Update, Jan. 18: This post has been updated to add additional events at minimo and Crooked City Cider.
One week from today, Donald Trump will be sworn in at the next president of the United States. In solidarity with those taking action on Inauguration Day, at least three East Bay bars and restaurants will be closed or holding special events. Here’s where to head if you want to participate. (We’ll update this list if and when we hear of additional events.)
Alchemy Collective Cafe
South Berkeley’s Alchemy Collective Café will function as an organizing and “community care” space from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The worker-owned coffee shop is standing in solidarity with the Disrupt #J20 Inaugural Strike, which calls for “no work, no school, no shopping, no housework” on that day in protest of the Donald Trump presidency.
Instead of selling coffee beverages, Alchemy Collective will keep its doors open “to those who want to take action against the racism, greed, and fascism that promises to accompany this term,” according to a prepared statement. It will be providing free coffee.
“Primarily, we want to set aside a day for people to take real action by hooking them up with fellow local organizers, resisters, and change-makers,” said co-owner Chris Myers in the statement. “We’ll continue to provide space for such events but we believe our main contribution is to exemplify a just and equitable business model.”
Alchemy has a history of supporting activists though fundraising efforts and free community events, such as SELC’s Legal Cafe, where cooperatives and nonprofits receive free legal advice from volunteer attorneys every month.
Alchemy Collective Café
1741 Alcatraz Ave. (at MLK, Jr. Way), Berkeley
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Saul’s Restaurant and Deli
Saul’s will be open on Inauguration Day, but it will be donating proceeds from sales to Inequality Media, which aims to “use the power of storytelling to inform and engage the public about the realities and impacts of inequality and imbalance of power in America,” according to its website. Inequality Media is a project of UC Berkeley’s Robert Reich.
The restaurant will not be showing the Inauguration on its big screen; if a Freedom Concert takes place, this will be shown instead.
Saul’s Restaurant and Delicatessen
1475 Shattuck Ave. (at Vine Street), Berkeley
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Temescal Brewing
In Oakland, Temescal Brewing will be throwing an anti-inauguration party starting at 7 p.m.
The party will include “inauguration counterprogramming,” tacos from Tacos Oscar and, of course, plenty of beer. Partial proceeds from beer sales will go to Planned Parenthood of Northern California, Refugee Transitions, Blackout Collective, the ACLU and Oakland Pride.
On the brewery’s Facebook account, the co-owners write: “We’ve all had time to mourn, process, and begin to find a way forward, but the transition is over. It’s time to change the focus to one of solidarity, hope, and action! … Please join us on inauguation night for a celebration of our strength in numbers and the countless possibilities for resistance.”
Temescal Brewing
4115 Telegraph Ave. (at 41st Street), Oakland
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minimo
In Jack London Square, the small-production wine shop will be donating 10% of its sales on Inauguration Day to non-profits that support women’s rights, immigrants’ rights and the environment.
The following day, minimo (formerly called Oakland Crush) will close in order to allow its all-women team to attend the Women’s Marches in the Bay Area.
Owner Erin Coburn told Nosh in an email: “Please join us–whether it’s to to share a bottle with friends in the shop, or to stockpile wine for the weekend (or the next 4 years).”
Minimo
420 3rd St. (at Broadway), Oakland
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Crooked City Cider
Oakland’s Crooked City Cider is hosting two fundraising events.
Tomorrow, starting at 5 p.m., it will be raising money for the Women’s March Bay Area organization. There will be a sliding scale, $5-10, cover charge for entry and complementary cider pours until 9 p.m. Crooked City will be raffling off a Fitbit Flex for anyone who donates additional funds at the bar.
After the Women’s March on Saturday, Crooked City will again hold a fundraiser, starting at 3 p.m. The same cover charge, raffle, and complementary cider will be in play, and all proceeds will be split between the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood.
Crooked City Cider
477 25th St. (between Broadway and Telegraph), Oakland
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Eater SF has also compiled a list of additional bars and restaurants with events across the Bay Area. Check it out for more ideas.
