Brooklyn Boro

Where to watch the presidential debate in Brooklyn this weekend

October 7, 2016 By Scott Enman Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton after the first presidential debate at Hofstra University. AP Photo/David Goldman
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It’s no secret that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump brought the heat in their first presidential debate at Hofstra University on Sept. 26.

The affair looked less like a debate and more like a tennis match as both candidates went back and forth bantering and interrupting each other. The moans and groans from the audience paired with the bickering between the two candidates made for entertaining viewing.

With the second debate slated for Sunday at 9 p.m. at Washington University in St. Louis, it’s safe to say that anticipation for the event is high.  

Brooklynites treated the first presidential debate like a sporting event, with people crowding into bars and yelling at the televisions, similar to scenes surrounding the Super Bowl. In addition, bars have used the debates as a marketing tool to throw themed parties with drink specials.

Debate-oriented drinking games have also sprouted at these events, with players taking sips of their drink every time Trump says “huge” or every time Clinton’s email scandal is mentioned, for example.

And with no work on Monday, thanks to Columbus Day, the Brooklyn Eagle has selected five debate-watching parties that will offer a stadium-style atmosphere.

Popcorn not included.

1. Union Hall

702 Union St.

Park Slope’s Union Hall is advertising the debate like a boxing match with fliers showing Clinton and Trump going head to head with the headline “Clinton vs. Trump 2.”

Union Hall’s watch party will include drink specials and two floors of viewing, and in the event that something one of the candidates says or the debate in general is irritating, blow off steam by throwing some bocce balls around on one of Union Hall’s three full-length bocce courts.

2. Freehold Brooklyn

45 S. Third St.

Freehold in Williamsburg is a sprawling bar that resembles a college campus. The venue boasts a theater-like viewing room complete with rows of chairs and couches, an arcade room for commercial breaks, a huge outdoor area and an upstairs viewing lounge.

With several other televisions spread out across the space, this is a prime location to catch all of the action.

3. Pine Box Rock Shop

12 Grattan St.

This hip East Williamsburg bar inside a former casket factory offers debate-themed cocktails with names like “Donkey Punch,” “The Elephant in the Room,” “Tremendous Trainwreck” and “The Pantsuit.”

That in and of itself should be enough reason to go.

4. Matt Torrey’s

46 Bushwick Ave.

The New Kings Democrats will be hosting its debate party at Matt Torrey’s in East Williamsburg. There will be delicious pub food, debate-themed bingo cards and a 96-inch flat screen TV to watch Clinton and Trump in all their glory.

5. The Well

272 Meserole St.

With dual high definition projections of the debate, 60 beers on tap, two-for-one pre-debate drink specials and a quarter-acre outdoor patio, The Well makes for a prime viewing location. Not to mention this debate party is dubbed “Make America Fun Again.”

To advertise the party, The Well wrote on its Facebook event page to “Start the political theater on the right foot. Or left foot. Whichever foot you agree with more.”

*** Please note that Sunday’s debate — like the last one — conflicts with an NFL evening game, so be sure to check in with the aforementioned venues to make sure the debate will be aired as advertised. ***

 

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