About the Event:

One of the main motivations behind a happy hour is to drink and be merry, to shake loose from the unhappiness otherwise prevailing in our lives, just as one of the main reasons we turn to great writing is to console ourselves in our unhappiness. But we might, ironically, end up feeling that unhappiness more intensely by drinking, just as we might call up our darkest feelings by reading poetry—so put the two together and we've got ourselves a potent cocktail.

In this Olio (Un)happy Hour, Professor Jason Koo will lead a close reading of Denis Johnson's landmark 1982 collection The Incognito Lounge—one of the great literary depictions of rock bottom—and explore the power of desolation in writing. We'll pair this activity with the Corpse Reviver #2 (or N/A alternative), seeking to rouse ourselves from the dead with this pre-Prohibition, absinthe-laced cocktail intended to cure hangovers—or perhaps, as The Savoy Cocktail Book's Harry Craddock warned, to "un-revive the corpse again" if consumed with sufficient enthusiasm.

Evening Flow
5-7pm (optional) - You're invited to attend a reception celebrating the completion of the Olio mural painted by member Meredith Stein in our loft space. Come raise a glass and take some time with the art and meeting new friends before the poetry Olio kicks off at 7pm.

7-7:30 PM – Act I: Poetry Happy Hour: Grab a Corpse Reviver #2 (or N/A alternative), settle in, and ease into the evening with a conversation prompt.

7:30-8:15 PM – Act II: Close Reading: A lecture led by Jason Koo, diving deep into select poems from The Incognito Lounge and the poetics of desolation.

8:15-9 PM – Act III: Writing & Chatting: We disperse to writing stations throughout the space for generative writing.

The evening winds down. Linger, talk, and enjoy the space as we transition into something more like a house party.

Our Teacher for the Evening: Jason Koo

Jason Koo is a second-generation Korean American poet born in New York City and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the author of four full-length collections, most recently No Rest (Diode Editions, 2024), winner of the Eugene Paul Nassar Poetry Prize and a finalist for AWP's Donald Hall Prize for Poetry. His work has appeared in The American Scholar, Best American Poetry, The Missouri Review, The Village Voice, and The Yale Review, and has been recognized with fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Vermont Studio Center, and the New York State Writers Institute.

He is the founder of Brooklyn Poets and creator of the Bridge, its innovative mentorship network connecting poets worldwide. For that work, he was named one of Brooklyn Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in Brooklyn Culture." He currently serves as associate teaching professor of English and director of creative writing at Quinnipiac University.

What Is an Olio?

Think Olio is an ongoing experiment in lifelong learning. We are a community of open-minded people who gather to exchange ideas with new friends and connect over art, literature, and philosophy.

Check out our full calendar

Our $30 membership gives you two events for the price of one!

An Olio is what we call the social learning events we’ve been organizing since 2015. A blend between a lecture and a house party, Olios are led by a teacher who loves sharing their passions and the room is filled with curious, open-minded New Yorkers.

Our goal is to spark new perspectives, ignite curiosity, and enjoy ourselves socially—an alternative to typical nightlife options.

Disclaimer: By purchasing a ticket, you agree to have your photo/video used for social media/marketing materials. If you prefer to not have your photo taken, feel free to send us a note.

Photo by Zhi-Da Zhong

Embracing Rock Bottom: An Olio Happy Hour w/ Jason Koo

Embracing Rock Bottom: An Olio Happy Hour w/ Jason Koo