Local supporters of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will hold viewing parties in the Los Angeles area as the two major-party presidential candidates square off in the first of three nationally televised debates tonight.
The 90-minute debate from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, begins at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on multiple television channels. NBC’s Lester Holt will be the moderator.
Most of the viewing parties require a reservation, and some might already be booked to capacity, so it’s best to call each specific venue ahead of time, or check its website or Facebook page.
The California arm of Clinton’s campaign announced official viewing parties at the following Southland locations: (All events begin at 5:30 p.m.)
–L.A.: Hyperion Public, 2538 Hyperion Ave.
–L.A.: Westchester Campaign Office, 9100 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
–L.A.: Buffalo Wild Wings, 3939 Crenshaw Blvd.
–West Hollywood: The Abbey, 692 N. Robertson Blvd.
–Westwood: Barbara and Lew’s condo, 10660 Wilshire Blvd.
–Malibu: Private residence, 20249 Inland Lane.
–North Hollywood: San Fernando Valley Democratic Party campaign headquarters, 12208 N. Victory Blvd.
Several unofficial viewing events are also being held by various local individuals and Democratic Party groups. See Clinton’s campaign website for more details.
Trump supporters are hosting parties at the following locations:
–Beverly Hills: Trader Vic’s, 9876 Wilshire Blvd. (5 p.m.)
–Pasadena Republican Club: 2310 E. Colorado Blvd. (5:30 p.m.)
–Santa Monica Republican Women Federated: 1415 Stanford Ave., #1 (5:30 p.m.)
–Santa Monica: Pacific Palisades Republican Club, Earth, Wind and Flour restaurant, 2222 Wilshire Blvd. (5:30 p.m.)
–Bellflower: Ricci’s Italian Restaurant, 17317 Bellflower Blvd. (5:30 p.m.)
–Long Beach: Gaslamp Restaurant, 5205 E. Pacific Coast Highway (4 p.m.)
–Torrance: Buffalo Wild Wings at Del Amo Fashion Center, 3525 Carson St. (5:30 p.m.)
–Covina: East San Gabriel Republican Center, 200 E. Rowland St. (4:30 p.m.)
–Valencia: 26037 Huntington Lane (5:30 p.m.)
–Santa Clarita: Santa Clarita Valley Republican Headquarters, 27801 Avenue Scott. (5:30 p.m.)
–Lancaster: Gino’s Italian Restaurant, 44960 Valley Central Way. (5:30 p.m.)
Viewing events unaffiliated with either campaign will be held at a number of restaurants and bars.
The Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles will screen the debate, with analysis provided by the political team from the Los Angeles Times. The event costs $13 and begins at 5 p.m. at 929 S. Broadway.
The Association, another downtown bar, is offering a viewing party at 5 p.m. with no cover charge, but a “smart, stylish” dress code, at 110 E. Sixth Street.
UCLA is holding a debate viewing party at the Crest Theatre at 1262 Westwood Blvd., with doors opening at 4:30 p.m., a pre-debate discussion from 5 to 6 p.m., and a debate about the debate by UCLA professors and political groups from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5.
