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Photos: Free booze, food draws hundreds to historic John’s Grill for Election Day party

The party has become an Election Day tradition and attracts people from all walks of life.

People from all walks of life, including reporters, politicos and passersby, ate and drank free food and wine at John’s Grill on Tuesday.
By Tomoki Chien

San Franciscans descended on John’s Grill Tuesday for the restaurant’s annual, and venerable, Election Day lunch.

The old-school Union Square locale attracted hundreds of residents searching for a rare place of civility in an otherwise contentious election season. The free food and booze no doubt also helped draw the crowd.

Former Mayor Willie Brown greeted revelers while a high school marching band played a stately soundtrack. A formidable roster of the city’s political elite, including City Attorney David Chiu, Assemblymember Matt Haney, and mayoral candidate Aaron Peskin, also made a showing.

A man leans out of a window above a vintage neon sign reading "John's Grill," with "Steaks & Seafood" and "Cocktails." A banner says "Jazz Nightly."
The party at John’s Grill is an Election Day tradition. | Source: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/The Standard
A woman in a blue outfit with a star-spangled scarf and cowboy hat holds a plate of food. She stands next to a man serving and a crowd under a colorful umbrella.
Erica Sandberg sports a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”-inspired outfit for the Election Day party. | Source: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/The Standard
A person wears a black shirt with "AMALA 47" in rhinestones, under a black-and-white houndstooth jacket. They have pink nails and multiple rings.
Renel Brooks-Moon shows off her T-shirt in honor of Vice President Kamala Harris. | Source: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/The Standard
A woman wears a black hat adorned with a jeweled band and a pinned photo of another woman smiling. Brightly colored pins secure the photo.
Donna Huggins wears a handmade hat in honor of Harris. | Source: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/The Standard
Two people are warmly greeting each other, both wearing stylish hats. The man in a pink hat and checked jacket is smiling broadly, shaking hands with the woman in a blue hat.
Former Mayor Willie Brown greets Ann Scott at the luncheon. | Source: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/The Standard
A person wears a red coat, a skirt with the American flag design, red fishnet stockings, silver cowboy boots, and holds a red purse against an asphalt background.
Charlotte Mayang shows off her patriotic-themed outfit. | Source: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/The Standard
A marching band in red and gray uniforms, with feathered hats, plays flutes and other instruments while reading sheet music.
A marching band plays during the party at John’s Grill. | Source: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/The Standard
A person in a vibrant rainbow outfit and matching umbrella talks to seated people at a table. Onlookers capture the scene with their phones.
Gaybraham Lincoln talks to partygoers. | Source: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/The Standard

Tomoki Chien can be reached at [email protected]

Filed Under

Election 2024John's GrillNewsPoliticsWillie Brown