Barbecue, bingo, and bipartisan partying: How America is preparing for election night

Many Arizonans are still undecided — on which strain of weed they want to smoke on election night, that is.

That’s the report from Curaleaf, a global cannabis company that is rolling out its own mini-election. In Arizona, Florida, New York, and Illinois, they’ve repurposed three hybrid strains — all fairly similar in potency and all generally thought of as more relaxing highs — into the Donald OG, Kamala Kush, and Space Jill.

“We have no horse in the race other than we want people, our consumer base, to come into our stores relative to the competition,” Luke Flood, a senior VP at Curaleaf, said. “And we want them to — in a respectful, inclusive, insightful manner — support their candidates through the products that we produce and which they ultimately will buy.”

The Donald OG has a slight edge in Arizona — although Flood said it’s been changing by the day. That’s eerily similar to national polling.

The “Donald OG” strain from Curaleaf. 

For some Americans, election night means the opportunity to let off steam, and businesses across the nation — from doggy day cares to drag bars — are ready to receive beleaguered voters. In Tacoma, Washington, a theater will screen the results. In Lansing, Michigan, partygoers will play voting bingo, enjoy a barbecue buffet, and jam to a local disc jockey. Not everyone will show up; some people and businesses alike told B-17 they want to avoid the crowds and politics altogether.

Even those leaning into the festivities told B-17 they are trying to keep it bipartisan, and some are worried about security. Welcome to the election night economy.

“We’re selling a product that we like to think brings people joy, brings people relaxation, and it’s been met with a lot of positivity, which we’re very thrilled about,” Flood said.

Drag queens, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and hookah — oh my

In Washington, DC, the Hawk N Dove — an infamous Capitol Hill bar — is bracing for impact.

Leah Kolb, the general manager and events coordinator, said the venue, which prides itself on being a stalwart bipartisan political bar, saw lines out the door for the presidential debate in September. She anticipates it will be open until at least midnight on election night, two hours past its usual closing time.

Kolb said the bar attracts a true bipartisan crowd. Marjorie Taylor Greene is a regular, and there’s a monthly Democratic social with a group of young Hill staffers. No matter who’s there, the bar’s TVs typically play both CNN and Fox.

With Congress on recess, it’s been relatively quiet over the last few weeks. Kolb anticipates that’ll change on Tuesday; she’s planning to staff as many people as possible and is also considering upping security precautions.

“It’s going to be really wild for us to go from zero to 160 miles an hour next Tuesday,” Kolb said. “I can see it happening, and I think it’s going to be an all-day thing.”

In Philadelphia, the co-owner of Level Up Bar & Lounge anticipates having roughly 100 people come out for an election night watch party. Ken Lowe Jr. said the venue is planning on running a hookah special and is working out a possible food and drink special, too. Lowe said he has a liquor order scheduled for the day of the election to ensure they have enough.

Philly is a bright blue spot in a swing state that’s receiving the full attention of both candidates and the press. Lowe said he wants to cater to Pennsylvanians who are burned out on the election and avoid partisan politics.

“We’re going to try to keep it just music, party, have a good time,” Lowe said.

Up in Rochester, New York, the Roc Cinema is expecting up to 100 patrons for its Divas of Democracy election night watch party hosted by drag queens Darienne Lake and Aggy Dune. Owner Kristina Dinino-Jeffords said it’ll be an all-hands-on-deck event at the mixed-use theater venue. Patrons will be able to choose from a selection of drink specials: There’s the All American, the Kamala, the MAGA-rita, and the Undecided.

Drag queens Aggy Dune (left) and Darienne Lake (right) will perform on election night.

“Drag is the freedom to express ourselves in an artistic way. Last I checked, our country celebrates freedom,” Darienne Lake said in an email statement to B-17, adding, “The audience can expect a night that mimics our current political climate. Wildly entertaining and unpredictable.”

Prepping to vote, stay home, and recover

Many Americans will opt to stay home and perhaps order in on election night. Data provided by food delivery company Gopuff showed sales increased 20% on election night 2020 compared to the Tuesday prior, and battleground states saw more orders than non-battleground states. Sparkling wine and Champagne sales were up 116%.

Sales were particularly concentrated from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., as election results started to pour in. That may have been stomach-churning for some: Gopuff said there was a 70% increase in sales of digestive products like Tums and Pepto Bismol.

Between the weed and the partying, Americans might also be planning for recovery: Dr. Abe Malkin, the CEO and founder of mobile IV company Drip Hydration, told B-17 he’s planning for “quite high” demand for their IV services the day after election night.

And don’t forget the furry friends. In Pennsylvania, Walkers Pet HoTail will continue on a tradition — they’ll offer free doggie day care for any dogs whose humans show an “I voted” sticker. Day care usually runs around $35 to $38 a day per dog, depending on how big they are.

“We know it’s difficult for people to get out of the house and stuff, to be able to go and vote. So we want to make that a little bit easier,” Andrew Lehn, the general manager at Walkers Pet HoTail, told B-17, adding voters won’t have to worry about leaving their fur babies at home alone.

Lucybelle, a Walkers Pet HoTail regular, on Election Day 2020. 

Some workers are opting out of election night completely. Kitty Rayborn, a 48-year-old bartender at a fine-dining steakhouse in Texas, asked for the night off months ago. She usually works on Tuesdays and said it’s one of the restaurant’s busiest nights, especially during happy hour. This year, she said, she needs to be at home with family. She estimated she’s forfeiting $400 to $500 in tips.

“On election night, whether the results are on TV or not, I know that I would be paying attention,” “There’s no way it wouldn’t be a topic of conversation, and, as passionate as I am about it, I would not be able to keep my mouth shut and I would wind up getting myself fired. I’m a hundred percent sure of it.”