DC bars and restaurants are taking advantage of the impending government shutdown to offer discounted deals and specials.
On Monday,January 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Z-Burger in Tenleytown is offering free burgers for furloughed government employees who show a valid ID.
Meanwhile, CAVA's fast-casual restaurant (not their full-service CAVA Mezze) will be offering a 10% discount on bowls and pita for all furloughed federal employees with a valid ID.
Capitol Lounge, a bar that has become a favorite haunt for Hill staffers, is offering $5 cocktails for federal employees starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning if the government shuts down. The deal will last through the shutdown.
The cocktail menu, released on Twitter, is politically-themed. It features drinks reference various politicians, such as the "C'mon Chuck," and the "To Flake or Not to Flake?"
The special mirrors the one they offered during the 2013 shutdown, during which they offered $1 Jameson Gingers after midnight.
Roofer's Union in Adam's Morgan will also be offering drink deals with some politically-named cocktails. The "Trumpty Dumpty Sat On a Wall" and "Orange Toddler," which already appear on the menu, will be $6, which is half the price they typically are. In the event of the shutdown, the deal will begin on Monday evening through the rest of the shutdown and will be available to everyone.
Carmine's, an Italian restaurant on 7th St., will be offering a "bittersweet" cocktail called the "Hard Times Cocktail" for $12 as well as their happy hour menu all day for the duration of the shutdown. You can even get an extra meatball for every happy hour item ordered, granted you have a valid government ID.
Union Pub near Capitol Hill is offering $4 rail drinks, all day, every day until the shutdown ends.
The Bird will be offering "The Art of the Ordeal," which is an $8 Korean wings and draft beer special during their regular happy hour times for federal government workers.
This isn't the first time local restaurants and bars have responded to political situations with drink specials. For example, The Bird offers “Moscow Muellers” and other specials whenever someone from the Trump administration is indicted by Robert Mueller. Meanwhile, when former FBI Director James Comey was called to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee, several bars opened early to watch.
Do you know other bars/restaurants offering deals? Email us!
This story will be updated if more specials become available.
