THE Budweiser was flowing at last night's presidential election watch party in Dublin hosted by the US ambassador, Ms Jean Kennedy. Smith.
About 1,000 guests gathered for the vigil in the Burlington Hotel and cast votes for mock presidential candidates while the first indications of the real election results were transmitted on large screens.
The hotel's function room was festooned in red, white and blue bunting and balloons. There was a cyber cafe for those who wanted to surf the Internet.
Guests, who needed a "once-in-a-lifetime" passport for admittance, were treated to American finger food such as chicken wings, hot dogs, and popcorn.
Music was supplied by the Garda Band and the 18-piece navy band which arrived last week for the America football match in Croke Park.
US embassy staff wearing masks of Bill Clinton and Bob Dole escorted Ms Kennedy Smith on to the platform for a special speech after midnight. A mock election had Mr Clinton the winner with 237 votes to Mr Dole's 38. Dustin the Den TV turkey edged out Mr Ross Perot by four votes to three.
Representatives from American organisations and businesses as well as politicians and academics were among the guests who were given a special voting visa "valid for one night only" in order to elect the mock candidates.
Among the guests were the Minister for Education, Ms Niamh Bhreathnach, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Brendan Howlin and Ms Mary Harney, the leader of the Progressive Democrats.
After the navy band struck up with In the Mood, Mrs Kennedy Smith danced by the stage with "Ross Perot", a masked figure who turned out to be her daughter, Ms Kym Smith-Tucker.
Meanwhile, in the North hotelier Mr Doug Heady was hosting an election night party in Carrickfergus to which 1,500 guests, including Mr Gerry Adams and Sir Patrick Mayhew, had been invited.