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Where to Watch the Election Results in Chicago

One shall stand, one shall fall

by Ashok Selvam Updated
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by Ashok Selvam Updated
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Chicago's been long a stronghold for the Democratic Party, and a big reason Illinois is a blue state. But it's not just about the presidential election on Tuesday, as there's plenty of suspense in other important races. And as usual, Chicago's bars and restaurants are here to help this Election Day.

Plenty of establishments are offering specials and hosting Election Day parties. One popular special is 5 Rabbits Cerveceria's Chinga Tu Pelo, their popular anti-Donald Trump beer. Don't like beer? Plenty of bartenders are mixing up special elixirs to drink away Election Night anxiety.

One note: Federal law restricts giveaways. So, legally, bars can't give voters a free beer when they show off proof of voting. This stops bars from influencing elections, by buying off voters with the dangling carrot of a free beer. If a bar offers a promotion, they have to open it up to both voters and non-voters. In the meantime, check out this list of spots around the city that either hosting viewing parties or offering specials.

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Appellation Wine Bar & Restaurant

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Some folks need an escape from the election, and Appellation in Andersonville and its older sibling in Lakeview, Bar Pastoral, are up for the task. They will not show the election, but they are offering a special called The Last Word (gin, Genepy, Leopold Maraschino, lime juice, cherry garnish). The cocktail ($8) is supposed to provide liquid relief from all that anxiety.

5212 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
Marc Much

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Bin 36

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Bin 36 owner Enoch Shully feels that no matter who wins, voters have the right to drink something with bubbles. They'll show the election and also offer a special flight of Franciacorta (Italian sparkling wine).

161 N Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 995-6560
(312) 995-6560
Marc Much

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Bread & Wine

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Bread & Wine will get the projector out for their election party and offer four drinks on special for $10, including the Madame President: (Basil Haydens Straight Kentucky Bourbon, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth, Hildago Pedro Ximenez Triana Sherry, Orange) and the Bad Hombre (Pelton De La Muerti Mezcal, Luxardo Cherry Liquor, Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice, Angostura Bitters, Lemon).

3732 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 866-5266
(773) 866-5266
Bread & Wine

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Brindille

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Brindille doesn't often offer specials, but voters should take advantage of these: A glass of Krug “Special Cuvee” Brut, Reims MV and two oysters ($50). A Half Bottle of Krug “Special Cuvee” Brut, Reims MV and four oysters ($100).

534 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 595-1616
(312) 595-1616
Marc Much

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The Dawson

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Over at the Grand, Milwaukee and Halsted intersection, The Dawson will show election results.

730 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 243-8955
(312) 243-8955
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DS Tequila Company

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D.S. Tequila Company's viewing party features two politically-themed margaritas: Democrazy (Sauza Blue Silver tequila, lime juice, orange juice, blueberry red bull float and blue curaco); and Repubilcan't Walk Anymore (Sauza Blue Silver tequila, lime juice, orange juice, blueberry red bull float and grenadine). Chicken wings will be priced at $0.25 each with beverage purchase.

3352 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 697-9127
(773) 697-9127

The Duck Inn

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Donald Trump piñatas aren't unique in Chicago, but they're still a lot of fun. The Duck Inn's Election Day party will feature one stuffed with Mexican candy and "Hillary's emails."

2701 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 724-8811
(312) 724-8811
Marc Much

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5 Rabbit Brewery

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Cruise the suburbs, as 5 Rabbit continues their Taco Truck on Every Corner party that started in Milwaukee. Grab a torta from Cemitas Puebla and enjoy some music.

6398 W 74th St, Bedford Park, IL 60638
(312) 895-9591
(312) 895-9591
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Green Street Local

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They'll be showing the elections on all TVs at this West Loop spot, and if guests are lucky they'll meet a Giannoulias. Green Street is also offering red/blue cocktails for those who want to drink their affiliation.

130 S Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
Victoria Kent

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Heartland Café

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Rogers Park's Heartland Cafe has always been a community hub, and they're a great spot to watch the debate without distractions. Oh, and they'll remind you not to forget about the local races.

7000 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 465-8005
(773) 465-8005
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HopCat

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Over in Lincoln Park, the craft-centric HopCat will show election results and offer several specials including half-off wings.

2577 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 257-2599
(312) 257-2599
Marc Much

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Hopewell Brewing Company

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Hopewell will pour $5 pints of First Lager, and Bang Bang Pie will provide free bites in Logan Square. They'll show the election on their projector, as they did with Cubs playoff games.

2760 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(312) 342-4391
(312) 342-4391
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Hopleaf Bar

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No, the Hopleaf's staff isn't going to nix its long-running "no TV" policy. But after a back and forth involving the legal wording (you can't offer anything—like money or beer—in exchange for a vote), Hopleaf will give any patrons who request it a can of 5 Rabbits' Chinga Tu Pelo, the infamous anti-Trump beer.

5148 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 334-9851
(773) 334-9851
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The J. Parker

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J. Parker, the bar with the retractable roof on top of the Hotel Lincoln, has unveiled a offering a special election drink menu. Drinks include Trumped Up, Trickle Down (Don Q Cristal rum, creme de banana, vanilla, lime), 30,000 Emails (George Dickel 8-year, campari, sweet vermouth, thyme, lemon, orange) and Bye Bye, Bernie (Peligroso Reposado, banhez mezcal, koval chrysanthemum honey, cayenne, lemon, mole bitters).

1816 N Clark St Fl 13, Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 254-4747
(312) 254-4747
J Parker

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Jimmy's Woodlawn Tap

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Jimmy's always packs a crowd in Hyde Park. Be sure to grab a seat because the debates were crowded.

1172 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 643-5516
(773) 643-5516
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Kick

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Spicy food specialist Kick will offer specials including half-pice Wagyu beef burgers.

1943 W Byron Steet, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 236-8886
(773) 236-8886
Kick

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club

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Kit Kat is all about theatrics, and they've got several themed martinis for $7 a pop. They'll show the election on seven screens.

3700 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 525-1111
(773) 525-1111
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Kizuki

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Kizuki is offering the first 50 who eat lunch at the restaurant a free order of chicken karaage, and that offer extends for the first 50 at dinner, too. They'll also have their regular happy hour specials.

1482 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 270-4150
(773) 270-4150
Kizuki

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Lark

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Lark in Boystown is going all out for Clinton. Their specials include the Rainbow Pantsuit Pizza (pepperoni, green peppers, banana peppers, cheddar and mozzarella) and for Trump a $100 pizza. Grab Her By The Pizza includes Royal Premium Osetra caviar, creme fraiche, red onion and hard-boiled egg.

3441 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 799-8968
(773) 799-8968
Lark

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MAD Social

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Gina Stefani's red-hot West Loop restaurant will offer a free scoop of housemade gelato and show the election results on their two TVs.

1140 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 243-2097
(312) 243-2097

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MAK (Modern Asian Kitchen)

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For Election Day, MAK in Wicker Park has special dishes for both Presidential candidates.The Donald is braised pork stir fried with cabbage, peppers, MAK hoisin sauce and served with a spicy slaw. The Hillary is lightly-fried chicken breast or shrimp tossed with a sweet and sour sauce and served with broccoli.

1924 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 772-6251
(773) 772-6251

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Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen

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Manny's is a Chicago Election Day institution, with many local officials, including aldermen, coming in for good-luck meals as part of the long-established ritual. They're not open past 3 p.m., but no Election Day story about Chicago restaurants would be complete without mentioning Manny's.

1141 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 939-2855
(312) 939-2855
Marc Much

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Morton's The Steakhouse

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Want to watch the elections at a classic Chicago steakhouse? All Morton's locations will show election results on the bar's TVs.

1050 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 266-4820
(312) 266-4820
Yelp

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Piece Brewery and Pizzeria

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Piece had been encouraging early voters, and the venerable brewery and pizzeria in Wicker Park will host an Election Night pizza party.

1927 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 772-4422
(773) 772-4422
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Reed's Local

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This union-friendly bar in Avondale is cheering Clinton on to victory and is even hosting karaoke after the

3017 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 410-6785
(773) 410-6785
Reed's Local

Remedy

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Remedy in Bucktown will offer $2 to $3 select beers while guests watch the election coverage.

1910 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

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Replay Beer & Bourbon

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The arcade bar in Andersonville will host a party. Replay's bartenders will mix two special drinks: The Hillary (Three Olives vodka, Creme de Violette, simple syrup, lemon juice, seltzer) and The Trump (Three Olives vodka, raspberry syrup, lime juice, ginger beer).

5358 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 654-1369
(773) 654-1369
Marc Much

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The Rookery

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The Rookery, the cheffy pub in Ukrainian Village, will air the debates and offer a $5 can of Chinga Tu Pelo and a shot of Old Overholt to anyone that brings in their voters receipt.

2109 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 772-0406
(773) 772-0406
Ashok Selvam

Rush Bar

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Rush Bar, inside the Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile lobby, will show results and offer two special drinks: Ruby Red (St. Germaine, vodka, grapefruit and cranberry $12) and True Blue (vodka, blue curacao and a ginger beer top $12).

540 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 836-0100
(312) 836-0100
Rush Bar

Schaller's Pump

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Schaller's in Bridgeport is offer $3.50 domestic beers, and the election will be on all TVs.

3714 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 376-6332
(773) 376-6332
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Sidetrack

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Join the pro-Clinton crowd at this Boystown institution. Doors open at 3 p.m.

3349 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 477-9189
(773) 477-9189
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Simone's Bar

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Over in Pilsen, Simone's has $5 nachos and $4 beers.

960 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 666-8601
(312) 666-8601
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SPiN Ping Pong

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So much for getting out of a spin-free zone on Election Day. Spin will obviously have ping pong, but they'll also show classic Saturday Night Live Presidential skits, and guests could win their own custom set of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton ping pong paddles. Free ping pong from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

344 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
(773) 635-9999
(773) 635-9999