials planned to keep anxious voters fed and buzzed on Tuesday, November 3.

Here’s a running list of Election Day and night deals around town.

Have you seen a restaurant that should be included on the list? Use the tipline or send information to dc@eater.com.


Southeast

Kvarøy Arctic

Union Temple Baptist Church, 1225 W. Street SE

The sustainable salmon brand sold at Whole Foods Market will dish out free salmon hot dogs and water bottles from noon to 6 p.m. near a popular Southeast polling place in D.C. The family-owned brand out of Norway is also popping up in five other U.S. cities today.

Fight Club

623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE

The new takeout sub shop that temporarily replaces Beuchert’s Saloon in Capitol Hill rolls out an all-day presidential candidate sandwich matchup for Election Day ($14 each). Chef Andrew Markert’s “Trumped Up” meatloaf on white bread — glazed with ketchup as a jab at President Trump’s steak condiment of choice — takes on Biden’s Bobbie, a riff on the former Vice President’s favorite order from a Delaware-based sandwich chain (roasted turkey, sausage stuffing, potato mayo and cranberry sauce on a hoagie roll).

Themed drinks ($12-$14) include “Covfefe” (Lock House coffee liqueur, Jameson, lemon, honey and orange bitters), “Drink the Bleach” (Wray & Nephew overproof rum, house grapefruit soda and lime), and “Winning Ticket” red sangria.

Barrel

613 Pennsylvania Avenue SE

Sport an “I Voted” sticker and buy a food or drink item from the Capitol Hill bourbon bar through election night to enter a raffle to win a “Barrel of Booze” (a 25-oz. barrel filled with the winner’s choice of Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Negroni, Boulevardier, or milk punch). Note: Barrel is closed on Monday, November 2.

Barrel/official photo

The Roost

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue SE

Show of Hands, the craft cocktail and wine bar located within Capitol Hill’s new food hall, just debuted a bottled Statehood Negroni for election week. The Roost is typically closed on Tuesdays, but will be open for takeout and delivery from 4 p.m. 10 p.m. for election night eats.

Mission Navy Yard

1221 Van Street SE

The cavernous Mexican bar next to Nationals Park plans to offer drink specials until midnight and its full menu until 11 p.m. ⁣⁣as the returns roll in. Walk-ins are welcome, or email info@missionnavyyard.com to reserve a table. ⁣

Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery

1201 Half Street SE

The famed New York City bakery that just touched down in Navy Yard will hand a free chocolate chip cookie to any patron showing proof they voted.

H Street

Maketto

Maketto teamed up with Espro for an Election Day giveaway: Follow the H Street NE cafe and java brand on Instagram for the chance to win a pricey pour-over coffee brewer.

Northeast

Wunder Garten

1101 First Street NE

NoMa’s outdoor beer garden hosts an election night watch party (4 p.m. to midnight), complete with camera crews and themed cocktails like Rum and Covfefe, ForBiden Fruit, and the Swing State.

Republic Restoratives

1369 New York Avenue NE

Now through election night, the Ivy City distiller tacks on a free election set with every D.C. order of gifts, cocktail kits, bottles or merch. The kit includes an “I’M SPEAKING” placard with an electoral map tracker, a limited edition set of four campaign buttons, and a split bottle of Chandon.

Atlas Ivy City Brewery & Tap Room

Multiple locations

Show an “I Voted” sticker at Atlas Brew Works’ Ivy City or Half Street Brewery & Tap Room for a free 5- or 7-ounce taste of its solar-powered brews with any purchase. All curbside pickup and delivery orders come with a complimentary koozie (post sticker proof on Instagram). On Tuesday only, the Ivy City location will extend delivery hours from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. to accommodate election night drinkers.

Occasions Caterers

Chef Adam Howard’s election night menu goes heavy on comfort food. There’s cacio e pepe crab dip, a vegetable pot pie sporting a D.C. flag, short rib chili mac, and warm spiced monkey bread ($80 for four).

Columbia Heights

Lou’s City Bar

1400 Irving Street NW

A “Lou’s Election Day / Week / Month(s)” special — which will run as long as it takes to finalize results — includes deals on themed cocktails like “the Biden 47” (Old Fashioned with Four Roses or Glenlivet 14) and “#FreeMelania” cosmo. New bites like an Irving Street burger (fried jalapeno, red onion, pepper jack, and jalapeno sauce) and Buffalo blue cheese tots are also discounted until the election is called. The sports bar plans to air the returns on Tuesday, with socially distanced seating options under its heated porch and indoors.

“The Trump Combover” (vodka, fresh squeezed OJ, burnt orange, topped with fluffy whipped cream) at Lou’s City Bar.
Lou’s/official photo

Adams Morgan

SpacyCloud

2309 18th Street NW

Don an “I Voted” sticker for a free drink at Adams Morgan’s vegan bar, with deals on beer buckets ($30), “fish” and chips, and more all night starting at 7 p.m. Reserve a socially distanced seat here.

Penn Quarter

Hill Country Barbecue

410 7th Street NW

Plan a barbecue-fueled viewing party at home and use promo code “ELECTION” for $5 off every order.

Shaw

Capo Speakeasy

715 Florida Avenue NW

The Shaw deli is taking pre-orders to stock up on its wildly popular, politico-themed cocktail pouches for election night (four for $50 and 10 for $120) until 10 p.m.

All-Purpose x DC Brau

The D.C. pizzeria and brewery debuted a $20.20 deal through election night: Vote to buy a $20 pie and a 16-ounce can of DC Brau VOTE Kristallweizen for 20 cents more. Available via takeout and delivery from All-Purpose’s Navy Yard and Shaw locations.

All-Purpose chef Mike Friedman and DC Brau CEO Brandon Skall team up for the election.
All-Purpose/official photo

Calico

50 Blagden Alley NW

The backyard hangout in Blagden Alley encourages guests to stock up on its beloved pouched cocktails for at-home election viewings via a “buy five, get one free” deal from Thursday, October 29 through Tuesday, November 3 ($12 each). Pre-order for pickup or delivery through Caviar. The outdoor bar will also be open on Election Day, November 3, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

A new “Cat You On The Flip Side” (mezcal, blood orange, maraschino, vermouth, lemon) just joined Calico’s adult juice box lineup.
Calico/official photo

Dupont Circle/Downtown

McClellan’s Retreat

2031 Florida Avenue NW

On Monday, November 2, the Dupont Circle bar runs a pregame special on its 750-ml. bottle single barrel Old Forester Bourbon for $30 (regularly $55). Email orders to info@mcclellansretreat.com by 3 p.m. on Monday for pickup between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Immigrant Food

1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

The immigration advocacy restaurant near the White House will reward voters with a half-off discount on its new drinks menu that debuts on Election Day.

West End

Blue Duck Tavern

1201 24th Street NW

The Park Hyatt restaurant’s “Super PAC: Election Night Survival Dinner Kit” includes two appetizers, two entrées, two sides, and dessert ($95 per couple, plus tax and fees), featuring comforting classics like a smoked bone-in short rib and apple pie. Two 16-oz. cocktails filled with local spirits include “Political Punches” (Filibuster Distillery’s spiced bourbon and house-made cider punch) and “Civic Duty” (Republic Restoratives’ civic vodka, cranberry, brown butter and sage) for $22 apiece. Available for carryout and delivery, Monday, November 2, and Tuesday, November 3.

Virginia

Design Cuisine

2659 Shirlington Road, Arlington, Virginia

The Arlington caterer plans to keep customers well fed during and after election night via a multiple meal deal that includes charcuterie; spinach and artichoke dip with red, white, and blue tortilla chips; potato gratin; and roast and Southern fried chicken mains designed to double as leftovers alongside sandwich fixings for lunch.

The meal kit, also stocked with breakfast sandwiches and “I Voted” cookies, is $48 per person (four-person minimum). Email (orders@designcuisine.com) or call (703-979-9400) pickup or delivery orders in by 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 29.

Design Cuisine’s “For the Win” meal kit kicks off with patriotic popcorn.
Design Cuisine/official photo

Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery

1515 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington, Virginia

Chef David Guas will make a pair of election-themed sandwiches at his Arlington bakery on on November 2 and 3. A McDonald’s-esque “Filet-O-Catfish” represents President Trump, with cheese and pickled jalapeño tartar sauce. For Joe Biden, Guas riffed on a sandwich from Delaware sub shop Capriotti’s, offering up the “Bobby 2.0” with sliced roasted turkey, cajun cornbread stuffing, and cranberry vinaigrette. In addition, a complimentary “Vote” sugar cookie will be included with the purchase of either presidential sandwich on Election Day.

Trump and Biden-themed sandwiches and sugar cookies at Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery.
Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery/official photo

Alexandria Restaurant Partners

Multiple locations

Sport an “I voted” sticker on Election Day for a free appetizer across the Alexandria restaurant group’s portfolio (Mia’s Italian Kitchen, Vola’s Dockside Grill, Riverside Taco Company, Theismann’s Restaurant, Palette 22, The Majestic).

Sheesh Grill

Multiple locations

The family-run Middle Eastern chain in Falls Church and Chantilly invites diners to show their “I Voted” stickers through Election Day to get 11 percent off dine-in or carryout orders.

Maryland

Money Muscle BBQ

8630 Fenton Street, Plaza 5, Silver Spring

The new Black-owned barbecue food truck from All Set owners Ed Reavis and Jennifer Meltzer make an election night dinner for two, featuring a full spread of meats, sides, and dessert. Place orders for the $39 dinner online.

Multiple locations

Fresh Baguette

Multiple locations

The bakery’s three area locations (Georgetown, Bethesda, and Rockville) will give customers a free coffee and mini croissant on Election Day, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

TaKorean

Multiple locations

The local chain will discount all bowls and tacos by 50 percent. Order online with the promo code ‘IVOTED’.

Farmers Restaurant Group

Multiple locations

The DMV-wide restaurant group (Founding Farmers, Farmers & Distillers, Famers Fishers Bakers) hosts an all-day happy hour at every locale from 11 a.m. to close, along with a free order of its bake-at-home cookies with all to-go orders on Tuesday ($20 minimum purchase).

Pizzeria Paradiso

Multiple locations

The homegrown pie chain caters to two Election Day moods via a “Glued & Focused” package two 12-inch pizzas of choice and a DIY “Distract & Entertain” deal with two build-your-own pizza kits to make at home. Both options ($60) include three apps. Pre-order for pickup at any Pizzeria Paradiso location from Sunday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 3. Tack on a six-pack of DC Brau’s VOTE beer or dessert for four for $20 each.