Mathowie in London

I'm gonna be in London from Oct 1-6th. If there's a meetup that week, I'll be there. - Mathowie Can we firm up the plans?

Not being a Londoner I need to know things in advance for booking cheap train tickets and for blocking off a chunk of my schedule.

posted by srboisvert to MetaFilter gatherings at 10:29 AM (121 comments total) 9 users marked this as a favorite

How about that Friday night, the 5th? I'll be here all week, and I've never even been to Europe before so hopefully I'll be used to the tube by the end of the week and can travel to wherever.
posted by mathowie at 11:42 AM on September 16, 2007

FOWA sounds like "flower" with a speech impediment.
posted by smackfu at 12:02 PM on September 16, 2007

Guess I chose the wrong year to ~~quit sniffing glue~~ move to Madrid.
posted by slimepuppy at 12:41 PM on September 16, 2007

Hmm, I might even be able to pop down on that Friday. I'd be coming down from srboisvert's neck of the woods.

It all depends on money, motivation and venue now!
posted by knapah at 1:37 PM on September 16, 2007

Where are you staying Matt? Near to the Isle of Dogs (AKA Docklands) or back in town?
posted by i_cola at 1:41 PM on September 16, 2007

Friday 5th is good for me (and if it's somewhere out east, Docklandsy way, I'd be a happy, close-to-home bunny...)
posted by flashboy at 3:13 PM on September 16, 2007

I think I'm staying right near the conference.
posted by mathowie at 4:40 PM on September 16, 2007

They link your name from the schedule page like so: http://futureofwebapps.com/speakers.html#MatthewHaughey, and yet there is no such entry.

Tsk tsk.
posted by knapah at 5:02 PM on September 16, 2007

Friday the 5th sounds great to me.
posted by sueinnyc at 5:31 PM on September 16, 2007

If we're heading east again, can we make it somewhere a bit more accessible?

(maybe I should just be blunt: Anywhere but Wapping)
posted by cillit bang at 2:45 AM on September 17, 2007

OK, here's a few wildly varying ideas...

Traditional: Somewhere in Greenwich on the river. I've drunk in the Cutty Sark Tavern before. Great river views and a short walk from Cutty Sark DLR.

Modern: O2 Arena (The old Millennium Dome). Easy to get to from ExCeL and on the Jubilee Line. I have no idea what this place is like.

Other: Previous meetups in the Lahore Kebab House (Whitechapel) and Ye Old Cheshire Cheese (Fleet Street in the City) have gone down well.
posted by i_cola at 4:42 AM on September 17, 2007

I'm up for this, wherever, whenever. I would have thought somewhere in the west end might offer greater connections for all to reach it - but I'm just as happy in the east.
posted by triv at 5:07 AM on September 17, 2007

Despite the esteemed leader's hotel being in the Docklands, I still think it'd be better to do it somewhere more central. As triv says, people will be travelling some distance to get here so we might as well make life a little easier (and let them get later trains home!). I like the sound of i_cola's 'Other' locations.

Friday 5th is good for me too.
posted by adrianhon at 9:40 AM on September 17, 2007

Is booking upstairs at the Cheshire Cheese again too obvious?
posted by cillit bang at 10:28 AM on September 17, 2007

I can probably make it, and I'll be more likely to come if it's somewhere near/easily accessible from Victoria or London Bridge station.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:34 AM on September 17, 2007

Are we firm on the 5th then? I'd like to book a room and train ticket for my lady and me.
posted by srboisvert at 11:05 AM on September 17, 2007

O2 Arena (The old Millennium Dome).

No.
posted by randomination at 12:36 PM on September 17, 2007 [1 favorite]

I say the 5th. Sidebar it Matto!

cb: Seems like the only popular option. I think we had the Johnson Annexe last time. It's all Old of Ye for our guest from the colonies and the beers quality but cheap. And there's the dead parrot downstairs of course...
posted by i_cola at 12:44 PM on September 17, 2007

I thought the Cheese was dingy and cramped. Though the parrot *was* cute.

I think there's a lot of pressure on us to show Matt what a Real Live ~~British~~ European Pub is like.

Surely there's somewhere better and still convenient? Waterloo? Shoreditch?

Given free reign, I'd say somewhere like the Landseer, or the Bollo, but they're a bit orbital.

The Southwark Tavern?

And while I'm here, are any other Mefites attending FOWA?
posted by armoured-ant at 1:12 PM on September 17, 2007

Tell me where and when and I'll be there to worship at the feet of the master.
posted by essexjan at 1:22 PM on September 17, 2007

Oh and yeah, the 5th would be good. Can't really do a midweek date.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:54 PM on September 17, 2007

Seems a sort of consensus is developing around the 5th, which means I will have to appeal to colleagues to assist me in a scheduling conflict. However, that is doable, methinks; in which case, can I make a plea for somewhere a little more central, and - how you say ? - capacious?
I guess there will be a large turnout and folks will be going to and from on a friday night, prolly some distance.
posted by dash_slot- at 4:31 PM on September 17, 2007

Agreed with dash. And we need to have a curry. It must be done.
posted by adrianhon at 3:25 AM on September 18, 2007

Agreed with dash. And we need to have a curry. It must be done.

YES. Might I suggest Masala Zone? There's a branch in Soho with nice big tables. Or somebody may have their own favourite curry place I know nothing about...
posted by randomination at 4:05 AM on September 18, 2007

Anywhere in Soho is reachable by pretty much all the train and underground lines. Plus if it goes on late, most night buses start out from Picadilly Circus or Trafalgar Square too.

Curry sounds ace, although I only know a small place just off Waterloo which is cheap and slightly nasty. The Masala zone place sounds pretty good randomination, we'll have to book wherever though as friday nights get rammed in the west end.
posted by triv at 5:11 AM on September 18, 2007

Sorry, I meant to say that a friday night is pretty logical. I can do any day, but if others are coming from further afield then having a weekend coming up will no doubt make more sense.
posted by triv at 5:12 AM on September 18, 2007

I ate at MZ just after it opened and it was good. THe fact that it's still going is probably a good sign too.

Then again we could propose another 10 venues just to confuse things even more ;-)

Meet first in pub..or go after? Fri in Soho will always be busy...
posted by i_cola at 5:53 AM on September 18, 2007

MZ only does bookings for 12+ people I see,but I'm pretty sure we can manage that kind of turnout.

Meet first in pub would probably be a good idea. Loads of good ones round there; I'll leave that for somebody else to suggest, though.

Hey Mathowie, something just occurred to me. Are you considering reporting from London for the podcast?
posted by randomination at 9:20 AM on September 18, 2007

The John Snow immediately springs to mind as the best nearby pub. Having said that, it's got very crowded lately (I think the cycle couriers have adopted it as home), and there's the anti-Sam Smith's crowd to consider.

Masala Zone is a nice restaurant, although of course it's not a proper London curry experience (far too shiny, for a start.)
posted by flashboy at 11:05 AM on September 18, 2007

Centrally located sounds good, and I do love curry. Whenever we firm up a time and place, I'll put it on the sidebar. Since I know nothing about London, I'll wait until you guys decide on where and when.
posted by mathowie at 11:24 AM on September 18, 2007

Thoughts: All the times we've eaten have been rather annoying and have really divided the crowd in odd and awkward ways. Since we're expecting quite a few people here who don't usually attend meetups, diving straight into an organised, sit-down enterprise strikes me as a way to really ruin the great atmosphere that's built up by, uh, awkwardly standing around the bar. (see: the Cheshire Cheese.)

Then you have the issue of: either you book a restaurant for a specific number, and then tell anyone who turns up at the last minute to shove off (which I've heard woeful tales of at international meetups) or you don't book anywhere at all and head off to Brick Lane, pretty much the only place you'll get seating for a large group of people for a curry on a Friday. Alternatively, there's always the gastropub option. Although if attempted you guys might want to be slightly less pathetic than me and check that the pub actually serves in the evening, rather than having the entire meetup decide on their food, hungrily go up to the bar and discover that the kitchens closed six hours ago.

There seem to be a fair few places that offer free function rooms for hire on here, on a quick scan there are plenty in the center, if people felt like swinging that way.

Anyway, the meetup on Thursday should be an excellent place for people to hash out ideas. Come join us!
posted by hugsnkisses at 2:34 PM on September 18, 2007 [1 favorite]

I'll say one thing for hugsnkisses; she loves a free function room ;-)
posted by i_cola at 3:56 PM on September 18, 2007

I'm considering flying in from the Netherlands.
But only if plans are finalised well in advance and tickets are still cheap.
posted by jouke at 10:30 PM on September 18, 2007

Well, it had better be on the 5th because I went and got train tickets and booked a hotel room.
posted by srboisvert at 12:41 AM on September 19, 2007

HEY GUYS HOW DOES THE 4TH SOUND TO YOU?
posted by flashboy at 1:04 AM on September 19, 2007 [1 favorite]

I will try to come along to this, so I'll make another venue suggestion: The Crosse Keys on Gracechurch St (close to Bank station). Not particularly atmospheric, but it is huge (some kind of converted banking hall), has reasonable selection of beer (it's a Wetherspoons) and you can order food ad hoc.
posted by crocomancer at 1:05 AM on September 19, 2007

We can't take Matt to a Wetherspoons. He might get an accurate impression of British culture.
posted by flashboy at 1:15 AM on September 19, 2007 [3 favorites]

What about Wagamama?
posted by randomination at 2:58 AM on September 19, 2007

Jouke: I think we can be confident in saying that it'll be somewhere in central London (Zone 1) on Friday 5th Oct, starting late afternoon and going on to very, very late. So book away!
posted by adrianhon at 3:33 AM on September 19, 2007

hugsnkisses makes a good point: Everyone's going to want a turn basking in the glory, and that's not really compatible with a sit down meal, so ixnay on going to a restaurant.

A nice big pub function room is surely the way forward. Lightweights should still be able to order food.
posted by cillit bang at 4:47 AM on September 19, 2007 [1 favorite]

IIRC, we ended up at Ye Olde blah blah because the function room idea got nixed after sueinnyc suggested a room in the Yorkshire Grey on Theobolds Road.

I think we can learn from this and take her advice this time so how about there? Function room, free, easy. Sue leaves nearby so easy to book if she is willing.

Or just carry on suggesting venues... ;-)
posted by i_cola at 5:19 AM on September 19, 2007

Just popping by to nth the idea of a function room pub type venue (as so eloquently proposed by hugsnkisses) rather than a pub then restaurant type arrangement. My utterly selfish motivation for this is that I won't be able to join you until later in the evening, so at least if you're stuck in one place I have half a chance of finding you.
posted by MrMustard at 6:35 AM on September 19, 2007

Function room sounds like a great idea. I would plug upstairs at the Horse which is big, has sofas etc as well as its own bar. It's free to hire.

It's close (5 mins) to Waterloo and right next door to Lambeth North on the Bakerloo line [map].

Any proximity to my flat is purely coincidental.
posted by patricio at 7:28 AM on September 19, 2007

That place looks clean, well lit, spacious, comfortable... why on earth did you suggest it?
posted by cillit bang at 10:12 AM on September 19, 2007

the Horse

Whoah, that's right opposite the office I was working in a couple of months ago. If only I still working there now... That would be pretty handy.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:56 AM on September 19, 2007

And if only I proof reading my posts... that would be nice too.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 11:02 AM on September 19, 2007

So was anything decided last night, or is Matt's welcome to London going to be us all huddled in a doorway in the rain?
posted by cillit bang at 4:04 AM on September 21, 2007

Optamystic said he could book a function room for us in a pub in the City.
posted by adrianhon at 8:21 AM on September 21, 2007

Very late to the discussion, but I can vouch for Horse being a decent place. You'll need to request that the upstairs bar is opened, though - it's off by default. Also, they can arrange a late licence with a bit of notice.
posted by blag at 6:56 PM on September 21, 2007

OMG! You'd think the pope was coming to town! (lapsed Catholic schoolgirl here). Just back from a week in Spain and I thought I'd see this on the sidebar.

Can we please stop over thinking this???
So Horse it is then? It looks really nice and we can get food, [if you relly want to go wild we can order an Indian takeaway to the fuction room ;)]

Do we have a winner?
posted by Wilder at 5:20 AM on September 23, 2007

The Horse sounds good. Let's do it!
posted by srboisvert at 8:38 AM on September 23, 2007

The Horse by a nose!

(if all of my gags are as good as that on the night, we are all in for quite a treat!)
posted by triv at 5:10 AM on September 24, 2007

Right, so... is anybody actually booking the thing?

I ask merely out of a lazy desire not to do it myself.
posted by flashboy at 7:18 AM on September 24, 2007

Oye, Patricio, reserva el Horse, anda! (and someone move this to the front page)
posted by Wilder at 8:09 AM on September 24, 2007

aye aye captain. Will give them a ring for the 5th.
posted by patricio at 8:26 AM on September 24, 2007

huzzah!
posted by flashboy at 8:40 AM on September 24, 2007

ok, so I've booked the upstairs room for the 5th. The guy was saying they normally reserve it for parties of 50+ but he didn't think there would be a problem for us. We can get a buffet etc but is that overkill? May be better to get a better idea of numbers first...
posted by patricio at 9:01 AM on September 24, 2007

So that's The Horse, Waterloo/Lambeth North, Friday October 5th at let's say 6pm onwards for Mathowie in London.

I'll MeTa sidebar this so it's official.
posted by cillit bang at 9:53 AM on September 24, 2007

SO, A HORSE WALKS INTO THE HORSE BAR AND THE BARMAN SAYS "WHY THE LONG FACE?" AND THE MATHORSE SAYS "I'M LOOKING FOR THE FUTURE OF FUNCTION ROOMS." AND THEN EVERYONE DRINKS BEER. this is meetup
posted by chrismear at 1:36 PM on September 24, 2007 [1 favorite]

Chris, you just wasted four seconds of my life.

I'm going to want that back.
posted by armoured-ant at 2:31 AM on September 25, 2007

Result. This is about 3 minutes down the road from where I work.

So, what is the count so far?
posted by triv at 5:13 AM on September 25, 2007

Roll Call:

I'm a definite with my girl so +2
posted by srboisvert at 6:12 AM on September 25, 2007

Should be able to make this one.
posted by edd at 6:34 AM on September 25, 2007

I'm in.
posted by flashboy at 10:19 AM on September 25, 2007

I can go, but not for all the evening. As usual.
posted by randomination at 11:16 AM on September 25, 2007

Goodness. If you've gone to the trouble of arranging a meetup less than five minutes from my home, the least I can do is drop by. Particularly if I get to do I'm-not-worthies.
posted by Grangousier at 11:32 AM on September 25, 2007

I'll probably be there.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 1:24 PM on September 25, 2007

I'll be there if someone can front me a ticket to Europe and back.

and convince my wife to let me go

and buy me a pony
posted by davejay at 2:16 PM on September 25, 2007

Cool, I'll be there chaps! cheerio!
posted by mathowie at 2:25 PM on September 25, 2007

Very cool indeed. I'm in too. Can't wait.
posted by sueinnyc at 3:47 PM on September 25, 2007

I'm a 'hopeful'. [STILL DESPERATELY TRYING TO GET COVER FOR A SHIFT...]
posted by dash_slot- at 6:09 PM on September 25, 2007

This is going to be hella well attended.
posted by armoured-ant at 11:41 PM on September 25, 2007

I'm there (and EssexJan told me last night she would be too)
posted by Wilder at 12:54 AM on September 26, 2007

Oh, and cherrio, Matt old chap (do be back in time for Oct 5th, mind!)
posted by Wilder at 12:57 AM on September 26, 2007

Yeah, no, I think I have some, er, laundry pencilled in for that evening. Those collars won't starch themselves, you know.

Of course I'll be there
posted by cillit bang at 5:45 AM on September 26, 2007

Possible.
posted by i_cola at 6:02 AM on September 26, 2007

I will be there.

You'll know my presence by the gibbering blonde chap in the corner, looking slightly dumbstruck and gibbering to himself "#1, in London. #1..."
posted by triv at 6:36 AM on September 26, 2007

Dammit. I'm supposed to go see the Happy Mondays play that night.

OK, I can't decide. What would you do - go meet the guy who set up your favourite website or go see your best mate play guitar for the mondays on the re-opening night of the club you used to sneak into when we were kids...

...or somehow crazily attempt to do both (which involves Manchester - Oxford - London in one night).
posted by davehat at 10:52 AM on September 26, 2007

davehat: Look, I think Matt's great and all, but the Mondays all the way.
posted by flashboy at 11:34 AM on September 26, 2007

I'm in.
posted by adrianhon at 11:50 AM on September 26, 2007

I'll be there.
posted by Optamystic at 4:29 PM on September 26, 2007

I got the green light! I *will* be there!
posted by dash_slot- at 9:36 AM on September 27, 2007

Um. There is a slight possibility I might make it. I'm in town from New York though, and I've only been to London once before. So I might get lost.
posted by gaspode at 11:56 AM on September 27, 2007

If dash is there I'm a definite. Far more fun than some American computer bloke.
posted by i_cola at 1:39 PM on September 27, 2007

Ice burn.
posted by chrismear at 1:41 PM on September 27, 2007

I'm horrendously short of cash, but should be able to make it.
posted by TheDonF at 1:03 AM on September 28, 2007

*blows kiss at i_cola*

NOT MASCULINIST
posted by dash_slot- at 2:53 AM on September 28, 2007

gaspode - if you're up for it, email me (in the profile)and i'll sort you out directions and my mobile number. The place is pretty easy to get to from central london though.
posted by triv at 6:36 AM on September 28, 2007

I'm gigging that night or else I'd try and come down.
posted by chuckdarwin at 5:23 PM on September 28, 2007

At first I thought you wrote "I'm giggling that night or else I'd try and come down," which would have been one of the best excuses I would ever have heard.
posted by louigi at 8:57 AM on October 1, 2007

I'm in. London's been meet-up crazy lately.
posted by oh pollo! at 1:24 PM on October 1, 2007

Well, it's official now (see second line from bottom and here)
posted by patricio at 3:25 AM on October 2, 2007

Excellent, Patricio you have e-mail
posted by Wilder at 3:38 AM on October 2, 2007

I will be along after 9pm. Will someone look after me?
posted by Jofus at 4:38 AM on October 2, 2007

No. We'll be drunk.
posted by i_cola at 4:47 AM on October 2, 2007

Awww, shucks, Jofus. By 9 I'll barely be able to look after myself! But I'm sure there are enough sober and upstanding mefites who'll be nice. ( I know 2 off the top of my head who are attending!)
posted by Wilder at 4:50 AM on October 2, 2007

Then that settles it: TRAIN BEERS!!
posted by Jofus at 5:46 AM on October 2, 2007

If anybody's coming along after 9pm, could they look after all of us?
posted by flashboy at 11:09 AM on October 2, 2007

Well, if chuckdarwin's not going, I'm not going!

Also, I am 200 miles away and working on Saturday morning. You all have bleary eyed fun now, y'hear!
posted by asok at 3:23 AM on October 3, 2007

Wow, good job Wilder just sent out a reminder type thing as I hadn't realised that this was so close.

*cough* hello is this thing on? *cough*

MARVELLOUS MATHOWIE MEETUP MERE MOMENTS from MANIFESTING MOMENTOUSLY!
posted by triv at 9:33 AM on October 3, 2007

More!
posted by Jofus at 9:45 AM on October 3, 2007

MMMM!

I got nothing.
posted by triv at 1:14 PM on October 3, 2007

Triv, you're teh COOL!

( Imagine forgetting Mathowie)
posted by Wilder at 1:20 AM on October 4, 2007

I'm now treble-booked for Friday evening (for the first time in a LOOONG while). I'll be there at the start but won't be able to stay all the way through. The rarely seen squashy wol will be accompanying me.
posted by athenian at 3:47 AM on October 4, 2007

Does anyone know what time the Horse bolts (closes) cos i finish work at half-ten and i'll make it if the bar stays open till twelve. You could tell the bar that, i'm sure they'll all stay on
posted by criticalbill at 7:23 AM on October 4, 2007

If it closes early then I'm sure there'll be some sort of nearby afterparty criticalbill, just look for the group of people arguing drunkenly about the role of lolz in modern society.
posted by hugsnkisses at 8:34 AM on October 4, 2007

but what if there's more than one?
posted by criticalbill at 11:10 AM on October 4, 2007

closing at the Horse is a bit random but I'm pretty sure it should be 12 on a Friday night. There are other places nearby that are open to 2am (or open 24hrs in the case of the slightly worrying Da Vinci's next to the station).

I turned down the buffet option but the food there is, I think, pretty plausible.
posted by patricio at 11:16 AM on October 4, 2007

Mathowie in London September 16, 2007 10:29 AM Subscribe

Mathowie in London
September 16, 2007 10:29 AM Subscribe