Tomorrow, November 8 is finally Election Day. (No, Donald. Not November 28.) There may not even be a peaceful transition of power, but one can feel confident that the polls will be chaotic and so will the commentary. It won’t end on Tuesday, of course, but all eyes will be on America tomorrow.
Some of us are ready for it to be over and can celebrate that the day is finally here. Some want to hide in a cave until the polls are fully counted, rather than suffering the play-by-play. Some of us just want to pretend like the last year never even happened.
Luckily, just about every bar in town is counting on people wanting to drink their sorrows and stress away, and they are throwing free events to draw the crowds. Meanwhile, there are other things to see and do that have nothing to do with the election whatsoever. Here is our list of events to get your through Election Day, based on your mood.
Current Mood: Time to Party!
Suggested Party 1: Election Night Extravaganza at Neumos and Moe Bar
Neumos and Moe Bar open their doors at 4pm for a first-come, first-served party. The venues promise drink specials and “patriotic surprises.” Outside food is permitted (but no outside beverages, naturally). After the 2008 election, the Pike Pine Corridor was a sea of celebration. I am guessing it won’t quite be like that this year, but you’ll still be at the center of the action in case a major street party breaks out when the polls finish rolling in.
Free. Ages 21+. Facebook event page.
Suggested Party 2: WA State Democrats Election Night party at The Westin
The official WA State Democratic Party celebration at The Westin will probably be the biggest in town. For you political party animals, it’s certainly the place to be. Governor Jay Inslee and US Senator Patty Murray will be in attendance. The doors open at 6 and admission is free with RSVP.
Image via the WA State Democrat Election Day Party event page.
Current Mood: Voting for Art
Suggested Party 1: Can Can at Fred Wildlife Refuge, Election Day Cabaret
For the third national election running, Seattle dinner theatre The Can Can presents an Election Day Cabaret. This year, they are taking the show up to Fred Wildlife Refuge in Capitol Hill to “accommodate new high tech experiences.”
The political commentary will come via comedy, song and dance, YouTube videos and trivia. There will be drink and food specials and prize giveaways, hosted by Hillary and Donald themselves, of course! Also staring Kaleb Kerr, Celene Ramadan and special guests Orkestar Zirkonium.
Free. Ages 21+ Correction: All ages. From 7pm to 10pm. Facebook event page.
Suggested Party 2: Drink n Draw at Revolver Bar
Revolver Bar invites you to pull up a stool at happy hour from 4-7pm, then work out your angst (or delight) with a Drink n Draw. The results will be coming in, but regardless of the outcome, a little art therapy will help you relax. (The $5 Jameson & Espolòn drink specials all night may also help.)
$5 at the door. Ages 21+. Facebook event page.
Current Mood: #SelfCare
Suggested Party: Election Decompression at The Cloud Room
This is certainly the most indulgent way to spend the election on our list. The Cloud Room hosts a free, south-of-the-border inspired spa day, Election Decompression. It features all sorts of relaxing treats, including:
- Juicebox wellness shots
- “Never build the wall” mezcal
- Face masks from Cake Skincare
- Theo chocolate
- Deep tissue chair massage
Admission is free, but you must register in advance. RSVP online.
Suggested Group Activity: Free Yoga for Solidarity at Bohemian Studios
Adrienne Kimberley leads a free yoga class to help you center and relax after the most ugly U.S. election in at least a generation. (Nixon and JFK was pretty bad, too, FWIW.) As the event page says:
This is where our yoga practice becomes more relevant than ever before. When we truly hold space for ourselves in moments of hurt, fear and anger, we have the opportunity to move closer to love and compassion—even in emotionally trying situations.
In this class, we will pair compassionate introspection with open-hearted dialogue. After class, we will watch the election results roll in as we share food, drink and each others’ company in a safe and protected space of solidarity.
BYO food and drink and RSVP online. The class begins at 6:30pm at Bohemian Studios.
Photo by Eric Rabena, via Bohemian Studios.
Suggested Solitary Activity: Lying in a Float Tank at Urban Float
If you REALLY want to just take a moment to completely reset, a little sensory deprivation goes a long way. Pop in to Urban Float in Fremont. It may be the priciest activity on this list, but can one really put a price on one’s sanity. Silence is golden.
Current Mood: Eating Your Feelings
Suggested Party 1: Sazerac Election Party 2016
Sazerac downtown offers themed food and drink specials. For example: the Over the Hillary, a variation on The Aviation cocktail with Bulldog Gin, St. Germain, Creme de Violette, Lemon and a Prosecco float. There’s even something for the Berners in the crowd (an ice cream sandwich and another mixed drink made with Prosecco and house bitters called the Abstention cocktail).
Free and open to the public.
Suggested Party 2: Election Night Party at Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails
Also downtown, Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails is throwing a shindig in association with Crosscut, KCTS 9, and What’s Good 206. The first 100 guests get goodie bags, and everyone gets the chance to take home more treats through election-themed games. Naturally, guests will be noshing and sipping while watching for updates.
Free. Register online.
Suggested Party 3: [Untitled Election Party] at Vermillion
Want something a little more casual than the above options? Vermillion is the place to be. I’ll leave the description to the delightfully sardonic owner Diana Adams:
This event needs no description. We will be here, as usual, watching election results and eating free canned cheese, chips and salsa. Drink specials. There will be at least 4 other people here, maybe 6. We are family friendly.
Sounds like heaven, especially when you add in the arcade games out front to provide nostalgic distraction.
Image via Vermillion. 💩
Current Mood: Laughing in the Dark
Suggested Party 1: Election 2016 in Hecklevision at Central Cinema
Central Cinema stream the results as they roll in live on the big screen; the audience responds with smart-ass texts that pop up on screen through the magic of Hecklevision. There will also be election night bingo to keep you on your toes. Order some eats and drinks, sit back and laugh-cry with friends. The party starts at 5:30 and “goes until it ends,” according to Central Cinema. Free.
Suggested Party 2: Election Night 2016 with Jet City Improv
If you want to leave the jokes to the pros, head to Jet City Improv in the U District. The results will be projected on a large movie screen, with commentary from the Election Show 2016 performers. Drink specials include $2 Rainiers and $5 wells.
$5 general admission. Starts at 6:30pm. Get a ticket online.
Current Mood: PLEASE, ANYTHING BUT POLITICS
Suggested Activity 1: Mad Max: Fury Road Black and Chrome Edition at Cinerama
A post-apocalyptic world where water is scarce and the illiterate population is ruled by an aging patriarch who objectifies women, tramples his opponents and guises his own fragility with garish clothing and hair? Doesn’t seem all that far-fetched about now! Director George Miller initially wanted to present his tour de force Mad Max: Fury Road in sharp monochrome. This special edition at Cinerama is only playing for 10 days, and fans of the film will not want to miss Miller’s vision the way he intended it. Ya know…before the earth actually looks that way.
Suggested Activity 2: The Poetics of Haunting at MadArt
As part of the ongoing events in conjunction with the installation, A Crowd of Others at MadArt, Jane Wong presents work from her project The Poetics of Haunting. The event will include special readings and performances by Asian American artists, including Don Mee Choi, Diana Khoi Nguyen and Pimone Triplett. From MadArt:
This project engages invocation: a deliberate, powerful, and provocative move toward haunted places. How does history—particularly the history of war, colonialism, and marginalization—impact the work of Asian American poets across time and space? How does language act as a haunting space of intervention and activism?
Free and open to the public. RSVP online.
Illustration by Minh Nguyen, via MadART
