Both red and blue states like to get shitfaced for free

July 5, 2004 11:34 AM

Sometimes bars give you a free beer on election night after you come in and show proof that you have voted. If you're wondering whether your local watering hole will be awarding your civic duty, check out Election Night Drink Specials. Exercise your rights in this democracy, increase voter turnout, and get drunk for free. It's projects like these that make me proud to be an American.
posted by mathowie (25 comments total)

Results closest to 94608
Sidetrack Bar and Grill
http://www.Sidetrackbarandgrill.com
54 & 56 E. Cross DEPOT TOWN
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

ANY of the 16 draft beers Two Bucks for 25 oz.

Two Dollar Martinis

Approx. 2065 miles away.

I think they may still need time to build their database.
posted by quasistoic at 12:08 PM on July 5, 2004

I think they may still need time to build their database.

But think of the size of the as-yet unannounced and unplanned Election Night MeFi Meetup In Ypsilanti!
posted by Stoatfarm at 12:10 PM on July 5, 2004

Note that in many jurisdictions alcoholic beverage sales are prohibited while the polls are open.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 12:11 PM on July 5, 2004

It's projects like these that make me proud to be an American.

You shertainly have stated the *burp* majority opinion on thish topic.
posted by y2karl at 12:32 PM on July 5, 2004

Hah. That's pretty funny. I've been in the Sidetrack several times (I lived in Ypsilanti for six months). It'd be a good place to have a meetup, assuming a train doesn't derail and demolish a chunk of the building as has happened, IIRC, twice in the Sidetrack's history.

It is not uncommon to run into Car and Driver staffers in the Sidetrack.
posted by kindall at 12:38 PM on July 5, 2004

quasistoic: As the founder, sole propreiter and general jerkface behind Election Night Drink Specials I can say with great authority that I'm still trying to build up the database. Hopefully getting on MeFi will help, as I assume everyone here is a borderline alcoholic and on good terms with their local barkeep.

I can, however, reccomend the Sidetrack's club sandwich as the best I've ever had. Whether it's worth a 2065 mile drive is another story.
posted by revgeorge at 12:46 PM on July 5, 2004

I've gotta put in a good word for the Sidetrack in Ypsi: Great beer, great atmosphere, great beer-battered pickles (no, really). I may just have to go there on election night.

Cheers!
posted by funkbrain at 12:49 PM on July 5, 2004

OK, where do I get my citizenship?
posted by matteo at 12:49 PM on July 5, 2004

approx. 4626 miles away. Well, there's still time.
posted by scottymac at 1:19 PM on July 5, 2004

Sidetrack Bar and Grill
http://www.Sidetrackbarandgrill.com
54 & 56 E. Cross DEPOT TOWN
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

I'm 15 minutes from Ypsilanti. But it said there was nothing in my area.
posted by Tlogmer at 1:28 PM on July 5, 2004

revgeorge seems to have limited the area of search now...possibly too restrictive.

revgeorge: I will be taking up your charge to find bars with Election Night Specials. Expect a few new entries in the Bay Area after my next weekend binge.
posted by quasistoic at 1:32 PM on July 5, 2004

This must be noted.
posted by JohnR at 1:41 PM on July 5, 2004

The reverend has just contacted me on AIM to tell me he's turned off result caching; all area results are now visible. (Ah, the wonders of the internet.)
posted by Tlogmer at 1:42 PM on July 5, 2004

I assume everyone here is a borderline alcoholic and on good terms with their local barkeep.

yes, no.
posted by Keyser Soze at 2:43 PM on July 5, 2004

Arbor Brewing Company
114 E. Washington
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Approx. 527 miles away

which I guess is better than

Sidetrack Bar and Grill
54 & 56 E. Cross DEPOT TOWN
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
Approx. 530 miles away.
posted by swift at 2:43 PM on July 5, 2004

I assume everyone here is a borderline alcoholic and on good terms with their local barkeep.—KS

Not me. I'd like to drink more, actually. I hardly drink at all—maybe on average a drink once of month, or less. I did drink quite a bit when I was your age, though. I live very close to a pub with, supposedly, the largest beer list in Austin. I'd really like to sample many of them. I do like good beers. I wonder if they will offer free drinks on election night. Probably not.

I'll need them, and many of them, if it looks like Bush will somehow win. But he won't, and, actually, I should get drunk in celebrating a Kerry win. I vowed to do the Snoopy Dance in '92 if Clinton won, and I did. I'll be much, much happier this year if Kerry wins (or, actually, Bush loses). If so, I suspect there'll be lots of partying here in Austin that night.

So, here's to the expansion of that list!
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 3:02 PM on July 5, 2004

I assume everyone here is a borderline alcoholic and on good terms with their local barkeep. No, yes! :D
posted by Lynsey at 3:19 PM on July 5, 2004

Borderline?
posted by toothless joe at 3:40 PM on July 5, 2004

What about us poor overseas voters? Perhaps there's an American-themed bar in London that can be convinced to get in on the act...
posted by cbrody at 5:39 PM on July 5, 2004

When we go to the polls, we usually get a sticker saying "I voted!" Wear this sticker into one of drinkeries listed here and you'll be rewarded with a cold drink at a cheap price.

Really? I've never gotten squat for going to vote (other than the tingly feeling that I hope is civic pride). Stupid Tennessee polling places. ::shakes fist::
posted by ChrisTN at 6:53 PM on July 5, 2004

They have squat, but you have to ask for it.
posted by trondant at 7:14 PM on July 5, 2004

I usually vote after work. I'm not sure I can make it 1813 fucking miles, each way, between then and dinner time.

If the list's this dinky, could it maybe just not bother to be a ZIP-keyed database at all? 1 or 2k of text file would probably suffice to provide the same functionality.

That said, I like this idea and we should combine it with that other one where all the Candadians come down here and cook pizzas for the nation.
posted by majick at 12:52 PM on July 6, 2004

Majick - the idea is to build the database to the point where it does need to be searchable by ZIP. It's still a bit young, but I'm sure there are some bars in your area that would participate. Why not ask them to join up?
posted by revgeorge at 1:06 PM on July 6, 2004

The closest bar to me is in Champaign, IL, about two hours away.

Still closer than Ypsilanti!
posted by SisterHavana at 2:32 PM on July 6, 2004

What about us absentee ballot voters, dammit! :)
posted by tristeza at 5:22 PM on July 6, 2004