San Francisco Meetup

April 22, 2006 4:22 AM

Bay Area meetups?

I just moved down here from Seattle because I was lonely. Now I'm noticing that Matildaben apparently launches a Seatle meetup every 10 days or so...

I'm in East Bay but pretty much willing to travel anywhere, as I need to explore more anyway.
posted by Dunwitty to MetaFilter gatherings at 4:22 AM (58 comments total)

We've never been all that regular about 'em. It's been a little while now... Does anyone keep a reminder list?
posted by scarabic at 10:13 AM on April 22, 2006

Okay, how about an east bay meetup then? That last SF one was WAY too far off the BART line.
posted by small_ruminant at 10:36 AM on April 22, 2006

As always, I vote for Becketts in downtown Berkeley.
posted by small_ruminant at 10:37 AM on April 22, 2006

We're overdue for an East Bay meetup. Next weekend isn't good, but the first weekend in May (or during that week) would be great.
posted by ambrosia at 11:59 AM on April 22, 2006

I'm down. I was going to suggest one, actually.
posted by brundlefly at 12:31 PM on April 22, 2006

To alleviate some of the just-missed-a-bazillion-Seattle-meetups angst you're feeling, you should note that matildaben is mostly posting reminders. Our upcoming meetup will bring us to two in the last six months or so.
posted by agropyron at 6:03 PM on April 22, 2006

Since I fled the Bay Area screeching at the stupidly high rents Bobo Hipsters are willing to pay maintaining Civilization there has been Scarabic's job. If anybody in Louisville KY wants their IQs raised let me know; the Old Louisville Coffeehouse has a decent house blend.
posted by davy at 10:40 PM on April 22, 2006

I'll be on the road during the first week of May, but will probably be back for the first weekend.

Eco-friendly/designated driver offer: I won't be drinking, have room for three passengers (four if you're friendly), and will be coming from the South Bay. I don't mind doing door-to-door service if you're in or close to San Jose.
posted by tkolar at 10:56 PM on April 22, 2006

I think by moving from CA to KY you raised the average IQ of both states, davy! ;P
posted by scarabic at 11:26 AM on April 23, 2006

My schedule's pretty much open. So far it's sounding like the first weekend in May? I'll leave the venue suggestions to others, as I'm new to town myself.
posted by brundlefly at 1:27 AM on April 24, 2006

Doh! I'm back in Seattle on the first weekend in May. How about the second weekend? Or any weekday after the 10th?
posted by Dunwitty at 3:27 AM on April 24, 2006

Okay, NOT the second weekend in May, because the UC Berkeley law school is graduating. Does anyone know when the other schools are graduating? Because it's not a bad idea to get out of Dodge when they do- things are just crowded and a mess.

The end of May and June will be great, though- all the students gone.
posted by small_ruminant at 8:49 AM on April 24, 2006

Nevermind, it looks like UC Berk posted a list. The very last one seems to be 5/22.

I'm not worried about thewild party factor. I'm worried about everyone's extended family being in town.
posted by small_ruminant at 9:29 AM on April 24, 2006

I could also do Thur night, May 4th (I fly out on May 5th), if that improves things.

small_ruminant, is the second weekend only bad if we do it in Berkeley? What if we move the location?

Or is it bad because some of the attendees might have something else they need to do, like graduate or host families?
posted by Dunwitty at 2:40 PM on April 24, 2006

I think it's just bad if we're in Berkeley. I don't know how many meetup attendees will be personally involved in graduations, but I am guessing not many.

I can usually do Thursdays, too, but I probably won't cross the bridge for a weeknight meet up.
posted by small_ruminant at 4:37 PM on April 24, 2006

Hmm.. do we have a date then? (btw, I'm in)
posted by zia at 9:00 AM on April 25, 2006

I'll be in town 5/18-5/22 if you can wait that long!
posted by esch at 12:19 PM on April 25, 2006

I can't tell if we have a date... it looks like we're either looking at Thursday May 4th, or any time during the following weekend (5/12-13-14). There is some concern that if we do it the second weekend (5/12-13-14), that we should not do it in Berkeley. And if we do not do it in Berkeley, we should keep it in the East Bay.

So, let's settle the date thing. Thur May 4, Friday May 12, Saturday May 13, Sunday May 14th?

My vote would be 5/12 or 5/13.
posted by Dunwitty at 11:41 PM on April 25, 2006

I can make it on Thursday 5/4 but not 5/12 or 5/13.
posted by ambrosia at 7:40 AM on April 26, 2006

I'm good for Thurs. May 4 if it's in the East Bay.
posted by small_ruminant at 10:50 AM on April 26, 2006

I'm good for all of those dates.
posted by brundlefly at 9:49 PM on April 26, 2006

Okay, then, sounds like Thursday May 4th is the date. Can somebody suggest a venue? I'm new to the area, so I'll defer to you natives. And native-like creatures.
posted by Dunwitty at 2:41 AM on April 27, 2006

How many people need BART?

Also, are we interested in food and drinks, or just drinks?

I haven't been there, and it's a little expensive, but Luka's in Oakland might work- it's on the BART line. Of course, it might creep people out. I haven't had any trouble at that BART station, though.

If BART isn't a consideration, the Albatross Pub has worked before. It's in Berkeley, though, and there's no food.

The Mallard in Albany might be okay, too, since it's a weeknight. It's chock full of idiots on the weekend. Again, drinks but no food. It does have an outdoor section (with tiki torches), so you can smoke. Also, it's walking distance to my apartment, which I know is important to everyone here.

My coworker just recommended The Starry Plough (not to be mistaken for the Plough and Stars on Clement in SF) but it looks like they have live music that night.
posted by small_ruminant at 12:19 PM on April 27, 2006

I generally need the BART, but I live near the Albatross, so that's okay. The Mallard is fine, too. Never been to Luka's or The Starry Plough.
posted by brundlefly at 12:55 PM on April 27, 2006

I'm down for 5/4
posted by scarabic at 12:11 AM on April 28, 2006

I'm up for 5/4.

I'll second the earlier Beckett's suggestion, though The Albatross would work too. (5/4 is before all the Berkeley graduation madness.) Barring that, I plead for something BARTable.
posted by epimorph at 12:30 AM on April 28, 2006

If I read this correctly, small_ruminant is offering us his apartment. Says there's no food or drink or smoking, though. Still, it sounds like a good deal.

It's all good to me, in that I'm completely ignorant of any of the issues. I have a car and a GPS/Nav system, so pretty much any place with an address works for me. But I do like eating and drinking.
posted by Dunwitty at 12:31 AM on April 28, 2006

um. no. sorry, Dunwitty.

Beckett's then?

Should I repost this so it shows up on the front page? What's the meetup announcement ettiquette?
posted by small_ruminant at 11:23 AM on April 28, 2006

We had fun at Luka's at the February meetup. A couple blocks from BART; nothing out-creeping about it to me.

But if it's to be a weeknight, I probably won't show.
posted by Rash at 11:59 AM on April 28, 2006

It is in fact looking like a weeknight. Does anyone else who is likely to show have a preference?
posted by small_ruminant at 1:40 PM on April 28, 2006

I'd vote for anything in Berkeley, but beyond that I am flexible.
posted by ambrosia at 6:24 PM on April 28, 2006

I'm new enough to feel comfortable asking, what was the potential out-creeping feature of Luka's? There's no... *shudders*... Tom Petty fans there, right?
posted by Dunwitty at 10:40 PM on April 28, 2006

Hey! I like Tom Petty! That's it! Meetup's off!

Not really.

But don't knock Tom Petty. Damn it.
posted by brundlefly at 2:12 AM on April 29, 2006

My co-workers get creeped out by Oakland BART stations at night. I've never had trouble at that one, myself.

I used to commute from the Richmond one, though, and IT was sketchy. And I can see people's point about wandering around at night in the MacArthur and Fruitvale parking lots. Downtown seems okay to me, though.
posted by small_ruminant at 10:11 AM on April 29, 2006

I live a few blocks from Luka's, so that's my vote.

I'll be sure to hang out right by the BART station being as creepy as possible.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:37 PM on April 29, 2006

May 4.

Beckett's = 2 votes

Luka's = one vote.

We need a couple more votes or suggestions.

Luka's would be more convenient for SF people wanting to come over. But Beckett's has fireplaces and really good Scotch. What does Luka's have to recommend it?
posted by small_ruminant at 12:50 AM on April 30, 2006

Luka's has sixteen beers on tap, an extensive appetizer menu with things like oysters and belgian fries (and a dinner menu as well), pool and pinball, and a lounge with djs. Basically, all that info and more can be found here.

Beckett's is more of a wintertime place to me, but I like it. Not really feeling the fireplace thing so much at the moment, however.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:21 AM on April 30, 2006

Seemed like there were a couple of specific requests for proximity to BART. Luka's appears to qualify - how does Beckett's meet this requirement?
posted by Dunwitty at 11:42 AM on April 30, 2006

Okay, a tiny bit of research later, I see that Beckett's is also right on BART. Call it a tie.

Both places are fine with me. I vote for whichever one will draw the most MeFites.
posted by Dunwitty at 11:46 AM on April 30, 2006

I'm with Dunwitty. Beckett's is good. I went there for the first time a few days ago (ran into scarabic and squirrel there!). Very nice place. Luka's sounds interesting, too. Both places have oysters, evidently, so I'll be happy.
posted by brundlefly at 1:04 PM on April 30, 2006

I think Beckett's only has the fried sort of oysters- not my cup of tea. At least it used to.

And oneirodynia's right- if the weather holds then fireplaces won't hold much appeal.

So I'm good for Luka's, too.

Anyone NOT good for Luka's?

ambrosia, are you willing to trek to Oakland? epimorph?
posted by small_ruminant at 3:22 PM on April 30, 2006

Actually, I had 'em raw at Beckett's. But, again, I'm fine with Luka's.
posted by brundlefly at 3:39 PM on April 30, 2006

Luka's works for me.
posted by epimorph at 7:00 PM on April 30, 2006

I prefer Beckett's (try the ribeye, I'm still working on mine!); but there's also the Albatros on San Pablo and Hearst. I suggest it because it has more room, wider variety of beers, cheaper pints, and you can bring in your own food--including the BBQ from across the street. But I won't thumb my nose at Beckett's, no sir.
posted by squirrel at 2:54 PM on May 1, 2006

I'm against the Albatross is not BART friendly (although it's very bike-able for me, personally).

So we're back at an impass...
posted by small_ruminant at 3:39 PM on May 1, 2006

I'll go ahead and put in my vote for Luka's (sorry, squirrel). We gotta make some decisions, kids! Never been to Luka's, and I should be exploring more.
posted by brundlefly at 5:38 PM on May 1, 2006

Let's do Luka's this time. Maybe we can do Becketts next time - I'd love to see as many of these as possible. New people, new places - I can do this all year.

Can we call this a decision? If so, let's move on to what time and carpooling details.
posted by Dunwitty at 10:21 PM on May 1, 2006

Let's call it a decision. I've never been to Luka's either, and I've been to Beckett's many times.
posted by small_ruminant at 10:22 PM on May 1, 2006

and anyway, neither of them have anchor steam or red tail. Looks like I'll have to stick with scotch.
posted by small_ruminant at 10:24 PM on May 1, 2006

New people, new places - I can do this all year.

Amen. As far as what time, I have a meeting 'till around 5:00, then I'm free. I assume we wouldn't want to get together that early, anyway. Since it's near BART, I shouldn't have any problem getting there. Actually, my roommate might want to come and she has a car. Either way, I can get there no problem.

If my roommate does decide to come (I'll ask her tomorrow), we might be able to pick up a few folks.
posted by brundlefly at 10:41 PM on May 1, 2006

Gack! Just talked to my roommate, and she has band practice tomorrow night. No rides for anybody, including myself.
posted by brundlefly at 2:01 AM on May 2, 2006

Luka's has one big table that would be best for a meetup, but someone should probably try to reserve it, or we can merge together a million little tables in the lounge room.

Time?
posted by ambrosia at 7:46 AM on May 2, 2006

How about 6:30 or 7?
posted by small_ruminant at 10:03 AM on May 2, 2006

7 sounds good.
posted by brundlefly at 8:33 PM on May 2, 2006

Okay- I'll call them tomorrow and see if they'll let me reserve the big table in the middle.
posted by small_ruminant at 11:08 PM on May 2, 2006

7 works for me too.

Someone should start a new thread, to remind those who haven't been following this one.
posted by epimorph at 11:38 PM on May 2, 2006

I'll repost on MetaTalk.
posted by Dunwitty at 3:27 AM on May 3, 2006

thanks
posted by small_ruminant at 8:22 AM on May 3, 2006