Every Wednesday Night at 8 pm Nocturnal, 1800 E Burnside, 503-239-5900

If you're a drinker who sews, knits, or crafts, you know this scenario: You're all set to spend the evening piecing together the last square in the log cabin quilt you're making for your nephew, little Thad, when one of your drinking buddies calls to remind you about 20-oz Pabsts for $1.50 or two-for-one cocktails. You remember how the last time you stayed home to craft, your friends had a great time without you.

So on this night, you go out, get drunk, and have fun... meanwhile poor Thad waits another month for the already-late birthday gift from his favorite aunty/unkey.

But it doesn't have to be that way anymore. Nocturnal, a brand-new bar/performance space on SE Burnside, has started a craft night every Wednesday that merges--finally!--the disparate worlds of crafting and social drinking.

"We started craft night because people were already coming in to the bar with their knitting and different projects," explains Nocturnal's Seann McKeel. "We said, yeah, you can plug in your glue gun if you want to chill for awhile. That way, everyone doesn't have to be all creepy at home alone doing craft projects."

Craft night--which is free--takes place in Nocturnal's downstairs bar, so it is 21+ only. Rock/punk/hiphop shows, as well as theater events and performance art, are held upstairs, which is all-ages.

Downstairs boasts lots of tables and electrical outlets for your glue guns, sewing machines, or soldering irons--whatever you see fit to bring. Bethany Pratt, the bar's owner and an art-school dropout, designed the interior, whose tonal green walls, gorgeous red-tiled bar, and rebuilt thrift-vintage furniture look like they belong somewhere you can't afford.

But prices are reasonable: Pabst pints are $2, pitchers $5; wine by the glass starts at $4, champagne by the glass (!!!) is $6, and they have sake. The food, though made to share, is not so craft-friendly. Tater-tots promise grease stains on your fabric, and the dangers of cheese fondue are all too obvious, but both items are reasonably priced at $4 and $7, respectively. There are also vegan options.

Nocturnal provides a place where at last eating, drinking, and spontaneous artistic expression can harmoniously merge. And, never again will you have to witness that single tear rolling down Thad's cheek, as he holds back the sobs at the sight of your empty-handed, drunk ass. ANNA BOND