In his famous Hitchhiker’s Trilogy, Douglas Adams wrote about an
endless party that roamed the galaxy, pillaging alcohol and cocktail
napkins from nearby planets, perpetuating itself forever. Turns out
Seattle was home to something similar. For the past 14 years, a
small group of friends has hosted an ongoing series of house
parties every few months, without stop. They called themselves the
House of Pain. The picture above features the three core members:
Wolf, the bartender who’s never defeated, even when the “bar”
consisted of four bottles of gin and no ice.
Sean, whose easy-going charm brought a vibe of relaxation and
friendship to every event.
Jason, who visited every bar in Seattle in one year, after
reading the number “570” in The Stranger.
The parties held by the HoP were not the most spectacular,
prestigious, or classy. They were, however, always fun, relaxed, and
friendly. Through storms, snow, poverty, and hardship, the parties
continued, seemingly eternal.
And then, on New Year’s Eve, the endless party came to a close.
The final theme was “The End of the World,” and for those who grew
up with the HoP parties, it felt that way. The End, when it came, was
full of drinking and kissing and tears, finishing the way every
good party should.
Seattle is a small town, and you may bump into Jason, Sean, or Wolf
at a bar or a club. If you do, invite them to your next party,
buy them a drink, or just congratulate them for providing 14 years of
revelry. They deserve it for the happiness and fun they brought to
Seattle. They deserve it for remembering what a great party is all
about.
Want to tell The Stranger how to mix a Ginny McGin? E-mail
the date, place, time, and party details to partycrasher@thestranger.com.