Most people round these parts will be celebrating President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20. But, even those rare local GOPs who are mourning the loss of a Republican administration will be looking for a good time, if only to momentarily distract themselves from sticking their head in the oven. Get off the couch and hit the town on Inauguration Day while you can still afford to leave the house. (But relax. Barack’ll make it all better, baby.)
Honor President Obama all day long with savory food and candy-colored zebra stripes at Upstairs on the Square, where a non-stop celebration begins by the Upstairs fireside at 8 am with complimentary coffee and breakfast treats. A parade of activities ensues, including a $20.09 prix fixe lunch, cocktail hour, a $44 four-course dinner menu, and an evening ball that should last well into Obama’s second official day on the job. visitwww.upstairsonthesquare.com for a full roster of events, including menus.
Upstairs on the Square | 91 Winthrop Street, Cambridge | 617.864.1933
Dress to impress even the most discerning of political snoots, for the Young Democrats Inaugural Ball at Mantra. For $10 ($15 at the door), 21+ “VIPs” (apparently, everyone’s a VIP once they’re of age?) enjoy complimentary Christiania vodka cocktails from 6:30-7:30 pm. Minors will have to wait outside, cold little noses pressed against the glass, until 7:30, when the doors open up to 18+ and the inaugural address will be projected on the walls of the club, for your giganto viewing pleasure. Complimentary nibbles, raffled Celtics vs. Lakers tickets, and enthusiastic dancing ensue. ContactElaine@massyoungdems.org for ticket information.
Mantra | 52 Temple Place, Boston | 617.542.8111
Politically-themed appetizers and cocktails abound at Da Vinci, where you can bid adieu to Dubya while sucking down a SVEDKA 700 Billion Dollar Martini (for a more fiscally conservative $9) while noshing on eats like Mitt’s Mushroom Mousse; Barack's Panzerotti (if there’s some kind of cutesy foodie wordplay, we don’t get it); and Clinton's Cranberry Duck Cigars, because who doesn’t want to think about sodomizing an intern with tobacco while chowing down on a celebratory meal? Visitwww.davinciboston.com for more information.
Da Vinci | 162 Columbus Ave., Boston | 617.350.0007
That SVEDKA martini is more ubiquitous than Bush’s failed attempts at economic strategery. Also enjoy the 700 Billion Dollar Martini (pinkie to lips, Dr. Evil style) at SVEDKA’s Bailout Ball at Vox Populi. Beginning at 8 pm, give new meaning to the phrase ‘party politics,’ while watching a special screening of the Inaugural Address and President-elect Obama’s ceremonial swearing in. $5 at the door. Visitwww.voxboston.com for more information.
Vox Populi | 755 Boylston Street, Boston | 617.424.8300
They couldn’t get the President of the U.S.A., nor could the get Presidents of the U.S.A., so The Middle East got the next next best thing, with Archelon playing Presidents for the evening, with a play list of P.O.T.U.S.A. cover songs, a reprise of their Election Night show of the same shtick. Also featuring, who else, Death and Taxes, on the Upstairs stage. 18+, $8, $9 at the door.www.mideastclub.com for more info.
The Middle East | 472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | 617.864.3278
Be a gluttonous boozehound and do some good at the same time, at Azure’s Red, White, and Blue Inauguration Party. All proceeds from the $50/person event will benefit Community Servings, a non-profit that provides free, home-delivered meals to people who are hindered by illness and unable to cook for themselves. The bash runs from 6-9 pm, and ticket price includes beer, cocktails, food, live music, and a raffle, plus that warm and cozy philanthropic feeling. Visitwww.servings.org or call Alison Hunt at 617.522.7777 to order tickets.
Azure at The Lenox Hotel | 61 Exeter Street, Boston | 617.933.4800
Funk-soul cover brothers the Tuesday Night Squabble throws down at The Good Life. For $5, dance and drink your face off to visceral bass lines and the guttural bellows of a bar-full of people who are thrilled to get Bush the hell out of office. Republicans can hide in a corner table in the Vodka Lounge.
The Good Life | 28 Kingston Street, Boston | 617.451.2622
Join the tireless grassroots group MoveOn.org at the 80 Border Street Cultural Exchange Center for the Obama Presidential Inaugural Ball, Bash and Celebration, from 6-10 pm. Add the fact that there’s a shoe-throwing competition (!) and this free event may be the most hilariously en point homage in inaugural history.
80 Border Street Cultural Center | 80 Border Street, East Boston | 617.418.5060
Just steps from Obama’s academic stomping ground, The Harvard Bookstore hosts the Inauguration Living Room. Beginning at 11:30 am, chug down free mimosas while you watch Harvard Law School’s most famous alum (sorry, Mittler) be sworn in as the next President to carry the Crimson legacy into the White House.
The Harvard Bookstore | 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | 617.661.1515
