ATLANTA, Georgia - It was the final act of a U.S. political drama that played out over two weeks and was broadcast to the masses – across the United States and around the world.

Taxis drive by during John McCain's speech.

The U.S. political conventions were drawing to a close and this was the last scheduled performance.

So, while some watched the goings-on at the Republican National Convention from the comfort of their living room or maybe even a bar, others had front row seats – on a simple stretch of sidewalk in the Big Apple.

CNN was back in New York's Time Square Thursday night, broadcasting live coverage of Republican presidential candidate John McCain,s acceptance speech.

And like last week's viewing party for Barack Obama, it once again proved to be a performance that stopped traffic and drew a big crowd.

 Crowds listen to McCain's message in Times Square.

McCain's speech was not the final curtain call for the 2008 U.S. presidential election. In some ways, it was only the opening act.

Now both candidates – McCain and Obama – must take their shows on the road, in a final push to win support from American voters.

ATLANTA, Georgia – There's no moose stew on the menu, but perhaps the organic Bison chili will suffice?

VIP Pat Boone at the CNN Grill

The CNN Grill is up-and-running in Minneapolis-St. Paul for the Republican National Convention. CNN has taken over the popular Eagle Street Grille, which is next to the Xcel Energy Center. As in Denver, this location serves as the network's broadcast and media headquarters, while serving up a hefty helping of hospitality for convention delegates, interview guests and other visitors.

This Minnesota-based CNN Grill offers the same menu of live coverage, convention analysis ... and comfort food. So, there's lots of eating, greeting, working, meeting and, simply ... hanging out to be found at the Republican Convention too.

In addition to answering questions like: "What's to eat?" "What's the latest news from the convention floor?" and "Where does Jonathan Mann get to do some of his work?" this is also where conventioneers can find CNN's real "in the field" facility - the well-traveled Election Express bus.

Visitors to the CNN Grill can also submit iReports as easily as they can order a milkshake. (Too bad those of us at CNN's Atlanta headquarters, as well as our CNN.com colleagues in London, can't order some takeout. The Spinach and Grilled Wild Salmon Salad, Black Angus burgers, and Cobbler a la Mode sound tempting.)

ATLANTA, Georgia - As a crowd of some 80,000 people listened to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's acceptance speech Thursday night at Invesco Field in Denver, hundreds more joined CNN to watch it all unfold thousands of miles away in the city that never sleeps - New York City.

An unconventional convention party in New York's Times Square.

It was a convention viewing party in Times Square that was anything but conventional. It definitely stopped some traffic-both pedestrian and the four-wheeled sort. CNN's Jim Acosta reported that he saw taxi cabs stopped in the intersection with passengers sticking their heads out of windows just to catch a glimpse of Obama's speech on CNN's big screen.

For a city accustomed to elaborately staged Broadway shows, it was a simple yet unconventional street performance. ... one that also held political and historical significance in the United States.

DENVER, Colorado – The Democrats' gathering in Denver this week isn't only about politicians' speeches, policy debates, and political protests.There is also plenty of meeting, greeting - and eating - going on behind the scenes.

You've seen CNN anchors and political analysts reporting from the CNN Grill during our live coverage of the convention.

Off camera, some other well known celebrities from film, music and sports are being spotted too.

How many of them do you recognize?

DENVER, Colorado - Here's a peek at CNN's home away from home while we're in Denver for the Democratic Convention - the "CNN Grill."

The sign at the CNN Grill in Denver is lowered into place ahead of the Democrat Convention.

The Grill has been up and running since Monday and is already drawing crowds of convention-goers.

CNN took over Brooklyn's restaurant, a local Denver eatery that's proved a popular hangout for sports fans.

The Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Crush and Colorado Mammoth all play at Pepsi Center.

CNN will also have a Grill set up at next week's Republican Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota as well.

Both of the Grills are sited in great locations - right next to the delegate entrances for the conventions.

During these political events, they serve as CNN's broadcast and hospitality centers.

The bar of the CNN Grill, watering hole for convention delegates, the media and newsmakers.

Basically, it's a place for convention delegates, members of the media, and newsmakers to gather; for live CNN broadcasts, great food and some lively political debate.

Breckenridge Brewery, a Colorado microbrewery, even created a special CNN brew for the occasion.

What’s on the menu at the CNN Grill?

Lots of comfort food, including homemade buttermilk pancakes, the bottomless “Cuppa Joe” (coffee), burgers, sandwiches, a “flourless” chocolate cake, organic bison green chili, root beer floats  and that all-time American favorite: baked macaroni & cheese.