We’re not sure about you, but we’re pretty ready for this whole election season to be over. It feels like the country has been through a lot and, whether you worked or volunteered on a campaign or just had to read the daily news, by the time Tuesday night rolls around, we figure we’ll all be ready for a drink. Be it a celebration of your candidate’s win or a last blow-out before you flee the country, here are some of the best election night gatherings going down in L.A.
Doug Stanhope and Joe Rogan Election Day End of the World Podcast Event
Comedians Doug Stanhope and Joe Rogan will have a rambling chat, recorded live for Stanhope’s podcast, as election night unfolds. They’re inviting an all-star collection secret guests to join them on stage to joke about the 2016 campaign.
The Comedy Store, 7pm, 21+. Advance tickets are available online for $30, plus a two-drink minimum.
Election Night Watch Party at Theatre at Ace
Starting at 4pm (so you can see as states are called from east to west) this party presented by the Los Angeles Times will put the stats up on the big screen in the main theater space and offer drinks and DJs in the lobby as late as the night goes.
Theatre at the Ace Hotel, 4pm. Free with RSVP.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center “Let’s Make History Tonight” Election Party
Join the Young Professionals Council and Women’s Network of the L.A. LGBT Center along with AIDS/LifeCycle for a bash with free food, cash bar and LGBT activists and allies at Next Door Lounge for this free event.
Next Door Lounge, 5pm to midnight. Free with RSVP.
KPCC in Person #WhyIVoted Party
Public radio station KPCC will be setting up at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes for an election day event starting at 5:30pm. At 8:15pm the Center for the Study of Los Angeles will start to release the L.A. Votes exit polls to predict how local measures and initiatives are likely to swing. KPCC journalists will be reporting live on the scene from a mobile recording booth and there will be other political-themed festivities.
La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Admission is free.
If you’re a single-issue voter and that issue is legalizing marijuana, then this is the party for you. Hosted by Drug Policy Action, the night will feature a live broadcast of Cannabis Radio as they follow cannabis-related ballot measures in California and other states. They’ll be offering (herbal??) refreshments and live jazz.
DoubleTree Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, 8pm to 2am. Free with RSVP.
#GoGreen2016 Election Night Party
There are races on the ballot other than Hillary versus Trump and, as Mende Smith, the Green Party’s candidate for city council in Santa Monica would have you know, more than just red versus blue. The most progressive of westsiders will be gathering to see how Smith and other left-leaning candidates and campaigns fair.
Busby's West, 6pm to 11pm.
Election Night Party at the Association
Sip on themed cocktails like the “Problem Solver” or the “Plane to Canada” at this explicitly non-partisan party at Downtown’s the Association bar. They’ll have the returns on the screens and early arrival is suggested if you want a seat with a good view.
The Association, 5pm. No cover.
“Born in the USA” Bring Your Own Vinyl Election Night
The Lincoln hosts a series of nights where audience members get to play DJ and, for this special edition, they’re requesting all selections be “music by, for and about America from patriotism to protest.” Stay refreshed with thematic cocktails like the “Nasty Woman” and snack on hot dogs and apple pie (of course).
The Lincoln, 7pm to 11pm, 21+. Free.
What is this Culver City cocktail bar offering for election night? “Just shots,” according to their event listing, and maybe that’s just what you’ll need. In between gulps, they’ll be streaming live poll results.
Blind Barber Culver City, 6pm to 11pm, 21+.
AMC Theaters Presidential Election Night Parties
Want to settle into a comfy movie theater seat and watch the returns roll in for hours? Several AMC movie theaters will be participating in a national watch party. And, lest you worry about supporters of the opposing party ruining your fun, they’ve designated separate “blue” and “red” cinemas.
Parties begin at 4pm. For “blue” go to AMC Burbank 16; for “red” go to AMC Orange 30.
Election Night 2016 at New Beverly Cinema
If you want something to distract you from checking every breaking news update all night long, New Beverly Cinema will be screening a double-bill of politically-minded classic films, The Candidate from 1972 and Shampoo from 1975.
New Beverly Cinema, 7:30pm to 11:55pm. Tickets are $8 and available in advance or at the box office.
Looking for some food and drink specials to ease the election stress? Take a look at our round-up.
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