[December 3rd, 2008]

The economy’s in the crapper. No one has a job. The lame-duck president has all but vanished. But hey, it could be worse—the last time this happened, you couldn’t even drown your sorrows in a nice, legal drink. From Jan. 17, 1920, until Dec. 5, 1933, Americans suffered under the tyranny of the 18th Amendment, forcing everyone to drink in secrecy. It was a terrible time, but ever since the 21st Amendment gave us the constitutional right to consume alcohol, we are free. To celebrate that freedom, Eugene blogger and bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler is promoting Repeal Day as a new, boozy national holiday. So this Friday, toss one back in public at one of these Repeal Day parties. Swish it around. Taste that? That’s pure, 120-proof liberty.

50 Plates

This Pearl restaurant honors the 21 Club, the infamous New York speakeasy, with a flight of Manhattans (rye, bourbon and applejack) for $9. 333 NW 13th Ave., 228-5050, 50plates.com.

Urban Farmer

The greenery-heavy steakhouse in the Nines hotel offers $5 Prohibition-inspired cocktails and $2 shots of house moonshine now through Dec. 7. 525 SW Morrison St., 222-4900, urbanfarmerrestaurant.com.

Bagdad Theater

Dewar’s Scotch Whisky was one of the first spirits imported to the U.S. after Prohibition. As a thank you, it’s hosted Repeal Day parties around the country for the past five years. This year’s Portland event is a free concert by new-folkster Langhorne Slim and beatboxer Fogatron, with flappers and lots o’ whisky. 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 236-9234, mcmenamins.com.

Teardrop Lounge

Daniel Shoemaker and Ted Charak’s cocktail bar will offer a secret menu to anyone who knows the password. Stop by the bar before Friday or email daniel@teardroplounge.com to get in the know. 1015 NW Everett St., 327-9592, teardroplounge.com.

All events take place Friday, Dec. 5.

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^Headout Picks

WEDNESDAY DEC. 3

[DRINK] HOLIDAY ALE FESTIVAL
A tent party pouring three dozen winter craft brews brings boozy cheer to Portland’s living room. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave., holidayale.com. 3-9 pm Wednesday, 11 am-10 pm Thursday-Saturday; 11 am-7 pm Sunday Dec. 3-7. $20, additional beer tickets $1. 21+.

[SHOP] CRAVE HOLIDAY SHOPPING PARTY
Live fashion show, holiday shopping, eco goods and ginger saketinis all under one roof. LUXE Autohaus, 410 NE 17th Ave., craveportland.com. 5-9 pm. $15 advance, $20 door.

THURSDAY DEC. 4

[MUSIC] BLITZEN TRAPPER
Local favorites Blitzen Trapper’s cross-pollinating indie rock is nothing short of irresistible. Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell St., 284-8686. 8 pm. $10. All ages.

[VISUAL ARTS] ART OF MUSICAL MAINTENANCE V
A fifth installment of rock-poster awesomeness. Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark St., 239-9292. 5 pm. Art show is free. Book is $35.

FRIDAY DEC. 5

[MUSIC] PORTLAND CELLO PROJECT HOLIDAY SWEATER SPECTACULAR
The 17-member chamber ensemble tackles a set of holiday classics with help from friends like Mirah, Ritchie Young of Loch Lomond, and lots of fugly knit Christmas garments. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994. 8 pm. $13 advance, $15 day of show. All ages.

[SCREEN] THE AUTEUR
James Westby reunites with his Film Geek star Melik Malkasian for a movie that puts the “porn” back in “Portland.” As if it had ever left. Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st Ave., 223- 4515. Friday-Thursday, Dec. 5-11. $4-$8.

[STAGE] FLYING IRON
To convey the weight of personal baggage in her solo show, Lisa DeGrace relies on an iron hoop skirt contained in a 30-foot-circumference dress. Performance Works NW, 4625 SE 67th Ave., 222-2305. 8 pm Friday-Sunday Dec. 5-7 and 12-14. $10-$15.

SATURDAY DEC. 6

[MAYHEM] SANTACON
The gents (and gals) in red are back. And this time, they’re taking Hillsboro. Visit portland.cacophony.org for details. Santa garb required.

SUNDAY DEC. 7

[MUSIC] THE THERMALS
The Thermals play an all-ages show at the Doug Fir! Hope it’s the first of many. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. 5 pm. $12. All ages.