Political parties on Election Day: Bring voting proof to these spots and get presidential treatment

November 3, 8:15 PMChicago Dining ExaminerEmily Szopa

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This is not a receipt, I'm just hoping a phone pic of my card works since I forgot to get one--oops!

It's true that voting is its own reward, but who's to say free food and liquor aren't welcome fringe benefits? Tuesday, Nov. 4th, tons of bars and restaurants in Chicago are offering discounts and freebies to anyone with a voter's receipt. If you find yourself wishing you were closer to the action, Cat's Meow (2700 W. Chicago Ave.) is also providing free shuttle rides to Grant Park for those who can prove they voted (Even if you don't have tickets to the Obama rally, everywhere in the park outside the event's fences is fair game--just play nice.).

Most spots listed below will be broadcasting live election results.

The Perks:

• The Fifty/50 - 2047 W. Division St.
  Free beer when you flash your voter's receipt. Also, free "Regret" shots if you can prove you voted for G.W. in the last two elections.
   
• Park 52 - 201 S. Harper Ave. and Room 21 - 2110 S. Wabash
  Show your voting receipt and receive a free dessert: Red velvet cake with white cream cheese frosting and fresh blueberries at Park 52 or Fresh Blueberries, raspberries and sweet crème fraîche at Room 21.
   
• Volo - 2008 W. Roscoe St., Kitsch'n on Roscoe - 2005 W. Roscoe St., Kitsch'n River North - 600 W. Chicago Ave., and Paramount Room - 415 N. Milwaukee Ave.
  Voters who show proof receive 20% off their bills at all four locations. Kitsch'n River North will also be featuring a complimentary buffet from 4:30pm-6:30pm.
   
• House of Blues - 329 N. Dearborn St. (Back Porch Stage)
  Bring in your voter's reciept and enjoy $5 admission to this Rock the Vote election celebration, including food and drink as well as performances by DJ Sye Young and DJ Jem, Cary Kanno, and The Richkiddz. From 6pm-midnight.
   
• Risqué Cafe - 3419 N. Clark St.
  Proof of voting gets you a free appetizer with purchase of any entree.
   
• Lakeview Broadcasting Company - 3542 N. Halsted St.
  Half-off all food and drinks with your voter's receipt, as well as various drink specials, including $2 Yes We Cans (ie., cans of beer).
   
• Ben & Jerry's - 1025 W. Lake St., in Oak Park
  From 5-8pm, certain Ben & Jerry's "scoop shops" will be handing out free scoops of ice cream to everyone (originally intended to be handed out only to voters, but controversy surrounding the Starbucks campaign--see below--encouraged the company to widen its scope.)
   
• Starbucks - probably no more than 5 blocks from wherever you are right now
  Starbucks will follow through with the promotion they advertised on a commercial during Saturday night's SNL episode, although their offer will now extend to everyone, not just voters. Monday, Washington state officials warned that "federal law prohibits payment of money, goods or services in return for voting," which would have made the company's original offer of free coffee to voters a violation of federal law. So everyone will get a free cup of coffee, but I'm sure you'll vote anyway, right?
   
• Krispy Kreme - 210 S. Canal St., 4455 S. Pulaski Rd., find other locations here.
  Krispy Kreme's website is still featuring an add that promises a free star-shaped donut to "All retail customers with an 'I Voted' sticker," but something tells me this promotion will also be opened up to the general public, à la the Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's scenarios mentioned above.
   
• Eli's Cheesecake - 6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr.
  Free slices of cheesecake for all voters!

Does the Starbucks controversy perhaps mean that all of the above listed establishments will have to adopt a similar approach, allowing everyone who walks in to enjoy the same benefits once promised only to voters? Even if that's the case, there's still one benefit only voters will recieve: The satisfaction of knowing they participated in a truly historic election, and that their voices were heard.

Check out more Election Night Events with Chicago's Neighborhoods Examiner, Dana Kavan!

Photo by Emily Szopa