The 5 Best Trump vs. Clinton 2016 Presidential Debate Viewing Parties in DC

WASHINGTON, DC — After countless months of anticipation, it's finally here: the showdown between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump for the first presidential debate Monday night. And if you're in D.C. and want to watch the debate with a crowd, you're in luck. Here's five awesome viewing parties in the city.

1. "The Not So Mellow Debate," Mellow Mushroom, 2436 18th Street NW, Adams Morgan

Details: "And so the **** show that promises to be great television begins September 26th.... Join us for the three scheduled debates on the second floor. We'll plan to have the sound on with additional speakers set up. We'll also announce drink specials as the date inches forward, and the rhetoric gets nastier. Stay tuned! BUCKLE UP AMERICA!"

2. "Big Talk, Small Plates," Boqueria, 1837 M Street NW, Dupont Circle

Details: "Join us for a Live Viewing of the Presidential & Vice Presidential Debates and a menu of Unlimited Tapas & Drinks. $45 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Menu available 15 minutes prior to the debate...to the bitter end! Seating in the debate screening room is limited! For reservations please call 202.558.9545"

3. "Presidential Debate Viewing Party at Lincoln," Lincoln Restaurant, 1110 Vermon Ave. NW, Downtown

Details: "It’s no secret that DC is a political town – but there are some things we can all agree on. LINCOLN Restaurant has been bringing reds and blues together since 2011. Watch the 2016 Presidential Debates in DC’s original presidentially-themed restaurant. Enjoy Clinton BBQ Sliders and Trump Steak Bites for $5 apiece during our presidential debates watch parties on:

Monday, September 26th, 9:00pm
Sunday, October 9th, 9:00pm
Wednesday, October 19th, 9:00pm

The debates will also be a prime opportunity to vote for your favorite of our ELECTION COCKTAILS - Hillary's Inbox and Trump Tower - both $11! Each sale equals one vote. Will we correctly predict the next President using our cocktail sales just like in 2012? We think so!"

4. "ASL Trivia Night: Election 2016," Vendetta Bocce Bar & Italian Restaurant, 1212 H Street NE, H Street

Details: "Theme: Election 2016! We will watch the debate at 9pm after finishing trivia! Come test your skills and knowledge for prestige and prizes!! CHECK US OUT AT www.asltrivia.com!

Teams of up to 5 people will compete for prizes.
Steph Sforza as emcee!
Aaron Potts, Mark Burke, and Dustin Catt behind the bar. :)
Voice interpreters provided!
Come by and let's have some fun. :)

The 1st-place team picks their prize: Entire tab paid off by Vendetta, $50 restaurant gift card, or free shots. Then 2nd place chooses their prize and so on. :)

Come enjoy friends, drinks, and food as you compete against other teams. See awesome entertainment in one of DC's best ASL spaces. INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS!!"

5. "Debunking the Presidential Debate," Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th Street NW, U Street

"Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Green Party or Independent, we can all agree that this has been one of the most, farcical and absurd presidential races in recent history. Our panel of guests, including Bill Ayers, Jared Ball, Medea Benjamin, and Fatemah Keshavarz will discuss and illustrate how these two candidates have reduced the election process and the debates from its lofty origins to this oddity that we'll witness on 9/26/16."

Despite Trump's complaints that no one would watch the debate because it ran up against a prime-time NFL game, the U.S. audience for the debate is expected to be massive: perhaps about 100 million Americans, rivaling the Super Bowl.

It's a debate with incredibly high stakes. Clinton currently holds a narrow lead in the polls that has been shrinking ever since the conventions. The debate could dramatically swing the race in either direction.

The debate will be held at Hofstra University in New York.

Images via Donald Trump, U.S. government