As government shutdowns continue to impact federal employees across the United States, a variety of businesses and organizations step forward to provide support through freebies, discounts, and special offers. These initiatives aim to alleviate the financial stress faced by workers who are furloughed or required to work without pay. The available deals span multiple sectors, including restaurants, retail, museums, and essential services, with eligibility typically requiring proof of federal employment. The following guide details verified offers available during recent shutdown periods, focusing on food, services, and entertainment deals.
Restaurant and Food Offers
Several restaurant chains and local eateries have announced specific programs for federal workers during shutdowns. These offers generally require the presentation of a valid government employee ID.
TGI Fridays TGI Fridays launched a significant promotion for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and air traffic control workers. From October 9 through October 23, eligible workers can receive one free meal per day at over 80 U.S. locations, while supplies last. If the shutdown concludes before October 23, the offer will end early. The offer is valid at any U.S. location, including those in airports, with the exception of Atlanta airports, which have a separate offer for TSA employees. Workers can choose from a curated menu including a cheeseburger with fries, chicken fingers with fries, crispy or grilled chicken sandwiches with fries, or a chicken Caesar salad. To redeem, workers must show a valid employee ID. The offer applies to dining-in at traditional locations and to-go orders at airport locations.
&pizza &pizza offers a 30% discount on in-store bills to any government worker who shows an official government-issued ID. This offer is valid through October 12.
Hard Rock Cafe (Washington, D.C. only) The Washington, D.C. location of Hard Rock Cafe provides all-day happy hour and $12 lunch deals to federal workers.
District Winery District Winery offers Buy One Get One (BOGO) glasses of wine to federal workers.
YUME Sushi, KYOJIN Sushi, and RIMTANG These sushi restaurants offer a 20% discount to federal workers.
Thompson Restaurants Thompson Restaurants offer a 20% discount at all locations.
Jaleo, China Chilcano, Oyamel, and Zaytinya These establishments offer free food items: Jaleo offers a free sandwich, China Chilcano offers a free donburi bowl, Oyamel offers a free torta, and Zaytinya offers a free durum wrap or pita sandwich.
El Tamarindo El Tamarindo offers a free coffee with breakfast and a $15 lunch combo.
Tonic at Quigley's Pharmacy Tonic offers a free beer with the purchase of a burger or sandwich.
Opaline Opaline offers a 15% discount on menu items with a government ID.
Big Truck Tacos and Back Door Barbecue (OKC) In the Oklahoma City metro area, Big Truck Tacos and Back Door Barbecue offer all federal employees 25% off their purchases.
Retail and Service Discounts
Beyond food, various businesses offer discounts on goods and services, including telecommunications and banking.
Telecommunications * Verizon: Waives late fees and offers a "Promise to Pay" program allowing workers to set future payment dates. * Sprint: Customer Care works with employees needing short-term payment solutions. * AT&T: Adjusts late fees and provides extensions for workers not receiving a paycheck. * T-Mobile: Workers can call to discuss deferring payments.
Banking * One Detroit Credit Union: Offers payment extensions for members with existing loans and new loans with a 60-day payment deferment. Eligibility requires proof of the notice or letter received from the Government.
Pet Supplies * Premier Pet Supply: Offers a 20% discount for government workers facing payless paydays.
Museums and Entertainment
Cultural institutions and entertainment venues often provide free or discounted admission to federal workers and their families.
Washington, D.C. Area * Planet Word: Offers free walk-up admission to museum programs and 50% off Lexicon Lane cases for the duration of the shutdown. * President Lincoln's Cottage: Offers discounted tours for federal civil servants through the end of October. Ticketed programs are available for free with participation in a study. * The Spy Museum: Federal workers receive 50% off admission for the duration of the shutdown. Discounted tickets are for on-site purchase only and require a federal ID. * Washington Improv Theatre: Offers $5 tickets to Laugh Riot. * Pinstripes: Offers one free hour of bowling. * Blooms Collective: Offers a 20% discount on workshops. * Kraken Kourts and Skates: Uses code FEDSKATE for pizza and beer for $9.99 plus one hour of skate admission and rental for free; code SHUTDOWN to buy one hour, get one hour of pickleball. * The Phillips Collection: Offers $10 general admission and a 10% discount in the museum shop. * The Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum: Free admission to the LGBTJews in the Federal City special exhibition. * Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens: Offers free admission.
Mason Arts Performances (Fairfax and Manassas) George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts offers free tickets to select performances.
Oklahoma City Metro * Breakaway: Offers free admission for all unpaid government employees through January 26. A valid government ID and furlough paperwork must be presented. * National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum: Offers free museum admission for all federal employees and up to four family members for the duration of the shutdown. A valid federal employment ID is required. * Oklahoma City Museum of Art: Offers free admission to federal employees impacted by the partial government shutdown starting January 16. A valid government-issued ID is required.
Food Assistance and Groceries
For workers facing food insecurity, several organizations provide direct food assistance.
Great Harvest Bread Company (Grand Blanc) Holds a "shutdown shelf" where government employees not receiving a paycheck can get a free loaf of bread, while supplies last.
Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant (Ferndale) Offers 14 free meals per day on a first-come, first-served basis.
Downtown Louie’s (Detroit) Provides a free meal (soups, salads, pasta, sandwiches) to workers affected by the shutdown from 2 to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Gleaners Food Bank Supplies free boxes of food to furloughed workers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, and Monroe counties. Affected workers can dial 211 to reach United Way of Southeastern Michigan and arrange for pickup.
Philip Lutheran Church (Trenton) Open on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. to provide assistance.
First Presbyterian Church (Birmingham) Holding a food drive to assist Gleaners.
Conclusion
During government shutdowns, a network of businesses and community organizations mobilizes to support federal workers. These offers range from daily free meals and retail discounts to free cultural experiences and essential food assistance. Eligibility generally requires proof of federal employment or furlough status. As the status of a shutdown changes, the availability and duration of these offers may also change, often ending early if the government reopens. Workers are advised to contact venues directly to confirm current offer status and specific redemption requirements.