Some big events are meant to be watched with a crowd (and drinks): the Super Bowl, World Series and movies in general. The Presidential and Vice Presidential debates are also more fun when watched that way. And shouting at the TV screen is acceptable – it might even get you a free drink or a high-five.
Interested in getting out and seeing the Vice Presidential debate (6pm Pacific Time) with other high-spirited folks? I’ve done a little research to give you options (most of which are also good for the remaining Presidential debates). If you know of others, feel free to add them as comments:
Oakland
Parkway Speakeasy Theater – free
1834 Park Boulevard
Doors: 5pm, two screens
http://www.parkway-speakeasy.com/index.php
Conga Lounge (Rockridge)
5422 College Ave
1/2 mile from the Rockridge BART
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/debatewatchparty/gshf85
Lobot Gallery
1800 Campbell Street
Debate projected on wall (15′ tall), donation suggested
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gshf4z
Everett & Jones
126 Broadway (at Second Street)
BBQ, beer
http://www.eandjbbq.com/index_everettandjones_main.html
Oakland Zoo – members $10/non-members $12
9777 Golf Links Road
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/news/press-releases/primate-discovery-day/
San Francisco
2 LIPS Bar & Lounge
1414 Market (at 10th Street)
Three flat screens, $2 beers
http://www.yelp.com/biz/2lips-san-francisco
Inner Mission
3349 20th Street (at Shotwell)
http://www.missionbeerparlor.com/
The Page (Page and Divisadero) – Lower Haight
Three flatscreens, happy hour specials, snacks
http://www.thepagebar.com/
The Mix
4086 18th Street (at Castro)
http://www.sfmixbar.com/
Valley Tavern
4054 24th Street – Noe Valley
http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/899093/san_francisco_ca/valley_tavern.html
500 Club
500 Guerrero (at 17th Street)
Four flatscreen HDTVs, bar snacks, drink specials
http://www.yelp.com/biz/500-club-san-francisco
Ten 15 Folsom
1015 Folsom (at Sixth)
Special guests Kamala Harris and Leland Yee, hosted by Obama for America
http://www.1015.com/
Kennedy’s Irish Pub and Curry House
1040 Columbus Ave
Irish pub/Indian restaurant; If they aren’t tuned in, just ask the bartender to change the channel
http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/917615/san_francisco_ca/kennedy_s_irish_pub_and_curry_house.html
Kezar Pub
770 Stanyan (at Waller) – Haight
Official meeting place of the Obama Campaign Cole Valley/Upper Haight group
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kezar-pub-and-restaurant-san-francisco
The World Affairs Council (2nd Floor Auditorium) – $15 ($10 with “bring a friend” registration)
**SOLD OUT**
312 Sutter St.
Seats 100+
http://events.sfgate.com/san-francisco-ca/events/show/85065292-vice-presidential-debate-group-screening-discussion-at-the-wac
Mark Sanchez for Supervisor HQ
988 Valencia Street
Beer available
http://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=ZjEwNWpyYTNjdTN0OXMzdTZpNjQ0ZDgzaW8ganRzODVvMDk1NDk0YWlvczNxZ3FzN3MydW9AZw&ctz=America/Los_Angeles
Eric Mar for Supervisor HQ
4328 Geary Boulevard (at 8th)
Beer available
http://ericmar.com/page.php?pageid=5
Temple SF/Prana – $10
540 Howard Street
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/debatewatchparty/gshkst
901 Columbus Cafe – North Beach
901 Columbus Ave (between Chestnut & Lombard)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/901-columbus-cafe-san-francisco
Tosca Cafe **unconfirmed**
242 Columbus Ave
Dovre Club **unconfirmed**
1498 Valencia St (between 25th & 26th)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dovre-club-san-francisco#hrid:vECgLtiarkaUzP7TvVe_Bw/query:dovre
Argus Lounge **unconfirmed**
3187 Mission (@ Valencia)
Amante **unconfirmed**
570 Green Street
Berkeley
UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies
Moses Hall, Room 109 (Institute Library)
http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2008/09/29_IGSdebate.shtml
Concord
AJ’s Sports Pub
4633 Clayton Road
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/organizing/gsh3c2
El Cerrito
Cerrito Speakeasy Theater – free
10070 San Pablo Avenue
Doors: 5pm, two screens
http://www.cerritospeakeasy.com/index.php
Online
This webpage is a one-stop shop article on URLs for the online feeds:
http://newteevee.com/2008/10/01/where-to-watch-the-palin-biden-debate-online/
Sources: Here are the sites which gave me multiple viewing locations (in case they get updated):
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_results?type=advanced&orderby=day&state=ca&limit=50
http://www.yelp.com/topic/oakland-bars-to-watch-the-presidential-debates
http://sfist.com/2008/09/26/where_to_watch_tonights_debate.php
http://sfist.com/2008/10/01/ask_sfist_vice_presidential_debate.php
http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/roundup/43433
http://blogs.menupages.com/sanfrancisco/2008/09/if_it_happens_where_to_watch_t_1.html
