Best Brooklyn spots to catch the presidential debates

Finally, after what feels like a campaign that has lasted since before most of you were born and will still drag on until most of us are dead from exhaustion/rising sea levels/Trump internment camps,  we have reached the presidential debates.

The first debate of this election goes off on Monday at 9 p.m., and it should be a hell of a blood sport: it’ll either be Hillary Clinton’s chance to prove that she’s the only actual adult running for president who has at least read one or two books about international politics, or the chance for everyone in the nation to collectively face palm while thinking “I can’t believe she’s really going to blow this.” Either way, being out and about among your fellow Brooklynites with a drink or two or 13 in hand is recommended.

Here’s our roundup of bars showing the debate on Monday, including bars with drink specials, debate bingo and free Cheetos (because of the orange guy). Most are also showing the subsequent debates, and all are free. We’ll update the list as more roll in too.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

All debates start at 9 p.m.

First presidential debate: September 26

Vice presidential debate: October 4

Second presidential debate: October 9

Third debate: October 19

If you want to watch from home but don’t have a TV

Twitter will be live-streaming the debate (the actual video, not just your witty 140-character jokes) for the first time. ABC will also stream it on Facebook Live, and YouTube is streaming it free as well.

Three Sheets to the West Wing debate viewing parties
Pine Box Rock Shop
12 Grattan Street, East Williamsburg

Sept. 26 (Presidential Debate)*
Oct. 4 (VP Debate)*
Oct. 9 (Presidential Debate)*
Oct. 19 (VP Debate)
Tuesday, November 8 (Election Night)

Drink specials:
Donkey Punch (The tall blue drink): “Wash away the bitter, cold Democratic primary with this tropically sweet cocktail. Espolón Repasado Tequila, Blue Curacao, and fresh lime juice, topped with club soda and lemon. Bonus points for outsourcing your intoxication to Mexico!”

The Elephant in The Room (The red martini): “A decidedly deranged take on a classic – just like the Grand Old Party. St. George Absinthe and Greenhook Gin, shaken with apple juice and grenadine and served up. Made in America with American Made Booze!”

Tremendous Trainwreck (The tall orange drink): “Made with our cheapest liquor, this spin on a Long Island Ice Tea gets its bombastic look from a healthy float of orange soda. Believe me!”

The Pantsuit (The short green drink): A power cocktail with a softer side. Owney’s NYC rum shaken with Midori and almond milk and served on the rocks. This all-vegan libation is First Lad approved!

*Voter registration forms available during these dates.

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Make America Fun Again debate party
The Well, 272 Meserole Street, East Williamsburg

Dual HD projections of the debates, plus buy-one-get-one pre-debate specials from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Matt Torrey’s
46 Bushwick Avenue, Bushwick

Hosted by the New Kings Democrats and featuring debate bingo cards.

Drown your woes in free Cheetos. Via Wikipedia.

Drown your woes in free Cheetos. Via Wikipedia.

Hillary Clinton debates a bag of Cheetos
Miles, 101 Wilson Avenue, Bushwick

Comes with free Cheetos.

Via Facebook.

Via Facebook.

Banter
132 Havemeyer Street, Williamsburg

The soccer pub loves politics too so it’ll be showing the action on its big screens, with beer and drink specials.

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Halyard’s
406 Third Avenue, Gowanus

“Strong drinks” and free popcorn will be on hand at the watch party in this Gowanus pub.

Threes Brewing

333 Douglass Street, Gowanus

The spacious brewery and beer pub will be hosting the debate in the main bar, with drink specials, $15 buckets of Threes beers and pitchers.

Canal Bar
270 Third Avenue, Gowanus

This Chicago bar will have the debate showing on its screens, plus its usual free popcorn and cheap beer specials.

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The Bell House 
149 7th Street, Gowanus
8-11 p.m.

Drink specials and more while the debate shows on the live screen.

Greenpoint Beer debate party
7 N. 15th Street, Greenpoint
8-11 p.m.

Enjoy one-of-a-kind beer-based cocktails, specials from the kitchen, and political games while you watch the debate on the 13-foot screen.

Union Hall
702 Union Street, Park Slope

Drink specials and more, with seating both upstairs and downstairs. If you get mad, throw some bocce balls upstairs.

Freddy’s
627 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope

HD big screen, tater tots, booze and commiseration in this legendary neighborhood bar.

Debate Watch Party with Brooklyn Alphas
Bedford Hall, 1177 Bedford Ave., Bed-Stuy
6 p.m.

Watch the action along with delicious appetizers, drink specials and an informed discussion. Voter registration forms will be on hand too at this spacious and cozy lounge.

Glorietta Baldy
502 Franklin Avenue, Bed-Stuy
9 p.m.

Baldy streams the debates live in a dim and cozy dive setting. Drink specials and craft beer aplenty. Audience participation is encouraged.

Divine Comedy: Political Edition
Two Saints, 753 Nostrand Avenue, Crown Heights
9 p.m.

Dan Fitzpatrick’s Divine Comedy takes on the 2016 presidential debates with a free standup show and live debate footage. Headlined by the Daily Show‘s Aligon Mitra.

Brooklyn Democrats for Change party at Salty Dog Bar and Restaurant
7509 Third Avenue, Bay Ridge

Join the officers and members of Brooklyn Democrats for Change to watch the debate. Co-hosted by the Hon. Kevin Peter Carroll.

Long Bow Pub
7316 Third Avenue, Bay Ridge

The Bay Ridge Democrats are holding their official debate watch party here starting at 8pm, where you can pair political drama with the pub’s menu of British food.

Building on Bond
112 Bond Street, Boerum Hill

Watch the debate on the big screen at this restaurant/bar/coffee shop.

Fawkner
191 Smith Street, Boerum Hill

The debate will be shown on the big screen with drink specials and more.

Branded Saloon Screening/Screaming Party
603 Vanderbilt Avenue, Prospect Heights

An appropriate venue for this rodeo of a campaign, Branded will be showing the debate on all its screens and on a big screen in the back room. They’ve got food and beer & shot specials too.

The Saint Catherine
660 Washington Avenue, Prospect Heights

The debate will be projected on the wall at this corner bar/restaurant, which always offers up a solid beer and cocktail selection.

Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments or email tim[at]brokelyn.com. We’ll keep updating this post throughout the remaining 45 months of this election cycle. 

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