Happy 5th Birthday, Drinking Liberally!

Today is the fifth anniversary of the first meeting of Drinking Liberally (their motto: "Promoting Democracy One Pint at a Time") in--let's call it a funky little bar, in Hell's Kitchen on Manhattan's West Side. A small group of people met to talk progressive and liberal politics, and enjoy a cool drink.

From those humble beginnings, the organization has expanded in all directions: There are 250 chapters in 49 states (the hold-out is North Dakota, and a letter from the DL national HQ says they hope to have that worked out by the end of the day)--plus Calgary, Alberta; Vancouver BC; Osaka, Japan; Wellington, New Zealand, and Melbourne, Australia.

DL is now under the umbrella of Living Liberally, which sponsors chapters of Screening Liberally, Reading Liberally, Eating Liberally, and Laughing Liberally across the country. Living Liberally has embarked on a number of projects--partnering with publishers, with the Democratic party, and with the organizers of YearlyKOS, among others--to promote political involvement through social interaction.

Birthday wishes to DL are coming in from all over, including from DNC chairman Howard Dean:



And NYTimes columnist Bob Herbert:



If you haven't been to a meeting and you're curious--or if you just haven't been in a while--stop by your local chapter. It's informal, it's inclusive, and it's progressive.

Idaho has three DL chapters:

Boise: Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00pm, at Pengilly's Saloon, 513 Main St (Downtown Boise).

Idaho Falls: Every Thursday, 7:00 pm, at Marcellar's, 431 Park Ave (Downtown near the Centre Theater).

Moscow: Every Thursday, 7:00 pm, at the Coeur D'Alene Brewery, 226 W 6th St.

Washington has 11 DL chapters:

Bellingham: Second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm, at the Horseshoe Cafe, Ranch Room, 113 E Holly St.

Olympia: First and third Monday of each month, 7:00 pm, at Urban Onion in Downtown Olympia -- In the Bar, 116 Legion Way SE. Seattle/Tacoma, Washington

Seattle: Every Tuesday, 8:00 pm, Montlake Ale House, 2307 24th Ave E.

Burien: Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm, at Mick Kelly's Irish Pub, 435 SW 152nd St.

Eastside: Every other Thursday, 7:00 pm, at Angelo's Restaurant, 1830 130th Ave NE, Bellevue.

Newport Hills: First Monday of each month (next meeting June 2), 7:30 pm, Mustard Seed Grill and Pub, 5608 119th Ave SE, Bellevue.

Tacoma: Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Meconi's Pub, 709 Pacific Ave (near the bar).

Shelton: Third Monday of each month, 7:00 pm, El Serape Restaurant, 2503 Olympic Hwy N.

Spokane: Every Tuesday, 7:00 pm, Working Class Heroes Bar & Grill, 1914 North Monroe Street.

Tri-Cities: Every Tuesday, 7:00 pm, at O'Callahans - Shilo Inn, 50 Comstock St., Richland.

Vancouver: Second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm, at Salmon Creek Brew Pub, 108 W Evergreen Blvd (close to the corner of Evergreen and Washington, downtown).

And Oregon has four chapters:

Corvallis: Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm, at Squirrels, 100 SW 2nd St (non-smoking, good food).

Portland: First and third Thursday of each month,, 7:00-9:00 pm, Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St (Upstairs).

Salem: Third Thursday of each month, 7:00-9:00 pm, Browns Towne Lounge, Liberty St NE (Old Sportstop next to Read Opera House).

St. Helens: Second Wednesday of each month, 6:30-8:30 pm, at the Red Line Sports Bar & Grill, 2098 Old Portland Rd (Back Room).

Help promote democracy--one pint at a time.