I Voted. Now What?

Congratulations on not completely falling down on the job by exercising your right as an American citizen and voting today. But the fun's not over! You still have an entire night of talking heads, exhausting rhetoric and ceaseless exposition to look forward to as our nation chews the cud of the 2008 election until early morn. So instead of parking it on the couch and watching the overly-hairsprayed pundits on CNN and Fox News, why don't you head out and celebrate Election Night in style? We've got plenty of options for you, so get out there and keep on rocking that vote tonight.

Coffee Groundz
2503 Bagby

Conservative, liberal or Green -- if you're serious about your election night drama, you'll want to be at Coffee Groundz. Local techies and pundits will abound, as will plasma screens and a giant projector. And you'll need that double espresso if you want to keep up with the rest of the kiddos: Coffee Groundz will be keeping the Election Night party going strong until 2:00 a.m.

Ernie's on Banks
1010 Banks Street

If you're of the more liberal persuasion, Ernie's is where you'll want to be to either celebrate madly or drink yourself into a stupor, depending upon tonight's election results. And, hey -- big screen plasmas mean Anderson Cooper in all his silvery glory.

Hotel Zaza
5701 Main Street

Got more money than sense? Then you'll probably fit in better at Hotel Zaza, where the luxury hotel's bar will be throwing an Election Night party complete with signature drinks: the Presidential Slammer, the Obamatini and the McCain Manhattan. Where's the Nader Wallbanger?

The Flying Saucer
705 Main Street

Don't have a party affiliation? Don't care? Then head down to The Flying Saucer for their 5th Bi-Annual Non-Partisan Election Night Gathering from 6:00 p.m. until midnight. You'll get a discount on food and drinks, but you have to register/RSVP to attend, so get to it!

Ben & Jerry's
1413 S. Voss Road
5602 FM 1960 West
16155 City Walk (Sugar Land)

Go grab a free scoop of ice cream between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. We recommend Stephen Colbert's Ameri-Cone Dream.

Starbuck's
multiple locations

Exploit the system by getting a free tall cup of coffee whether you voted or not. Use the $2.00 you saved to donate to the presidential election campaign fund on your 1040 in April. Oh, wait. It's $3.00 now? Nevermind.

Chick-Fil-A
multiple locations

You worked hard in that polling booth today. Replenish your depleted energy with some protein, chicken sandwich style. Selected Chick-Fil-A locations are giving out free chicken sandwiches today, November 4th, and tomorrow, November 5th, to anyone proudly displaying their "I Voted" sticker, so don't toss that shirt into the washing machine so fast, killer! And make sure to check with your local Chick-Fil-A to make sure they're participating in the promotion before you go in demanding free chicken.

If you're both patriotic and stingy (like Houstonist), you can enjoy even more "freebie" deals here: Free Food (and Other Stuff) on Election Day.

And plenty of bars, pubs, restaurants, clubs and dives will be showing the election coverage tonight -- alongside the Rockets and Celts game, of course -- so it's really your call, Houston. Where will you be tonight?

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Photo courtesy of Flickr user finna_dat.