Nobody invited you in on their Sarah Palin drinking game? Well, here’s a motley crew of bars, clubs, and restaurants screening tonight’s V.P. debate. Shots for each time a candidate evades a question!
DOWNTOWN
Alphabet City locals will be watching tonight at Duke Bar (129 Ave. C, nr. 8th St.; 212-982-5563).
Brave the fall chill for the sake of national change tonight by cheering on your candidate under the stars at the East Village’s Cultural Community Garden (9th St. nr. Ave. C). The debate will be projected on a large outdoor screen. Free! Begins at 9.
Barack the casbah in the West Village at Mr. Dennehy’s (63 Carmine St., nr. Seventh Ave. S.; 212-414-1223), where an optional donation at the door benefits the Obama-Biden campaign. Inside, enjoy $5 appetizers and happy-hour-priced drinks from 7:30 to 8:30, before watching the candidates face off.
An appropriately named bar for Sarah Palin–watching, Nolita’s Sweet & Vicious (5 Spring St., nr. Elizabeth St.; 212-334-7915) will host a veep-viewing party. An optional $25 cover gets you drunk on wine and beer by 9:30, just in case the debate doesn’t go your way. The bar’s big screen will let you in on the action, and the outdoor garden will project the debate on an additional screen, weather permitting. Begins at 8.
A lively crowd will return to the Tribeca Grand’s screening room (2 Sixth Ave., nr. Walker St.; 212-519-6600) tonight to get political on luxurious leather couches. Seats are filling up quickly.
Get three sheets to the West Wing at the Crocodile Lounge, which is serving free pizza and beer (325 E. 14th St., nr. Second Ave.; 212-477-7747).
MIDTOWN/UPTOWN
Which veep do New York’s gay men prefer? (Biden is the obvious answer, but Palin certainly has more flair…) Find out at the Obama Pride–sponsored V.P. debate viewing party at Room Service (35 E. 21st St., nr. Broadway; 212-254-5709), hosted by Alan Cumming, Christine Quinn, and Laurie Anderson. Free! Begins at 8:30.
Multiple flat-screens at Side Bar (120 E. 15th St., nr. Irving Pl.; 212-677-2900) will broadcast the debate as the bar serves $5 Obama Mamas. A $10 donation to the Obama-Biden campaign is suggested.
Washington University alums are hosting a soirée at No Idea Bar (30 E. 20th St., nr. Broadway; 212-777-0100), since the debate takes place at their alma mater in St. Louis.
Nothing says political engagement like a megaclub. Hence, swarms of Democratic millennials will invade Mansion (530 W. 28th St., nr. Tenth Ave.; 212-629-9000) tonight for the Generation Obama–sponsored debate and a one-drink minimum. Doors open at 7:30.
A more refined debate party and discussion is going down in Hell’s Kitchen tonight at B. Smith’s (320 W. 46th St., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-315-1100), and the restaurant is encouraging on-the-fence voters to swing by (it’s safe to come out of hiding). Seating is limited. Party begins at 8.
It’s round two at Tonic (727 Seventh Ave., nr. 48th St.; 212-382-1059) where fifteen big-screens will show the debate as well as pre- and post-debate commentary from all the major news networks. It’s also the kickoff of an Electoral College pool! $10. Begins at 7.
And with beers on tap and Palin on the tube are Kelly’s (12 Ave. A, nr. 2nd St.) and Tom and Jerry’s (288 Elizabeth St., nr. Houston St.; 212-260-5045).
BROOKLYN
Brooklynites will cheer on Biden tonight at Fort Greene favorite Moe’s (80 Lafayette St.; 718-797-9536). Begins at 7:30.
Babes for Obama (a real organization) will host a viewing party at Rustik Tavern (471 Dekalb Ave.; 347-406-9700). Begins at 8.
Park Slope mainstay Union Hall (702 Union St.; 718-638-4400) promises political drink specials and a cozy atmosphere to watch the debates and have some of your own. Free!
In Prospect Heights, Abigail Wine Bar (807 Classon Ave.; 718-399-3200) is screening the debate in its downstairs lounge. The bar offers drink specials and snacks.
