From the Jul 29 – Aug 4, 2004 issue

News

Taking It to the Streets

Advice from the Original Outdoor Drinkers

by Charles Mudede

Because this city is backward, drinking in public is against the law. And if you happen to be homeless and need a drink, but don't have a home in which you can consume this drink lawfully, or the money to enjoy the private outdoor bars that are described in these pages, then you have no other recourse than to break the law. Here are some locations around town that homeless men (no women) recommend for public drinking.

Cascade Park

This homeless man seemed pleasant enough. He was standing across the street from the Pioneer Square bus tunnel selling (presumably filched) Haus Maus cards that had glorious photo images of tourist sites in Washington. I bought sunset-gilded San Juan Islands for a dollar and asked the man where he liked to go for the purposes of public drinking. "The Cascade Park," he responded without even giving it a thought. When asked why this park and not another, he said, "Because everyone goes there." After receiving directions to Cascade Park--it's actually called the Waterfall Garden, on Second Avenue South and South Main Street--I thanked him and paid it a quick visit. At that time (entering evening), there was no one there, but I understood why a public drunk would like it. Among the cascades of water, the Japanese maples, and the enclosing iron fence, it's easier to keep your booze concealed from the eyes of the law.

the lawn at the university of washington

A stone's throw from the Henry Art Gallery there is a sunny spot of grass, with a scenic view of the skybridge, that is patronized by public drunks. Today, three who are each waiting on their woman explain why they enjoy drinking here. "It is better than the Ave. The Ave is for amateurs. I never drink there," one of the three says. When asked if they are hassled by the police, another answers, "Nah, no cops. Just stupid kids that have no respect for anything. They think they own the place. Half of them don't even live out here. They're just tourists in this [our homeless] world." He said this of his beloved public drinking spot: "There's grass. You can relax and hang out a little. It's like a vacation. Better, even, there's no fucking family with you."

harvard & thomas

Despite its ridiculous visibility, the corner of Harvard Avenue East and East Thomas Street is where many drunks like to gather, under the shade of a few scant trees at the edge of a parking lot. When a youngish man was asked why here, he said, "It's a great meeting place. I know if I come here there will always be someone who knows me." (The youngish man's choice of public drink: "Beer. Any beer.") As to the question of cop harassment, the homeless man answered, "Yeah, the bike cops are the worst but, I mean, they're on bikes. What are they going to do? Arrest me and make me ride bitch?"

Nate Lippens contributed to this report.