If you're hungry for change, then Jan. 20 will be a terrific date. To celebrate Barack Obama's ascension to president (and bid good riddance to Bush), civic-minded restaurants and bars are celebrating with inauguration-day bashes and ridiculous deals on food and drink-with a decidedly presidential slant. Here's where to dine and carouse on this historic day-and down a Hawaiian Punch Barack-tail or four.
Village Pourhouse
At this raucous, spacious East Village boozitorium, the dozens of hi-def and projection-screen TVs will be broadcasting the inauguration ceremony. To amp up the celebration, a complimentary champagne toast will follow the swearing-in ceremony. Forty-Four fervor: Bid goodbye to Dubya with specialty shots such as the Obama Mamma, Push Bush and brain-blurring Barack-a-Bombs. (64 Third Ave., 212-979-233)
Pacific Standard
This microbrew castle breaks out festive bunting and opens at 11 a.m., pouring pint bloody Marys and broadcasting the ceremony on projection-screen TVs. "We're going to inaugurate the shit out of this place," says co-owner John Rauschenberg, who plans to offer $3 beers all day. Forty-Four fervor: Acknowledging the tough road ahead, Pacific Standard is sponsoring a potluck feast. (82 Fourth Ave., 718-858-1951)
Back Forty
Lace up your dancing kicks before hitting the bash at this seasonally influenced eatery. Snack on finger-food, then cut a rug as DJ Mr. Fine Wine (not making this up) spins old-school Chicago soul (natch). Forty-Four fervor: Get a tad tipsy at the cash bar with a couple pints of Sixpoint's smooth Hop Obama ale. $40, starts at 9 p.m. (190 Ave. B, 212-388-1990)
Hill Country
Ironically, this Texas barbecue temple is feting Obama with daylong television coverage, First Family floats (Big Red soda, Blue Bell vanilla ice cream) and the $25 Presidential Platter packed with brisket, ribs and green-bean casserole. Forty-Four fervor: Rejoice with booze bargains like Give Bush the Boot (Lone Star longneck with a bourbon or tequila chaser) and the Obama Mama (pineapple-infused vodka, blue Curacao, soda). (30 West 26th St., 212-255-4544)
The General Greene
This Fort Greene hangout feature a very presidential...luau. Major props to owner Nicholas Morgenstern! The Hawaiian-themed $20.09 meal deal includes crisp suckling pig, sweet potato mash, grilled pineapple and coconut-banana cream pie. Forty-Four fervor: Afterward, head down Dekalb Avenue to bistro Chez Oskar for $5 cocktails including Dirty Democrats, Rotten Republicans and Yes-we-can-ohitos. (229 Dekalb Ave., 718-222-1510; 211 DeKalb Ave., 718-852-6250)
Chanterelle
Tribeca's elegant Chanterelle is broadcasting the inauguration and offering a symbolic $44 (tax and tip included) lunch. The three-course repast includes bourbon butternut squash soup, chicken pot pie with wild mushrooms and lobster salad, and applewood-smoked bacon "LBLT." Forty-Four fervor: Employees Only's mixologists contributed the effervescent Yes We Can, concocted with prosecco, orange bitters and kumquat liquor. (2 Harrison St., 212-966-6960)
Sidecar Lounge
Liberal-leaning Park Slopers (is there another kind?) can raise a ruckus at the retro-flavored Sidecar. Plug some party-starting tunes into the jukebox, then stuff yourself with Chicago-style hot dogs-ketchup is strictly not allowed. Forty-Four Fervor: Though you might risk a monumental hangover, try sucking down some sweet Hawaiian Punch Barack-tails. (560 Fifth Ave. 718-369-0077)
Klee Brasserie
Chelsea's Austrian-themed late night spot is celebrating the newest American president with a three-course, Obama-influenced feast ($50), best savored while watching the inauguration on the restaurant's flatscreen. Afterward, owners Daniel Angerer and Lori Mason will lead diners in a complimentary champagne toast. Forty-Four fervor: Klee's dishes include Chicago brats, bluenose bass with caviar and green apple strudel-color-specific nods to eco-conscious democrats. 200 Ninth Ave., NYC 212-633-8033
Bloomingdale Road
Budget-minded Obama boosters should hit uptown's Bloomingdale Road. The comfort restaurant's $9.95 lunch special encompasses soup, sandwich and ice cream, while a TV displays the proceedings in Washington, D.C. Forty-Four fervor: Tie one on with an Obamatini or one of seven classic cocktails renamed after former presidents like Harry Truman and Franklin D. Roosevelt-wisely, there's no George Bush. (2398 Broadway, 212-874-7400)
David Burke Townhouse
Until January 23, the former davidburke & donatella is serving commander-in-chief eats. Desserts reference Obama's African heritage, with banana-kola nut bread served with Kenyan coffee glaze and passion fruit sorbet, while "The White House Family Cookbook" inspires the citrus-kissed grilled halibut. Forty-Four fervor: In honor of the president's Hawaiian roots, the restaurant is plating carpacci Obama, featuring seared tuna with octopus, pineapple, taro root and spicy soy. (133 E. 61st St., 212-813-2121)
Photo by Ryan Muir
