Chicago Meetup

November 13, 2007 8:24 PM

Chicago Meetup? I just moved to the Windy City and was wondering if anyone might want to get together in December

I was thinking maybe a Wednesday evening, at Hopleaf, early in December. Would anyone be interested? Dates? I'd be happy to announce final plans, call ahead, etc.

posted by moooshy to MetaFilter Gatherings at 8:24 PM (114 comments total)

Does the Hopleaf have a mechanical bull?
posted by horsewithnoname at 10:39 PM on November 13, 2007

Wednesday the 19th works for me. The Hopleaf does too. No mechanical bull, though, more's the pity.
posted by crush-onastick at 5:42 AM on November 14, 2007

Hopleaf works for me. I'm out of town from the 10-19th. So, can we tweak the date a little?
posted by rbs at 5:44 AM on November 14, 2007

If we do this, y'all better actually show up this time. ;-)
posted by WCityMike at 9:26 AM on November 14, 2007

I'm out of town the later half of the month. But a Wednesday evening early in December sounds good to me. It's the middle of finals season though, so I dunno how long I'd be able to stick around.
posted by Arbac at 9:32 AM on November 14, 2007

I have a vague interest that may peter out when specific dates are chosen. Certainly interested enough to know what the final date is.
posted by garlic at 10:51 AM on November 14, 2007

I should still be in town and the Hopleaf is stumbling distance from me, so I'm in.
posted by eamondaly at 11:20 AM on November 14, 2007

Hopleaf is great if you like waiting an hour for a table, and yelling at the top of your lungs to be heard... at least that was what it was like last year?

Has it quited down since it was featured on Check Please?
posted by wfrgms at 12:47 PM on November 14, 2007

ditto garlic.
posted by MeetMegan at 12:51 PM on November 14, 2007

No, not at all--I was there Monday night, and it was jam-packed; my friend and I finally got a seat at the bar, and I don't think I ever saw a table open up, at least in the front room. I wish one could count on their upstairs being open, but that seems to be variable.

Edgewater Lounge is not far away, has a good beer selection (if lousy music), and is never nearly as crowded, but both are still in my hood, so either is fine with me...
posted by carrienation at 1:46 PM on November 14, 2007

What about Ten Cat? Different neighborhood, but generally quieter, esp. on weeknights.
posted by aramaic at 1:57 PM on November 14, 2007

We also have this thread going on. I'm too lazy to see if the map festival is still going on, but my point is, since as far as I know that never happened, we need to consolidate / join forces.
posted by iguanapolitico at 5:06 PM on November 14, 2007

A fellow Chicago MeFi sent me the following:

We'll have to see. The thread has started the usual descent into [That bar sucks! This bar is *so* much better!] and will soon cross into [That's a stupid night of the week! We should do this night instead!]. Once it degenerates to [But I'll be visiting from Border State two nights later!], I will no longer be interested.

True dat.

Well, I'm going to try to attend the SantaCon meetup at Rossi's tomorrow (Thursday) at 7pm. If anyone wants to piggy back, that'd be cool.

I don't really know what to tell you guys about picking a place, or a day, or a time. Generally I feel like non-crazyly busy places are better. Bonus for those close to CTA.

Has anyone thought of Goose Island over at North and Clyborn? It's sorta "Meh" but I know they have meeting rooms and it's close to the Red Line...
posted by wfrgms at 8:56 PM on November 14, 2007

Ooh, Ten Cat.

And there's also the Brauhaus for those that missed Oktoberfest. They usually have a lot of room to work with.
posted by asuprenant at 9:17 PM on November 14, 2007

I would like to meet some of you fine people.
posted by facetious at 9:21 PM on November 14, 2007

man i need a new nickname, i don't even trust my own comments anymore :-)
posted by facetious at 9:22 PM on November 14, 2007

Has anyone thought of Goose Island over at North and Clyborn?

Their food is tasty, and you're not going to get blasted by loud bar music. Or at least I wasn't the last time I was there.

That said, at this point I'm pretty location/date agnostic, but I will do my best to make it to whatever's settled upon.

I would make a "you'se guys betters shows ups" crack, did it for me.
posted by sparkletone at 7:13 AM on November 15, 2007

> Has anyone thought of Goose Island over at North and Clyborn? It's sorta "Meh" but I know they have meeting rooms and it's close to the Red Line...

The Chicago Sci-Fi Meetup evidently used to meet there (as did Dean's campaign), but the Sci-Fi meetup's coordinator told me that the Goose became fairly unfriendly to meetups, so they changed locales.

I personally don't care where we meet, as long as it's a place where conversation doesn't have to be shouted to be heard, but thought I'd pass along that bit of trivia in case it'd affect the choice.
posted by WCityMike at 8:14 AM on November 15, 2007

The Chicago Sci-Fi Meetup evidently used to meet there (as did Dean's campaign), but the Sci-Fi meetup's coordinator told me that the Goose became fairly unfriendly to meetups, so they changed locales.

Unfortunate. The last time I went there was a more informal thing than a Meet Up of any sort, but it was with a large group and they were fine with it (we called ahead, blah, blah, blah, but still).

I remain agnostic with regard to location/dates. Though I prefer quieter places to loud-bar places also, it's not a big deal to me.
posted by sparkletone at 9:46 AM on November 15, 2007

I was going to suggest the Clarke's After Dark (Right at the L Stop, full bar, full menu, not terribly crowded on weeknights), but it's also all booths and thus not terribly accommodating of large or random groups. We've had success fitting comfortably at the Billy Goat (the one under Michigan). Making no reference whatsoever to the language wfrgms quotes, I nonetheless hope someone makes an executive decision soon, otherwise, I'll end up with something else to do that night. Like tonight, I won't be crashing santacon. Which I'm sure is everyone's greatest concern.
posted by crush-onastick at 12:22 PM on November 15, 2007

So what we got so far is a day -- wednesday, and a month, december. Early on means it'd be December 5th, or December 12th.

Bar suggestions include
Hopleaf -- maybe crowded and noisy
Edgewater Lounge
Ten cat
goose island -- may or may not be group friendly...
brau haus
Billy Goat

So one of you excutive decision types, say what date at what time and where, so the rest of us can accidently forget and ditch you.
posted by garlic at 1:26 PM on November 15, 2007

Well, I'm totally unavailable on the 5th. So can we settle on the 12th to keep us on the side bar and do a venue TBD? but then I prefer the 19th cause I might be busy on the 12th, but what can you do>
posted by crush-onastick at 1:38 PM on November 15, 2007

I might be wrong, but I highly doubt Goose Island is averse to "a group of friends." Unless we require a quiet room, a podium, are using a gavel and taking minutes, or some such. I'd think this is way different than an organized regular group meeting or a campaign meeting, etc. That said, never been there, no opinion. I do love their beer.

Also, can't commit this far in advance to a week night because I live in the burbs and don't have a regular FT job, but I do have genuine interest and will make it to any venue, if the timing is right. :)
posted by iguanapolitico at 1:57 PM on November 15, 2007

Billy Goat is a good choice too - it's spread out, generally dead, serve-yourself type deal. Cash only, but they have an ATM.

Goose Island has parking though, for those of us who like to drive drunk...
posted by wfrgms at 4:10 PM on November 15, 2007

I hate the hopleaf. My vote is for the Ten Cat. Edgewater Lounge is a close second, but only because I had a rude waitress there once.
posted by kpmcguire at 1:37 PM on November 16, 2007

I'll be there. I'll be toting my car, so a neighborhood bar would be prefered over downtown.

Anybody up for MeFi on Ice sometime in the next couple months?

Incidentally, I am organizing with the company I work for and the photo folks at me3dia's Gapers Block this event and would love to see a mefite or two show up.
posted by pokermonk at 8:28 PM on November 17, 2007

December 12th, Billy Goat. We've had at least two good get-togethers there and it's centrally located for the oft-shafted southsiders. Seconded?
posted by eamondaly at 9:39 PM on November 17, 2007

Assuming our baby doesn't arrive early, I would participate. I am a fan of dive bars or bars with good beers. If you haven't been to Wee Gee's Lounge, I would recommend it. They have a shuffle-disc lane that is free and awesome.

Additionally, Small Bar (on 2954 N Albany Ave) is a good spot too. Good food and beer selection.

Finally, my favorite, cheap, fun hangout. The Hungry Brain (located at 2319 W Belmont Ave).

Loop me in when a final place and time are figured.
posted by zerobyproxy at 1:34 PM on November 18, 2007

I will happily second the Billy Goat.
posted by crush-onastick at 5:42 AM on November 19, 2007

The Billy Goat seems fine.

It's extremely likely that I'll be able to make it, though there's a chance I'll be a late arrival depending on when things start.
posted by sparkletone at 7:16 AM on November 19, 2007

ME TOO.

(If I can make it, I can make it to Billy Goat.)
posted by iguanapolitico at 10:35 AM on November 19, 2007

(We are talking about the original Billy Goat, right?)
posted by iguanapolitico at 10:35 AM on November 19, 2007

Well, eamondaly and I refer to the one down the stairs on Michigan Avenue, below the Wrigley Building. So, yes, the original. I hope there will be more oily businessmen, trying to pick up chicks by looking down shirts and holding handshakes waaaaay too long this time around.
posted by crush-onastick at 10:52 AM on November 19, 2007

So, Wednesday, December 12th at the Billy Goat Tavern located at 430 N Michigan Ave. What time will people be showing up?
posted by garlic at 11:09 AM on November 19, 2007

I hope there will be more oily businessmen, trying to pick up chicks by looking down shirts and holding handshakes waaaaay too long this time around.

The looking down shirts and holding handshakes to long I would expect at a Metafilter meetup, but oily businessmen?
posted by wfrgms at 11:48 AM on November 19, 2007

Oh yeah and Billy Goat sounds fine. Could we shoot for 6pm?
posted by wfrgms at 11:48 AM on November 19, 2007

The oily businessmen were not, to the best of anyone's knowledge, connected with metafilter in anyway. They could have been sockpuppets, I suppose.

6pm works for me.
posted by crush-onastick at 12:21 PM on November 19, 2007

6pm will make me a fashionably-late arrival, but I'm cool with that.
posted by sparkletone at 12:25 PM on November 19, 2007

Chicago meet-ups tend to skew later, so I'm good with later, too, but it being a work night, I won't stay out too very late. Maybe.
posted by crush-onastick at 12:45 PM on November 19, 2007

I will be there at approximately 9 p.m. (after I finish my finals).
posted by Baby_Balrog at 10:57 AM on November 20, 2007

Ok, here I am, I was kindly notified of this thread. THIS time I WILL make it! I won't fall asleep and miss it! I swear!
posted by Windigo at 10:21 PM on November 21, 2007

Chicago meetup? Say it ain't so! I'll more than likely be there.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 7:05 AM on November 23, 2007

Much as I love the Hopleaf, Billy Goat is closer and less noisy. I will try to be there.
posted by mai at 1:55 PM on November 25, 2007

(For future reference, the bar directly next to Hopleaf is called Konak, which has the best burger in my part of town, is large, spacious, and usually quite empty, and well worth the visit. I know all this because I live above it.)

=)
posted by agregoli at 3:14 PM on November 26, 2007

large and spacious mean the same thing at base, I realize. But seriously, when Hopleaf is so packed you cannot enter it, Konak is usually quite peaceful.
posted by agregoli at 3:19 PM on November 26, 2007

We're still on, right? December 12, Billy Goat on Michigan, 6 p.m.?
posted by MeetMegan at 7:05 AM on December 3, 2007

That's where I will be anyway.

Until it's clear that no one loves me.

And then I'll go home, curl up in my sock drawer and sob until it stops hurting.
posted by sparkletone at 7:16 AM on December 3, 2007

Suh-weet. Billy Goat is in my building (which is, by the way, not the Wrigley building but the Realtor building.) I will be arriving through the SECRET BACK DOOR.

I'm a bit intimidated about going to a MeFi meetup, but it's hard to say no when all I have to do is take an elevator to get there.
posted by misskaz at 11:59 AM on December 4, 2007

I could make that if someone can drag me from Emmit's (or Cavanaugh’s, or the gym) I'm not eating at the Billy Goat tho.
posted by Smedleyman at 3:05 AM on December 7, 2007

Damn - I tried moving my Wednesday appointment to another night, but it just didn't work. Yet another one I've got to miss.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 9:27 AM on December 9, 2007

As best as I can figure:

YES: crush-onastick, eamondaly, garlic, iguanapolitico, MeetMegan, misskaz, pokermonk, wfrgms, Windigo, WCityMike, Baby_Balrog (after 9), sparkletone (fashionably late), KevinSkomsvold (tentative), mai (tentative)

NO: rbs, Slack-a-gogo, Smedleyman (? or yes?)

?: kpmcguire, agregoli, aramaic, Arbac, asuprenant, carrienation, facetious, horsewithnoname, zerobyproxy
posted by WCityMike at 1:54 PM on December 10, 2007

So the plan is show up, find the group of people in the bar that seem the dorkiest, and approach and give them the mefi secret handshake?

flowers in our button holes?
posted by garlic at 2:38 PM on December 10, 2007

Well, the hyperlinks in my post are to photos of people's faces, so that might help.
posted by WCityMike at 3:01 PM on December 10, 2007

So the plan is show up, find the group of people in the bar that seem the dorkiest, and approach and give them the mefi secret handshake?

I usually say, "Hello. I'm from the Internets."
posted by sparkletone at 3:03 PM on December 10, 2007

Hey, just found out about this from crush. I'll be there!
posted by me3dia at 3:05 PM on December 10, 2007

Well, the hyperlinks in my post are to photos of people's faces, so that might help.

What is it about mine that makes you think that's not my face?

YOU = FACEIST.
posted by sparkletone at 3:06 PM on December 10, 2007

Oh boy. Commit? That's been ... difficult for me in my life. Ogosh ogosh ogosh. Um, so, yeah.
posted by iguanapolitico at 3:38 PM on December 10, 2007

I can't wait to drink meet you all.
posted by wfrgms at 5:42 PM on December 10, 2007

I should be there but probably a bit after 6. Looking forward to my first meetup!
posted by asuprenant at 10:03 PM on December 10, 2007

I too may be fashionably late. The new kitten, Coal, has another upper respiratory infection and he has a vet appointment at 6:00. See y'all tomorrow!
posted by MeetMegan at 10:33 AM on December 11, 2007

wfrgms: i keep reading that as "I can't wait to drink you all." and thinking "Now, that's just weird. Where'd I put my whiskey?"
posted by crush-onastick at 11:27 AM on December 11, 2007

Ach! Doesn't look like I can make it. Sorry.
posted by Smedleyman at 1:59 PM on December 11, 2007

So the plan is show up, find the group of people in the bar that seem the dorkiest, and approach and give them the mefi secret handshake?

In my experience Billy Goat isn't super crowded at 6pm on a Wednesday - maybe a little more so with holiday shopper tourist traffic, but chances are MeFites will be the only large group that doesn't look like 1.) tourists or 2.) creepy old men.

At least that's what I'm hoping - I haven't met the MeFi Chicago contingent so you could all be creepy old men.
posted by misskaz at 2:38 PM on December 11, 2007

Ahem.

Okay, so some google linkage going down:

The meetup is happening at the Billy Goat Tavern. This is the "original" Billy Goat on the lower level of Michigan Avenue. I want to stress the "lower level" part because it is entirely possible to show up and bump around between the Wrigley Building and the Tribune Tower thinking that the Billy Goat is nearby and never actually find the place. You have to go down stairs. Click here for a map to the place.

For those of you using the CTA (godblessya) the nearest "L" stop is the Grand/State Red Line stop. Additionally the State/Lake stop (which is just south, across the river) serves several lines. I recommend you use the CTA's trip planner website. Search for the address "430 N. Michigan Ave."

Hope this helps. If anyone is traveling to the meetup from the UIC or Pilsen area, please let me know - we can either car pool or CTA-it together. My email is in my profile.
posted by wfrgms at 6:36 PM on December 11, 2007

Oh boy, I guess I really *have* to go to the meetup now so I can ask wfrgms all about living in Pilsen. Assuming you ended up moving there. Damn, I'm running out of excuses why I can't make it! (Don't mind me, I'm just a socially anxious idiot.)
posted by iguanapolitico at 7:49 PM on December 11, 2007

I think I'll be able to make it for once!
posted by Iridic at 7:49 PM on December 11, 2007

iguanapolitico, I'll tell you ALL about Pislen. Promise.
posted by wfrgms at 9:16 PM on December 11, 2007

I'm so psyched! wfgms is right - it's very important you go downstairs. If you're standing at 430 N Michigan and are confused and looking at a Walgreens, you are in the right spot, just one flight too high. Just look in front of the Walgreens and you'll see some stairs descending into the sidewalk. Take those and you're all set!

Personally, I love that it's so hard to find - I think that's what keeps all but the die-hard (or led-by-a-local) tourists out of there. And I love seeing people's reactions when they go to Billy Goat for the first time. Walking down those stairs is like entering a time warp. Whee.
posted by misskaz at 8:26 AM on December 12, 2007

*We* are going to look like tourists in there.

:)

My ex was visiting last Xmastime (before he became my ex) and we were walking past it, looking for a place to eat, so we walked in, looked around ... and walked out. ;)

(We ended up at Shaw's and had about $100 worth of oysters at the bar.)

But oysters is NOT what this is about. See you tonight.
posted by iguanapolitico at 8:58 AM on December 12, 2007

*We* are going to look like tourists in there.

Speak for yourself; it used to be one of my regular lunch spots. :)
posted by me3dia at 10:29 AM on December 12, 2007

As long as you aren't lugging giant shopping bags from American Girl Place, we're cool. :)
posted by misskaz at 10:39 AM on December 12, 2007

Forgot to check back in. Definitely going, and I have now handily added a picture to my profile for easy viewing/recognition. Is there a pennant or something I should be looking for? Perhaps one of those pieces of paper folded up into a triangle with NERDS written on it?
posted by kpmcguire at 11:24 AM on December 12, 2007

As long as you aren't lugging giant shopping bags from American Girl Place, we're cool.

Well, shit.

Anyone know a good place for a dude to stash his giant girl bags for a few hours?
posted by sparkletone at 12:12 PM on December 12, 2007

Ok, I can bring some paper and sharpies for shout-out and/or signage purposes. But I don't have a working camera. I hope someone has one!

Perhaps one of those pieces of paper folded up into a triangle with NERDS written on it?
Funny you should say that. I hosted a meetup for some internet/IRC friends this summer. NERD signs
posted by misskaz at 12:51 PM on December 12, 2007

Oooh! I actually have a whole bunch of sticky labels we could use for name tags. They don't say "HELLO My Name Is" at the top, but they should work.
posted by iguanapolitico at 1:29 PM on December 12, 2007

misskaz: I've got my camera and gorillapod. I'm pretty sure, too, that me3dia never leaves home without his camera.
posted by crush-onastick at 2:06 PM on December 12, 2007

I'm running late, but I will be there around 8pm or so...
posted by wfrgms at 5:04 PM on December 12, 2007

My cold hands and I are waiting for the train. But hey, at least it's not raining?
posted by sparkletone at 5:14 PM on December 12, 2007

I'm sorry. I just got out of work....next time!
posted by moooshy at 6:57 PM on December 12, 2007

I joined, in part so my partner-in-crime, who couldn't come because of work, wouldn't post on my behalf (I never questioned how we found out where to purchase ice skates...) and in part because I had such a great time tonight, and decided to move beyond the headlines.

So thank you. I'm so glad I met all of you, and received a copy of Rick Kogan's lovely book. Hope to see you again, soon...in person. :)

Cheers,
Melody
posted by melodykramer at 8:08 PM on December 12, 2007

photos!
posted by crush-onastick at 9:57 PM on December 12, 2007

Yay, melodykramer!

So, how crazy was that? I'm glad I ran into Rick Kogan -- but little did I expect him to buy us three (or was it four?) rounds and give us all books?

Anyway, good to see you all. Hope everyone made it home in one piece!
posted by me3dia at 10:33 PM on December 12, 2007

I'm glad I ran into Rick Kogan -- but little did I expect

Um, insert "I'm glad I introduced him to my internet friends" somewhere in there.
posted by me3dia at 10:39 PM on December 12, 2007

Amazing night.
posted by WCityMike at 10:47 PM on December 12, 2007

I had a great time tonight as well. Sorry I showed up so late and I regret that I missed a few people. Dunno if I'm totally sorry that I missed Kogan, but I do regret not drinking his free beer. On the upside, because I stuck around later I got a free box of Fairytale Flakes. And when we moved to Rossi's I got to see the be-cool-stick. All-in-all a great evening and the Chicago MeFis turned out to be just what I expected: wonderful, entertaining, and charming people.
posted by wfrgms at 11:24 PM on December 12, 2007

Yes, really great time. Nice work, all.

Gentlemen of Rossi's - apologies for the abrupt departure, but when it's pumpkin time, it's time. Looking forward to the next go-round.

In the meantime, I got home safely after a 50m delay on the Brown Line near Addison. Hm....lucklily I had my Rich Kogan book. Now what about these Princess Flakes.

Again, if anyone is up for film + science + music + art gallery + adult beverages, we'll be out on Saturday. Mustaches are optional.
posted by asuprenant at 12:21 AM on December 13, 2007

What? There was Rossi's later? Damn you, Northern District of Illinois! DAMN you.
posted by crush-onastick at 4:02 AM on December 13, 2007

God we sure are better looking than those New York meetups ;)

It was great to see me3dia and WCMike again (I'll have Mike's do tonight) and meet so many new Chicago area MetaFilterarians.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 6:52 AM on December 13, 2007

I promise to stick around later next time assuming I don't have to wake up at 5 the next morning. Rossi's sounds like fun. Actually, Billy Goat was a pretty great meetup locale, we might want to do it again!
posted by WCityMike at 7:10 AM on December 13, 2007

What a fun group we are! I had a blast; sorry I had to duck out so early. I only took two pictures with my cellphone camera.
posted by misskaz at 7:17 AM on December 13, 2007

I don't have any idea how you guys went somewhere else afterward. I feel pretty much like garbage right now, and I just went to the 'goat.

But I only feel like garbage because of the drinks, not the people.
posted by kpmcguire at 7:34 AM on December 13, 2007

My DaShivesque pics.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 7:48 AM on December 13, 2007

That was amazing. I couldn't have hoped for a better first meetup.

Welcome, Melody!
posted by Iridic at 7:56 AM on December 13, 2007

Also, for my pics, I apologize if I forgot some of your names. I was shocked and happy at the turnout. There were so many of us that I really never made my way to the end of the table! Anyhow, feel free to ad notes to my pics or send me a mefi message and I'll tag with your name.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 7:58 AM on December 13, 2007

Great!, KevinS! Really awesome!

Everyone, feel free to annotate my pics, as well.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:47 AM on December 13, 2007

Y'all are so fun. And thank you all so much for donating to Mustaches for Kids! Hooray for the interwebs!

So, one thing: I feel like whenever we start a meetup thread we get too bogged down in picking a locale. I'd like to humbly suggest we establish an Official Chicago Meta Meetup Place^* for future meetups so we can start having these things more often. And with that said, I nominate Billy Goat as that place. What it lacks in veggie options it makes up for in public transit easy-to-get-to-ness, it'll seat 20 as easily as 2, and-- perhaps most importantly-- it's cheap as hell. That's not to say we won't ever go anywhere else, but it'd be nice to have a default agreed-upon place. What say you, book-lovers?
posted by eamondaly at 9:43 AM on December 13, 2007

Mr. Daly, seeing as how you buy me cheeseburgers, I cannot argue with you (did I thank you? well, thank you!). I will second the motion.
posted by crush-onastick at 9:46 AM on December 13, 2007

I can't argue with that logic!

The only drawback for me is I'd love for my fiancé to join us for future meetups, and he's reluctant to come all the way downtown on weekdays. (He works in Evanston and we live on the far north side). But, with all the stories I had for him from last night, I probably could persuade him to join us next time!
posted by misskaz at 9:58 AM on December 13, 2007

Thirded!
posted by me3dia at 9:58 AM on December 13, 2007

Eamondaly, definitely seconded.
posted by WCityMike at 10:11 AM on December 13, 2007

Yeah, that really was an ideal location. I mean, they give you cereal if you stay for the duration and beer even if you don't.

It might be fun to mix things up from time to time (Glunz's, eamondaly?), but Billy Goat does seem like a good default.
posted by asuprenant at 10:17 AM on December 13, 2007

I wouldn't mind visiting my grandpa's basement more often. By that I mean, yes, the goat is cool with me.
posted by kpmcguire at 10:17 AM on December 13, 2007

Oh my god, what a good time that was! I have a feeling this photo will come back to haunt me. Hope everybody else made it through their morning ok. I slept in, and forgot all about my new box of cereal.
posted by hydrophonic at 11:56 AM on December 13, 2007

As much as love the beer selection at HopLeaf (the other Chicago meetup staple?) the Billy Goat seems to meet most of the criteria for Chicago meet-ups. Plus I think it's hosted enough happy MeFi/MeCha memories (and loss of memories) that it qualifies as beloved. I would love to see it become the official meeting place.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 12:51 PM on December 13, 2007

That was a good time.

I don't really have an opinion as to an official spot, but the Billy Goat does seem to hit (almost) all the ideals.
posted by sparkletone at 12:55 PM on December 13, 2007

Definite thumbs up for Billy Goat here. And it takes the whole anxiety-causing "unknown" out of the equation for the next meetup for me. (And misskaz, I come from *Highland Park* for goshsakes. Evanston is my halfway point!)

It was lovely meeting everyone! Great photos. Sorry I missed the afterparty. I'm usually one to participate in the bar-closings, but my sneaking suspicion that my dog needed me at home was correct. (Greyhound fanatics unite!!)
posted by iguanapolitico at 1:36 PM on December 13, 2007

*misskaz high-fives iguanapolitico
posted by misskaz at 2:16 PM on December 13, 2007

I'm sorry I missed out. I was stuck at home working on a take-home final that ended up taking way longer than expected. Looks like everyone had fun. Guess I'll have to try for the next one.
posted by Arbac at 7:49 PM on December 13, 2007

Yes, that's right: they're all my photos. Mwa ha ha ha.
posted by WCityMike at 9:38 AM on December 15, 2007

Well earlier they were all pb's and I didn't know pb was even there! So this is an improvement (not that I wouldn't want pb to be there, it's just that if he was, it would have seemed kinda stalkerish).
posted by iguanapolitico at 11:39 AM on December 15, 2007

[updated the photos to reflect the users that took them]
posted by mathowie (staff) at 4:48 PM on December 17, 2007

Ladies and gentlemen ... Rick Kogan joins the ranks of Mefites. :)
posted by WCityMike at 10:17 AM on December 19, 2007

Excellent!
posted by eamondaly at 11:09 AM on December 19, 2007

OK, like an idiot I had been looking for him by typing in random large numbers (you know, like http://www.metafilter.com/user/64264, but I just never got around to trying that number). Forgot about the username.mefi/ method. Sigh.

Well, obviously he has increased the average mefi IQ by a point or two. ;) Welcome, Rick.
posted by iguanapolitico at 12:01 PM on December 19, 2007