During periods of government shutdown, a variety of businesses, including restaurants, museums, and retailers, often announce special offers and discounts for federal employees. These initiatives are designed to provide support to workers affected by furloughs or unpaid work. The available deals span food and beverage, entertainment, and travel services, with eligibility typically requiring verification of federal employment status through a government-issued ID or other official documentation. The following information details specific offers, redemption processes, and eligibility criteria based on publicly reported information from the time of the shutdown.
Restaurant and Food Service Offers
Multiple restaurant chains and local establishments have implemented programs to provide free or discounted meals to federal employees. These offers are often limited to specific days, times, and locations, and require proof of employment.
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays offered a free meal to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and air traffic control workers. The deal provided one free meal daily through October 23, 2025, at more than 80 U.S. locations, including airports. The offer was not valid at Atlanta airport locations, which had a separate deal. Eligible workers could choose from a special menu that included a cheeseburger with fries, chicken fingers with fries, Crispy or Grilled Chicken Sandwich with fries, or Chicken Caesar Salad. To redeem, employees had to present a valid employee ID.
Jose Andres Group
In Washington, D.C., the Jose Andres Group provided free lunches to federal employees during the shutdown. The offer was available Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at several of the group's restaurants: Jaleo, China Chilcano, Zaytinya, and Oyamel. Federal workers could show their government ID to receive a free lunch, with options such as sandwiches at Jaleo, donburi bowls at China Chilcano, durum or pita at Zaytinya, and tortas at Oyamel.
Ruby Sunshine (Ruby Slipper)
Ruby Sunshine, a brunch restaurant with over 20 locations across six states, offered a free entrée to federal workers. The deal ran Monday through Friday at all locations, and workers needed to show a federal ID to receive a free entrée valued up to $20. In another report, the chain offered a free entrée (valued at up to $20) at all 26 locations across the southern U.S. from October 13 through October 31. To get the deal, a valid government ID had to be shown.
&pizza
The Washington, D.C.-based &pizza chain offered federal workers 30% off their order through October 12. To get the deal, customers had to show their federal or military ID in stores.
Compass Coffee
Compass Coffee offered a free pastry with any drink order for federal workers during the shutdown. To receive the deal, federal workers had to show their ID when ordering any drink at the Washington, D.C.-founded chain.
Hard Rock Cafe
The Washington D.C. location of Hard Rock Cafe offered government workers specials throughout the shutdown, including all-day Happy Hour specials with $3 Domestic Drafts, $6 Single Well Liquor, $5 Select Wines, and food deals starting at $8, plus $12 entrées. To get the deal, customers had to show their government ID; the offer was available in the bar and lounge only.
Thompson Restaurants
Thompson Restaurants offered a 20% discount on the entire check for government employees at any Thompson restaurant, such as Big Buns, Makers Union, Matchbox, and Wiseguy Pizza. The discount applied to the entire check and table and was valid until the shutdown ended. To redeem, workers had to show their government-issued ID card.
Additional Washington, D.C. Area Restaurant Deals
A variety of other restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area offered deals for federal workers during the shutdown. These included: - Airlie: Free buffet lunch and non-alcoholic drinks for federal workers on Wednesdays at the hotel. - Nue Vietnamese: Extended happy hour until the shutdown ended with $5 off cocktails, $3 off wine by the glass (50% off bottles), $2 off beers, and $12 small plates. - Trouvaille Brewing Company: First beer for $1. - The Fish Market: All day happy hour. - Nina May: Free slice of carrot cake with any food or drink order. - 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. - Taco Bamba: One free taco with the purchase of any taco. - Compass Coffee: Free pastry with any drink order. - Carmine’s D.C.: All day happy hour for everyone (not just federal workers) and 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.
Museum and Entertainment Offers
Several museums and entertainment venues offered free or discounted admission to federal employees during the shutdown.
Museums
- National Museum of Women in the Arts: Furloughed federal workers could visit for free during the shutdown.
- Planet Word Museum: Offered free walk-up admission to federal employees during the shutdown.
- Spy Museum: Gave federal workers half off admission during the shutdown, except for over the holiday weekend.
Entertainment
- George Mason University: Gave out free tickets to federal workers and contractors for select performances at its venues.
Retail and Travel Discounts
Beyond food and entertainment, some retailers and travel companies offered discounts to government employees, often requiring verification through a service like ID.me.
General Retail and Services
- Biloxi Bicycle Works: Government employees could receive a 10% discount on bicycles and cycling gear. Verification of government status was required through ID.me.
- ROAM Luggage: Offered 10% off on customizable luggage via ID.me verification.
- Stealth Operator: Provided a 15% discount on holsters and tactical gear via ID.me verification.
- Stanley: Offered 30% off on select outdoor and drinkware products via ID.me.
Hotel and Travel Accommodations
- San Diego Hotels: Government employees could get up to 60% off on hotel bookings in San Diego. Eligibility was confirmed through ID.me.
- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: Government employees received special rates at participating Wyndham properties.
- Red Roof Inn: Offered 10% off room rates at any Red Roof nationwide.
Car Rentals
- Alamo: Offered discounted car rental rates for government employees.
- Budget: Provided up to 25% off car rentals for government employees after verifying status through ID.me.
- Enterprise: Current government employees and retired employees could receive discounted rates on car rentals for both leisure and official government travel.
- Hertz: Government employees could get up to 25% off on car rentals.
Eligibility and Redemption Process
The common thread across most of these offers is the requirement for verification of federal employment status. The primary method of verification is the presentation of a valid government-issued ID card upon check-in or when ordering. For some online or third-party verified deals, such as those offered by retailers and car rental companies, verification may be conducted through the ID.me platform.
It is important for federal employees to note that offers are subject to specific terms and conditions, including: - Time Limits: Many deals are only valid for the duration of the government shutdown or through a specific end date (e.g., October 23 for TGI Fridays, October 31 for Ruby Sunshine). - Location Restrictions: Some offers are limited to specific geographic areas (e.g., Washington, D.C. metro area) or specific restaurant locations (e.g., TGI Fridays excluding Atlanta airports). - Identification: A government ID is almost universally required. For military personnel, a military ID may also be accepted, as seen with the &pizza offer. - Purchase Requirements: Some deals, like the one from Taco Bamba, require a purchase to redeem a free item (e.g., one free taco with the purchase of any taco).
Conclusion
During a government shutdown, a diverse array of businesses, from national restaurant chains to local museums and retailers, roll out special offers to support federal employees. These deals primarily focus on providing free or discounted food, entertainment, and travel services. The key to accessing these offers is the ability to verify federal employment status, typically through a government-issued ID. Employees interested in these deals should carefully review the specific terms, including expiration dates, location restrictions, and any purchase requirements, before attempting to redeem an offer. The information presented here is based on deals reported during a specific shutdown period and may not reflect current offers.