I follow the debates mostly to keep myself informed. Other than that, the passive-aggressive, redundant discourse just makes me uncomfortable. Last night I watched the final presidential debate at the Hope Lounge in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. A pleasant environment for drinks and socializing, the Hope Lounge also offered some ideal distractions to draw one away from the debate when things got iffy, frustrating or just flat-out boring. In the venue’s outdoor beer garden, guests could see the debate projected on a wall. Across the street, in the building where my roommate and I resided for a month sharing one bedroom (ah, the Aerobed days!), you could also see people viewing the debates on their TVs, creating a mesmerizing effect that further confirmed our obsession with this election. My interest was also captivated by an art show taking place in the outdoor garden. Three artists displayed their latest pieces that were also available for purchase. One artist even painted during the event. Even the occasional swaggering guest dabbled with paint and a brush, with drinks still in hand. By the end of the night, we were all sick of the debate and we all had a chance to feel a little artistic. -Courtney Centeno, account executive