Happy Hour for Sad People: an Unconventional Grief Circle

A grief circle at a bar. Grounded Grief x Advice Booth's monthly grief circle.

January’s Theme: The Un-Resolution.

The "New Year, New You" energy of January can feel pretty isolating when you're grieving. While the pressure around gym memberships, productivity hacks, and "starting over" is everywhere, many of us are simply trying to navigate how to carry our grief into another year.

Forget the resolutions. We're here to acknowledge that surviving is enough. We're creating a resolution-free zone where you don't have to be "better," "healed," or "improved"—you just have to be you. Most of us who are grieving don't want to just grieve. We also want to love, laugh, and be part of the party.

Starting this January, Grounded Grief x Advice Booth are turning "Happy Hour for Sad People" into a monthly residency. Every fourth Monday of the month, we're taking over the bar to prove that just because we're sad doesn't mean we don't want to be invited to the party. We want a space where grief can float in and out—where tears are welcome amidst laughter, and where your heaviest emotions can sit right next to your favorite cocktail (or mocktail).

Why a bar?

Because grief doesn't just need a special "sanctuary" or private room. Grief belongs everywhere because every human experiences it. Grief belongs at the party, too. Even if it's crying in the corner, it belongs in the midst of love and laughter because it wouldn't exist without those things.

What can you expect?

Whether you're grieving the loss of a loved one, a relationship, an identity, a dream, a health diagnosis, or the state of the world—you are welcome here.

• Grief-themed games designed to help us laugh and move through our grief without drowning in it (think: BINGO for S*ht People Say when You're Grieving*, Mad Libs, & We're Not Really Strangers style prompts).

• Special grief-themed cocktails + mocktails cooked up by the rad owners of Advice Booth.

• A community of people who are figuring out how to keep loving even in the face of tremendous loss.

• Zero pressure to share anything you don't want to share. You can go as deep or stay as shallow as you want. There is no "right" way to grieve and no requirement to share your story out loud.

• A licensed therapist-led space that's facilitated expertly. You don't have to worry about one person dominating the space; you'll leave feeling a little more supported and uplifted, not depressed.

• The Vibe: We're here to talk about our most intense losses and the stupid show we watched on TV last night. Because we contain multitudes.

• First time? You're in good company. Many people come solo, and our facilitator makes sure everyone feels included from the jump.

  
  

The Details:

• When: The fourth Monday evening of every month

• First Event of 2026: Monday, January 26th @ 7:00 pm

• Where: Advice Booth, Portland, OR

• Tickets: $15 (Sign up via Eventbrite)

  
  

Financial Hardship: We never want the ticket price to be a barrier to support. If you're experiencing financial hardship, please email katherine@groundedgrief.com, and we can help you out.

Grief is just love with nowhere to go. Come give it a place to land.

We can't wait to toast you and your grief. <3

FAQ:

Do I have to drink alcohol?

Nope! Advice booth has non-alcoholic options and will also be creating a mocktail for this event.

Why would I want to grieve in public around other people?

You may not WANT to, but you might be surprised at how helpful it is. Our facilitator, Juniper, has cathartically cried in public many times, and enthusiastically supports others who do so too! Our grief feels consuming because it doesn't feel like it has space to be seen - it deserves community.

Why is this grief circle at a bar?

We acknowledge this setting may not be great for everyone. If this doesn't seem right for you, there are other amazing grief circles in PDX. This one is for people who want a more casual space that embraces humor to grieve in community with more "fun", facilitated activities to process our grief.

Who is facilitating this?

Juniper Wong, LICSW. You can find out more about her here or on Instagram @iamjuniperwong.

Do you offer any financial assistance?

We know things can be tough financially, not just emotionally. If you're experiencing financial hardship and would love to attend, please email katherine@groundedgrief.com for assistance.