This D.C. Restaurant Is Selling $7.50 Tapas as a Dig at Trump’s Taxes

Debate watch parties are a D.C. tradition, but this year they’re just one more event restaurants can’t fully capitalize on because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With D.C. eating and drinking venues restricted to serving seated customers only at half capacity, tonight’s first Presidential Debate will be a lower-key affair than normal.

There are still a few deals to be found, however, including one attempting to have a little fun with a topic Democratic candidate Joe Biden will likely raise frequently: Donald Trump’s paltry tax payments.

The Dupont location of Spanish bar Boqueria is throwing a pre-debate happy hour (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) with drinks and tapas priced at $7.50 or less. The New York Times reported this week that Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes in 2016, and the same figure in 2017. Boqueria’s Instagram page is billing the special as a “750 you can be happy about.”

In addition to Boqueria, a handful of other D.C. restaurants are hosting socially distanced gatherings with themed cocktails, swag specials, or takeout deals, like quart-sized margaritas from chef Geoff Tracy. The debate airs at 9 p.m. on CBS, and reservations are largely recommended at each venue.

Note: Indoor and outdoor dining both carry the risk of exposure to COVID-19. D.C. diners are required by law to wear masks inside restaurants, only removing them when they’re actively eating or drinking.

Union Pub

201 Massachusetts Avenue NE

Union Pub/official photo

Capitol Hill’s long-running nonpartisan bar and totchos spot will stay open until 11 p.m. — an hour later than usual. There’s indoor seating and an outdoor patio lined with big projection screens. Instead of food or drink discounts, “Union Pub 2020” T-shirts are 20-percent off all day ($24). Union Pub-branded face masks ($12) and “Yes, We Can” koozies ($6; $5 if bought with a canned or bottled beer) are also available

Boqueria Dupont

1837 M Street NW

The tapas chain founded by Barcelona native Marc Vidal caps happy hour prices at $7.50 for drinks (sangria glasses, wines, a shishito margarita) and tapas like marinated Spanish olives, patatas bravas, and churros with hot chocolate, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Chef Geoff’s

Multiple locations

Chef Geoff Tracy is livening up home watch parties with $12 margarita quarts available for delivery or takeout. They’re available at Tortilla Coast on Capitol Hill, Lia’s in Friendship Heights, and Chef Geoff’s locations in upper Northwest and the West End. Tracy has big ties to the debate: His wife is CBS News anchor Norah O’Donnell, who’s leading tonight’s prime time coverage on the network.

Martin’s Tavern

1264 Wisconsin Avenue NW

The 87-year-old Georgetown landmark — where former President John F. Kennedy Jr. penned his inaugural speech and popped the question to Jackie O. — will air the debate indoors with sound. Ask to enjoy its cocktails (like JFK’s favorite, the daiquiri) in its red, white and blue branded stone mugs for sale. For a reservation, call 202-333-7370.

McClellan’s Retreat

2031 Florida Avenue NW

The dimly lit Dupont Circle bar that names cocktails after historical figures is running a $15 to-go deal on a bottle of “Doc McClellan’s Debate Relief Elixir” (bourbon, amaro, and bitters) and bag of popcorn in flavors like jalapeno cheddar, Old Bay, and Sriracha. Pre-order: info@mcclellansretreat.com

McClellan’s Retreat/official photo

Provision No. 14

2100 14th Street NW

The two-level sports bar will air the Presidential matchup across its 11 TVs and projector screen, opening at 6 p.m. with $2 off apps, candidate-themed cocktail specials, $5 drafts deals, and $7 wines. A debate drinking game encourages guests to guess what candidates will say next, based on catch phrases placed on each table. To stay alert through the night, its French press is $10 off.

Tonic

2036 G Street NW

The George Washington University hangout for tater tots and drafts plans to air the debate on its jumbo screen. Its Taco Tuesday promo includes 99-cent wings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Red Bear Brewing

209 M Street NE

The large, LGBTQ-owned brewery in NoMa plans to air the debate on TVs and projector screen with sound, with loud boos likely whenever it’s Trump’s time to talk.

National Press Club

529 14th Street NW

The club will host an exclusive viewing party in its ballroom for members and their invited guests, complete with former Presidents’ favorite cocktails for $10 (an Old Fashioned for Harry Truman and G&T for Dwight David Eisenhower).

Wunder Garten

1101 First Street NE

NoMa’s giant, all-outdoor beer garden unleashes new cocktails like the “ForBiden Fruit,” “Moscow Mueller Report,” and “Rum and Covfefe” for debate night. A voter registration area will also be on-site.

Busboys & Poets

Multiple locations

The DMV-wide chain founded by Iraqi-American entrepreneur Andy Shallal will host a watch party across its portfolio during every debate (RSVP here).

The Brig

1007 8th Street SE

The dog-friendly beer garden in Navy Yard plans to air the debate on the projector and TVs with sound, with a few reserved for MLB playoffs. Happy hour specials run 3 p.m. to close.

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