Where to watch—and drink—this inauguration weekend
Whether you’ll be celebrating President-elect Donald Trump getting sworn into office or mourning the departure of President Barack Obama from the White House, inauguration weekend is the perfect occasion for gathering over drinks and politics. Here are a few places you can hang out and sip on a beer or cocktail before, during, or after the ceremony.
The Rising
The Rising opens at 11 a.m. on Friday. That will leave you plenty of time to get in and settled before the ceremony, which the bar will broadcast on a 100-inch screen with the sound turned up, and also to order special Inauguration Day-themed cocktails. Trump fans can opt for the The Trump Margarita, crafted with Don Julio Blanco Tequila, lime juice, and agave, for $10. Others can wistfully sip on The Canadian Dream, an $8 concoction of Crown Royal Vanilla Whisky, Italian coffee, and fresh whipped cream. (Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20; 1172 Cambridge St., Cambridge)
Brass Union
Although this Somerville establishment is not hosting a viewing party, Brass Union will serve specially themed cocktails—Orange Is the New Black, made with “Russian” vodka and orange powdered drink for $9, and Bad Hombre, made with a shot of tequila and bottle of Mexican lager for $10—after the bar opens at 4 p.m. and throughout the whole weekend. (Open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20; 70 Union Square, Somerville)
Somerville Brewing Co.
Somerville Brewing Company is releasing a special #ThanksObama beer to honor the outgoing president’s leadership and service. The launch of the “heartfelt stout ale” will take place on Jan. 19, a day before Inauguration Day and Obama’s last day in office, at the Slumbrew Beer Garden in Somerville. The stout will be freshly available as long as keg stocks last. (Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, and 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday, Jan 20; 15 Ward St., Somerville)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPGvvgoF3mG/?taken-by=slumbrew
Champions Sports Bar
You won’t find themed drinks here, but it might be your best option for a viewing party. Located at Copley Place, Champions offers two large projector screens and more than 40 HD flat-screen TVs, and is planning to show the inauguration on several of them so you won’t miss a moment of action. Plus, the bar opens at 7 a.m., meaning you could stake out good seats and order food before the swearing-in ceremony even begins at 11:30 a.m. (Open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20; 110 Huntington Ave., Boston)
Lord Hobo
Lord Hobo is throwing an “End of the World Bunker Party” on the eve of the inauguration to “give back, instead of giving up.” Each drink purchase (about $5-$10) earns one vote, which can be cast between one of three charities—Planned Parenthood, ACLU, and BAGLY—and all proceeds from the night’s drinks will be donated to those three charities. (Open 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19; 92 Hampshire St., Cambridge)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPD8GsJFcwq/?taken-by=lordhobobar
Bukowski Tavern in Cambridge
Chef Brian Poe from Bukowski Tavern’s Cambridge location is preparing satirical specials for the night of the 58th presidential inauguration. The “Golden…Sunshine Draft Party” will serve Russian Osetra Caviar in a dish dubbed “Fake News,” as well as a fresh keg of the aptly-named “Golden Sunshine,” which is brewed by 21st Amendment Brewery. The dishes served Friday will be the last in a season’s worth of satirically-named treats that have also included “Crooked [Hillary] Tree IPA-battered onion rings” with a “private server of dipping sauces.” (Open 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20; 1281 Cambridge St., Cambridge)
Bukowski Tavern in Back Bay
Beginning at 7 p.m. on the eve of Inauguration Day, Bukowski Tavern’s Back Bay location will serve fresh pints from a brewery out of President Obama’s hometown. Head there for Revolution Brewing of Chicago‘s Local Hero IPA, Red Skull, Deth by Cherries, and A Little Crazy. These craft brews will be served on Friday, as well, or as long as keg stocks last. (Open 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 and Friday, Jan. 20; 50 Dalton St., Boston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPLjEmzgcDt/?taken-by=bukowskiboston
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