
So it begins. Tonight, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will face off in the first round of presidential debates at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT). And, all over the country and around the world, people are getting ready to see the debate screened — on televisions, computers, and smartphones.
Taking the stage at Hofstra University on Long Island, NY, the presidential candidates are expected to battle it out in front of a record audience. Recent polls predict that over 100 million people will watch the 90-minute debate, ratings that would steal the spotlight from prime time prima donna “Monday Night Football” on ESPN — and possibly score higher than the Super Bowl.
The highly anticipated presidential debate will take place 56 years to date after the first televised presidential debate in American history — that between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon. Much like 1960, two vastly different candidates will duel for the White House on September 26. Unlike 1960, on-camera personality has now become a near prerequisite for candidates vying in the presidential race. Tonight, the glaring stage lights will be hot on Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
If you’re planning to be one of the millions watching the debate — but would prefer to add a little party to your politics — we’ve listed the (surprisingly few) Sonoma County bars that will tune in their TV sets to the tunes of Hillary and Donald:
Brew Coffee & Beer – Santa Rosa
Pair presidential politics with pour-overs, pizza, pastries, craft beer and bites. Happy Hour(s): 4-6 p.m. and 8-10 p.m., $1 off beer and cider on tap, and wine by the glass.
555 Healdsburg Avenue, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7372, brewcoffeeandbeer.com

Pub Republic – Petaluma
Pints and politics at a pub — you might think for a split second that you’re in England, until you see the burgers. Such succulent patties will turn anyone into a proud patriot. Happy Hour Menu: 3-6 p.m.
3120 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, 707-782-9090, pubrepublicusa.com

Taps Beer & Kitchen – Petaluma
If your idea of the perfect political party is a feast for your favorite candidate, Taps’s got you covered with burgers and brews. Happy Hour Menu: 2-4 p.m.
54 E. Washington Street, Petaluma, 707-763-6700, petalumataps.com
B&V Whiskey Bar & Grille – Sonoma
Nothing goes hand in hand like whiskey and long-winded political arguments. Some steak on the side and you’re all set. Happy Hour Menu: 3-6 p.m.
400 1st Street East, Sonoma, 707-938-7110, bvsonoma.com

If you’d like to toe the party line on Monday night, Round Table Pizza in Santa Rosa or Sonoma – depending on political preference – is the spot.
The Sonoma Valley Democrats are putting on a “no-host” Debate Watch Party at 5:30 p.m. at Round Table Pizza in Sonoma (201 W Napa St, Sonoma, in the Market Place Shopping Center). The Sonoma County Republican Party will host their Debate Watch Party, starting at 5:30 p.m., at Round Table Pizza in Santa Rosa (2065 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa).
The Sonoma County Democratic Party are also hosting a Debate Watch Party – with pizza – at their headquarters (120 D St., Santa Rosa). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. RSVP to: scdpoffice2016.1@gmail.com
Research by Josephine Clements.
Ah yes — a bar. Full of slope-headed, gun-toting, low-education Trump voters, watching the debate and full of booze. What could possibly go wrong?
Ironic, people in Sonoma will be watching the debates in small businesses but I bet there will not be one question related to the 28 million small businesses in America. They certainly won’t mention 98% of all U.S. firms have less than 100 employees and create over 90% of the net new job’s in America. Here are three short videos both Trump and Clinton supporters should watch.
http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=2192
http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=2673
http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=2674
ASBL.com
If only I was in town, I’d stop in at Brew – seems like the perfect place to watch the debate where people actually understand things like world politics, economics, the environment, racial concerns and so on are complex, and nuanced…next time I visit, it’s on my list.
A bar is a place to escape this circus debate. So if I walked into any bar and the debate was on, I’d find one where it wasn’t on. However, my own home won’t even be airing it!
This really isn’t anything more than advertising masquerading as news but the one salient point is it might be a good idea to be drunk when listening to either of these two.
Hey Mike, it was up to you to point out the correct phrase is “toe the line” and not “tow the line.”
I popped into a bar during the 2012 VP debates. Couldn’t hear a thing over the din. What struck me was how Sarah Palin’s ready for high def TV face jumped off the screen… in contrast to the dour, gloomy looking Joe Biden. Good thing most watched the debates at home.
This election boils down to two kinds of narcissism.
1) Trump’s clear case of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)
2) H. Clinton’s ideology narcissism, which re-defines “Left” as “properties of me, no matter how much of a right wing corporate shill I really am.”
May the best corporate narcissist win.
Places to get wasted while watching our Republic dying. Where will Nero be playing his violin?
“Where will Nero be playing his violin?’ Excellent question! Every newsroom in the country?
The newsrooms are empty; they’re mostly just news feed editors now, working from home (where ever that might be).
You don’t need a news “room” to reprint corporate press releases verbatim.
Exactly my point; Most of the journalists were let go ten years ago. All of the local offices were shut down in the regional consolidations. All that’s left now is aggregation and formatting. Oh, and the advertising depts., but I assume that’s largely outsourced.
How they think people could actually eat while watching these 2 scumbags is beyond me, they better have allot of buckets close by,
“A bucket for monsieur?”
Couldn’t have said it better, my friend. If Hillary wins, gonna try to move north or south.
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“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
― H.L. Mencken
Well, that is very nice, but alas we are as far from that as we could possible be.
I don’t know , I think we reached it on the last election cycle.
You’re about 16 years late on that one.