Dispatches from Post-Rally Parties

Tom Brown, who along with his brother Derek co-owns The Passenger bar in Washington, created the "Norton’s Revenge" shot in honor of the Rally to Restore Sanity.

The bartender brothers mixed unknown ingredients to make a drink with the idea that Stephen Colbert might show up, drink up and thereby accept a drinking challenge from D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Colbert didn't show. But the rally crowd enjoyed drinks, including the "Colbert Patriot Punch" (applejack, lemon and allspice) and the "Righteous Right" (Aperol, gin, soda and apricot brandy).

At this bar and other meeting spaces, the party and the political conversation continued throughout Saturday evening.

Busboys & Poets hosted a 7 p.m. event with "Democracy Now's" Amy Goodman and former White House environmental adviser Van Jones.

"People do understand there are a lot of serious issues that we need to address, and they want to get involved, and they really don't know how," said owner Andy Shallal. "Maybe this will give us an opportunity as a community to talk to one another and see where we go from here."

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe & Grill, which attracted an amusing combination of Halloween and rally crowds into the early hours of the morning, relied on wordplay to make its drinks rally specific.

"We have the 'Long Island Iced Tea Party,' which is just a Long Island iced tea with a funny name," said manager Abby Sexton. "People have enjoyed our [descriptions]."

The post-rally parties drew large crowds, but some avoided the scene for that very reason.

Felicia Wivchar, who said she loves The Passenger, appeared frustrated with the long line to enter. "We might not stay because the party looks like it's going to be very popular," she said, before joking, "We're kind of old, so we don't care about places that are cool that much."

The Passenger event, like many rally happenings held throughout the District, was connected with a cause — in this case, D.C. voting rights.

"Obviously, to us it's really important to highlight District voting rights and to show what an important bar scene our city has," said Derek Brown, who wore a shirt with the D.C. license plate as he worked the room with signs reading "Be Sane. Let DC Vote."

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