Beltway Restaurants Making Sure Shutdown Workers are Well-Fed and Liquored

Restaurants and bars around the Beltway are offering free and discounted food and drink to furloughed federal employees on the first day of the shutdown — with some expressly stating that members of Congress aren’t eligible.

A sampling of the deals, being rounded up and updated by Washington City Paper:

Bar TNT

2413 Columbia Pike, Arlington

The cocktail bar will offer Furlough Foolery—a fall-inspired punch with bourbon, apple, and celery—for $4 a glass during happy hour from 5 to 7:44 p.m. weekdays.

The Daily Dish

8301 Grubb Road, Silver Spring

Get a free cup of regular coffee—no purchase necessary. “It’s on our house (as opposed to the House of Representatives),” the restaurant writes on its Facebook page.

Sprinkles 

3015 M St. NW

Show a federal government ID and receive a free cupcake on Oct. 1.

Z-Burger

All D.C. locations

Federal workers can get a free burger when they show their government IDs. The promotion will continue every day of the government shutdown from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken

1308 G St. NW

Show a federal or District government ID and receive one free doughnut or chicken purchase as long as the shutdown lasts.

Carmine’s 

425 7th St. NW

Carmine’s CEO Jeff Bank is offering any of the restaurant’s nine private rooms for free to President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and House Speaker John Boehner to hammer out an agreement over spaghetti and meatballs. For the rest of us, there’s the $12 Olive Branch cocktail with Plymouth gin, olives, pickled onions, and rosemary.

Pork Barrel BBQ

2312 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria

Free pulled pork sandwich for any government employee with ID—excluding congressmen.

Union Tap House

3412 Connecticut Ave. NW

Happy hour will go from 4:30 p.m. to close. Federal employees who bring in their furlough notices will receive a free dessert (while supplies last).