How the Federal Shutdown Affects the DMV
It is the first anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration and he has not drained the swamp, built a wall between Mexico and the U.S. or been able to dismantle Obamacare. Instead he has passed a tax break that benefits him and his 1 percent friends, as well as successfully shut the federal government down.
All the blame clearly falls on Trump, his demands for “The Wall” and his ending of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have caused Democrats to hold up the budget in exchange for concessions that aren’t otherwise coming from the geriatic infant.
Late Friday night, the U.S. Senate failed to pass a temporary budget, shutting down the government at midnight. Besides the hundreds of thousands of government workers who won’t be going to work on Monday or getting their paychecks (federal employees have been paid retroactively for lost time in recent shutdowns), what does that mean for DMV?
Active duty military, law enforcement officers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers will continue to work, but may not get paid if a budget isn’t passed before the end of the month. Social Security checks will still be mailed, since it is a mandatory program. Passport services, which are partly funded by fees, may remain open for a short time, as long as they are not housed in a federal building that is closed.
Memorials and open air parks in the DMV will remain open, but some services like park rangers, campgrounds, full service restrooms and concessions that require staff or assistance will be closed. Also, the Smithsonian Institution museums and National Zoo in the DMV will remain open through Monday, but may close beginning Tuesday.
if you are buying a house, you could face delays as the Federal Housing Administration will halt new mortgage approvals and the IRS will be closed.
On the other hand, there could be some benefits as area bars and restaurants offer specials. Federal workers who show their government ID can get the specials below to help them drown their sorrows or celebrte the time off.
The deals
The Bird, 1337 11th St. NW, will offer furloughed government employees “The Art of the Ordeal” special with Korean wings and any draft beer for $8 during happy hour.
Bourbon, 2321 18th St. NW, will offer a different special each night available to anyone until the government reopens.
Buredo, 825 14th St. NW, 1213 Connecticut Ave. NW, 4235 Wisconsin Ave. NW and 10219 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, is giving a 15 percent discount on in-shop purchases to furloughed government workers.
The Capital Lounge, 229 Pennsylvania Ave SE, just blocks from the U.S. Capitol, will offer shutdown cocktails. The drinks include To Flake or Not to Flake?, Rand’s Neighborhood Affair, C’mon Chuck, Have You Ever Met a Haitian?, Pornstar Punch, Durbin Soda and Affordable Beer Act, a can of Natty Boh and a shot of Montezuma blue tequila. The drink specials are available daily during the shutdown. Anyone can order one, but federal employees will pay just $5 per drink.
Carmine’s, 425 Seventh St. NW, is offering a Hardtimes Cocktail, that is calls a “bittersweet beverage, for $12. It is made with Campari, bourbon, orange juice and thyme-infused simple syrup. Also, the restaurant’s happy hour bar and drink menu will be available all day for federal employees, as long as the shutdown continues. Government employees who show their ID and order any happy hour item will get a free meatball.
Cava, with multiple locations in the area, is offering out-of-work federal employees who dine in at any of the chain’s DMV locations a 10 percent discount off their meal. (The offer is not valid at Richmond locations.)
China Chilcano, 418 Seventh St. NW, is offering a free sandwich at the bar between 2-4 p.m. Monday through Friday during the shutdown
Cork Wine Bar & Market, 1805 14th St. NW, will have happy hour prices on wine all day and night. Also, federal employees will receive 10 percent off any purchase in the first-floor market.
District Doughnut, 749 Eighth St. SE and 3327 Cady’s Alley NW, is offering laid-off government workers a 10 percent discount this weekend.
Dino’s Grotto, 1914 Ninth St. NW, is offering happy hour specials until the shutdown ends for all customers. That includes $8 signature cocktails, $6 wine, $4 drafts, $5 antipasti dishes and $10 charcuterie boards that serve two-four. Offer not valid for members of Congress, the present, cabinet or senior staff.
Federalist Pig, 1654 Columbia Road NW, is offering $3 Narragansett beers
Granville Moore’s, 1238 H St. NE, is giving federal workers a 30 percent discount off drafts.
Hank’s Cocktail Bar, 819 Upshur St. NW, is offering happy hour food and drink all day long, along with $9 hot toddies.
Hank’s Pasta Bar, 600 Montgomery St., Alexandria, is serving all-day happy hour at the bar as long as the shutdown lasts.
Hawk ‘n’ Dove, 329 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, has happy hour prices all day and night during the closure.
Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar, 1104 H St. NE, is serving $5 rail drinks and German tallboys of Bitburger Pilsner and Benediktiner Helles to government employees.
Logan Tavern, 1423 P St. NW, happy hour prices all day and night at the bar, plus $5 13-ounce beers.
Lola’s Barracks Bar & Grille, 711 Eighth St. SE, has happy hour prices all day and night for furloughed government workers.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, 1339 12th St. NW, is offering 20 percent off to furloughed workers during the shutdown.
Ophelia’s Fish House, 501 Eighth St. SE, has happy hour prices all day and night for government workers.
Oyamel, 401 Seventh St. NW, will serve furloughed federal employees a free sandwich at the bar from 2-4 p.m. Monday through Friday as long a the shutdown lasts.
The Pug, 1234 H St., is giving a 30 percent discount to federal workers.
The Queen Vic, 1206 H St. NE, is offering 30 percent off drafts for federal workers during the shutdown.
Roofer’s Union, 2446 18th St. NW, is offering half price Trump-themed cocktails starting Monday including the Trumpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall (mezcal, agave, lemon and bitters) and Orange Toddler (gin, carrot juice, velvet falernum, ginger and lemon). They will be $6.
Tio Javier, 514 Eighth St. SE, has happy hour prices all day and night.
Willie’s, 300 Tingey St. SE, is offering happy hour prices all day and night.
Wisdom Bar, 1432 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is offering extended happy hour to government employees along with $2 off all house infused gin and tonics, $1 off all ciders, beers, wine and winter warmers and $6 rail drinks.
Zaytinya, 701 Ninth St. NW, is offering laid-off federal employees a free sandwich at the bar from 2-4 p.m. Monday through Friday during the shutdown.
Z-Burger, 4321 Wisconsin Ave. NW, will serve free single burgers (cheeseburger, turkey burger, etc.) between 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, to anyone who presents a government ID.
Know of any other shutdown bar or food deals? Let us know.
This post was updated Jan. 21, 2018, to add more specials.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.