The 14 Best Brooklyn Bars for Watching Election Night Coverage (and Stress Drinking)
If you feel as though this Election has driven you to the bottle, you’re not alone.
A survey of 1,000 registered voters, fielded by Anheuser-Busch, found that 84 percent of American voters have come together on political issue with a friend or family member over a beer, and two out of three think our political system would work better if leaders could just hash things out over a cold one.
This year’s candidates certainly won’t be toasting each other anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean you should stay at home on Tuesday night. Hate it or love it, this election cycle has become a spectator sport—so why not take the edge off with food and drink specials from some of your favorite Brooklyn watering holes as you watch the results come in?
We made some calls around the borough and curated a list of bars that will be offering up special Election experiences on November 8. Drop your own recommendations in the comments.
Lo-Res Bar at Nitehawk
Bring your “I Voted” sticker and enjoy happy hour pricing all day long at Nitehawk’s stylish Lo-Res Bar, which will also offer additional drink specials and hot apple cider for the teetotalers among us. Over watching the results? Head upstairs and catch a movie.
136 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg
Heavy Woods
Just a few blocks off the Jefferson L stop, this Creole-inspired coffee shop/bar hybrid will be airing coverage beginning at 11 a.m. in two separate rooms—one with sound and one with just subtitles. Ask for the “Before the Wall Goes Up” special, AKA a $3 shot of tequila. Patrons can also take advantage of happy hour prices all day and night.
50 Wyckoff Ave., Bushwick
Pacific Standard
California carries the most electoral votes, so it’s no wonder that this Cali-themed haunt has a big night planned for Park Slope residents. Head to the back room to watch the drama unfold on a large projector, and reap the benefits of Pacific Standard’s standing Taco Tuesday specials: $5 for two tacos, $4 taco dogs and $5 cans of IPA and pilsner. Bringing your squad? A cool $20 gets you a five-can beer bucket.
82 4th Ave., Park Slope
Croxley’s Abbey
Typically known for its sports-crazed crowds, Croxley’s is flipping the switch on Tuesday and airing the debate on most, if not all, of its abundant selection of TV screens. Food specials include forty-cent regular buffalo or boneless wings and $2 tacos. If you’re looking to change venues midway through the night, head up the street to Skinny Dennis as they host a “Blues Bangers Election Day Bash” starting at 9 p.m. Note: Skinny Dennis does not have TVs, but that’s what smartphones are for, right?
63 Grand St., Williamsburg
Brooklyn Bazaar
The recently-reopened Brooklyn Bazaar is going all out for Election Day by setting up its main ballroom with an HD projector and offering full seating and food and drink specials all night long. Choose from two equally sassy (and politically incorrect) drink specials: The “Bad Hombre” (a can of Bud “America” served with a shot of Milagro tequila) and the “Nasty Woman” (Tullamore Dew whiskey, lime, lemon and OJ). RSVP on Facebook here.
150 Greenpoint Ave., Greenpoint
t.b.d.
For its third presidential Election cycle, t.b.d. in Greenpoint is expecting a packed house. Catch all the action on the bar’s three TVs and projector starting at 4 p.m., or chill out in their spacious outdoor beer garden as you nervously refresh Twitter on your phone.
224 Franklin St., Greenpoint
Black Forest Brooklyn
Fort Greene residents can take in the momentous occasion via Black Forest’s giant HD projection screen, which is usually reserved for soccer games. Enjoy happy hour prices on select beers and half-off select wine bottles—yes, bottles—all night. Protip: Arrive early to claim your spot: Black Forest will be seating guests on a first come, first serve basis (no reservations).
733 Fulton St., Fort Greene
Big Whiskey
Not liking the way things are going for your candidate? Head to Big Whiskey, formerly Grand National, to eat your emotions in the form of their classic burgers and tater tots (those tots, though). And if things go South for your contender, there’s always Ontario Bar across the street, so you can immerse yourself in Canadian culture before making the big move North.
524 Grand St., E. Williamsburg
The Saint Catherine
After hosting parties during each of the three debates, The Saint Catherine is ready to go out with a bang on Tuesday, beginning at 4 p.m. Enjoy Republican and Democrat-themed beer and shot specials for $10 as you watch live coverage on a 10 by 6-foot projector with sound. Our advice: Post up early, as this neighborhood hot spot is likely to reach capacity.
660 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights
The Shanty
What’s more American than free pizza? Head over to The Shanty in Greenpoint for free slices while they last and sip on a complimentary shot of housemade Pink Gin or Rock & Rye. Watch the results roll in live on house TVs synced to the bar’s sound system.
69 Richardson St., Greenpoint
Banter Bar
Guests packed Banter for the debates, and bar staffers expect a similarly-sized crowd of around 600 locals to show on Tuesday. The venue will play music until 7 p.m. before flipping the audio to the TVs as the final states close their polling stations. Spring for one of several drink specials, including $20 pitchers of beer and $6 snifters of brandy.
132 Havemeyer St., S. Williamsburg
The Monro Pub
Starting at 8 p.m., Park Slope’s Monro Pub will air the results on each of its five TVs with surround sound on. Specials for the night include $18 buckets of Founders All Day IPA; $15 buckets of Carlsberg Beer Tallboys; and a Narragansett-plus-shot duo for $7.
481 5th Ave, Park Slope
Lot 45
Comfortable couches and seating areas line Lot 45’s massive venue. Watch live coverage on two projectors with 500 of your closest friends, and grab some fresh air at this Bushwick favorite’s heated outdoor garden space.
411 Troutman St., Bushwick
Trophy Bar
Catch live election coverage on the big screen at Trophy Bar tomorrow—and while you’re at it, enjoy their happy hour until 8pm, plus Tacos and a food menu until midnight (you know, so you can post-anxiety eat for a while).
351 Broadway, Williamsburg