February 16, 2002

1:47 PM

Has there ever/will there ever be a Los Angeles MeFi gathering? I did a search but all I found was this. Did anything happen there? Is there another thread about this I'm missing? I've been seeing the posts about the NY gathering and I'm jealous.
posted by bingo to MetaFilter-related at 1:47 PM (65 comments total)

I'm in LA. I'm ready.
posted by owillis at 2:04 PM on February 16, 2002

I'm in LA. You going to organize something bingo?
posted by willnot at 2:11 PM on February 16, 2002

Sure, I'm in.
posted by waxpancake at 2:20 PM on February 16, 2002

I'm in as well...
posted by chacal at 2:23 PM on February 16, 2002

I'm in...Texas...drat.
posted by ColdChef at 2:56 PM on February 16, 2002

willnot, I was just tossing it out there; I figured there was probably something already that I didn't know about. But yeah, I'm willing to organize it. Let's see how many people show their interest and we'll figure out something.
posted by bingo at 3:56 PM on February 16, 2002

I'm originally from LA and I'll be there the last week of March visiting relatives. Anyone up for getting shitfaced polynesian-style at Tiki Ti's?
posted by MrBaliHai at 5:01 PM on February 16, 2002

I could possibly make the trip from the boondocks of OC.
posted by Kafkaesque at 5:26 PM on February 16, 2002

Willnot and Bingo: Send me an e-mail, and I'll help get this thing going. (I already have contact info for Oliver, Kafkaesque, Chacal, and Bali Hai.)
posted by waxpancake at 6:25 PM on February 16, 2002

[The NYC people were kind enough to let me make a simple phonecall, just to say hi. ParisParamus and goneill let me have their cellphone numbers. Despite the temptation, I haven't rang back or shared them with anyone else. Will the LA contingent extend the same courtesy? Please?]
posted by MiguelCardoso at 6:41 PM on February 16, 2002

Trust me: Don't make that Mistake!

Miguel calls my home morning, noon and night! I can't sleep, I can't watch TV, I never get a break. It's ruining my relationship.

Do Not Give This Man Your Number.
posted by ColdChef at 6:50 PM on February 16, 2002

But ColdChef, you said yourself I should find someone else! "Preferably in fucking California" I believe were your exact words.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 7:23 PM on February 16, 2002

After we get a few girl-drinks in Owillis, he's all yours, Miguel.
posted by Kafkaesque at 11:11 PM on February 16, 2002

Miguel didn't call or ask to call for MeFiSea. This, of course, is because he hates us with the white hot fury of a thousand suns. And I won't be able to make it to MeFiLA.
posted by j.edwards at 12:13 AM on February 17, 2002

If they hadn't switched the pleasant, chew-through-able leather restraints for this stupid new kevlar weave, I'd probably make it out there, not that any of you lot would care anyway, seeing as I don't speak portuguese...*grumble-whine*
posted by dong_resin at 12:43 AM on February 17, 2002

I'm in. Let me know.
posted by eyeballkid at 3:05 AM on February 17, 2002

like kafka, i should be able to make a trek out from the sububan wasteland known as orange county. just gimmie a when and where and i'll make an effort to be there.
posted by boogah at 12:45 AM on February 18, 2002

LA here, I would nix the Tiki Ti idea, it's a cool place but is smaller than an airplane bathroom. If three people or less are coming, it's a good idea, otherwise if someone knows a good, uncrowded dive bar, that might be a good choice.

Fray day was at UnUrban on Pico, but I didn't go so I don't know how that worked out.
posted by jonah at 10:32 AM on February 18, 2002

Another Orange County-ite here. Be sure to post an address when you decide. I have no idea where these places are.
posted by dness2 at 10:42 AM on February 18, 2002

I'm in.
posted by Optamystic at 11:24 AM on February 18, 2002

may i suggest something close to union station in los angeles? it'd be close to most methods of public transit - which would be accommodating to those of us around los angeles without a car. [yes, we do exist]

if this sounds like a concept, does dinner at philippe's strike anyone's fancy? i know of at least one other group that meets there monthly, and i know for a fact that the food is quite good. the only snag is they close at 10pm every night, but one could always bounce somewhere else for drinks.
posted by boogah at 1:16 PM on February 18, 2002

I dunno dude...when I go out, especially at night, especially for drinks, I like to go as far west as possible. I live near the Beverly & Vermont metro station; I could pick you up there and give you a ride.
posted by bingo at 2:13 PM on February 18, 2002

I'm in the South Bay, it pretty much sucks for the convenience factor. I'd suggest somewhere in Santa Monica / the Westside. What about dates? March, April?
posted by jonah at 3:11 PM on February 18, 2002

Dude - if we have to bring dates, them I'm out. I'm a computer nerd for christ sak...Huh? Oh.

Never mind.
posted by willnot at 3:27 PM on February 18, 2002

What about dates? March, April?

As I indicated earlier, I'm holding out for the last week in March because that's when I'll be in town, but if that doesn't work for anyone else, I won't feel put out.

As for the other type of "dates", I'll be on my own because I know what my wife's gonna say when I ask her if she wants to go with me to meet a bunch of people that I met on the 'Web...=^D

willnot: I could bring you a corsage...
posted by MrBaliHai at 3:46 PM on February 18, 2002

Dang, I always miss the good stuff. My girl, who's from LA, is coming up here around then, so I won't be down there. Um. Not that I'm complaining, sweetie...
posted by SpecialK at 5:36 PM on February 18, 2002

Ideally I could bring Britney but I'm sure there will be scheduling problems. A shame, really...
posted by owillis at 12:05 AM on February 19, 2002

You can bring me, Oliver, and I'll dress up like Britney.

Just like last time.
posted by thebigpoop at 8:18 AM on February 19, 2002

Oh yeah... I'm in.
posted by thebigpoop at 8:18 AM on February 19, 2002

Ideally I could bring Britney

We'd settle for Polly Esther, she's a hottie. Say, whatever happened to those pix of you partying down with the warbloggers anyway? I can't find them now.
posted by MrBaliHai at 9:36 AM on February 19, 2002

Anyone interested can sign up for the mefiLA discussion list.
posted by waxpancake at 10:03 AM on February 19, 2002

Um, I'm having problems with the list software at the moment. I'll post another message in here when it's working again.
posted by waxpancake at 11:33 AM on February 19, 2002

I'm personally very fond of Tom Bergin's as a good semi-divey bar.
posted by thebigpoop at 1:21 PM on February 19, 2002

From the reviews of Tom Bergin's:

I had a german friend that bartended there for a while. It's a great place for just about anybody (except maybe punkrockers?) But then again, the people there are so cool and laid back, they probably wouldn't mind. I also recall seeing Julia Roberts sitting at the end of the bar on one visit. This was years ago when I think she was single. I still feel like an idiot for not talking to her. It looked as if she was there by herself.

Man, sounds like Julia missed out, doesn't it? And watch out "punkrockers"!

Guffaw.
posted by Kafkaesque at 1:30 PM on February 19, 2002

MrBaliHai: Pictures are here and here, and yes The Rabbit is all good.

Just like last time
Justin is gonna be PISSED!
posted by owillis at 2:25 PM on February 19, 2002

Bergin's is where Kiefer and Julia broke up. And, way back when, it was a big Hollywood hangout. Cary Grant and a certain Ronald Reagan were regulars.
posted by thebigpoop at 2:28 PM on February 19, 2002

Owillis likes Bergin's, too. It makes him silly.
posted by thebigpoop at 2:30 PM on February 19, 2002

Sounds okay to me, if a bit preppy. Let's try to not go on a game night, though; it sounds like a sports bar.
posted by bingo at 3:25 PM on February 19, 2002

I vote for Ye Rustic Inn. It's a dive but not too small, it's not expensive, and it's come-as-you-are.
posted by cell divide at 4:24 PM on February 19, 2002

This watering hole serves up strong drinks and hearty food to grips, gaffers, and innocent bystanders.

What, they discriminate against filmic storytellers?
posted by bingo at 5:23 PM on February 19, 2002

Bergin's isn't really preppy, although there's a lot of memorabilia of old USC v. Notre Dame matchups covering the walls. I tend to find there's a pretty high film geek quotient, though.
posted by thebigpoop at 5:48 PM on February 19, 2002

Michael, the old-tyme barkeep who reminds me of Coach likes to kick filmic storytellers in the teeth. Afterward he will serve you a strong drink.
posted by thebigpoop at 5:51 PM on February 19, 2002

How did you know my name, Matt?
posted by bingo at 8:35 PM on February 19, 2002

Heh. I didn't. Michael is the barkeep's name. I seemed to have left out a comma. One more person falls victim to a common name by another with a more common name.
posted by thebigpoop at 8:41 PM on February 19, 2002

Aha. I looked at your homepage and realized that we were at USC at the same time for a year, so thought maybe we'd met. And that you'd then telepathically tuned in to who I was, anyway.
posted by bingo at 11:59 PM on February 19, 2002

Cell divide--thank you! I live on the westside and I was starting to freak out that I hadn't heard of any of the places people were mentioning...but Ye Rustic Inn I know! I like it there (especially the super-strong drinks!), except...when I've been there it's been real hard to find a place to sit. I always stand around angrily eyeing the couple making out in the huge red booth meant for ten people. Where would a whole group of us fit?
posted by rio at 12:24 AM on February 20, 2002

Maybe some of us can start drinking in the afternoon as a sort of scouting party. Only so that we can save the big booth, of course.
posted by bingo at 12:29 AM on February 20, 2002

Bingo--a great idea. I'll volunteer for that. ;)
Oh and, um, general question: any other LA women planning on attending this besides me?
posted by rio at 12:32 AM on February 20, 2002

On the Westside:
The Temple Bar on 11th and Wilshire in Santa Monica

The Room on 14th and Santa Monica, also in Santa Monica

Westwood Brewing Company on Glendon and Kinross in Westwood.

Both the Temple Bar and The Room are for semi artsy fartsy types. Westwood Brew Co. is for a bit more mature/older crowd.

Just my two cents.
posted by inviolable at 12:37 AM on February 20, 2002

I also put in a vote for Ye Rustic Inn, although there is an Acapulcos with full on bar down the street. Also, The Joy Luck club (aka The Door) is also a hop, skip and a jump away.

Swinging back over to the Westside, I forgot to mention Q's, which is conveniently across the street from me (heh) on Wilshire near Barrington.

For those who are willing to make the trek, McMurphy's in Pasadena is cool on any night except Fridays or Saturdays (when it's too crowded) and so is the Muse.
posted by inviolable at 12:58 AM on February 20, 2002

Both times I have been to the Temple Bar, it has been packed and very noisy, with a band and very low lighting. It's a beautiful interior, but I dunno about using it for our purposes. Assuming that we actually want to talk to each other, that is.

Westwood Brew is cool...isn't that around the corner from where they used to have the cheap Saturday night retro movies? Although that is definitely a sports bar....
posted by bingo at 1:11 AM on February 20, 2002

Wow, inviolable, you get out a lot.

Remember when your friend made it with the cow? I want to party with you, cowboy...
posted by bingo at 1:12 AM on February 20, 2002

BrewCo would be great, it's got tons of big tables, an upstairs, balcony/outdoors area for the smokers, and it's not so much a sports bar, is it? I mean, they have a couple of leetle T.V.'s up high over the bar, but that's about it. Bingo, maybe you're thinking of Maloney's?
posted by rio at 1:17 AM on February 20, 2002

bingo: no matter where we end up, remind me to tell you my story about crutches.

Like rio said, it's not really a sports bar, more of a brew pub. And yes, it's on the corner down the street from the movie theater you're talking about.
posted by inviolable at 1:25 AM on February 20, 2002

Ah...I must be thinking of Maloney's. Pity they stopped showing those movies; I was going all the time.

How strange. I too have an amusing drinking story involving crutches.
posted by bingo at 1:38 AM on February 20, 2002

While Bergin's always holds a special place in my heart where thebigpoop got me drunk for the first time in my life (on girl drinks nonetheless), the atmosphere didn't strike me as conducive to non-yelling conversation.

We have quite enough filmic storytellers in this world.
posted by owillis at 2:23 AM on February 20, 2002

I'm glad you feel that way, owillis. After this I was starting to feel like Tigger.
posted by bingo at 2:52 AM on February 20, 2002

BrewCo is good during the week, but is overrun by the UCLA crowd on the weekends, if memory serves (older/mature crowd?). Q's is good... Oliver and I used to work in the yellow building right across the street and were witness to the madman running his bronco through the plate glass window. (Where are you inviolable?) I luuuuve Temple Bar, but it's better for listening to music than for actually talking to people. Let me also throw into the hat another pub: O'Briens in south Santa Monica (on Main Street, near Rose).

And then there's always the option of a dark, crack-infested alley.
posted by thebigpoop at 8:04 AM on February 20, 2002

Or we can all be uber-hipsters and go to Bar Marmont and overrun the couch cove and make fun of the bald transvestite maitre'd. Its actually a much more fun place to be than I thought was possible... it reeks of hipness, but lacks the hipper-than-thou-ness. And I was able to have an actual conversation there comfortably. But its pricey. So there.
posted by thebigpoop at 8:11 AM on February 20, 2002

Rio: Smells like sausage to me.
posted by Kafkaesque at 8:20 AM on February 20, 2002

Okay, it works! Sign up for the mailing list, and let's work out the details.
posted by waxpancake at 8:45 AM on February 20, 2002

By the way, we're shooting for the end of March. We'll post a new Metatalk thread when it's finalized.
posted by waxpancake at 10:26 AM on February 20, 2002

What? Is the Dresden too old skool for you people?
posted by CousinOliver at 10:28 AM on February 20, 2002

Speaking of dark, crack-infested alleys, The Room in Hollywood is pretty chill. Get there early enough and we can get a couple of booths further from the dj.

thebigpoop: I live right on Westgate so I go stumbling home quite often from Q's.

Ahh. Good Times.
posted by inviolable at 10:41 AM on February 20, 2002

Kafka -- yeah, I'm noticing that particular scent, too. I may have to hide in the shadows and try to figure out who everyone is by slyly eavesdropping on conversations.

Inviolable--The Room Hollywood is a cool place, but again, the chatting factor might be removed by the music volume, even away from the dj.

Q's is great, and being walking distance from a bar is always good! I'd say Q's and BrewCo are the best ideas yet.
posted by rio at 3:58 PM on February 20, 2002