Hot Spots to Watch the VP Debate in Boston

The Blarney Stone in Dorchester hosts a VP debate party Thursday night.

By Naomi Kooker

It’s a big deal tonight, October 11, when Dem VP Joe Biden faces off with Republican VP nominee and Congressman Paul Ryan in the Vice Presidential Debate on domestic and foreign policy. True colors will be flying. The debate, which takes place at Centre College in Danville, KY, will be televised 9-10:30 PM EST. Martha Raddatz (ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent) will be the moderator. We’ve got some places to watch, which will give new meaning to the word “party”.

The Mass YR’s (that’s Young Republicans/Romney-Ryan supporters) are invited to a Sam Adams Beer Tasting soiree at The Greatest Bar (262 Friend St., Downtown; 617-367-0544) to watch the debate on a large HDTV and video wall. Doors open at 7 PM with a cash bar, appetizers and networking. The beer tasting goes down at 7:30 with raffles to win product. Cash bar follows the debate ($15 tickets in advance. Click here. Or $20 at the door).

Since this is Massachusetts, there’re a handful of spots for Dems to hang and watch. The Young Democrats of Massachusetts are hosting a party at Hong Kong (1238 Mass. Ave., Harvard square; 617-864-5311). Gather on the second floor lounge and cash bar to view the debate on multiple TVs.

Or gather at The Blarney Stone (1505 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester; 617-436-8223) for some Dem action and free snacks, thanks to local Reps Linda Dorcena and Marty Walsh. Doors open at 8 PM (free and open to both sides of the aisle, though it will be heavy with Dems).

For Independents, here’s an idea: Suffolk University is showing the debate at The Modern Theatre (525 Washington St., Downtown). Suffolk’s government and communications departments will set the tone with a discussion about the debate strategy and the campaigns prior to the televised debate, streamed live on the big screen (free; doors open at 8 PM; click here for more details). Afterward, head to nearby JM Curley to carry on your political yapping - the bar is named for the notorious mayor of Boston.