Berlin meetup, 27 October

In case you get no responses right away, try contacting the Berliner MeFites in this thread. They are awesome people.
posted by piratebowling at 4:29 PM on October 14, 2007

I'd have been up for it on a different date. I'm in the Czech Rep. and would have been up for travelling but moving flat that weekend.
posted by Gratishades at 3:59 AM on October 15, 2007

I would offer my bar as the meeting place...
posted by kolophon at 4:57 AM on October 15, 2007

I walked by Kolophon's bar and it looked nice. Also he already offered anyone who says "metafilter" a free shot.

I'm pretty sure I'm available on the 27th. But I'm just as likely to be available on other dates too.
posted by creasy boy at 5:36 AM on October 15, 2007

I could make it, and I'd love to check out Kolophon's bar.

I was having dinner with my wife at that massive outdoor-heater-lunacy Indonesian place on Oranienstrasse the other day and saw Creasy Boy across the street, but he was much too far away to attempt to bother. I said "Oh, that's Creasy Boy from Metafilter" and she said "isn't that also the name of that shop that you're obsessed with the name of?" and I said "yes."
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks at 6:02 AM on October 15, 2007

Well, I might not have responded to "creasy boy" anyway, it's not the name I usually go by. Although I guess I would've been wondering who was making such a strange noise.

And shame on you for patronizing that place!
posted by creasy boy at 6:13 AM on October 15, 2007

I don't know how I could turn down a bar run by a MeFite, that sounds good.

I'm only in town for one evening, which is why I am suggesting the 27th.

Looking forward to meeting you folks! Hope you don't mind speaking some English; my German ist nicht so gut.
posted by grouse at 6:21 AM on October 15, 2007 [1 favorite]

Well....hellbient didn't turn around until I called his username at Iggy Pop.
posted by brujita at 8:42 AM on October 15, 2007

I walked by Kolophon's bar and it looked nice. Also he already offered anyone who says "metafilter" a free shot.

on your way to "Ä", were you?

Somebody just asked us to host his Live-Electro-Disco-Concert on that evening with 0gleich1 and die Garridos, but I'm not sure if I'm up to that...
posted by kolophon at 6:11 PM on October 15, 2007

I was on my way to Ä. I would've stopped at your bar for a drink but in a moment of weakness I didn't feel like explaining to the people I was with what Metafilter is. A lot of my German friends here can barely google.
posted by creasy boy at 11:06 PM on October 15, 2007

I know what you mean. It raised some eyebrows when I explained to my colleagues why somebody should get a free shot when mentioning "metafilter".
posted by kolophon at 4:09 AM on October 16, 2007

No offense to kolophon, but I'll be coming from the far end of Charlottenburg, would there be a second choice more westerly and/or Mitte-ly?

Naturally, because I'm the one asking about changing venue, I have no alternative in mind: (I... I move in a tiny circle here)?

But where-ever, I'll start organizing now.
posted by From Bklyn at 4:35 AM on October 16, 2007

none taken, just organzie ahead...
posted by kolophon at 5:09 AM on October 16, 2007

Kolophon's bar is close to Hermannplatz on the U7. Würgeengel or Gorgonzola Club in the Dresdner Str. are more Mitte-y, around Kottbusser Tor/Moritzplatz, but I don't know if that would be a better connection for you. What's your subway stop?
posted by creasy boy at 9:59 AM on October 16, 2007

I'm going to be staying at a hotel near Savignyplatz.
posted by grouse at 11:31 AM on October 16, 2007

Savigny Platz... oh yeah baby! or maybe not.

I'm over that/this way. It's a lot like the upper east side of Manhattan. Which is to say (and I hate to say it, but) the interesting part of Berlin, the part that people think of when they hear or reminisce or are told, "Berlin is a really cool/hip/sexy city" (the part I first visited) is largely, uh, over there.

The U7 does go through Charlottenburg, as creasy boy points out, and is pretty much a direct shot though.

(Unless you wanna suggest the Paris Bar (justKiddingjustKidding.Seriously, I'mkidding, seriously). The only bar I know out here is Kastanie on Schloss-strasse, it's very pleasant and very, uh, quiet/dull. When it's warm you can sit outside and that's pretty nice. Mostly it's where the guys who play boules buy their beers, and a few locals. I assume it's too far away from everyone, though, to make for a good spot.)

Which is to say - where ever consensus decides, I'll shoot to be there.
posted by From Bklyn at 4:09 PM on October 17, 2007

I don't care about being conveniently located near my hotel. I think I'm relatively close to a U7 stop.
posted by grouse at 12:03 AM on October 18, 2007

So maybe we should stick to Kolophon's bar? I think the other three of us are in Kreuzkölln...

And where are all the droves of MeFite Berliners?
posted by creasy boy at 2:31 AM on October 18, 2007

Mmmmmmmmm, MeFite Berliners. Yum.

Sorry
posted by grouse at 3:45 AM on October 18, 2007

have fun you guys---i may be coming the first week on Nov...wanna repeat? (i'm torn bet Berlin and Vienna for this next trip)
posted by amberglow at 12:32 PM on October 20, 2007

and i must hit your bar, kolophon : >
posted by amberglow at 12:33 PM on October 20, 2007

hey amberglow, you definitely have to come. I'd love to invite you to a drink!
posted by kolophon at 1:33 PM on October 20, 2007

I will, definitely! (one of these days if not in Nov.)

Ich bin ein ~~Berliner~~Kreativ-hässliche studi-polit-Homo, i think
posted by amberglow at 3:34 PM on October 20, 2007

or at least some of those : >
posted by amberglow at 3:38 PM on October 20, 2007

yay!
(that label was a reaction to a stupid internet diss of our bar by an old-school neukölln lesbian who somehow was offended by our political crossdressing style, but we wear it with pride)
posted by kolophon at 7:38 PM on October 20, 2007

Damn, something has come up and I won't be able to make it. Have fun! Anyone wants to get a beer on some other night, ping me via this shiny new electronic mail system we have here.
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks at 3:43 AM on October 21, 2007

OK, so I'm pretty sure this going to be kolophon's bar then. What time should we get started?
posted by grouse at 3:55 AM on October 21, 2007

There should be a table left if you come between 8 and 9 pm, it usually gets quite crowded after 10
posted by kolophon at 5:23 AM on October 21, 2007

8:30?

As far as I'm concerned we can repeat in November, especially so Your Time... can make it.

Amberglow, if you're a kreativ-hässliche studi-polit-Homo I guarantee you you'll have more fun in Berlin than in Vienna. Though it will be dark here.
posted by creasy boy at 6:58 AM on October 21, 2007

OK, 8:30 it is then. So, uh, how do I get there and how will I find y'all? Hermannplatz and then what?
posted by grouse at 8:28 AM on October 21, 2007

Kolophon, it's a small place, right? Could we just walk in and be recognized by the expectant look on our faces? Or ask at the bar?

There's a map of Berlin here where you can search for addresses.
posted by creasy boy at 11:50 AM on October 21, 2007

(that label was a reaction to a stupid internet diss of our bar by an old-school neukölln lesbian who somehow was offended by our political crossdressing style, but we wear it with pride)
good : >

creasy, Vienna's pullilng at me for some reason, and when i was there last (and first) in the 80s i felt at home immediately and met tons of people--Berlin i went to in 96 and never quite caught the groove of--i didn't find people as friendly as other places (i always meet people everywhere i go when i travel, and never really connected there)--and maybe i overdid the WW2/recent history tourism too (and found it inescapable even at museums and stuff-like that Museum Insel that used to be East, etc--they were still redoing things and trying to put collections together, etc, and still building the tacky hi-rise neighborhood that used be no-man's land, etc), so that was on my mind everyday there--and really depressing.
posted by amberglow at 12:10 PM on October 21, 2007

It's funny how cities are so different...my trip to Berlin that time really put me off Germany for a long time, but i did Cologne this past spring and it was totally fab--and really friendly, so i'm willing to give Berlin more chances. (i wonder if it's maybe because i probably look Turkish to most Germans or something? In most other Euro cities, they usually think i'm Italian or something like that. And in Cologne, tons of Turkish locals thought i was one of them)
posted by amberglow at 12:23 PM on October 21, 2007

Just ask at the bar, I'll be there (though not all night, There is a birthday party where I'll have to show up later)

amberglow: Yes, Berlin can be difficult! I remember after the first time I went there in the 90s I promised to myself never to come to this awful and ugly city ever again (beeing chased by nazis through east-german concrete slabs and all)
But now I can't imagine living anywhere else...

And it is probably harder to meet people here than most other cities I know. Not very friendly and open on the first glance, Cologne really is very different in that respect. But when you come to know some people better you'll find that Berliners can be nice people too. :)
posted by kolophon at 4:25 PM on October 21, 2007

After some years, I'm experiencing the "Herz" that goes with the "Schnauze", but I'm unsure about whether I reduced my expectations! Cologne is famous for its social warmth and party vibe, though a much smaller town than Berlin. I'd go with creasy that Berlin is more associated with Kreativ-hässliche studi-polit-(variable).

I always thought Berlin wasn't that pretty until my Schwiegermutter gave us a little boat she wasn't using, and now I think it's lovely -- it's really depends on where you're looking and where you are when you're looking. Last weekend I went rowing and saw hawks, kestrels and a colossal black buzzard, and then went and snuck some acorns to the 400lb wild boars at the Rehberge afterwards. Sometimes you see red foxes or ferrets when coming home from clubs. That's pretty great, as are the occasional mega-starry night skies for this transplanted New Yorker. I really like to show visitors the natural aspects of the area since they often get overlooked entirely.

I'm now wondering if I'm a middle-school lesbian -- I'm pro drag, polit- and otherwise, but the last bunch of drag performances I saw had me checking my watch. Not a critique of kolophon's crew, who I don't know.
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks at 6:13 AM on October 22, 2007

Yeah, there are lots of lakes all around Berlin and lots of green spaces. I really like the juxtaposition of its trashy low-income glare with all the trees and water. I've taken what I like to think of as good photos here.

Also I hardly ever talk to any Berliners here, and whenever I do I'm immediately bored and turned off. I think the key to this city is talking to all the other foreigners. But, honestly, I hardly ever leave the house anymore, so all I really care about is the cheap rent.
posted by creasy boy at 12:01 PM on October 22, 2007

i'm more than willing to give it another chance--and it's easier if you know people--as i do now : >
posted by amberglow at 3:40 PM on October 22, 2007

Well, the endorsements here haven't been exactly ringing, but good on ya. Nice photos, creasy. Here is my little story about Berlin critters and their architectural preferences (far more enjoyable with Quicktime installed I think).
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks at 5:58 AM on October 23, 2007

why is it that it's not a ringing endorsement? why live there? In Cologne, the people i met said Munich is where most Germans want to live and where the most stuff is going on (i had asked about rents there and it became a whole quality-of-life discussion), but i have no desire to go there at all.
posted by amberglow at 2:20 PM on October 23, 2007

i do wish i had gone when it was still east and west (everyone says it was special then), but i grew up in a family that wouldn't even buy german cars, etc, so...
posted by amberglow at 2:22 PM on October 23, 2007

creasy, i love that sparrow thing : >
posted by amberglow at 2:24 PM on October 23, 2007

Sparrow thing is mine, and thanks!
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks at 5:37 PM on October 23, 2007

Yeah that sparrow thing's nice work.
posted by creasy boy at 10:39 PM on October 23, 2007

oop---sorry Your Time : >
posted by amberglow at 4:59 AM on October 24, 2007

No prob! Why I like Berlin: I like to have a lot of time to think and do things which interest me, and I like the option of having a lot of quiet. My favorite city on earth is NYC, but time and quiet are in short supply there. Having grown up there, I also feel really susceptible to getting carried away with its maxi-capitalist current (much as I also like it). So it's pleasant to spend part of my life somewhere where the "buy this! demolish your competitors! compare what you have with others!" volume is turned way down.

That isn't my answer to "why Berlin?", which is that my wife is eine Berlinerin and this is where we have our life. But it's a major bonus to live in a big old city with great bars and bookstores and galleries and low-life and vast numbers of queers and hectic noise on demand just a couple blocks away, without giving up the time or the quiet when I want it. Plus foxes and kestrels. Though I still work with my US clients and I might be less upbeat if Berlin were my only market for work.

Maybe it's just me, but I've never heard anyone say they wanted to live in Munich for any reason other than a job. It's like Atlanta or Boston in that way -- lots of smart, skilled people want to be there because it's a financial success, but I don't think it's the place you visit on vacation and then really want to move to.
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks at 8:04 AM on October 24, 2007 [2 favorites]

Yeah I friend of mine moved to Munich, and there don't seem to be neighborhoods there. He has to travel with the subway to get to anyone he knows. Whereas everyone I know in Berlin is within a kilometer of my apartment. Munich has some nice-looking buildings and stuff, and it's clean, but that doesn't help you much if you have to live there.

But Munich might be the best city in Germany after Berlin. Although they say Hamburg is nice, and I haven't been there yet.
posted by creasy boy at 9:28 AM on October 24, 2007 [1 favorite]

Hamburg is nice. I think Munich comes after Hamburg and Cologne in the best German city list.
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks at 10:08 AM on October 24, 2007 [1 favorite]

ahhh...is Hamburg nice? I don't know anything about it except for that dirty neighborhood.

maybe the people i met meant the economy more than pleasure/quality of life for Munich?
posted by amberglow at 2:15 PM on October 24, 2007

(they have 440 rt to Hamburg and Frankfurt now from Kennedy)
posted by amberglow at 2:22 PM on October 24, 2007

Are all of you guys set with your meetup plans? Otherwise, maybe we should take this to email so that it doesn't get too onerous to pick out the relevant info!
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks at 9:14 AM on October 25, 2007

Meet-up is this Saturday, 8:30, at Kolophon's Silver Future, Weser 206? Is this right?
posted by creasy boy at 11:05 AM on October 25, 2007

That's what I was planning on doing. And I won't have Internet access tomorrow so please don't change the plan :)
posted by grouse at 12:53 AM on October 26, 2007

It was really fun meeting you folks. I can report that my hangover wasn't too bad this morning after all those Żywiecs. Although having an extra hour of sleep sure helped.
posted by grouse at 4:16 PM on October 28, 2007

yes, It was fun. Let's have another meeting again soon, perhaps with amberglow this time!
posted by kolophon at 7:13 PM on October 28, 2007

Gibt es Fotos? (I only ask because one of my greater aspirations is to live Over There and, thus, be able to attend Berlin meetups. Pre-experiential nostalgia, innit.)
posted by donpedro at 2:32 AM on October 29, 2007

my mobile-cam pics came out way to dark, sorry...
posted by kolophon at 5:23 AM on October 29, 2007

Sorry ... I actually have a camera, but I've always hated being photographed, so to avoid hypocrisy I try to leave it at home. But I will bring it with me to the next meet-up.
posted by creasy boy at 5:46 AM on October 29, 2007

Likewise; generally, (really fun, should meet again, no photos, rather not be photographed...) I will gladly make efforts to be at the next.
posted by From Bklyn at 6:01 AM on October 29, 2007

no pics? no shoutouts? awwwww

(i'm doing Rome in Nov instead, but maybe Berlin in Jan/Feb?)
posted by amberglow at 8:19 AM on October 29, 2007

That's fair enough, I'm kind of camera-shy myself. But a voyeur when it comes to photos of others, and in certain periods of my life have been rather aggressive behind the camera. Cheers, glad you guys had a good time. Maybe in a couple of years!
posted by donpedro at 3:28 PM on October 29, 2007

yay, controversy: we got our front window smashed in because some hard core leftists disagreed with our price policy, and with our claim to be a queer political bar and still trying to make a living with it.

Color me frustrated.
posted by kolophon at 8:53 PM on November 10, 2007

Your price policy?
posted by grouse at 12:48 AM on November 11, 2007

That sucks, kolophon, I'm sorry.
posted by grouse at 12:48 AM on November 11, 2007

yeah, the beer was too expensive for them. I'm still stunned, but right now the hilarity of the whole thing still outweighs my anger.
posted by kolophon at 3:19 AM on November 11, 2007

I'm sorry to hear that. Do you have insurance? Do you know who they are?
posted by creasy boy at 6:29 AM on November 11, 2007

yes, we have insurance. (I hope they'll pay though)
I could identify them if I meet them again, but I doubt it will happen anytime soon.
posted by kolophon at 7:11 AM on November 11, 2007

that totally sucks---sorry to hear...
posted by amberglow at 10:20 AM on November 11, 2007

Wow, that's a terrific drag. And for the record your "price policy" could not be more reasonable.

Glad the hilarity is outweighing the anger...
posted by From Bklyn at 12:51 PM on November 11, 2007

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Berlin meetup, 27 October October 14, 2007 2:44 PM Subscribe

Berlin meetup, 27 October
October 14, 2007 2:44 PM Subscribe