London meetup?

September 29, 2008 2:33 PM

I will be in London attending a conference Oct 12 - 19. The conference doesn't run through that whole time period, so I will have some free time, probably Friday evening and definitely Saturday. It's my first time visiting London and would love to meet MeFi folks.
posted by needled to MetaFilter gatherings at 2:33 PM (55 comments total)

Cold, guys. That's just fucking cold.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:40 PM on September 29, 2008

Huh? Mind your time zones, dahlia. Needled, I think that's a fine idea. Saturday meetups are usually a bit difficult to arrange, but I'm up for either day. What say ye, fellow Londoners?
posted by Optamystic at 1:36 AM on September 30, 2008

Cold, guys. That's just fucking cold.

Well, it is nearly October. What did you expect from London?
posted by chrismear at 2:15 AM on September 30, 2008

Yea, verily a fine idea!
posted by goo at 2:17 AM on September 30, 2008

I'm up for something that weekend. Pick a pub.
posted by armoured-ant at 4:32 AM on September 30, 2008

From the list above, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese gets my vote, despite being totally impractical for a meet-up of anyone sized larger than the circa-1600 average. Plus it has "Ye Olde" in the name, which fits with all the British stereotypes anyone could dream of.
posted by skylar at 6:34 AM on September 30, 2008

I'll be in Iceland - ahahahahaha!
posted by NinjaTadpole at 7:26 AM on September 30, 2008

Ah of course we're game for a meetup, but a Friday please if at all possible.

Mrs Mutant and I recently took mkb to our local, The Mad George Tavern. Not only did we liquor him up proper, we also fed him a greasy curry as well before we set him on his way and I do believe he made it all the way back to The Colonies no worse for wear.

A solid East End haunt (sleazy), good music and performance most nights, especially so weekends and, best of all, we can get everyone of you lot drop dead drunk and then laughingly then flee to our flat a five minute walk away.

Alternatively, we'll come to the Ye Olde - do they still have sawdust on the floor?
posted by Mutant at 11:23 AM on September 30, 2008

Yes, I came to London and didn't have a meetup. *shame* Can you ever forgive me?
posted by mkb at 11:40 AM on September 30, 2008

So Friday October 17, then?
posted by needled at 2:13 PM on September 30, 2008

No, I meant, it was cold because it took a whole day for anybody to respond to needled's suggestion!
posted by turgid dahlia at 2:58 PM on September 30, 2008

It didn't take a whole day. He posted it at night, London time, and people started responding in the morning.
posted by grouse at 5:24 PM on September 30, 2008

Since there seems to be agreement on the date, I sidebarred it. As for location, obviously the natives will have to decide.

p.s. I be a she.
posted by needled at 5:42 PM on September 30, 2008

That's why people fill out the gender field. Not me though.
posted by grouse at 6:09 PM on September 30, 2008

Hmm... I'm gonna be in London that week. Can I come?
posted by The Shiny Thing at 11:04 PM on September 30, 2008

The Shiny Thing -- "Hmm... I'm gonna be in London that week. Can I come?"

Well, YOU didn't fill out the gender field either!! But since you've offered to buy the drinks of course you can come!! (unless you'd rather just paypal us the money and save yourself from what Mrs Mutant calls my excessive sociability)

I shall bake a carrot cake for the occasion. Although I've been advised to make one with red frosting this time, lately I've been baking a lot of banana nut bread as, for some unknown reason, overly ripe bananas (the only kind to use in bread) are very readily available at Watney Market this time of year. So I just might bring a couple loaves of that instead of cake.

But do please come along!!

Ok so folks - venue. Are we going upscale or downscale? Keep in mind I have been refused entrance at some pubs in London so we'll need a place that won't mind casual dress, and by that I don't mean no smart casual either. Please. Otherwise you'll see me with my nose pressed against the window, peering in at you folks having all the fun.
posted by Mutant at 2:26 AM on October 1, 2008

I'm probably up for this.

Mutant, as Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a restaurant as well as a pub, they might not take kindly to customers bringing in their own cake, but then again we could make it the first meetup where we all get barred from the pub.
posted by essexjan at 2:58 PM on October 1, 2008

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on a Friday night is a bad idea for dozens of reasons.
posted by Optamystic at 7:21 AM on October 2, 2008

Yes, it's totally impractical. If there are likely to be any more than five people it's probably better to choose somewhere blander but bigger - a room in a bar or something.
posted by skylar at 9:31 AM on October 2, 2008

Hmm, I've just moved to SW London, but I should be settled in and down for another meetup. Note to self, less hangover this time.
posted by generichuman at 9:41 AM on October 2, 2008

I'm in, but have no suggestions for a venue.
posted by Infinite Jest at 9:43 AM on October 2, 2008

I've had a hankering for bowling lately, but is that not really 'London' enough for visitors? Bloomsbury Bowl has a bar and karaoke booths (beer list, scroll down on the right).
posted by goo at 11:47 AM on October 2, 2008

I mainly want to meet people, so it doesn't have to be a tourist 'London' experience.
posted by needled at 12:02 PM on October 2, 2008

In for drinks, in for bowling, but most importantly, in for Mutant's baked goods.
posted by ahughey at 4:38 PM on October 2, 2008

The George Tavern's a fine place, mostly for the exact same reason as Mutant - it's five minutes from my flat. But I guess that for other people, not so handy. So I'm going to go with armoured-ant and vote for a Sam Smith's somewhere central (and sod the haters). What ones haven't we been to recently?
posted by flashboy at 5:54 PM on October 2, 2008

I'm in. But I'll leave it to others to pick a pub.
posted by vacapinta at 11:43 PM on October 2, 2008

Can't do this one on the 17th :(
posted by randomination at 3:09 AM on October 3, 2008

Any central Sam Smiths on a Friday is going to be a nightmare. We're a lot better off finding somewhere in Zone 2.

Somewhere like the Landseer in Holloway, the Approach in Bethnal Green, the Bedford in Balham, or the Metropolitan in Westbourne Park.
posted by armoured-ant at 4:22 AM on October 3, 2008

The Duke of York in Marylebone has been consistently quiet every Friday or Saturday night I've been in there.
posted by randomination at 7:03 AM on October 3, 2008

I'm in. Bowling would be cool, as would karaoke.
posted by adrianhon at 4:24 PM on October 3, 2008

Aww, I haven't been bowling in years! Unless you count the Wii... Unfortunately I won't be able to make it since I'm in Cairo now (Mutant, Al-Qahira says 'Ahlan' ;) and on the 17th I'll be here. I hope you all have a great time though! And someone please video the karaoke.
posted by Kirjava at 10:02 AM on October 4, 2008

Not to rain on the parade, but bowling on a Friday night (as awesome as it would be) is also impractical. The very few decent bowling venues in Zone 1 (Bloomsbury and All-Star) are booked weeks in advance, and require a significant spend for groups. The indecent ones (Queensway and Trocodero) are not even worth mentioning, unless you're a teenager and/or vagrant.

Randomination's suggestion of the Duke of York in Marylebone seems like a good one.
posted by Optamystic at 11:46 AM on October 4, 2008

smart casual

Ah, the London Metafilter look. Casual on the outside, smart on the inside. Duke of York sounds good to me.
posted by Sparx at 4:19 AM on October 5, 2008

Duke of York looks fine. They have food. And a function room.

I think I'll be coming smart/smart.
posted by armoured-ant at 4:19 AM on October 6, 2008

And I won't be able to make it after all. A friend in the army is having a farewell party that night before shipping off to Afghanistan. Hope you enjoy your stay in London, needled!
posted by goo at 11:09 AM on October 7, 2008

Sooo... Duke of York? October 17? 7 or 8 ish?
posted by generichuman at 2:16 AM on October 10, 2008

7 or 8ish sounds good, all my official activities should have concluded by then.
posted by needled at 7:53 PM on October 10, 2008

Duke of York. Hurrah. I'll be there. Dressed casual/casual/(smart)|{slovenly}/casual.
posted by flashboy at 7:22 PM on October 11, 2008

I wish I could be there, but I'm heading out of town that afternoon. Sorry I'll miss you, needled. And I hope that we have another meetup soon.
posted by sueinnyc at 4:38 PM on October 13, 2008

I'll be there, going for casual/stupid.
posted by Infinite Jest at 6:57 AM on October 14, 2008

somebody mefimail me with directions on how to get there from, say, the canary wharf area. or a phone number, if i need to ask for directions and i'm sightseeing in some other part of town.
posted by needled at 11:25 AM on October 14, 2008

Hey needled. Check your mefimail!
posted by Sparx at 1:52 PM on October 14, 2008

Smashing, I'm there. And this time I'll actually make it, on time and everything! See y'all friday...
posted by freya_lamb at 8:40 AM on October 15, 2008

Actually, directions on how to get there would be more broadly useful, I think.

I see several Tube stations nearby-ish. Which one is best?
posted by vacapinta at 9:06 AM on October 15, 2008

I see several Tube stations nearby-ish. Which one is best?

I just checked the Journey Planner, and it doesn't seem to matter. Rather, the best station depends on where you're coming from. Oxford Circus and Bond Street are about a 10 min walk away, ditto for Regent's Park.
posted by generichuman at 2:49 AM on October 16, 2008

Actually, directions on how to get there would be more broadly useful, I think.

Looks like the easiest way is to walk North up Regent Street and keep going until it turns into Portland Place. Then turn West onto New Cavendish St.

Directions from Oxford Circus. (0.6 miles)

Directions from Bond Street. (0.4 miles)

Directions from Regent's Park. (0.7 miles. Google chokes on this one.)

Directions from Baker Sreet. (0.6 miles)

Directions from Marylebone. (0.9 miles)

/map-geeking
posted by generichuman at 7:27 AM on October 16, 2008

Guys we can't make it this evening; Marielle had one of her lectures rescheduled to between six and nine tonight, and as I pick her up after class (and carry her books home) we wouldn't be able to get to the pub at any decent time.

I MeMailed my mobile number to some of you who might need directions, and its not a problem if you need to call for help. I'll do what I can to help you get to the party.

See you folks next time around!
posted by Mutant at 9:27 AM on October 17, 2008

"Carried your books from school,
playing make-believe you're married to me
You were sixth grade ....."

Awww Shucks Mutant!

Sorry guys but the MetaSwingers group is meeting at a more comfortable venue tonight.

See you next time round.
posted by Wilder at 1:49 PM on October 17, 2008

Oi! Mutant! 12 bar Denmark street! Carrot cake!
posted by cillit bang at 4:39 PM on October 17, 2008

Great to meet you all. Good choice of venue, nice to have our own space.

"What happened to the Metafilter sign?"
"It got eaten. By deer. In Japan. No, really. Here's the pics."
posted by Infinite Jest at 1:38 AM on October 18, 2008

It was great meeting all of you!
I apologize for being so low-energy - jetlag and conferencing took more out of me than I'd expected.

I hope next time I am in London I will be less deer-in-headlights.

(Where was vacapinta, anyway?)
posted by needled at 12:49 PM on October 18, 2008

Ack. My wife needed me somewhere else with her at the last moment. (Yes, this is married life) Sorry I missed this one. I was all set to go. I was even in Marylebone the previous evening and went to spot the pub!
posted by vacapinta at 8:11 AM on October 19, 2008

Sorry I missed it - I was tired and ill and I went home and lapsed into unconsciousness for many many hours instead. Which was probably the most sensible plan.
posted by flashboy at 8:18 AM on October 19, 2008

It was good to meet you all, just a shame I had to leave early to get the train home. Another Cambridge meeting sometime maybe? Town rather than gown this time?
posted by crocomancer at 5:28 AM on October 20, 2008

Wicked fun, see y'all next time.
posted by freya_lamb at 9:46 AM on October 20, 2008