Bottoms-up! Photo by María Helena Carey, Via Flickr.
To the rest of America, the State of the Union Address is a television event to be watched and discussed. People sit around their TVs from sea to shining sea, absorbing the President’s message to Congress and to the nation and trying to elucidate what it all means. Either that or, you know, just going about their Tuesday evening.
But for Capitol Hill, it means something more, especially if you have ties to any of the people in the audience tonight. It is one part contact sport, and several other parts drinking game. And if you are on your own, it’s always fun to go to a bar where you can listen and react along with similarly-minded people. Here is a short list of places where you can let your wonk flag fly. If you’re watching at home or only walking a short distance back, The Huffington Post has put together a drinking game as well– enjoy.
Sonoma: Two words: TRUFFLE POPCORN. Oh, alright, Sonoma will also have their sleek flat-screen TVs on, free bites in the upstairs bar, $5 rail drink specials, happy hour specials and a menu full of little bites, so you can watch 1% style but with a 99% kind of budget. Sonoma is located at 223 Pennsylvania Avenue SE.
The Star and the Shamrock: From 7-11 pm, you can enjoy the FREE camaraderie and the Guinness-sponsored merriment (#SOTU/Guinness t-shirts? Wow!). At 9pm, it’s the Prez’s turn. Additional details can be found over at Frozen Tropics. The Star and the Shamrock is located at 1341 H Street NE.
Capitol Lounge: Wing Night and all three bars open, and TVs playing the SOTU with the sound on? It sounds like wonk paradise! Capitol Lounge is located at 229 Pennsylvania Avenue SE.
The 201 Bar: The Washington Examiner is hosting a #SOTU Bingo party, from 8:30 pm to 11 pm. The party is FREE, but you need to RSVP via Eventbrite in order to get a card. The 201 Bar is located at 201 Massachusetts Avenue NE.
The Hawk ‘N’ Dove: Generation Opportunity is hosting a party featuring their drinking game (which you can also play at home, folks!) and FREE food and drink specials, from 8 pm to 11 pm. RSVP and join in the fun by clicking over to Eventbrite. The Hawk ‘N’ Dove is located at 329 Pennsylvania Avenue SE.
Atlas Arcade: Shot and beer specials! (For an added thrill, you can see if you can tell the difference between Pac-Man and the main event after a few drinks.) Atlas Arcade is at 1236 H Street NE.
By the way, I found you some Fun Facts to sound extra-smart whilst watching. For instance, did you know George Washington’s first SOTU address was only 833 words long?
Enjoy, little darlings. Tomorrow, hydrate and eat something greasy. You’re welcome.