Live From DC Bar: Russian Drinks, Reaction To Comey Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC — D.C. bar Shaw's Tavern was filled with patrons who watched, drank Russian-inspired alcoholic beverages, and commented during the James Comey hearing Thursday morning. Patch was in the throng, which seemed to mutter anti-Trump sentiments and support the fired FBI director's comments.

Fired FBI director Comey's hearing on Capitol Hill, which started at 10 a.m., was likely the most anticipated Congressional hearing since perhaps Iran-Contra. Shaw's Tavern is calling the event the "Comey Hearing Covfefe" on its Facebook event page — a play on President Trump's strange midnight tweet — and it is scheduled to run until 12:30 p.m. The tavern is located at 520 Florida Ave. NW. The bar will have all five televisions tuned to the hearing with sound on, and will offer "$5 Stoli Vodka flavors and our 'FBI' sandwich."

Under questioning from senators Comey has refuted Trump's assertions that the former FBI director asked for meetings and said he began keeping a written record of conversations with the president because of his concerns over Trump's character. "I was afraid he would lie," Comey told the hearing members about Trump.

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2:00 p.m.: Some at the bar have come from a long way, finding themselves in a great location for such a significant event in U.S. history. "It's a little concerning," said Maria, who is from Miami, about the whole situation. "But it's interesting to see. It doesn't make a lot of sense, what Trump is saying about Comey."

Others weren't willing to betray their political views on the issue, even in such a highly political environment.

"I'm biased," said one man who guffawed at a Comey statement but declined to give his name. "I wouldn't be the best person to ask about it."

12:46 p.m.: The hearing is over, and the line outside has finally disappeared. But the bar remains packed as people clearly have an appetite for more with the TVs still tuned to CNN. And with drinks in hand, they've probably taken the day off anyway.

12:20 p.m.: Laughter fills the bar after Comey remarks, "I'm biased. I'm the one who was fired."

12:06 p.m.: The current scene at the bar: Notice there's still a line outside.

11:47 a.m.: Not surprisingly, it's a decidedly left-leaning crowd. One patron named Stephan, who came all the way from Bethesda, Md., just to see the spectacle, said he can remember Watergate and this whole situation has moved along a lot faster. He hopes it slows down, however, because he distrusts VP Mike Pence: "I hope we get four years of this and vote [Trump] out of office," he said with a laugh.

11:27 a.m.: Scattered cheers break out as Comey says "this is about America."

11:16 a.m.: Shots of vodka are making their way around the bar.

10:56 a.m.: The crowd is riveted. "There will be a real burst of drinking at 11," remarks one patron as staff preps drinks. He seems impressed by Comey's cool so far. "He's playing it even-handed."

10:23 a.m.: Bar goes "awww" when he says sorry to his colleagues.

10:21 a.m.: Bar gasps and then applauds when Comey says, "those are lies."

10:19 a.m.: The bar falls deathly silent as Comey starts speaking.

10:18 a.m.: The bar has long since filled, and there is still a huge line outside.

10:04 a.m.: A "shhhh" goes around the bar as the hearing starts.

10:01 a.m.: No drinking yet — by D.C. law, bars can't serve until 11 a.m.

9:33 a.m.: The doors are open.

9:15 a.m.: Looking back from the fifth spot in line.

9:04 a.m.: There is now a line of about 20 people to get in. At a bar. On a Thursday.

8:30 a.m.: A couple of TV crews have set up shop, but no line. Staff says they'll allow people to sit down at 9, a half-hour earlier.

7 a.m.: It may be two and a half hours until opening, and the sun's barely up, but Shaw's Tavern employees are already hard at work setting up the bar. A passerby stopped and took a picture of the bar on his phone.

Image of James Comey via FBI; all photos at Shaw's Tavern, video by Patch Editor Dan Taylor