Courtesy of Curaleaf
For some Americans, election night means the opportunity to let off steam, and businesses across the nation — from doggy day cares to drag bars — are ready to receive beleaguered voters. In Tacoma, Washington, a theater will screen the results. In Lansing, Michigan, partygoers will play voting bingo, enjoy a barbecue buffet, and jam to a local disc jockey. Not everyone will show up; some people and businesses alike told BI they want to avoid the crowds and politics altogether.
Even those leaning into the festivities told BI they are trying to keep it bipartisan, and some are worried about security. Welcome to the election night economy.
“We’re selling a product that we like to think brings people joy, brings people relaxation, and it’s been met with a lot of positivity, which we’re very thrilled about,” Flood said.
Drag queens, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and hookah — oh my
In Washington, DC, the Hawk N Dove — an infamous Capitol Hill bar — is bracing for impact.
Leah Kolb, the general manager and events coordinator, said the venue, which prides itself on being a stalwart bipartisan political bar, saw lines out the door for the presidential debate in September. She anticipates it will be open until at least midnight on election night, two hours past its usual closing time.
Kolb said the bar attracts a true bipartisan crowd. Marjorie Taylor Greene is a regular, and there’s a monthly Democratic social with a group of young Hill staffers. No matter who’s there, the bar’s TVs typically play both CNN and Fox.
With Congress on recess, it’s been relatively quiet over the last few weeks. Kolb anticipates that’ll change on Tuesday; she’s planning to staff as many people as possible and is also considering upping security precautions.
“It’s going to be really wild for us to go from zero to 160 miles an hour next Tuesday,” Kolb said. “I can see it happening, and I think it’s going to be an all-day thing.”
In Philadelphia, the co-owner of Level Up Bar & Lounge anticipates having roughly 100 people come out for an election night watch party. Ken Lowe Jr. said the venue is planning on running a hookah special and is working out a possible food and drink special, too. Lowe said he has a liquor order scheduled for the day of the election to ensure they have enough.
Philly is a bright blue spot in a swing state that’s receiving the full attention of both candidates and the press. Lowe said he wants to cater to Pennsylvanians who are burned out on the election and avoid partisan politics.
“We’re going to try to keep it just music, party, have a good time,” Lowe said.
Up in Rochester, New York, the Roc Cinema is expecting up to 100 patrons for its Divas of Democracy election night watch party hosted by drag queens Darienne Lake and Aggy Dune. Owner Kristina Dinino-Jeffords said it’ll be an all-hands-on-deck event at the mixed-use theater venue. Patrons will be able to choose from a selection of drink specials: There’s the All American, the Kamala, the MAGA-rita, and the Undecided.
Courtesy of Andrew Lehn
Some workers are opting out of election night completely. Kitty Rayborn, a 48-year-old bartender at a fine-dining steakhouse in Texas, asked for the night off months ago. She usually works on Tuesdays and said it’s one of the restaurant’s busiest nights, especially during happy hour. This year, she said, she needs to be at home with family. She estimated she’s forfeiting $400 to $500 in tips.
“On election night, whether the results are on TV or not, I know that I would be paying attention,” “There’s no way it wouldn’t be a topic of conversation, and, as passionate as I am about it, I would not be able to keep my mouth shut and I would wind up getting myself fired. I’m a hundred percent sure of it.”