The Smoke meetup!

February 2, 2008 3:29 PM

London --- cold, windy, wet! This calls for some human warmth...

...and a pint, or ten!

Any friendly characters wanting to meet up at some point in February or early March? If you guys are up for it, I suggest Jack the Ripper's boozer, The Ten Bells, in Spitalfields.

Anyone, anyone? : )

posted by heartofglass to MetaFilter gatherings at 3:29 PM (106 comments total)

Yes.
posted by flashboy at 4:33 PM on February 2, 2008

Aye, say I.
posted by Happy Dave at 6:23 PM on February 2, 2008

Yes, although not sure about The Ten Bells as a suitable meet-up pub. It's quite small and has somehow managed to become more seedy since it stopped being a strip-bar.
posted by oh pollo! at 2:47 AM on February 3, 2008

I'll be there if it's early in the week. Mondays or Tuesdays are best for me.

Yes, I'm aware these aren't brilliant 'going out' nights, but what can I do?
posted by MrMustard at 3:03 AM on February 3, 2008

There's no warmth to be had east of the A10.
posted by cillit bang at 3:05 AM on February 3, 2008 [1 favorite]

I'm in, but I'll vote against The Ten Bells. How about somewhere a bit bigger?

Cilit Bang, you live near me, it seems. Good ol' Har(r)inga(e)y.

There's got to be something big, warm and tube-acessable...
posted by generichuman at 3:14 AM on February 3, 2008

Oooh, I've never really played with the "Users Near Me," think.

oh pollo! appears to live in the park! Neat!
posted by generichuman at 3:18 AM on February 3, 2008

Yup, that's ma bench. I'm there most evenings with a couple of cans of White Lightning.
posted by oh pollo! at 3:38 AM on February 3, 2008

Point taken!

A couple of central options: This Soho pub is great and so is this one, in the same area, with pool tables, dart boards and etc.

Pubs in other areas:

Deux Beers in Farringdon...

...The Dove in Hammersmith...

...Medicine Bar in Angel...

...Hoxton Square Bar, which is a short walk from Old Street tube...

...Prince Albert, near Notting Hill Gate...

...or Ginglik, right opposite Shepherd's Bush underground station!
posted by heartofglass at 4:10 AM on February 3, 2008

I'm happy to go for any of those places. I'll let others wiegh in on can-and-can'ts.

One thing to note about Ginglick at Shepherd's Bush... I think Shepherd's Bush is closed now for it's renovation. Might be difficult to access by tube. (Kensington Olympia is a 10 minute walk, but that station may as well not actually exist.)
posted by generichuman at 4:23 AM on February 3, 2008

I vote for Deux Beers.
posted by Optamystic at 8:00 AM on February 3, 2008

Yeah, Shepherd's Bush Central Line is out, although the Hammersmith & City is still an option.

I like the Ten Bells, but you're right, it's not really ideal for a meet-up. I'm a big fan of The Angel, but then you've got the issue that it's a Sam Smiths - the Marmite of the pub world. Anybody else got some preferences?

Oh, and I will selfishly request that the date not be between the 17th and 21st of Feb. Because I'm working late shifts that week. Damn you, work.
posted by flashboy at 8:47 AM on February 3, 2008

Hammersmith & City is still an option

Ha ha ha ha.
posted by chrismear at 9:18 AM on February 3, 2008 [3 favorites]

I'll put my 2p in for the Medicine Bar in Angel, but only because it's close to me. Otherwise, I'm game. I'm still exploring London!
posted by generichuman at 9:27 AM on February 3, 2008

Ha ha ha ha.

You're so cruel to that line.
posted by flashboy at 1:40 PM on February 3, 2008

I could be there, if you people want me, seeing as I'll be holidaying in London at the time.
posted by liquorice at 2:14 PM on February 3, 2008

any of those options sounds like a winner. Weak preference for being more central than West.
posted by patricio at 2:17 PM on February 3, 2008

You're so cruel to that line.

Well, who the hell thinks "Salmon" is great colour for a tube line? I mean, c'mon.

But yeah. I'd be interested to know the West:East ration of London Mefites. There seem to be more East London folks than West.
posted by generichuman at 2:37 PM on February 3, 2008

I be in. And I'm south London.
posted by adrianhon at 3:27 PM on February 3, 2008

Yup.
posted by blag at 5:17 PM on February 3, 2008

You're so cruel to that line.

It's never failed to let me down. And yet we still keep using each other.
posted by chrismear at 6:25 PM on February 3, 2008

I'm in. someone settle the date&location thing though.
posted by krautland at 8:10 PM on February 3, 2008

Ok folks! Shall we decide date and the logistics of the whole thing then?

I'll be away for most of the month and back on the week flashboy is busy...and since he has been so mistreated so far :-D I am suggesting 7th March (Friday). Is everyone ok with that?

As for location, the finalists seem to be Medicine in Angel, Deux Beers in Farringdon and Ginglik in Shepherd's Bush (?). You guys are right, the central line station is closed and H&C is a 'bit' impractical. But Holland Park station is a 10min walk from there.

Shall we decide? Four, three, two, one...
posted by heartofglass at 11:32 PM on February 3, 2008

Maybe next time. Sigh.
posted by MrMustard at 11:41 PM on February 3, 2008

Medicine sounds like it's probably one of those musicmusicMUSIC place where you can't hear anybody say anything and you end up wanting to punch the world to death, so I'll vote for Deux Beers, which sounds nice.
posted by flashboy at 1:16 AM on February 4, 2008

But Holland Park station is a 10min walk from there

One of those minutes being spent negotiating the fragrant Holland Park roundabout subways. And it's all a bit - I'm not sure I should say this polite company - Zone 2.

Another vote for Deux Beers.
posted by cillit bang at 1:22 AM on February 4, 2008

Ok, shall we say Deux Beers in Farringdon on Friday 7th March? God, that's ages away.....
posted by oh pollo! at 4:08 AM on February 4, 2008

Done and done. And posted to le sidebar.
posted by chrismear at 5:09 AM on February 4, 2008

I'll be there. I might be a bit late, though, since I'm involved in some kind of eBay 'away day'.

Concerning.
posted by armoured-ant at 11:12 AM on February 4, 2008

WHO HAS THE SIGN?!
posted by armoured-ant at 11:15 AM on February 4, 2008

True, oh pollo! that's ages away -- a long time to look forward to it! :)
posted by heartofglass at 11:19 AM on February 4, 2008

I HAZ TEH SIGN!1
posted by chrismear at 11:39 AM on February 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

Excellent...hehehehe...
posted by heartofglass at 1:13 PM on February 4, 2008

There's a SIGN?
posted by generichuman at 1:46 PM on February 4, 2008

I hope to make it to the next London meetup!
(moving there in April)
posted by vacapinta at 9:45 PM on February 4, 2008

Holy crap. (And we'll do it on a Monday or a Tuesday.)
posted by chrismear at 11:14 PM on February 4, 2008

I'm in - 7/3 at Deux Beers it is...
posted by dmt at 4:29 AM on February 5, 2008

I should be ok to make this. Metafilger in the hizzi!
posted by triv at 5:06 AM on February 5, 2008

liquorice - yes! You must come, if you can.

Oooh, I've never really played with the "Users Near Me," think. oh pollo! appears to live in the park! Neat!

The person nearest me used to be at Wormwood Scrubs, but I can't remember who it was now. They must have got out, anyway.

Meetup sounds great!
posted by goo at 9:28 AM on February 5, 2008

I'm in - amazing, there's a sign and everything.
posted by YouRebelScum at 11:33 AM on February 5, 2008

Whilst Ginglik is a wonderful place for secret gigs, I can't help but shudder to think of it as a meetup venue. A cramped, small, dark, loud and expensive bar is pretty much a recipe for disaster when combined with meeting strangers from the internet. I prefer hotel rooms.

Also, this time I shall attempt to arrive at some point before 11pm. Honest.
posted by hugsnkisses at 9:39 AM on February 6, 2008

The person nearest me used to be at Wormwood Scrubs, but I can't remember who it was now. They must have got out, anyway.

That was me, when I moved to Islington I changed my location to Pentonville Prison.
posted by atrazine at 9:51 AM on February 6, 2008 [1 favorite]

I keep meaning to change my location to the middle of some railway tracks.

Do we have a time, in mine? (I realise that the meetup is a month away...)
posted by generichuman at 8:32 AM on February 7, 2008

By which I mean, in mind.
posted by generichuman at 8:34 AM on February 7, 2008

The 7th is a bit messy for me, but I will do all that I can to make it to this one - especially since it is a stone's throw (not quite literally) from my current flat (from which I was at one point planning to move on that very day).
posted by sueinnyc at 11:00 AM on February 7, 2008

Shall we say 7pm?

And sueinnyc, change your move to saturday, so that you can join us! : )
posted by heartofglass at 2:51 PM on February 7, 2008

I may be able to make it...not that anyone knows who I am. But being American, I'll stick out like...something that is conspicuous.
posted by m0nm0n at 7:58 AM on February 13, 2008

Groovy.

That is all.
posted by Grangousier at 5:57 AM on February 14, 2008

Grangousier's going??
That's almost enough, but hey, I realise how boring we're getting, I mean..... they do things better in Texas!
posted by Wilder at 2:58 PM on February 19, 2008

I'll bring the fake blood, Wilder...
posted by triv at 2:23 AM on February 21, 2008

Fake? Wuss.
posted by cillit bang at 2:51 AM on February 21, 2008

We're not all as hardcore as you, Mr Bang!
posted by triv at 9:00 AM on February 21, 2008

OK, having scanned the thread about ten times am I right in thinking the meet-up is happening at Deux beers in Farringdon from 7.30 this friday coming? If so I'm thinking I might actually brave the fear and come along!
posted by freya_lamb at 11:40 AM on March 2, 2008

That's right, freya_lamb. Hope to see you there!
posted by chrismear at 1:10 PM on March 2, 2008

FRESH MEAT!

Cool. Am looking forward to this, everyone else had their hair cut in readiness? No? Just me, then.
posted by triv at 4:46 AM on March 4, 2008

I had my hair cut yesterday! And blow dried! Will it last until Friday? that's my worry...
posted by heartofglass at 8:13 AM on March 4, 2008

C'mon, lay off the pressure.
posted by chrismear at 11:44 AM on March 4, 2008

I had mine done on Sunday, so I'm ready.
posted by cillit bang at 6:27 AM on March 5, 2008

Alright, I'm getting mine done tomorrow. God.
posted by chrismear at 9:05 AM on March 5, 2008

Hey I had mine done (did we specify which surface the hair was on???) a few days ago and sorry to say:-

Having been up in the big smoke all this week.............

and being the subject (object?) of a mini-meet-up tomorrow, I don't think I'll have enough energy for Friday!!

you KNOW how much I love you guys, - Have a ball!

(Oh and I need to put new hotel info in the other thread, this place rocks)
posted by Wilder at 1:57 PM on March 5, 2008

I desperately need to get my hair done too, but I would be there quite promptly anyway...were it not for the fact that I'm now not going to get back to London in time to be there quite promptly. I hope to make a less-than-prompt appearance later on.
posted by sueinnyc at 4:31 PM on March 5, 2008

Apparently this thing she put on me is "halfway between a gel and a wax."

I feel so pretty right now.
posted by chrismear at 11:39 AM on March 6, 2008

Not going. Have a good time everyone.
posted by essexjan at 2:02 PM on March 6, 2008

Scared he'll ruin you for Jason?
posted by cillit bang at 2:57 PM on March 6, 2008

Hmm, I was thinking of coming along from Oxford but now I'm not so sure since I don't think I'll have time to get a haircut... If you can forgive my unshorn locks though, I might just risk a pilgrimage to see "TEH SIGN!1" :)
posted by Kirjava at 3:59 PM on March 6, 2008

What the fuck are you talking about cillit?
posted by essexjan at 4:00 PM on March 6, 2008

If I open my mouth on a meetup thread, it's probably to mock Chris.
posted by cillit bang at 4:15 PM on March 6, 2008

Oh.

I'm not going because the last couple of meetups I've been to have had rather too much narcissistic drama going on than I need on a night out.
posted by essexjan at 4:44 PM on March 6, 2008

Ouch.
posted by chrismear at 5:52 PM on March 6, 2008

scary.... :-S
posted by heartofglass at 11:35 PM on March 6, 2008

Now I'm really looking forward to it!! :D
posted by Kirjava at 12:36 AM on March 7, 2008

*plays EastEnders theme tune with pens on desk*
posted by randomination at 2:12 AM on March 7, 2008

I haven't had a haircut, if that's any help.
posted by flashboy at 2:45 AM on March 7, 2008

I'll miss you essexjan :( I shall have to dedicate TEH SHOUTOUT to yus.
posted by triv at 2:47 AM on March 7, 2008

flashboy, trim those curly locks yo.
posted by triv at 2:48 AM on March 7, 2008

Have a great time guys! I have babies to play with, so I'll see you at the next one.

atrazine, I'm glad you're finding HM's accommodations so commodious!
posted by goo at 6:09 AM on March 7, 2008

What time are folk going to be there from - just realised the pub is at the end of the road I work in.
posted by Happy Dave at 8:22 AM on March 7, 2008

I can probably be there from 6.
posted by randomination at 8:39 AM on March 7, 2008

Actually, no I can't. I'll be there 7.30.
posted by randomination at 9:06 AM on March 7, 2008

Probably there about 6.15, 6.30-ish? Or something like that.
posted by flashboy at 9:08 AM on March 7, 2008

That's assuming someone else is there too.
posted by flashboy at 9:08 AM on March 7, 2008

There wouldn't be much point just turning up by alone and sitting on my own talking to myself.
posted by flashboy at 9:09 AM on March 7, 2008

Like I'm doing now.
posted by flashboy at 9:10 AM on March 7, 2008

I will be there from just before 6.
posted by Happy Dave at 9:14 AM on March 7, 2008

That was fun.

Groovy.
posted by Grangousier at 3:52 PM on March 7, 2008

Great evening- thanks all! Flickr photos will be forthcoming when I return from LA in a week :)
posted by Kirjava at 4:28 PM on March 7, 2008

I HAVE DECLARED WAR ON FRANCE.
posted by flashboy at 5:00 PM on March 7, 2008

WHO IS WITH ME?
posted by flashboy at 5:11 PM on March 7, 2008

ALSO, PROBABLY BELGIUM, IF IT IS LOGISTICALLY FEASIBLE TO CRUSH IT ALSO WHILE STILL RETAINING AN IRON GRIP ON FRANCE.
posted by flashboy at 5:47 PM on March 7, 2008

IN ADDITION, THERE ARE PICTURES. PICTURES WHICH WILL INSPIRE FURTHER VICTORIES OVER THE FRENCH MENACE.

I am far too tired to caption them right now.
posted by flashboy at 5:59 PM on March 7, 2008

FUCK YOU, BELGIUM.
posted by flashboy at 6:01 PM on March 7, 2008

I'M WITH YOU SIR FLASH!!!1!

(what are we fighting about btw?)
posted by triv at 12:57 AM on March 8, 2008

Great evening! Loved all the narcissistic drama :P

But clubbing afterwards was crap - should have joined the Wood Green gang instead! Boo : (

----

flash, it makes logistical sense to crush Holland and Luxembourg too!
posted by heartofglass at 3:30 AM on March 8, 2008

Sparx says:

it's half past eleven in the am and those people that ended up in wood green are almost out of wine. What will happen next? I could go into details but cillit bang has advised me against it. He is of the wise.

Apparently, it is OK to eat fish, because they don't have any feelings.
posted by Optamystic at 3:38 AM on March 8, 2008

aaaarrrggghhhh!!
posted by heartofglass at 3:44 AM on March 8, 2008

France won
posted by flashboy at 7:04 AM on March 8, 2008

It has to be said, I cranked up my narcissism all the way last night, and everyone said they had the best time ever. Pretty dramatic, huh?
posted by chrismear at 8:21 AM on March 8, 2008

Photos
posted by cillit bang at 2:23 PM on March 8, 2008

Wow, looks like a brilliant time was had by all! (although I'm dying to find out the narcissism backstory, did she mean me???)

My favorite photo is this, and the one right before it.

My first thought when I saw them was, "don't get on Falshboy's nerves!"

(Hmmm, so how did Kirjava get to LA?)
posted by Wilder at 1:55 PM on March 9, 2008

The usual way, I'm guessing?
posted by chrismear at 4:04 PM on March 9, 2008

Yes, the usual way- I flew on Virgin Atlantic with Hugh Laurie, as one does.
(Or rather if I'm honest, I flew on Virgin Atlantic and Hugh Laurie just happened to be on the plane as well). Then we had to queue for 2 hours to get through customs and Dr. House just stood there with the rest of us! Very un-star like behaviour, though he looked a bit grumpy.
Btw, great photos cillit!
posted by Kirjava at 8:33 PM on March 9, 2008

Aw, thought Flashboy had just beamed you there, going on that photo!
Lucky, lucky woman, Hugh Laurie and LA!
posted by Wilder at 12:45 AM on March 10, 2008

Hey Kirjava, how is the kooky aunt?!
posted by triv at 6:33 AM on March 10, 2008

Just got home. That was an epic afterparty.
posted by hugsnkisses at 8:31 AM on March 10, 2008

Hehe, the kooky aunt is brilliantly kooky. Can barely get a word in edgeways, but she has some hilarious stories of her wild youth and many husbands, and she's given me a yellow sapphire and diamond ring. Kooky doesn't begin to describe her and we're having a grand old time :)
posted by Kirjava at 11:39 AM on March 11, 2008

Better late than never: photos!
posted by Kirjava at 2:49 PM on March 17, 2008