Uhh, nevermind

Updated Sept 29, 2023

Nearly all of the Federal Government is on the verge of having their appropriations lapsed Saturday night at midnight, leading to a Government shutdown. Although a chunk of Federal employees will continue to work, and all Federal employees (but not contractors) are now by permanent law guaranteed to be paid eventually, a government shutdown longer than about a week will likely lead to people’s paycheck’s being delayed, which is not good for anyone.

At least since my first shutdown in 2013, DC bars and restaurants have both showed how they are part of the community and tried to encourage business by offering specials for both Federal workers and all. I’lll start listing specials in my fancy bulleted form until it I get tired of it.

For more updated versions check out:

• Eater
• dcist
• Washington Post
• Washingtonian

Specials will start Sunday, October 1st unless otherwise specified

Everyone

• Carmine’s (PQ): $8 frozen big berry cosmo / frozen peach bellini, $5 meatball sliders. Bar only all day (open at 11:30a)
• Present Company (MVT): $8 tots w/ chili cheese; $20.23  Improved Federal Dumpster Fire Cocktail; Late night HH 9-11p Tu-Th, 10p-1a Fri-Sat – $4 Simple rail drinks, $3 Old time Lager, $8 old fashioneds, green tea shots
• Dirty Water (H Street): starting at 12:01a Saturday night: $6 Ketel One drinks, $5 crown apple shots, $4 mic ultra, $3 fireball
• Edgar Bar (Dupont): $10 martinis
• Cinder BBQ (Petworth): $10 Sazerac Old Fashioned, manhattan. $10 food menu

Feds Only (some include contractors, not all check ID)

• American Ice Co. (Shaw): $25 Swatcho/Gansett pitcher combo. Opening at noon Mon 10/2
• Brighton DC (The Wharf): 10% off food; $10 RWB punch
• El Rey (U Street): 3 tacos for $10
• Kraken Kourts & Skates (Edgewood): free pickleball tournament every Wednesday at 1p during shutdown
• Kraken Axes (PQ): all day HH ($4 drafts) and get extra breakables in rage room to vent frustration
• Hill East Burger: $1 High Lifes (+$7 for Old Overhold+ pickleback or Spaghett)
• Jose Andres/ThinkFoodGroup: TBA
• Union Pub (Cap Hill): $6 themed cocktails/shooters/combos (instead of $12). $5 flip-a-coin shot (starts Monday 10/2)
• Barrel (Cap Hill): all night HH specials ($5 beer, $6 wine, $9 old fashioneds/manhattans, $10 beer/shot combos
• Any Day Now (Navy Yard): 10% off entire check (up to table of 4), increasing by 1% each day of shutdown
• Brookland’s Finest: $6 draft/can beer, $7 rails, $10 house cocktails/wine 11a-6p W-Th, and 11a-4p Fri
• Perry’s (Adams Morgan): HH all night(ID), includes cheaper food and drinks. Instead of just 4-7p daily, extends later
• The Pub & the People (Bloomingdale): $4 rails & $7 combos starting Oct 6th for late night HH
• La Bise (Downtown): free gougères with ID
• Dacha (both Navy Yard and Shaw) all day HH (beer/burgers/more) show ID

Always a good daytime deal for everyone, even outside shutdown

• Atlas Brew Works Navy Yard: $11 of 2 slices of Andy’s + Atlas pint or $6 select Atlas pints Noon-6p M-F

Not food

• Cap Hill Books: 10% off for feds
• Phillips Collection: free admission for Feds
• National Building Museum: free admission for Feds