In 2003, a bunch of New Yorkers started Drinking Liberally as a less formal place to talk politics. There’d be no committees or leaflets or even any issues in specific to address. There’d just be beer and the company of people who think like you do. Since then, 170 chapters have gathered in bars and pubs in 42 states. Today, the Houston chapter has its first gathering at the Dog House Tavern. Get ready to toast the incoming Democratic Congress and wait for the one bitter drunk at every party to stutter out: “You wanna know why Kerry lost?…Shut up, I’m talking…You wanna know why Kerry lost?” It’ll be a chance to get sloshed and make outrageous, left-leaning remarks — or as Ted Kennedy calls it, any old Wednesday.

First Wednesday of every month, 6 p.m., 2006

This article appears in Nov 30 – Dec 6, 2006.