Rudy's Bar and Grill is a classic Hell's Kitchen dive bar: cheap beer by the pitcher, free hot dogs, colorful clientele...it's a place where you never know if the person next to you is a poet, activist or just a drunk.
It's also the original home of Drinking Liberally. And sadly, right now, it needs your help to reopen its backyard. (You can see the excellent backyard in this TPM video feature)
Rudy's, which has been in legal operation since the day Prohibition ended 75 years ago, opened its doors to a small group of political pals 6 years ago. Now, 300+ chapters later, we continue to meet every Thursday evening. Chris and Gary send pitcher-after-pitcher over the counter; the bouncer James playfully pesters our guests; and Danny, the manager, goes out of his way to welcome guests like Glenn Greenwald or Scott Kleeb (check out the video of Kleeb at DL).
Drinking Liberally would not have had its firm roots if it weren't for Rudy's. Sadly, though, Rudy's now needs us. For the past seven months, it's backyard has been closed...the backyard where our group has gathered for happy hours, barbecues and book talks.
The city closed down the backyard, and a quagmire of bureaucratic red tape has kept it closed. Rudy's had begun work to build a proper fire exit -- with a permit issued by the Department of Buildings. That same department, though, began an audit of the project in April...and stopped all work.
Nearly four months later, there's been no action -- and not only do Liberal Drinkers suffer. Rudy's -- a thriving small business, with deep neighborhood ties -- is hurting financially...and soon will have to lay-off members of its staff if it can't get the yard open again.
So...don't just drown your sorrows in drink...let's get organized. Join us in signing a letter to the Buildings Commissioner, asking him to step in and expedite the process.
The fortunes of a small business, the livelihood of its staff, and the vibrancy of our weekly social club depend on it.