Free burgers, discounted drinks, museum admission: DC bars and restaurants offer deals during government shutdown

With the government shutdown now underway, bars and restaurants around D.C. are offering furloughed workers discounted or free drinks and food to make it through until the shutdown is averted. 

Similarly, Destination DC, which encourages tourism in the area, has re-launched their DC is Open campaign, reminding visitors to continue to enjoy the nation’s capitol, despite the shutdown.

If you have a government ID, but nowhere to go, here’s where to find some deals:

City Tap at Penn Quarter

Anyone can enjoy this deal at City Tap at Penn Quarter which will be offering an extended happy hour from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the shutdown. That means $5 drafts and $6 wine, as well as a $7 beer and shot combo -- if the shutdown has really got you down.  

Cork Wine Market & Bar

All-day happy hour is available at this 14th Street location, which urged the federal government to "put a bow on it" and end the shutdown on Twitter.

The Brighton D.C.

This restaurant on the Wharf will be giving any government employee with a valid ID 10% off of their meal through the shutdown. They're calling it a "Shutdown Special."

Any José Andrés restaurant

The celebrity chef known for his philantrophy is offering free sandwiches to any furloughed employee affected by the government shutdown. He made a similar offering in 2013 during the last government shutdown.

Furloughed employees must show their government IDs and may order their free sandwich at the bar between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. any day. 

RELATED: Celebrity chef Jose Andres to give free sandwiches to federal workers during shutdown

That includes China Chilcano, Jaleo, Zaytina and more.

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The D.C. staple is offering any government employee a free pie between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in any of their shops during the duration of the shutdown. 

Z-Burger

Z-Burger in Tenlytown will be giving away free burgers for government employees on Monday, December 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. According to a statement by the restaurant, they gave out over 15,000 burgers during the 2013 shutdown. Any government employee with a valid ID can choose between a hamburger, cheeseburger, veggie burger or turkey burger.

Capitol Lounge

Capitol Lounge, located near the U.S. Capitol, has once more designed a government-themed cocktail menu, consisting of the “Mexico Will Pay for This, “Hot Tub Crime Machine,” and others. Furloughed government employees can enjoy them for $5. The bar did something similar during a brief shutdown in January.

RELATED: DC bar offers $5 shutdown cocktails for federal employees as government shutdown nears

The Queen Vic

The H Street restaurant will be giving federal employees with a valid ID an 18% discount, according to their Twitter page.

RELATED: What DC residents can and can't do during the government shutdown

National Building Museum

The National Building Museum, which normally requires tickets ranging from $7-$10, is offering free admission for anyone with a government ID.

Artechouse ticket discount

Thanks to Destination DC’s #DCisOpen campaign, anyone can get 20% off of Artechouse tickets with the code dcisopen.

Carmine's DC

The restaurant known for their authentic Southern Italian cuisine will be offering a free meatball slider everyday between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to anyone with a valid government ID. They also will offer a bittersweet cocktail, the “Hard Times” for just $6. 

This list will be updated.