Oh, and Cortex is going to be there too!

August 20, 2009 6:17 PM

New York Meetup on 9/9
posted by kathrineg to MetaFilter Gatherings at 6:17 PM (269 comments total)

Whoops! Heh.
posted by cortex (staff) at 6:24 PM on August 20, 2009

When, where, how; I hear cortex likes beer, everybody. Let's go!
posted by breezeway at 6:37 PM on August 20, 2009

C Bar worked out pretty well...
posted by Afroblanco at 6:37 PM on August 20, 2009

Except that it, too, was saunalike. I vote for someplace with GOOD AIR CONDITIONING.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:06 PM on August 20, 2009

Yeah, considering how it's been, I'm not goin anywhere near anywhere that doesn't have at least 20,000 btus. And yay for the meetup, and I have space and a big foldout couch if hermitosis ends up not being able to put up cortex et al, but the really important thing is- hermitosis, where exactly is this barbecue place? I'm right near prospect park now and I am drooling...
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 8:46 PM on August 20, 2009

Oh crap, I guess it was shmegegge who brought up the barbecue. Sorry, my brain has melted.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 8:48 PM on August 20, 2009

That's a Wednesday, apparently.

Also, 9/9/9.
posted by smackfu at 8:56 PM on August 20, 2009

Srsly. I got home an hour ago, and I am just now cooling down.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:56 PM on August 20, 2009

I've been hot for about 4 days now.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:10 PM on August 20, 2009 [1 favorite]

I liked C bar and didn't find it too hot, but it as a bit of a hike...


9/9/9 is cool. Toast at 9:09?

Also, you all therefore should come to Bar Nine in Hell's Kitchen, which is largeish and two blocks from all the trains. It's divey and does sometimes smell of bleach, but it's a block from me, so I will talk it up.
posted by CunningLinguist at 9:36 PM on August 20, 2009

... and then we could eat at Blue 9 Burger! Or 99 Miles To Philly!

Another random suggestion -- how about we meet at the Fat Black Pussycat? It's a fun place, large enough to handle our swarm, presumably well-air-conditioned. Been to meetups there for other sites and they turned out well.
posted by Afroblanco at 9:50 PM on August 20, 2009

"On weeknights, The Fat Black Pussycat offers a 50% discount to parties of fifteen or more who make a reservation on their website."


heyo.
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:03 PM on August 20, 2009

Ding ding ding! I smell a winner!
posted by ocherdraco at 10:05 PM on August 20, 2009

I like Bar 9 but they are sooooo loud.
posted by kathrineg at 5:35 AM on August 21, 2009

I'm in regardless.
posted by Skorgu at 6:00 AM on August 21, 2009

So there.
posted by defenestration at 6:30 AM on August 21, 2009

I vote we fill up a dumpster with ice cubes and have the meetup in it.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 6:32 AM on August 21, 2009

Awesome. Count me in.
posted by rottytooth at 6:56 AM on August 21, 2009

I vote we fill up a dumpster with ice cubes and have the meetup in it.

Pour some whiskey over those cubes and I'm in
posted by kathrineg at 7:22 AM on August 21, 2009

I've been hot for about 4 days now.

Oh honey, you've been hot a lot longer than that.
posted by Evangeline at 8:01 AM on August 21, 2009 [1 favorite]

Drat! I should be on the Vineyard then, but if my plan falls apart I...no, screw that. If my plan falls apart I'll be so angry I best stay home.
posted by vrakatar at 8:13 AM on August 21, 2009

yeah, the fat black pussycat is an awesome place, it has movie theater seats for chairs! (only a couple of them, though. dibs.)

also, here is the Bar B Q, dormant gorilla. if you click that link, then click on street view, it'll be pointing toward the wrong side of the street. drag it left a little so that you're looking at the other side of that intersection, and you'll see the storefront with the place's name on an awning.
posted by shmegegge at 8:25 AM on August 21, 2009

anyway, wherever we are, count me in.
posted by shmegegge at 8:26 AM on August 21, 2009

Regarding the 50% off drinks, that is applied to one tab only.

From the site:

Your discount can only be used once in the night, so you and your party must run a single tab. When you are ready to pay your check, the server will apply the 50% discount - but it will only work on a single check.

Also note that there is a mild dress code:

No baggy clothes, sleeveless or tank-top shirts, or athletic attire
No plain white undershirt-type t-shirts
No hats or head-wear
No sneakers, workboots, Timberlands

I'm not sure why you can't wear sneakers, but I figure people should be forewarned.
posted by scrutiny at 9:30 AM on August 21, 2009

Oh, and wherever it is I'll be there too! Forgot to mention that bit...
posted by scrutiny at 9:32 AM on August 21, 2009

Also note that there is a mild dress code:

Huh! Never noticed that before. There's also this bit at the bottom :

Upstairs, weekdays are very casual

I guess if y'all are interested, I can always call and ask them to clarify their weekday night shoe policy. Can't imagine they'd enforce a "shiny shoes only" policy on a Wednesday night in the middle of a recession.

The discount sounds like it may be a bit of a pain to organize.... but for 50% off, it may be worth it.
posted by Afroblanco at 9:39 AM on August 21, 2009

(also, I have to give scrutiny props for being true to his name.... heh.)
posted by Afroblanco at 9:39 AM on August 21, 2009

Afroblanco, would you check in for clarification re: dress code? If they're weird about it, we'll find someplace else, but otherwise, I think we've found our venue.

Shall we say 7:30pm?
posted by ocherdraco at 9:48 AM on August 21, 2009

Okay, just called the FBPC.

So, apparently the discount only applies to 15 people. Which is still a good deal -- the first 15 people get to drink REALLY REALLY CHEAP.

I asked about the dress code, and the woman that I talked to hedged a little bit. She said that they prefer people not to wear sneakers because they're trying to avoid a "street look" (her words), and that they also ask men not to wear open-toed shoes or sandals. However, she said that sneakers should be fine as long as they're "nice sneakers." Basically, she said that they wouldn't turn people away at the door over it and didn't want this to deter us from having our gathering there.

She seemed really accommodating about roping off some space for us, if we wanted that.

Also, apparently they have karaokoe on Wednesday nights, which may be a plus or a minus, depending on your opinion. I personally think it would be kinda cool.

Anyway, I'm sure there are also other places where we could have the meetup. I just remembered FBPC because it's a fun place and big enough to accommodate a large crowd.
posted by Afroblanco at 10:04 AM on August 21, 2009

Ok, so taking into account the dress code and the preferences expressed in-thread, we are going to be meeting naked in a huge vat of freezing cold whisky? Just making sure I have it right, sounds fine to me.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 10:08 AM on August 21, 2009

in swimsuits!
posted by scrutiny at 10:12 AM on August 21, 2009

A dress code?

A dress code for a MetaFilter meetup?

No. Just . . . no.

Let's pick another bar.
posted by jason's_planet at 10:17 AM on August 21, 2009

I am definitely pro-karaoke. Also FBPC is right next to my lab, so it also ranks high on my convenience scale. I'm not too picky and cheap drinks are a huge plus in my book.

I'm moderately concerned about how the whole discount thing will play out (what if only 14 people show, etc), but FBPC isn't terribly expensive anyway, so everything should work out fine.
posted by scrutiny at 10:21 AM on August 21, 2009

"Street" look? I'm sure it's a nice place, but it's not at the top of my list. I'm wary because I have been let into places twice looking trashy as hell only to have my friends be turned away at the door because their skin doesn't fit the dress code. I don't want to accuse them of that, and I've never been there, but it does make me nervous.

To make this comment more positive, I will make some suggestions:

The Blue Owl which has Wednesday night drink specials and will let you reserve space with no minimum (their website plays music). Specialty drinks are $6 on Wed. until midnight and they are good. The bartenders are not very friendly, though.

Arctica's Ice Bar (warning:sound), click on "Ice Bar" for pictures. It is roomy, with pool tables and a jukebox. It's free to reserve and they'll give us some free food. I know the manager, the people there are pretty friendly. The specialty drinks are OK, and they have a happy hour from 4-10.
posted by kathrineg at 10:27 AM on August 21, 2009

we are going to be meeting naked in a huge vat of freezing cold whisky?

NO SNEAKERS
NO CHAINS
NO MANSCAPING
posted by kathrineg at 10:28 AM on August 21, 2009 [1 favorite]

Well, here are a few other options in the same area:

Vol de Nuit, a Belgian Beer Bar (they also serve wine and pomme frites), has a fairly large outdoor seating area and a large inside space. Also, their beer is really good, though some of it is pricey.

The Stoned Crow has good burgers and tacos, and is also fairly cheap, with a large area in the back that can accommodate a lot of people. Just don't put your drink on/near the pool table or the owner will yell at you.
posted by scrutiny at 10:30 AM on August 21, 2009

Huh, yeah, I wouldn't quite accuse FBPC of racism -- looking at their list of prohibited items, I know that I've seen them on at least as many suburban white boys as urban black people.

But yeah, the dress code thing seems kinda lame. Feel free to suggest other places. Also, I don't see any reason why we have to pick a place RIGHT NOW TODAY.
posted by Afroblanco at 10:35 AM on August 21, 2009

Ooooh, french fries belgian fries, yes please

Wait, tacos??

Now I don't know what to think
posted by kathrineg at 10:35 AM on August 21, 2009

Huh, yeah, I wouldn't quite accuse FBPC of racism -- looking at their list of prohibited items, I know that I've seen them on at least as many suburban white boys as urban black people.

Yeah, and this is a bit of a derail, but I think that vague dress codes have a way of being applied unevenly, i.e. The Continental. Wish I hadn't experienced that.



Anyway, it's not a vat of whisky, it's a dumpster.
posted by kathrineg at 10:39 AM on August 21, 2009

Holy crap I can't believe I forgot this place.

Speak Low is one of the most awesome bars I've been to here. They make a Dark and Stormy that will make you weep with pleasure while drinking it. It's that good. Their happy hour goes everyday 5p-7p, but it's located in DUMBO (Brooklyn) so that might put it out of the running for weekday drinking.

The Blue Owl sounds really good to me right now, considering its awesome drink specials.
posted by scrutiny at 10:40 AM on August 21, 2009

Huh. Didn't know that the Continental were assholes like that. Noted.
posted by Afroblanco at 10:40 AM on August 21, 2009

OH! And if we're talking about DUMBO, I'll have to suggest the Water Street Bar and Restaurant. The place is MASSIVE, and they have a gigantic basement room that we can probably have all to ourselves. Also, they have a full menu, in case you get hungry and stuff. Also, it gets points for being close to Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is kinda amazing in its own right.
posted by Afroblanco at 10:43 AM on August 21, 2009

The Continental has five shots of anything for ten bucks. This leads to.....adventures. The kind I'm still talking about years later.

I won't hear a word against them.
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:45 AM on August 21, 2009

Also, I don't see any reason why we have to pick a place RIGHT NOW TODAY.

WE'RE ENTHUSIASTIC!!!!eleven
posted by jason's_planet at 10:48 AM on August 21, 2009

"Anything" is a good way to describe what might be in those shots. My partner played a gig there once and it was definitely...an experience.
posted by kathrineg at 10:56 AM on August 21, 2009

My worry about FBP is that the main reason we're going is for the discount, and if we randomly end up with only 14 people, that's totally nixed. Also the dress code issues that everyone's already raised. Also since I moved back to Brooklyn last week, I now want to do everything there, because I am lazy and selfish, quite frankly.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 11:00 AM on August 21, 2009

Ooooh, french fries belgian fries, yes please

Harsh.
Not Cool.
posted by French Fry at 11:11 AM on August 21, 2009

if FBPC is turning into a big complicated to-do that nobody wants to put up with, that's fine with me. on a Wednesday night, we can certainly find someplace to accommodate people.

also, if anybody's a huge karaoke nerd, I know a place that rocks the casbah, is totally reasonably priced drink-wise and is large enough on a wednesday to accomodate a meetup. just sayin'...
posted by shmegegge at 11:27 AM on August 21, 2009

You know, you could come with mayo a little more often and then I wouldn't even have to mess around.

...

Oh, c'mon, don't get mad, I was just trying to make the Belgian fries feel better, you know how they are, they get insecure.
posted by kathrineg at 11:27 AM on August 21, 2009

shmegegge, where is that?

my only karaoke concerns are that 1) we will be too awesome and 2) it will be too loud for us to talk
posted by kathrineg at 11:28 AM on August 21, 2009

Vol de Nuit is Very Serious about their beer. Like all Belgian places.

("Oh, you guys have a special? How does that work... do you just have generic glasses for the uncommon beers?" "No, we only offer a beer if we can get the correct glasses from the distributor, and we order the glasses first and only order the beer after we get the glasses. It's unacceptable to do it any other way.")
posted by smackfu at 11:29 AM on August 21, 2009

kathrineg: "shmegegge, where is that? "

2nd on 2nd. it's the name of the place and its address.
posted by shmegegge at 11:31 AM on August 21, 2009

2nd on 2nd is DEFINITELY my favorite place for karaoke. You can get a private room, and also they have a computerized search engine for looking up songs -- which means no more waiting for hours while your friend pores through the poorly-organized catalog for THAT ONE SONG they're just dying to sing.
posted by Afroblanco at 11:36 AM on August 21, 2009

OH! Another great place for beer -- can't believe I haven't thought of this yet!

Loreley Restaurant and Biergarten! It's on Rivington, half a block east of Bowery. This is a place for people who love beer. 12 German beers on tap. Also, a menu full of delicious German food -- I recommend the Sauerbraten, although you can't go wrong w/ their sausages and wursts. The place is large, and we can probably get a few tables. Also has an outdoor area. No dress code that I know of.
posted by Afroblanco at 11:40 AM on August 21, 2009 [2 favorites]

I am in for pretty much whatever.

But I will say here and now that whoever makes karaoke officially happen will be someone that I suddenly will believe to be very, very sexy.

Do with that information what you will.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:45 AM on August 21, 2009

I can normally make most NYC meetups, except on Wednesdays and Thursdays. So, next time...
posted by ob at 12:02 PM on August 21, 2009

honestly, I'm interested in knowing what kind of thing cortex wants to spend his time here doing. I mean, he doesn't know the territory, but nyc's got everything so we can do everything from contemplatively getting shitfaced to drunken bowling if he's got any particular inclinations.
posted by shmegegge at 12:13 PM on August 21, 2009

In the interest of not being miserable for the next couple days right at the start of this nutty thing, I'm less inclined toward outright shitfacedness than I am to general jovial drinkin' and eatin', though for the purposes of organizing the core meetup event I'm down with whatever venue(s)/agenda folks decide on. I would not be angry about some karaoke.

Anybody who wants to do extracurricular hangout/wandering/etc for the non-meetup portions of my time in NYC, I'm happy to do stuff. I'm getting in on a red-eye at 6:33 AM on Weds. 9/9, and my flight to Boston is Thurs. 9/10 at 4:55, so I've got time to do whatever Weds. late morning and afternoon before the meetup and some time Thursday morning and very early afternoon.

When I was in NYC earlier this year I basically just saw Manhatten, was near Times Square but got up to Central Park and down to SoHo and the financial district some. Saw a tiny sliver of Brooklyn across the bridge and road the Staten Island Ferry over and back, but didn't really significant time off of Manhatten.

I'm comfortable being at the relative mercy of whoever I'm crashing with (have had a couple offers, will follow up and pin that down) and whoever feels like being proactive, as far as that goes. I have no specific agenda while in town aside from meetup and hanging out.
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:25 PM on August 21, 2009

In for 2nd on 2nd, karaoke, cortex, whatever.

Will probably arrive late-ish depending on how work goes.

Still... definitely up for this.
posted by TrishaLynn at 12:35 PM on August 21, 2009

Loreley does have an awesome back garden and you can smoke there. The food (in my opinion) is kind of foul though, and very heavy considering how hot it is.
Cortex, if you wanna come do fun brooklyn things I bet we could get a group together- I can probably take at least part of wednesday or thursday and I bet others are lurking around as well.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 12:46 PM on August 21, 2009

2nd an 2nd is a magical place.

They have private rooms with a computerized search engine (!) for choosing songs.

Room rates are :

Small room for 12 - 15 people $60 per hour
Large rooom for 25 - 30 people $125 per hour

But here's the kicker :

On Sundays through Thursdays, when you spend an equal amount on food or drinks, the room fee is waved.

Can I hear a "hell yes?"
posted by Afroblanco at 12:52 PM on August 21, 2009

Whatever gets selected, I'm sure it will be great. It's impressive, and somewhat unprecedented, that so many options have been put on the table before settling on Revival.
posted by StickyCarpet at 12:54 PM on August 21, 2009 [2 favorites]

I'm obviously down for 2nd on 2nd, but would like to know if anybody else really doesn't want it. Karaoke is awesome, but if you hate karaoke, it's unbearable to sit through so I don't want to bother the hell out of anyone.
posted by shmegegge at 1:03 PM on August 21, 2009

Two things:

1) A 'no sneaker' dress code is a dealbreaker, in my opinion. Would my pants have to have pleats, too? Perhaps a spiffy bow tie would be in order?

2) The next meetup, after this one, should be in Brooklyn.

OK, continue!
posted by defenestration at 1:09 PM on August 21, 2009

I could be down for some pre-meetup hanging out in Brooklyn.
posted by scrutiny at 1:17 PM on August 21, 2009

defenestration, you know you would be fucking amazing in a bowtie.

I am heartily in favor of karaoke, and would prefer a Manhattan locale, as I will be returning to Harlem afterward.
posted by ocherdraco at 1:28 PM on August 21, 2009

Re karaoke: I will be the lone voice of sanity, reason, taste and sense.
Funny, because those are all areas I'm usually weak on.
posted by CunningLinguist at 1:36 PM on August 21, 2009

That said, don't mind me. It seems a popular choice.
posted by CunningLinguist at 1:37 PM on August 21, 2009

I am considering this meet-up. Would be my first.
posted by whimsicalnymph at 2:20 PM on August 21, 2009

My worry with karaoke is that people who aren't into it won't be able to escape or talk to people but will just have to sit and listen and not do much else. It really depends on the place.
posted by kathrineg at 2:59 PM on August 21, 2009

My preference is meetup sans karaoke, but I'll show up and have a good time regardless.

whimsicalnymph: go!
posted by defenestration at 3:18 PM on August 21, 2009

Given the hourly-rate model for 2nd and 2nd's private rooms and the general but not unanimous support for karaoke, would it make sense to try and just book one for an hour or two as one portion of meetuppery, or does that sound more like a logistical nightmare than anything?
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:23 PM on August 21, 2009

scrutiny: "I could be down for some pre-meetup hanging out in Brooklyn."

I would be, too, but I guess it comes down to the meetup start-time, since I have work (in Manhattan) until 6PM. Maybe cortex would want to take a BK sojourn prior the the Manhattan festivities?
posted by defenestration at 3:26 PM on August 21, 2009

Doesn't sound like a logistical nightmare to me. We can book a room for an hour or two and then move on to a nearby bar, or vice-versa. I don't really see a problem with that.
posted by Afroblanco at 3:59 PM on August 21, 2009

It might be a good plan to get us likkerd up before we start with the karaoke.
posted by ocherdraco at 4:04 PM on August 21, 2009

You say logistical nightmare, I say pub crawl.

Besides, we're going to end up at Katz's anyway, why fight it?
posted by Skorgu at 5:43 PM on August 21, 2009 [1 favorite]

If it's the logistics of reserving a room that is stymeing things, maybe we could let the reserved-room element go? There's a place on Ave. A and 13th that's just a bar with karaoke, and all the different patrons in the bar are in the same room and it's every man for himself. We could all just meet somewhere else at a given time, and the particular karaoke buffs could just decamp on their own pilgrimage after an hour or two or so, with people free to come along and watch and/or sing as is their preference and others just staying put.

Or we could just skip it and those of us who are way into karaoke could plan our own pilgrimage another time.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:57 PM on August 21, 2009

2nd on 2nd also has a large public bar area with karaoke. the rooms are strictly optional.
posted by shmegegge at 8:08 PM on August 21, 2009

Public bar karaoke is no fun at all. If we were going to do that, I'd be in favor of just saying "fuck it," and going to the as-yet-unagreed-upon conventional bar.

And then eventually Katz's.
posted by Afroblanco at 10:26 PM on August 21, 2009

I dislike karaoke. I own ear muffs.

I am against places against a "street look." I think that this is extremely thinly veiled racism. I am also tempted but such warnings to remove offending items of clothing one by one and ask sweetly if I'm up to code yet.

Place with beer. Yes. Place where beer doesn't cost more than I usually pay for lunch. Yes.
posted by sciencegeek at 1:01 PM on August 22, 2009

Right -- someone also floated the idea of Brooklyn. There's a new beer garden in my 'hood, fairly close to the Atlantic Avenue subway stop which can be reached by every single subway that exists.

I have a vested interest in things happening in Brooklyn, because I live there....
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:39 PM on August 22, 2009

Some more places that don't have karaoke or a dress code, but do have air conditioning and are big enough to handle a crowd :

No Idea Bar -- large as in has several rooms, pretty convenient, has a back room that we could pretty much take over
Manitoba's -- not as conveniently located, but lots of fun, good jukebox, air hockey table in the basement. We've had meetups here before and they rocked.
Grassroots -- conveniently located, you can get beer by the pitcher
Hi-Fi -- good jukebox, pretty convenient, kinda hipstery but on a Wednesday shouldn't be bad
Tom & Jerry's -- convenient, fun SoHo neighborhood bar
Revival -- the old standby. Somebody told me it was closed, but this hasn't been confirmed.
posted by Afroblanco at 2:41 PM on August 22, 2009

Oh! And also The Magician. Conveniently located, casual environment, lots of space (including a back room we can take over). Strangely, I think this is where I went to my first-ever meetup, years ago.
posted by Afroblanco at 4:27 PM on August 22, 2009

I can probably make it. Karaoke is a huge plus.

Brooklyn is a plus too, if it isn't Williamsburg/Red Hook/DUMBO. Impossible to get there from where I live without going through Manhattan first, which would cancel that out.
posted by cmgonzalez at 9:08 PM on August 22, 2009

OKAY WE'RE ALL AGREED THE APPLEBEE'S OFF ROUTE 12 RIGHT AFTER THE CITGO
posted by Optimus Chyme at 4:31 AM on August 23, 2009

Brooklyn is near impossible for those up us that live uptown. Meeting downtown is a better compromise between Brooklyn and Manhattanites.
posted by whimsicalnymph at 9:05 AM on August 23, 2009 [1 favorite]

Some more in MH :

Sixth Ward
Motor City
The Ginger Man (where we've had a meetup before. 66 beers on tap here, and occasionally mead)
Madame X

Some places in Brooklyn :

Zombie Hut
Floyd (bocce!)
Union Hall (more bocce!)
The Gate
Spuyten Duyvil (where I believe we've had a meetup before)
posted by Afroblanco at 10:29 AM on August 23, 2009

It's going to be 09:09:09 on 09/09/09.
Just that once. Never again.
It's both meaningless and neato: the ideal mefi moment.
There is a not-terrible saloon on the West Side called Bar Nine.
Why is this hard?
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:34 AM on August 23, 2009

CunningLinguist has a point.
posted by whimsicalnymph at 10:37 AM on August 23, 2009

I have created a poll that contains all of the locations currently listed in this thread (minus Fat Black Pussy Cat, as we seem to have eliminated it as an option). Select any and all locations at which you would like to meet up.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:23 PM on August 23, 2009 [1 favorite]

This is the problem with democracy.
posted by smackfu at 6:25 PM on August 23, 2009

and applebee's takes the early lead
posted by kathrineg at 6:51 PM on August 23, 2009 [1 favorite]

Wow ocherdraco, that's kinda awesome.
posted by Afroblanco at 7:20 PM on August 23, 2009

We have 38 options in this thread, and no clear consensus. Something needed to be done.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:25 PM on August 23, 2009

We can take out Bar B Q, as it appears to have closed.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:21 PM on August 23, 2009

The applebee's is still up there, but right now it seems to be a tie between Bar 9 and Sixth Ward
posted by scrutiny at 6:41 AM on August 24, 2009

Bar B Q has closed?!

NOOOOOO!

balls.

also, I just voted for everything in manhattan and nothing in brooklyn, because as much as i love BK, I live in queens and it's very difficult for me to get back and forth between the two.
posted by shmegegge at 7:42 AM on August 24, 2009

oh, and otherwise, I'm easy. whatever everybody else wants.
posted by shmegegge at 7:42 AM on August 24, 2009

I'm going to leave the voting open through the weekend (in case there are folks who aren't monitoring the thread terribly closely) and we can make a decision early next week.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:08 AM on August 24, 2009

Bar B Q closed? I learn about something that glorious and they snatch it away before I even have a chance to experience it? Curse you, universe!

FINE. I'll go vote in the poll but I WON'T ENJOY IT.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 10:06 AM on August 24, 2009

ok, a few things about that poll- first of all it's awesome that you did that, ocherdraco. And I note that "dumpster with ice cubes and whisky" is getting an awful lot of ok's.

Few things- please god not the zombie hut. It's full of douchebags and jersey girls and people who have one of whatever that thing is that you light on fire and drink out of the skull and it gets really ugly.
The ginger man, in my experience, is likewise kind of douchey, and on a wednesday night will be absolutely packed to the gills with suits and we probably wouldn't be able to move.

I uh...I kind of think we should do the Applebee's, you guys. That would kind of be...fantastic.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 10:10 AM on August 24, 2009

I don't believe that this "CL" is really a mefite. I think they just want to hang out with us so people will think they're cool.
posted by Afroblanco at 3:31 PM on August 24, 2009

oh shit. Helen a kick yo ASS.
posted by shmegegge at 3:32 PM on August 24, 2009

Yeah, Afroblanco, that's Cunning Linguist. And she could do exactly what shmegegge posits.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:40 PM on August 24, 2009

That's true, I should watch what I say. They don't call her the Hellcat for nothing.
posted by Afroblanco at 3:52 PM on August 24, 2009

Dudes. We need a spreadsheet to pick a bar. There is no way anyone will ever mistake us for cool.
posted by CunningLinguist at 4:36 PM on August 24, 2009 [13 favorites]

Nah, I think it's more like we live in a city that is just that awesome that that's how many awesome bars we have.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:31 PM on August 24, 2009

yeah, it's really not our fault that we know of several bars that fit a rather specific set of criteria
posted by kathrineg at 6:52 PM on August 24, 2009

you mean bars that will let us come in with our spreadsheets and sliderules?
posted by shmegegge at 10:27 PM on August 24, 2009

No, that bar is in Cambridge.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:50 PM on August 24, 2009

I'm pretty sure that it's not technically a spreadsheet
posted by kathrineg at 10:53 PM on August 24, 2009

also, considering this thread we should probably have the meetup at 1am
posted by kathrineg at 11:08 PM on August 24, 2009

okay, my sources tell me it is a spreadsheet. I'm so confused.

cubist smiley

..L(
posted by kathrineg at 11:09 PM on August 24, 2009 [1 favorite]

I am so stealing the cubist smiley. It's awesome.

.L).
posted by ocherdraco at 11:10 PM on August 24, 2009

woah that's a good one too it's a lot happier okay I think Im done for the night
posted by kathrineg at 11:12 PM on August 24, 2009

I now have a huge list of bars to check out. In survey form!
posted by scrutiny at 11:15 AM on August 25, 2009

Greg Nog is being facetious again.

Should I even say "again"? I mean, isn't he always?
posted by ocherdraco at 1:42 PM on August 25, 2009

chili's would also be good bc they have the awesome blossom
posted by Greg Nog at 3:06 PM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]

whoa cool I just happened to see the sidebar and there's a 50% chance I'll be in NY that day (the other 50% is I'll decide I'm bored with DC RIGHT NOW and go this week instead, but it's so damn hot I may prefer to spend the week lounging by the pool with a book). Since the entirety of my agenda is to wander around being lost, I might attend the meetup depending on just how lost I am.

Not if it's at motherfucking Applebee's. I spent too many evenings of 2008 drowning the pain of living in the middle of nowhere in cloying margaritas and watching people eat appetizer samplers for that to be funny.
posted by little e at 12:12 AM on August 26, 2009

I can't make it, but I would like to share with everyone that I stopped by Blue Owl the other night.

By "stopped by" I mean "meant to stay for a while" except that it was atrociously, steamingly hot, to the point that the people I was meeting tackled me as I walked in and demanded we leave immediately.
posted by lalex at 12:59 AM on August 26, 2009

ugh, I have only been there in spring and winter, that sounds awful
posted by kathrineg at 6:57 AM on August 26, 2009

Not if it's at motherfucking Applebee's.

Just to explain for non-locals: there is no Route 12, there is no Citgo, there is no Applebee's. I mean, there are a couple Applebee's(es?) but they are in Touristtown and we're not going there so seriously don't worry.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 6:57 AM on August 26, 2009

Oh, it's cool, I know it's a joke. But Applebee's is not a laughing matter when you've resided somewhere that it is the nicest restaurant in town. I had (and I wish this was not complete honesty and sincerity) co-workers who would go on vacation then come back and talk about how exciting it was to go to Olive Garden for a change.
posted by little e at 7:02 AM on August 26, 2009

if we don't go there i'm wearing this shirt
posted by Optimus Chyme at 7:32 AM on August 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Hey, that sounds great! Maybe we can go to the Olive Garden at Times Square!
posted by scrutiny at 7:40 AM on August 26, 2009

There's one on 42nd Street that goes all the way through the block!!!
posted by smackfu at 7:52 AM on August 26, 2009

Kidding aside, I had never been to an Olive Garden and a bunch of us went to have dinner there one night as an exercise in sarcastic dining. We ended up having a great time. And the food wasn't horrible at all.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:10 AM on August 26, 2009

Olive Garden is the Avril Lavigne of Italian food. Fine in intentional, measured doses even if it's nothing to brag about or make into a daily habit.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:52 AM on August 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

I had never been to an Olive Garden and a bunch of us went to have dinner there one night as an exercise in sarcastic dining. We ended up having a great time. And the food wasn't horrible at all.

I think the NYC hate-on for Olive Garden is more about, "why go to OLIVE GARDEN" when you have all of Little Italy right there?

It's not that Olive Garden food is bad as such, it's that far superior food can be had just as easily. Kind of the culinary equivalent of having Ralph Lauren offer to design you a full evening ensemble and instead you say, "eh, I'll just go to J.C. Penney instead, thanks."
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:55 AM on August 26, 2009

Man, I used to work in the one in Philly! That town is fucking crawling with Italians! But still, Olive Garden did a healthy business right there in Center City. All the time with the unlimited breadsticks and salad, waiters being like, "Oh those fuckers with their six-dollar meals and constant need for refills"
posted by Greg Nog at 9:10 AM on August 26, 2009

You know, DUMBO is one stop away from the LES. It's not really that different spatially from any of the places in the village. It also has the added bonus that is it large, really nifty inside, and I've never seen more than 3 other people there. So we would have to fight through the B&T crowds.

Also, no karaoke for me, thanks (sorry EmpressCallipygos).
posted by overhauser at 9:48 AM on August 26, 2009

Oops, I meant that second sentence to be about Speak Low.
posted by overhauser at 9:49 AM on August 26, 2009

Just to explain for non-locals: there is no Route 12, there is no Citgo, there is no Applebee's.

Um. I've been sitting here for three days, waiting for you guys. OH GOD WHERE AM I WHAT'S GOING ON
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 11:44 AM on August 26, 2009

I think the NYC hate-on for Olive Garden is more about, "why go to OLIVE GARDEN" when you have all of Little Italy right there

My hate-on for Little Italy is more about, "why go to LITTLE ITALY when there are great Italian restaurants all over the city that aren't mediocre tourist traps?"

:)

Okay, to be fair, Ferrara has pretty good cannoli. And La Mela can be good if you've got a big crowd. But still, Little Italy is really not the best place for Italian food in NYC.
posted by Afroblanco at 12:00 PM on August 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

I was going to say... that would be a pretty good stereotypical New Yorker argument: which is worse, Little Italy or Olive Garden?
posted by smackfu at 12:08 PM on August 26, 2009

My hate-on for Little Italy is more about, "why go to LITTLE ITALY when there are great Italian restaurants all over the city that aren't mediocre tourist traps?"

No, that's true. But it's far more likely that Sid and Ethyl from Altoona have heard of Little Italy than they have heard of Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, and at least Little Italy is a step up from Olive Garden in terms of "authenticity".

Kind of like the difference between a "taco" using Wonder Bread, unseasoned hamburger meat, and ketchup instead of the salsa, and a taco from Taco Bell.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:10 PM on August 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

...Actually, that last is a horrible analogy, but you know what I mean.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:11 PM on August 26, 2009

Oooooh, we should totally have an Arthur Ave meetup someday. Would have to be on a weekend afternoon or something. Man, that would be awesome.

Don't laugh! We've had meetups in Astoria and Coney Island before.
posted by Afroblanco at 12:13 PM on August 26, 2009

Let's go all the way and hit City Island, for that matter, then.

(....Huh. It's been a WHILE since I had really good fried clams, now that I think about it.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:17 PM on August 26, 2009

Arthur Avenue and City Island are both places on my must see list, and I've been to neither. I say: LET'S DO IT. (For the next meetup, of course.)
posted by ocherdraco at 1:02 PM on August 26, 2009

a "taco" using Wonder Bread, unseasoned hamburger meat, and ketchup instead of the salsa

I didn't think it was possible to create a Mexican food that was less Mexican than Taco Bell. I am in awe.

Nthing Arthur Avenue. I've always wanted to go there.
posted by scrutiny at 1:11 PM on August 26, 2009

P.S. That taco is actually a sloppy joe.
posted by smackfu at 1:20 PM on August 26, 2009

That taco is actually a sloppy joe.

Precisely.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:50 PM on August 26, 2009

I don't think we have enough options, to be honest. So I'll go ahead and nominate Franklin Park in prospect heights. (linking URL from iPhone is pain in ass). Right next to the 2/3/4/5 for ease of access, really good beer on tap for four bucks, tons of cocktails for five bucks, huge beer garden, good music, and the best taco place in brooklyn delivers here. What
more could you need?
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 3:10 PM on August 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

I... uh. I have never even heard of almost all these bars. Thanks for confirming my loserhood, mefi. THANKS A LOT.
posted by elizardbits at 3:28 PM on August 26, 2009

wow I walked by revival it is SO closed
posted by kathrineg at 7:25 PM on August 26, 2009

That's alright. I'm not really convinced that anybody actually liked Revival. We just kinda went to it because it was there.
posted by Afroblanco at 7:41 PM on August 26, 2009

Throwing my two cents into the Cortex Vortex. I suggest Whiskey Town on 3rd St b/t 2nd Ave and Bowery. On a Wednesday evening we should have no problems with space. And they have a shot with whiskey, pickle juice, and tabasco sauce that is really just delicious.
posted by anthropoid at 9:15 PM on August 26, 2009

Sorry, late-night linking issues. That should be Whiskey Town.
posted by anthropoid at 9:16 PM on August 26, 2009

Revival is closed? Like for real? That's sad, because I actually did like Revival. I liked that it had lots of quiet, comfortable space that we could take over, without being bugged by bartenders or other patrons. And I met so many of you there :( I will have to go by and lay flowers at the door.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:14 PM on August 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Oooooh, we should totally have an Arthur Ave meetup someday. Would have to be on a weekend afternoon or something. Man, that would be awesome.

I'm just going to suggest Bensonhurst.
posted by cmgonzalez at 12:16 AM on August 27, 2009

Revival is closed?

I actually did like Revival. I liked that it had lots of quiet, comfortable space that we could take over, without being bugged by bartenders or other patrons. And I met so many of you there :(

Yeah, that. :(
posted by Optimus Chyme at 6:32 AM on August 27, 2009

I don't think we have enough options, to be honest. (Dormant Gorilla)

Throwing my two cents into the Cortex Vortex. (anthropoid)

I'm not adding any more bars to the poll, as enough people have already voted that it would be a real pain to do so. We can always go to one of these next time.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:45 AM on August 27, 2009

That's true, we did have some good times at Revival. But there are plenty of bars that have rooms we can take over -- some of them are on this list-- and I always thought Revival itself was kinda meh.
posted by Afroblanco at 6:53 AM on August 27, 2009

Has anyone actually confirmed that Revival closed? The only thing about this I'm seeing on the internet is katherineg's post above. Their website's still up, their phone-message is still the same.
posted by Greg Nog at 8:56 AM on August 27, 2009

I have never been to any of the places on the poll, so I looked them up and voted based on reviews and location. Of everything I looked up, aside from 2nd on 2nd, Madame X looks the best. Too bad they're both losing to the dumpster.
posted by cmgonzalez at 9:26 AM on August 27, 2009

Has anyone actually confirmed that Revival closed?

It was first mentioned by ocherdraco in the last NYC Meetup thread, a month ago, so if they still look closed, that's not a good sign.
posted by smackfu at 9:27 AM on August 27, 2009

Well, crap! They had a backyard I could smoke in, and they were a passably good bar in the dead zone surrounding Union Square. That's a right shame.
posted by Greg Nog at 9:29 AM on August 27, 2009

Further research on the health department website reveals that they were re-opened on 7/24 though, after being shut on 7/21. It looks like they failed 4 inspections in a row which is pretty damn dumb.
posted by smackfu at 9:38 AM on August 27, 2009

they didn't even serve food how goddamn bad do you have to be to get shut down if you don't serve food
posted by Optimus Chyme at 10:03 AM on August 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

"We put a few mice in your beer, just for the hell of it."
posted by Greg Nog at 11:57 AM on August 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

A base point value is assigned to each violation. A Public Health Hazard is the most severe type of violation and typically has a base point value of 7; other Critical Violations have a base point value of 5; and General Violations have a base point value of 2. A total of 28 or more points in either public health hazards, critical or general violations requires a follow-up inspection by the DOHMH to determine if the violations have been corrected.

They got a 73. WTF.
posted by smackfu at 12:19 PM on August 27, 2009

Dumbo Dumbo Dumbo. It's the first stop away from Manhattan on the F, is close to the A,C, and 2/3 trains, and crazy photogenic what with the MBO part. I can further attest that Speak Low's Dark and Stormys are beyond delicious. Also they just opened up a huge patio bar called Speak Up! The added bonus is that I might be able to steal a pretty adorable toddler, courtesy of the family I babysit for. She'll sit in anyone's lap if you wear enough jewelry/let her play with your iPhone. I'd also recommend getting pizza from Grimaldi's or Ignazio's (bacon avocado, perhaps?) and then heading over to Rebar later, which is a very large bar with sit-down tables and good martinis. And if anyone's interested in coming a bit earlier, like around 4ish, I'll join you at the flea market under the bridge.

Manhattan is fun and all, but Brooklyn rules in its own way.
posted by zoomorphic at 12:45 PM on August 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

How the hell do you get a 73?? Did they coat the pint glasses with arsenic? Grate rat skin into the cocktails? I kind of want to go there MORE now that I know that the air itself is apparently poisonous. It's an adventure!
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 12:45 PM on August 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

ok, so what's the story? are we still waiting for votes or what? I'd love to know what our plan is.
posted by shmegegge at 12:46 PM on August 27, 2009

I said earlier I was leaving the poll open through the weekend; if we want to decide now we can.

The current leader in the poll is The Magician, with 13 votes.

Next comes a 3-way tie, each with 11 votes: Bar Nine, Sixth Ward, and Manitoba's. (Yes, and the Dumpster. But unless anyone knows someone in *ahem* the waste management industry, I don't think that's going to happen.)

So, let's have a discussion to choose from those four.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:54 PM on August 27, 2009

(Yes, and the Dumpster. But unless anyone knows someone in *ahem* the waste management industry, I don't think that's going to happen.)

....There is that group in the Gowanas that has taken over 3 dumpsters and turned them into swimming pools...
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:57 PM on August 27, 2009

I could totally hook us up with a dumpster.

Oh wait. An empty dumpster, you say? Forget it.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 1:08 PM on August 27, 2009

I'm fine with going to The Magician since it won, but I still have a bit of perverse pleasure at the thought of the 9/9/9 at 9pm at Bar Nine idea.

Also, if we're starting this thing around 7:30, I would definitely like to do some pre-drinking at Speak Low beforehand.
posted by scrutiny at 1:13 PM on August 27, 2009

unofficially of course. no meet-up derailing >:
posted by scrutiny at 1:14 PM on August 27, 2009

I'm in favor of The Magician, and not in favor of going uptown.
posted by Afroblanco at 1:36 PM on August 27, 2009

I KNOW! Let's have a spreadsheet! Then we can figure this out democratically!

oh wait.....
posted by Afroblanco at 1:49 PM on August 27, 2009

fwiw, I'm down with anything. Brooklyn is harder to get to for me than pretty much anything else (I live in Queens) but I will still happily go there. So, of these 4, which one will likely be able to acomodate our crowd, and what's the atmosphere of each? I don't know any of them, personally.
posted by shmegegge at 2:21 PM on August 27, 2009

Out of those, Sixth Ward would be my choice. They also serve food and the prices aren't bad.

I live at pretty much the southern tip of Brooklyn and getting to DUMBO or to Williamsburg tends to involve going to either 34th or 14th in Manhattan first and transferring to a downtown train, so it would actually be faster to just go someplace in Manhattan. I'm not a big LES fan, but at least that's a tad easier.
posted by cmgonzalez at 3:50 PM on August 27, 2009

I'm down for anything, but I live in Jersey :( So Manhattan, please!
posted by greta simone at 5:03 PM on August 27, 2009

hey, I actually saw a closed bar called revival in the East 50's...maybe it is an outpost? or completely unrelated? what a mysterious mystery. so it looks like the one on 15th st is probably not closed. so no flowers necessary.
posted by kathrineg at 5:22 PM on August 27, 2009

Honestly, I think katherineg should just pick a place, since she started the thread. That's usually how it works, anyway.

Freedom of choice is what you have, freedom from choice is what you want.
posted by Afroblanco at 7:14 PM on August 27, 2009

Revival was closed briefly last month by the health department; I was there last week so unless something new has happened it should be fine.

May I suggest Porch? Bar and small patio downstairs, bar and large terrace on the 2nd floor, and doesn't get nearly as crowded as Revival during happy hour.

ugh, I have only been there in spring and winter, that sounds awful

yeah, same here. I like Blue Owl a lot, but it was truly awful.
posted by lalex at 8:59 PM on August 27, 2009

ugh, the NYmag review of Porch I linked above is about 5 years old; here is the new space.
posted by lalex at 9:03 PM on August 27, 2009

Then my choice is the Magician because it has the most votes

At...8?
posted by kathrineg at 9:20 PM on August 27, 2009

Sounds good.
posted by Afroblanco at 7:10 AM on August 28, 2009

When we do have an official formal consensus, could someone clearly state it as such in here? There's just been a lot of traffic and I'm not sure whether kathrineg's vote above is Official Edict or just opinion.

Plus, I don't always have enough caffiene in my system.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:19 AM on August 28, 2009

I'm fine with The Magician. never been there, and I hope it is duly tacky with all sorts of ren faire style decorations.

if it is not, then I will have to bring some.
posted by shmegegge at 8:24 AM on August 28, 2009

I think we can just say the Magician is official. There's a quorum.
posted by scrutiny at 8:38 AM on August 28, 2009

From the reviews and photos I saw, The Magician sounds like a 50s movie detective agency decorwise, but I suppose we'll see.
posted by cmgonzalez at 8:49 AM on August 28, 2009

The Magician sounds like a 50s movie detective agency decorwise

that... that would be good, too!
posted by shmegegge at 12:22 PM on August 28, 2009

Democracy, consensus building, leadership, wow, I'm so proud of us!

We did it - we picked a bar!

Can't wait :)
posted by Salamandrous at 1:20 PM on August 28, 2009

I like the Magician. It's empty-ish most weeknights (yep, that's my criteria - I like empty bars. Unfortunately, they tend not to stay in business. Go figure.)

I guess we'll have to explicitly call another Brooklyn meetup sometime so we can actually meet there. And not in Williamsburg.
posted by overhauser at 4:23 PM on August 28, 2009

If anyone wants to get crazy with the multiplex planning, I will be flying into NYC again in early evening on Weds, 10/7, and in town until my final flight home on Thursday evening.
posted by cortex (staff) at 4:33 PM on August 28, 2009

can THAT one be karaoke night, then?
posted by shmegegge at 4:45 PM on August 28, 2009 [1 favorite]

it might be a fitting conclusion to such a nutty fucking venture as this, if you ask me
posted by cortex (staff) at 4:49 PM on August 28, 2009 [1 favorite]

So it shall be.
posted by Afroblanco at 5:10 PM on August 28, 2009

... ooops. I mean, SO IT SHALL BE.
posted by Afroblanco at 5:11 PM on August 28, 2009

Wait. So on 9/9 it's the Magician at 8?

Do I have this right?
posted by whimsicalnymph at 5:13 PM on August 28, 2009

PS everyone, a friend of mine's at Revival right this very instant, so it appears to still be open.
posted by Greg Nog at 6:15 PM on August 28, 2009

So, the magician, ok. It might just be because I'm typing this after a very protracted happy hour but considering the decor I think we all ought to do some sort of LA Confidential thing, ie show up thoroughly overdressed and with a lot of red lipstick and cigarette holders and natty little hats and talk about how everything is on the QT, and then one of us is a murderer. Also we need to eat things suspended in jello and make children mix drinks for us. Or such is my understanding of the 50s.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 6:18 PM on August 28, 2009 [2 favorites]

PS everyone, a friend of mine's at Revival right this very instant, so it appears to still be open.

HURRAY!!!!!!!!!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:07 PM on August 28, 2009 [1 favorite]

oh man, if I can swing it I'm wearing a red carnation.
posted by shmegegge at 7:47 PM on August 28, 2009

i have many childrens who can mix the dirkins as long as the dirnks contain

ap[les
cranberies
maybemore apples


maye something in a jar

with a straww and also if you squeezin it is going places

:)

and I have red lisptick

thanks for being awesome guys
posted by kathrineg at 11:48 PM on August 28, 2009

what I meant to say is that children are pretty good at juice
posted by kathrineg at 11:58 PM on August 28, 2009

As close to an OFFICIAL EDICT as we're going to get:

9/9/09
The Magician
8pm

Sorry, folks, I'm in the Adirondacks, and expected to have a chance to check in earlier.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:46 AM on August 29, 2009

Late, but:

Metafilter: We need a spreadsheet to pick a bar.
posted by TrishaLynn at 4:26 AM on September 1, 2009

I can't believe I may not be able to come after investing 9 days (days!) of my summer vacation following this thread. Holy Christ, people.
9/9 is the first day of school for NYC kids, so I may be stuck in my classroom scrubbing poop out of the rug. Because the first day of school always scares the shit out of me, not because my students poo on the rug. I'm going to try like hell to be there because there's nothing I'd rather do than drink with you fine people and give cortex a french braid.
posted by HotPatatta at 5:18 PM on September 2, 2009

There's going to be French braiding?
posted by ocherdraco at 5:36 PM on September 2, 2009

Also: I'm going to give the Magician a call so they'll have a heads up to know we're coming. How many people should I say? I know we had 50-ish the last time Cortex was in town, but I think this might be more low-key.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:38 PM on September 2, 2009

I will in fact be visiting NY that week, so I plan to attend!!
posted by little e at 6:37 PM on September 2, 2009

I know we had 50-ish the last time Cortex was in town

I'm still not sure why that was so huge. The cortex/mathowie double-whammy?
posted by smackfu at 6:41 PM on September 2, 2009

It was because of those little flags. Those little flags were awesome. Everyone likes a flag.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 4:34 PM on September 3, 2009

Oh yeah and- in the midst of all that spreadsheet excitement we somehow missed the salient point here, ie Cortex where do you get those giant mutant donuts, and exactly how many will you be bringing?
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 4:37 PM on September 3, 2009

It was because of those little flags. Those little flags were awesome. Everyone likes a flag. (Dormant Gorilla)

I'm glad you liked them! I had fun making them.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:45 PM on September 3, 2009

Okay, so I called the Magician and let them know we're coming. They said we might want to send a couple people ahead of time to stake out space in the back (bonus: if you go early, you'll be there for part of happy hour which ends at 8). I can't get there till 8; are there any volunteers to be the advance guard?
posted by ocherdraco at 7:56 PM on September 4, 2009

My train arrives that afternoon, and the extent of my itinerary is make my way to the bed and breakfast, aimlessly wander the streets, attend meetup. Barring epic subway fail on my part, I'll be there as early as someone else is willing to show up.
posted by little e at 8:06 PM on September 4, 2009

I can't get there till 8; are there any volunteers to be the advance guard?

I get out of work at 5.

The way this particular gig has been going, I'm going to want to start drinking as soon as humanly possible, so I most likely will be there at 5:01. (5:03 if there's traffic.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:51 PM on September 4, 2009

oh, and this is super cool by the way. I travel alone not infrequently, and I end up hanging out with random strangers which is sometimes fun and sometimes not. I like my odds for a good time better with you guys.
posted by little e at 9:09 PM on September 4, 2009

I'm going to want to start drinking as soon as humanly possible

I like the way you think. I'll make it there by 5:15 at the latest. I've been working with no breaks for the last two weeks and it finally lets up on Tuesday. I will need drinks on Wednesday so badly.
posted by scrutiny at 11:24 AM on September 5, 2009

I'll do my best to join the early drinking - definitely by 7 but hopefully before that.
posted by Salamandrous at 3:24 PM on September 5, 2009

I may not make it until after the speech, which means I'll probably miss the 9/9/9 thing after all.
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:51 AM on September 6, 2009

Oh shit! I'm going to be in town after all. How exciting!

Is the Magician boardgame-friendly? Do you guys like boardgames? I'm on a manic boardgame jag atm.
posted by grobstein at 9:34 AM on September 7, 2009

They have at least one big table in their back room, but I don't know if they have a selection of their own games. Bring them! I had fun playing with you guys in Boston.
posted by brujita at 1:50 PM on September 7, 2009

They don't have board games themselves, but I'm sure grobstein can oblige. Grobs, make sure they're games that'll be okay in low light. It is a bar, after all.

And thanks to the advance guard. I hope you're all well and truly drunk by the time I get there.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:01 PM on September 7, 2009

I've had bad meetup timing recently. I'm hoping to make this one, but I'll be in DC most of the day tomorrow. If I can get an early enough train back I'll try to join you guys.
posted by yarrow at 9:42 AM on September 8, 2009

my goodness, it's still a day away, and I'm all aflutter over this meetup. this is going to be so awesome. dare I say it? it will be boss.
posted by shmegegge at 11:24 AM on September 8, 2009

I'm going to be late.
posted by brujita at 5:15 AM on September 9, 2009

HOLY SHIT WHAT AM I DOING IN NEW YORK
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:32 AM on September 9, 2009

COMING TO DRINK WITH US, OBVS.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:43 AM on September 9, 2009

ack, it turns out I won't be able to make it after all. Everyone have a great meet-up!
posted by scrutiny at 6:47 AM on September 9, 2009

I'm at work late tonight for the Obama speech. Have a great time all!
posted by spec80 at 8:55 AM on September 9, 2009

I may not be able to be there precisely at 5 (as previously joked about); after going out last night on an empty stomach the wisdom of eating BEFORE drinking has been underscored for me. I'll probably be there about 6.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:05 AM on September 9, 2009

I'm leaving work at 7:30 so... barring any train issues (which I had coming into work this morning) I should be there around 8. Yay!
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 10:42 AM on September 9, 2009

WHERE ARE THE DONUTS CORTEX
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 11:17 AM on September 9, 2009

Hey, I just ran into Afroblanco and cortex while meeting up with a non-mefite friend for long. The conversation went as follows.

Me, to cortex: "HI, I am zoomorphic. Uh, Josh...? Yeah, Josh, this is [non-mefite friend]. [Non-mefite friend], this is Josh."
Afroblanco, to cortex: "I actually ran into zoomorphic and Optimus Chyme this weekend at--"
Non-Mefite friend: "Oh my god."

So hey, nice running into you guys on the town. I'll probably be there by 7.
posted by zoomorphic at 11:51 AM on September 9, 2009 [5 favorites]

Uh, that should read "for lunch."
posted by zoomorphic at 11:51 AM on September 9, 2009

I'm assessing the Believability Index™ of various excuses I could give my wife to excuse a little after work detour. So far, everything I've come up with may result in a night or two on the couch but, what the hell, my couch is actually pretty comfy.

I guess that makes me a maybe.
posted by JaredSeth at 11:52 AM on September 9, 2009

How late is everyone going to be there? I still want to come, but probably wouldn't be able to make it until ~10PM.
posted by defenestration at 12:08 PM on September 9, 2009

If previous meetups are an indicator, it is very likely that folks will still be around at 10. You might check this page for updates before you head out, just in case.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:42 PM on September 9, 2009

Right -- walking out of my day job. Heading over there now. Should be there within a half hour. Huzzah.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:35 PM on September 9, 2009

If I go, I won't get there until 9ish defenestration.
posted by CunningLinguist at 2:38 PM on September 9, 2009

I'm gonna go. I'll just head there from work instead of stopping home first. See you all later!
posted by defenestration at 2:59 PM on September 9, 2009

Ugh don't think I'm going to make it, just got back into town and I'm totally wiped out. And broke, apparently. Have a great time guys-
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 3:12 PM on September 9, 2009

Can't make it. Pecuniary difficulties have rendered it a choice between going out tonight and buying my nephew a birthday present; even though I'll miss a chance to meet the highly esteemed and devilishly handsome Cortex, it's a no-brainer, really. What can I say, the kid needs a ninja.
posted by breezeway at 4:51 PM on September 9, 2009

Darn, doesn't seem like I will be able to make it either. Boo, last-minute stuff.
posted by cmgonzalez at 4:58 PM on September 9, 2009

Bummer about the last-minute cancellations, but I'll be a last-minute addition! Should get there about 9:15.
posted by booksandlibretti at 5:29 PM on September 9, 2009

On my way . . .
posted by Obscure Reference at 5:50 PM on September 9, 2009

Just makng it home now... Great time, all. Have fun, cortex!
posted by defenestration at 10:05 PM on September 9, 2009

Great fun, all. Good to see/meet all of you.

For those I missed preaching at, and for those I didn't who need a reminder: you should go see Viral at the Fringe Encore series. Tickets available at TicketWeb; search for Viral. I'll be there the 27th.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:22 PM on September 9, 2009 [1 favorite]

I have somehow failed in my note taking. I have misplaced the MeFi name of the NYU math fellow. NYU math fellow, add me as a contact!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:28 PM on September 9, 2009 [1 favorite]

Dear friends,
Thank you for the drunken text messages. I love you, too.
Your pal,
ColdChef
posted by ColdChef at 10:36 PM on September 9, 2009

Hey, for once they weren't from me! I have trouble operating the keyboard late at night...
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:48 PM on September 9, 2009

TPS: NYU math fellow is milestogo.

Oh lord. Hangover on Thursday. Gah.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:09 AM on September 10, 2009

I got home, and MeFi was down. And I wondered if that was cause you guys broke it after I left. Good meetup.
posted by smackfu at 5:42 AM on September 10, 2009

Great to see everyone! Happy trails, Josh!
posted by Marnie at 6:06 AM on September 10, 2009

I had an awesome time, and I'm not hungover. Successful launch!
posted by cortex (staff) at 6:12 AM on September 10, 2009

Ah ha! I knew it started with an M and had three words. Thanks, ocherdraco.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:24 AM on September 10, 2009 [1 favorite]

Pictures are up, which someone else apparently noticed because I didn't even have to add the link. I regret not canvassing the room better; I got distracted about halfway through, and so there's probably a good dozen people missing from my set.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:35 AM on September 10, 2009

TPS: For those I missed preaching at....

Seconding this -- I think I actually know people connected with VIRAL, in fact. Whee!

And I have my own "for those I missed preaching at:" I am in the semifinals for a writing contest in which the finalists are chosen by popular vote -- and I am 160 votes behind, and voting ends in 3 days.
All you do is add my entry to a wishlist of trips you'd like to make someday, and that's it.

It's a big grand prize -- so if I get it, I will pay for the first round at the next meetup. If not host it in my apartment.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:12 AM on September 10, 2009

HOW ARE YOU PEOPLE AWAKE AND ABLE TO DO THINGS?
posted by shmegegge at 8:30 AM on September 10, 2009

HOW ARE YOU PEOPLE AWAKE AND ABLE TO DO THINGS? (shmegegge)

To be fair, I am only one of those things, actually.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:38 AM on September 10, 2009

Some of us don't have jobs :D
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:39 AM on September 10, 2009 [1 favorite]

At work and sort of functioning, here. Nice photos, cortex.
posted by defenestration at 9:23 AM on September 10, 2009

One of my favorite meetups so far, and thanks to leaving sort of early I am happy and productive at work.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 9:31 AM on September 10, 2009

STOP WORKING CORTEX.
posted by Skorgu at 9:49 AM on September 10, 2009

I left pretty early, but in my defense I got up at 5 am and spent 6 hours on a train yesterday. Glad I came anyway, that was a fun crowd.
posted by yarrow at 9:51 AM on September 10, 2009

It's a good thing I left on the early side, because an alarm mishap ended with me waking up 10 minutes later than I intended to be in the office. If had made a full night of it, I might still be asleep.
posted by andrewraff at 10:54 AM on September 10, 2009

This morning was rough. Very rough. Good job, everyone.
posted by Jon_Evil at 5:10 PM on September 10, 2009

Crazy awesome fun. Very nice to meet you guys, and NYC is a blast!! I'd love to know how many miles I walked while I was there (most of them either with a very heavy pack or completely soaking wet and freezing. Ferry ride in the foggy rain=win.) I am infatuated. I want to go back!!

(Ugh, then I disembarked the train yesterday into the middle of this clusterfuck. Welcome back to DC.)
posted by little e at 9:56 AM on September 13, 2009

we'd love to have you back any time, e. Sorry about the fuckwads.
posted by Jon_Evil at 11:35 AM on September 13, 2009

aw man, I didn't learn until after my trip that public toplessness is legal there. Now I HAVE to come back.
posted by little e at 12:53 PM on September 14, 2009

Now that would make for an interesting meetup.
posted by ocherdraco at 1:17 PM on September 14, 2009

little e, you should come back for the oct 7 meetup!
posted by shmegegge at 2:57 PM on September 14, 2009