CHICAGO — As the runoff election between Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia approaches the finish line, one Bridgeport tavern will give patrons a chance to vote early and often for their favorite candidate in the form of a drink order.
Through Tuesday night, Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar, 960 W. 31st St., is offering special election drinks fashioned after the mayoral and 11th Ward runoff candidates.
Maria's will keep track of the number of each drink ordered and announce a "winner" during an election night viewing party at the bar.
"We like doing promotional and goofy things to get people excited for the election," manager Joe Bryl said.
In the mayoral election, folks can choose from the Rahm Runner, which consists of a bartender's choice of beer with a chaser of Evan Williams bourbon; or the Little Villager, which consists of a Modelo beer with a tequila chaser.
In the 11th Ward race, patrons can choose between Patrick Daley Thompson's The South Slider, a locally produced Bridgeport Marz beer, or the John Kozlar, a white elephant draft cocktail.
"We understand the election drink selections are more representative of people's drinking habits than voting habits, but we wanted to create a friendly space where people can talk about politics and watch the election coverage," Bryl said.
"We did a similar thing four years ago for the previous election, and then again a few weeks ago, and doing it again to get people together and ignite interest" in politics, he added.
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