Federal Employee Freebies And Discounts Support During Government Shutdowns

During government shutdowns, federal employees face financial uncertainty as furloughs result in delayed or suspended paychecks. In response, numerous businesses across Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia have stepped forward to offer free food, discounted services, and other forms of support to affected workers. This comprehensive overview details the freebies and discounts available to federal employees during government shutdowns, as reported by multiple sources.

Restaurant and Food Establishments

Numerous restaurants and food establishments in the D.C. metropolitan area have extended special offers to federal employees experiencing the financial impact of a government shutdown. These offers range from complimentary meals to discounted menu items and extended happy hours.

Free Food Offers

Several restaurants are providing complimentary main dishes to federal workers who present their government ID:

• José Andrés Group: Multiple restaurants including China Chilcano, Zaytinya, Oyamel, and Jaleo are offering free main dishes such as Donburi, Durum or pita, torta, and sandwich respectively.
• Airlie Hotel: Offers free buffet lunch and non-alcoholic drinks for federal workers on Wednesdays.
• Taco Bamba: Provides one free taco with the purchase of any taco.
• Compass Coffee: Offers a free pastry with any drink order.
• Mountain Run Winery: Provides a complimentary glass of wine, cider, or beer with government ID.

Discounted Menu Items

Many establishments have implemented special pricing or discounts for federal employees:

• Nue Vietnamese: Extended happy hour until the shutdown ends with $5 off cocktails, $3 off wine by the glass (50% off bottles), $2 off beers and $12 small plates.
• Cucina MORINI: $10 primi pastas for federal workers.
• Paisano's: 30% off all pizzas with the promo code "TOGETHER".
• Hard Rock Cafe at 999 E Street NW, D.C.: $12 entrée special.
• Carmine's D.C.: Shutdown specials such as "The Essential Worker," a frozen peach bellini and $5 meatball sliders.
• Union Pub: $3 select beer or a $7 hot dog and beer combo.
• Barrel: All day 'unhappy hour' specials with $6 IPA and Lager; and $10 for an old fashioned, Manhattan or milk punch.
• Thompson Restaurants: 20% off their bill at any Thompson restaurant, such as Big Buns, Makers Union, Matchbox and Wiseguy Pizza.
• Ugly Duckling: All-day happy hour on Wednesday and Thursday, with wines ranging from $7 to $10, cocktails from $5 to $9 and more.
• Merry Pin: Offers $2 drip coffees, $6 mimosas and free craft supplies to federal workers.

Extended Happy Hours

Several restaurants have extended their happy hour offerings during the shutdown:

• The Fish Market: All day happy hour.
• Carmine's D.C.: All day happy hour for everyone (not just federal workers) and shutdown specials.
• Union Pub: $3 select beer or a $7 hot dog and beer combo.
• Barrel: All day 'unhappy hour' specials.
• Ugly Duckling: All-day happy hour on Wednesday and Thursday.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

Several museums and cultural institutions in the D.C. area are offering free or discounted admission to federal employees during government shutdowns.

Free Admission

• National Museum of Women in the Arts: Furloughed federal workers can visit for free during the shutdown.
• Planet Word Museum: Offering free walk-up admission to federal employees during the shutdown.
• President Lincoln's Cottage: The former home of President Abraham Lincoln is offering discounted tours for federal civil servants through the end of October. Additionally, all ticketed programs are available for free with participation in their Museum Impact in Practice Study. The cottage also offers a free crafting room open for all visitors daily in the Visitor Education Center, a meditative landscape tour, and entertaining programs.

Discounted Admission

• The Spy Museum: Giving federal workers half off admission during the shutdown, except for over the holiday weekend. Discounted tickets are available for on-site purchase only and not on select blackout dates. Federal workers need to show their federal ID on site to be eligible.
• The Phillips Collection: Federal employees can show their ID for $10 general admission and a 10% discount at the gift shop. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and closes at 5 p.m. daily.
• Planet Word: Also offering 50% off Lexicon Lane cases to affected workers for the duration of the shutdown.

Entertainment Venues

Several entertainment venues are offering free or discounted tickets to federal employees during government shutdowns.

Free Tickets

• George Mason University: Giving out free tickets to federal workers and contractors for select performances at its venues. The university hosts shows at the Center for the Arts and Harris Theatre on its Fairfax Campus, as well as the Hylton Performing Arts Center on the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas. The qualifying shows include jazz music and an electropop opera called "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812." More information is available on the university's website.
• Loudoun United Soccer Team: Giving federal employees affected by the shutdown up to four free tickets for its match on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Segra Field while supplies last. Those interested must fill out an online form.
• Washington Spirit: Hosting a Fan Appreciation match at Audi Field at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5. The first 200 federal employees will get in for free. After that, there will be a limited number of $10 tickets available for federal employees.

Special Events

• Bennett's Curse and Creepywoods: Offering special Halloween experiences for federal workers, though specific details are not provided in the sources. According to a statement from Jill Bennett, co-owner and creative director, "We know the furlough is stressful for many families, and sometimes the best relief is a good scream and having fun with loved ones. Halloween is about escape — and for our federal workers, we want to offer a little escape from reality while showing appreciation for everything they do for our community."
• One Rule Dance: Offering free classes for furloughed or fired federal workers on Wednesday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 5.

Other Businesses and Services

Various other businesses and service providers are offering special deals or free services to federal employees during government shutdowns.

Health and Wellness Services

• Potomac Massage Training Institute in Silver Spring: Offering free massages to anyone impacted by government cutbacks and shut down.

Retail and Shopping

• Mountain Run Winery: Offering a complimentary glass of wine, cider or beer with government ID.
• Merry Pin: A craft shop offering $2 drip coffees, $6 mimosas and free craft supplies to federal workers. The shop provides felting and embroidery kits for those who want to craft. According to their Instagram post, "We have felting and embroidery kits, if you need to get a little stabby."

Educational Resources

• President Lincoln's Cottage: Offering additional resources including a free crafting room open for all visitors daily in the Visitor Education Center, a meditative landscape tour, and entertaining programs.

Travel and Accommodation Discounts

Beyond the immediate D.C. area, several national travel and accommodation providers offer discounts to federal employees, though these may not be specifically tied to shutdown periods:

• Caesars Hotels: Enjoy an extra 10% off hotel rates for government employees who verify their identity through ID.me.
• Choice Hotels: Government employees are eligible for special rates.
• Cromwell Hotel and Casino: Government employees can get extra 10% off on hotel stays after verifying their eligibility through ID.me.
• Expedia: Save 8% on select hotels on travel bookings, including flights, hotels, and car rentals. Verification via ID.me is required to unlock these offers.
• Extended Stay America: Offers discounted prices for government employees.
• Green Valley Ranch: Government employees can enjoy up to 35% off on hotel stays with ID.me verification.

Conclusion

During government shutdowns, federal employees in the D.C. metropolitan area have access to numerous freebies and discounts across various categories including dining, museums, entertainment, and other services. These offers, provided by local businesses and institutions, aim to alleviate some of the financial stress caused by furloughs. While many of these offers are temporary and specific to shutdown periods, they demonstrate community support for federal workers during challenging times. Federal employees should check with individual businesses for current offers and any specific requirements, such as ID verification or blackout dates. Additionally, some national retailers and service providers offer ongoing discounts to government employees through verification systems like ID.me, providing longer-term savings opportunities outside of shutdown periods.

Sources

1. Freebies & Discounts for Furloughed Federal Employees
2. Deals and Specials for Federal Workers During the Shutdown
3. Best Government Employee Discounts
4. Government Shutdown Specials and Discounts
5. DC Area Businesses Offer Freebies and Deals for Federal Workers