The sign for the Dogstar is based on the sign for the "Hollywood Downtowner" motel which is right near where my brother lives. Yes, in Hollywood.

The bar itself is an amalgam of the Horseshoe Cafe Ranch Room in Bellingham, and The Doghouse in Seattle -- both 24-hour restaurants with active bars that attract an intriguing mix of young hipsters and grizzled old guys who've been drinking there since 1953. The Doghouse is now The Hurricane, and it's still a 24-hour place, but it's missing that 50s vibe -- the "All Roads Lead to the Doghouse" cartoon on the wall, the singalong piano bar on weekends. The Shoe is still the Shoe. They have cleaned it recently, and now serve local beers on tap, but it's still Bellingham's diviest dive.

It is also the site of our annual wake for democracy/celebration of victory (the first one was in late 2000). These traditionally follow the "election returns drinking game." Take a drink when your favored candidate or initiative is ahead. Take a bigger drink when he/she/it is behind.

Nothing goes together quite like booze and politics.