DC bars, restaurants prep for Biden-Trump debate watch parties

Restaurants and bars across the nation’s capital are preparing to host watch parties for the most highly anticipated political event so far this year: the first debate between President Biden and former President Trump.

The Thursday debate, set to air on CNN, represents a rematch for the same two candidates from 2020, but those debates were held during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing most watchers to stay home.

This time around, Washington political junkies have a bevy of food and drink specials to choose among.

Johnny Pistolas, an Adams Morgan taquería, will be welcoming walk-in bar goers for $10 drink specials and its signature Mexican fare from 7-11:30 p.m. EDT. Three themed drinks are on the menu for the night: the Filibuster Buzz, a gin cocktail; Bipartisan Breeze, a rum one; and the Swing State Sangria.

“We just wanted to make fun and easy drinks, nothing political,” the family owners of Johnny Pistolas told The Hill. 

Capitol Hill staple Union Pub, on the other hand, is taking advantage of partisanship and offering up a “Red vs Blue” drink poll. 

Watch party attendees have the choice between two $6 vodka drink specials, one made with red grenadine and the other made with blue curaçao. Whichever drink gets more orders will be “declared the winner of the first presidential debate watch party,” according to the bar.

Other specials include a $4 presidential pilsner pint and its $16 pitcher companion. All of Union Pub’s screens will be dedicated to showing the debate, which is set to run from 9-10:30 p.m.

All locations of Washington’s Busboys and Poets will be hosting watch parties in collaboration with Make All Votes Count DC. At one, however its attention will be divided: At its 14th Street Northwest location, the event space will also hold a celebration in honor of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s release from prison on Tuesday.

“He. Is. Free,” said Busboys and Poets announcing the last-minute event on the social platform X. 

According to a spokesperson, the celebration will feature “a panel discussion with John Kiriakou and other activists.”

At Busboys’s K Street location, political commentator Nina Turner will host a post-debate discussion.

Busboys will offer three themed drink specials available for $7 each. Attendees are meant to pick the drink “that represents their mood during the debate” with the choice between: Singing the Blues, a blue-colored bourbon drink; Seeing Red, a red cocktail with a vodka base; and Shake it Up, a shaken cocktail “for those interested in shaking up the status quo.”

Off the Metro’s Green Line, Sudhouse DC and Shaw’s Tavern both plan to show the Dana Bash- and Jake Tapper-hosted debate on all their TVs.

Sudhouse is offering happy hour all-night with $4 beers and $6 mixed drinks, while Shaw’s has half-priced bottles of wine — reservations are required for seating at tables, but bar seating is first come, first served.

Navy Yard’s Side Door Pizza, meanwhile, is cooking up a special “Pie Divided” pizza for the occasion. Available exclusively in a large, each half is themed around their respective presidential candidate: “Orange Cheeseburger Pizza” and “Sleepy Joe.” The cheeseburger half features “New York chopped-cheese-style beef,” orange cheddar, and dill pickles, while the other is topped with “tryptophan-heavy” blue crab dip.