25 June 2008

Drinking Liberally has Auckland round

The world wide Drinking Liberally phenomenon has its Auckland premier next Wednesday night at the London Bar with special guest speaker David Slack.

“Drinking Liberally brings together people from across the left-leaning wing of the political spectrum for discussion, debate and, well, drinking,” says Auckland Drinking Liberally spokeswoman Julie Fairey.

Drinking Liberally groups began propping up New York City bars in May 2003 and the organisation now has 100 chapters across the United States. International chapters are filling pubs in the cities of Osaka, Melbourne, Wellington, and now Auckland.

Evenings consist of a well known speaker who gives a well thought out talk on a special topic of interest, and then is hounded by questions from the floor. Further debate and discussion continues well into the evening.

New Zealand’s first Drinking Liberally events took place in Wellington with Green MP Nandor Tanczos followed up by Minister of Finance Dr Michael Cullen. Both events were liberally attended and the thirst for political debate looks set to do the rounds in Auckland too.

The first Auckland event will take place from 7.30pm Wednesday 2 July in the London Bar, corner Queen and Wellesley Streets, Auckland City. Further events will take place on the fourth Wednesday of every month.

“We’re delighted to have well known blogger/author/radio commentator/all-round-nice-guy David Slack as our first speaker. David tells us he’d like to talk about the time New Zealand’s progressive project was derailed, we wanted him to talk about his favourite recipes, so the topic of ‘New Zealand the way you want it?’ seems a happy middle ground,” says Ms Fairey.

“Auckland Drinking Liberally would like to invite all like-minded, left-leaning individuals to an informal and inclusive place to talk politics and share ideas.

“The original ideals of Drinking Liberally are to give progressive people a place to raise their spirits while they raise their glass, and share ideas while they share a pint. We hope all of Auckland’s progressive community and interested people will come join us for a jolly night out.”

For more information visit www.drinkingliberally.org or join the ‘Drinking Liberally NZ; Facebook group.

ENDS

© Scoop Media