Toronto's second meetup of 2010? May 20, 2010 7:24 AM   Subscribe

The last Toronto meet-up was in January. Time for another one?

I'm in town for the summer and eager to hang out with MeFites again. How does the end of May sound?
posted by Phire to MetaFilter Gatherings at 7:24 AM (106 comments total) 2 users marked this as a favorite

We are definitely overdue for another meet-up. End of May as in some time between Friday the 28th and Sunday the 30th would work for me, I think.
posted by FishBike at 7:33 AM on May 20, 2010


FWIW, I'll be in Toronto for a conference during the week of July 5th; It's obviously not for a while though, so maybe I'll call a meetup closer tothe day-of...
posted by kaibutsu at 7:42 AM on May 20, 2010


I'd like to go but will be out of town early-mid june so the 28th-30th weekend works well for me too.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:52 AM on May 20, 2010


I have tickets to JoCo on the 30th, but the 28th or 29th would work.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:59 AM on May 20, 2010


I can walk again, and I should be free at the end of May. I think, anyway.
posted by chunking express at 8:20 AM on May 20, 2010


I think I can manage it.

Was there some vague consensus that the next one would be a midtown-ish kind of thing?
posted by generichuman at 8:22 AM on May 20, 2010


Out of town end of May and beginning of June. Sorry.
posted by randomination at 8:39 AM on May 20, 2010


In. Miss you mofos.
posted by SassHat at 9:03 AM on May 20, 2010


Drinking yay
posted by captaincrouton at 9:40 AM on May 20, 2010


Can we play videogames or something?
posted by Ouisch at 10:04 AM on May 20, 2010


Shall we say Saturday the 29th then, at 7 PM? I'm fine with any venue as long as it's on the TTC.
posted by Phire at 10:09 AM on May 20, 2010


Sounds good to me!
posted by sid at 10:16 AM on May 20, 2010


That could happen. For purely selfish reasons (living in Kitchener) I'd prefer the west end. But whatever.
posted by seanmpuckett at 10:51 AM on May 20, 2010


Where are you thinking of meeting?
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 11:03 AM on May 20, 2010


Aw hell. My 29th is booked solid. But have fun, kids!
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 11:05 AM on May 20, 2010


No can do 29th either.
posted by chococat at 11:56 AM on May 20, 2010


Phire... in my experience, choosing a date/time and "declaring it so" generally works out best when mobilizing a large group. People will/won't make it as their schedules permit; there will never be a day that works for everyone.
posted by cranberrymonger at 12:41 PM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]


Unless a whole bunch of other people suggest otherwise, I think May 29th at 7PM is the way to go (even though I'd love to see Schlimmbesserung and chococat again).

I don't have any ideas as to venue, though, since I don't know Toronto, so I'm totally open to suggestions there.

You can all blame cranberrymonger when I turn all authoritarian.
posted by Phire at 12:53 PM on May 20, 2010


I'm in!
posted by kate blank at 1:40 PM on May 20, 2010


I have been waiting for the next meet up for months now that I've finally moved here, but the 29th is the ONE day I can't go. I don't feel like asking my friend to reschedule his wedding. Any other day, I am down for it though.
posted by Midnight Rambler at 3:36 PM on May 20, 2010


I will be in Chicago and will miss you terribly.
posted by sevenyearlurk at 5:31 PM on May 20, 2010


Pass this time. Busy. Regrets.
posted by ovvl at 6:53 PM on May 20, 2010


For those who are coming: venue suggestions, please!
posted by Phire at 7:11 PM on May 20, 2010


i am a solid maybe.

i'd love to be there and i hope i can make it, but my plans for next weekend are up in the air.

as for venues - do we have an area in mind?
posted by gursky at 7:17 PM on May 20, 2010


I think someone upthread said midtown.
posted by Phire at 7:22 PM on May 20, 2010


out, alas.
posted by scruss at 7:37 PM on May 20, 2010


In, as long as I survive the next two days.
posted by typewriter at 9:21 PM on May 20, 2010


Oooooh, my comment reads a little rude, hours later. Sorry Phire :) T'was unintentional.
posted by cranberrymonger at 10:09 PM on May 20, 2010


If we're doing midtown, might I suggest the Rose and Crown?

It's no great shakes inside, (read: bit of a dive, but a good dive) but there's plenty of space at the back for a large group.

Cheap-ish beer and food are also good factors.

Take with a grain of salt, since I'm biased - this is stumble distance from my house.
posted by generichuman at 4:58 AM on May 21, 2010


generichuman, how is the noise level at the Rose and Crown? As long as it's the sort of place where we can have a conversation, it sounds good to me.
posted by FishBike at 5:38 AM on May 21, 2010


Unless the Rose is having a live band, which they sometimes do, the noise level is fine. I've had many, many conversations there.

I'm busy that day, however, so count me out.
posted by dobbs at 5:44 AM on May 21, 2010


Rose and Crown at 7PM on Saturday, May 29th it is. (Sorry for the redundant and awkward phrasing, I'm adding this to the sidebar and wanted a specific comment to link to.) Thanks, generichuman.

Should I call ahead and make a reservation? (And in that case, could the maybes solidly confirm by, say, Thursday?) Thanks!

As for everyone who can't come: Dammit! Maybe if kaibutsu calls another meetup in July I'll see you lovely people there.
posted by Phire at 6:02 AM on May 21, 2010


I'm in.1 I will bring paper signs that say "MetaFilter" again, and attach these to the tables somehow, for the benefit of anyone one who doesn't know what we all look like yet.

1: Helping with the last meetup, I learned that comments like "if it's during this range of dates I can probably be there" are really hard to interpret as a yes or no when trying to make reservations.
posted by FishBike at 6:17 AM on May 21, 2010



Unless the Rose is having a live band, which they sometimes do, the noise level is fine. I've had many, many conversations there.


Yeah, that's pretty much my experience. It's not musicmusicMUSIC like some pubs. Mostly just bisterous conversation to talk over.
posted by generichuman at 6:45 AM on May 21, 2010


Oh, if it's the 29th, I'm out. I am booked up until the week after.

I'd also suggest not-Midtown, because it's the worst. :)
posted by SassHat at 6:54 AM on May 21, 2010


I think I can make it. I'll confirm by Thursday.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 7:18 AM on May 21, 2010


Excellent, I missed the last one, but this time, I'll be there.
posted by McSly at 12:00 PM on May 22, 2010


okay, just figured out plans, and i won't be able to make the meetup. argh. sorry.

have fun!
posted by gursky at 12:16 PM on May 22, 2010


I'm in for this one, for sure. And yeah, let's have another in July, if only to collect all the no-shows. *glares meaningfully at SassHat*
posted by maudlin at 10:32 AM on May 23, 2010


Dang it another one missed. I'm part of the bachelorette party for my best friend. :-(
posted by olya at 10:46 AM on May 23, 2010


I'm in!
posted by Hildegarde at 11:46 AM on May 23, 2010


Anyone else coming in from Mississauga and want to meet up at Clarkson Go?
posted by Hildegarde at 11:48 AM on May 23, 2010


Hold on, does this place have a patio? Presumably the weather will be fantastic, right?
posted by Hildegarde at 11:51 AM on May 23, 2010


I had previously suggested the very civilized Ben Wicks, which has a snug we could have booked.
posted by joeclark at 1:04 PM on May 23, 2010


That's in Cabbagetown, right? Man I love Cabbagetown.
posted by Hildegarde at 1:59 PM on May 23, 2010


I had previously suggested the very civilized Ben Wicks, which has a snug we could have booked.
posted by joeclark at 4:04 PM on May 23 [+] [!]

A snug? A snug what?

This came up in image-search.
posted by typewriter at 2:02 PM on May 23, 2010




So this is my first meet up, but if you'll have me, I'll be there. (Ugh, what? Sorry still a little shaky and drunk from the LOST finale.)
posted by Tiresias at 10:21 PM on May 23, 2010


I'm in!
posted by soft and hardcore taters at 10:26 AM on May 24, 2010


I'm sorry, I can't make it. I forgot about my plans with the in-laws! I wish I could be with all the lovely Toronto Mefites instead. ;)
posted by cranberrymonger at 7:15 AM on May 25, 2010


I think I can make it.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 7:37 AM on May 25, 2010


Yes.
posted by Chuckles at 4:22 AM on May 26, 2010


Also yes.
posted by generichuman at 7:43 AM on May 26, 2010


Alas, I have Carmina Burana. Next time!
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:30 AM on May 27, 2010


Is it too late to give a solid maybe to this? I may have something that will kill my Saturday, but I won't know until this evening or tomorrow.
posted by the dief at 11:06 AM on May 27, 2010


Is that seventeen people who can make it and three maybes?

I'm counting:

If only I had a Penguin...
jacquilynne
generichuman
captaincrouton
sid
ThatCanadianGirl
kate blank
FishBike
McSly
maudlin
Hildegarde
joeclarks
Tiresias
soft and hardcore taters
You Should See the Other Guy
Chuckles

Maybe:
typewriter
chunking express
the dief

Given the typical fluctuations of meetups, shall I just make a reservation for 16 and call it a day?
posted by Phire at 3:26 PM on May 27, 2010


You might wanna up that number depending on how many joeclarks are coming.
posted by gman at 3:29 PM on May 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


Sounds about right, Phire. The numbers seem to be always an approximation anyway, which is totally understandable.
posted by FishBike at 3:48 PM on May 27, 2010


Wow, Dief and Joe Clark? ;-)
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:18 PM on May 27, 2010


Called and reserved! I really wanted to make a reservation under 'Matt Haughey', but the poor guy sounded so frazzled I didn't want to make his life more difficult than it had to be.

So ask for the party of 16, under 'Jenny'!
posted by Phire at 7:01 PM on May 27, 2010


(Cause making a reservation under 'Fire' probably wouldn't have gone over too well, either...)
posted by Phire at 7:04 PM on May 27, 2010


I'm a-coming!
posted by typewriter at 8:24 AM on May 28, 2010


The missus and i (routergirl) will likely be toddling along too. Put us down as maybes at present.
posted by Brockles at 4:03 PM on May 28, 2010


Count hylaride and me in!
posted by heatherann at 6:19 PM on May 28, 2010


Definitely maybe as I keep missing these things and would actually like to meet y'all.
posted by tantrumthecat at 9:06 PM on May 28, 2010


I'm usually in this area at this time on a Saturday. Today I'm doing Doors Open with some people, so I'm uncertain how my day will unfold. If I'm in the neighbourhood this evening I'll will probably stop and see if there is room for me to sit down.
posted by TimTypeZed at 4:21 AM on May 29, 2010


One thing to note... it looks like the Yonge Line will be closed after midnight between Bloor and Union. Replacement Buses for those headed that way!
posted by generichuman at 1:30 PM on May 29, 2010


Grr. I can't make it, but I send hugs. Don't watch The Human Caterpillar.
posted by soft and hardcore taters at 1:51 PM on May 29, 2010


Err. Human Centipede (see, my brain is already blanking it out)...
posted by soft and hardcore taters at 2:00 PM on May 29, 2010


Human Centipede

Probably good advice in any circumstance.
posted by generichuman at 2:07 PM on May 29, 2010


Er, not watching it I mean.
posted by generichuman at 2:07 PM on May 29, 2010


The Human Caterpillar would be awesome. Think of the sequels!
posted by Sys Rq at 2:58 PM on May 29, 2010


100% Medically Accurate?
posted by soft and hardcore taters at 3:04 PM on May 29, 2010


I may be a no show just because I'm exhausted. I'm going to take a nap now and if I feel better after, I might head over for a drink with y'all later.
posted by jacquilynne at 3:31 PM on May 29, 2010


Yikes, I got caught up working and lost track of time. Heading over now, but I may be a tad late. #organiserfail
posted by Phire at 3:34 PM on May 29, 2010


I'm here. We are at the very back of the place, in the "closed" section, with MetaFilter signs on the tables.
posted by FishBike at 4:03 PM on May 29, 2010


Brockles and I are running late, but on our way.
posted by routergirl at 4:32 PM on May 29, 2010


A bunch of us are already here in the back. If you smell you have to sit on the north side (hurry up! You're already missint inside jokes!).
posted by hylaride at 4:36 PM on May 29, 2010


Another great meetup! Thanks to everybody who came and especially to Phire for organizing it.
posted by FishBike at 8:40 PM on May 29, 2010


I had a phenomenal time. Thanks to all the amazing Toronto MeFites who made it out--and for those of you who didn't or couldn't, rest assured that you were sorely missed.

Seriously, Toronto, with this crowd of fantastic people, surely you could pull off more than one meet-up every five months.

chunking express, I demand photos!
posted by Phire at 10:27 PM on May 29, 2010


I passed out in my jeans as soon as I got home. I need to drink more responsibly at these things. I'll post photos when I wake up again.
posted by chunking express at 5:04 AM on May 30, 2010


Good times! Although next time I must balance my food-to-booze ratio - felt a little sloppy toward the end of the night. ;)
posted by tantrumthecat at 7:09 AM on May 30, 2010


I have a napkin and I'm not afraid to scan it.
posted by typewriter at 7:45 AM on May 30, 2010


I have a napkin and I'm not afraid to scan it.
posted by typewriter at 7:45 AM on May 30 [+] [!]


Do it!!!
posted by tantrumthecat at 8:00 AM on May 30, 2010


SCAN THE NAPKIN! it has animals
posted by soft and hardcore taters at 8:20 AM on May 30, 2010


I have a photo of the napkin, which I posted up on Flickr with a bunch of other photos from last night.
posted by chunking express at 8:41 AM on May 30, 2010


I got there after 11:00 and found the following:
  • Two bouncers
  • A small queue of underdressed university frosh
  • Three cops
  • Extremely loud music
  • Some girl who decided she was a free bird and got up and started dancing all by herself
The Ben Wicks isn’t a Yonge and Eligible straight bar run like a Dave Matthews Band juvie hall. We should go there next time, and not on a weekend.
posted by joeclark at 8:58 AM on May 30, 2010


Joe, tell us how you really feel.
posted by chunking express at 9:05 AM on May 30, 2010


Ah, I was wondering when joeclark would be along to complain about the organization of this meetup.
posted by FishBike at 9:07 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]


Great evening everyone! The women were charming and delightful, the men, incredibly dense.
Now all we need is the Napkin, the final version of it, it has an uncanny depiction of Chuckles.
posted by McSly at 9:22 AM on May 30, 2010


[...] the men, incredibly dense

You mean, like, high ratio of mass to volume? I'm pretty sure last time I went swimming, I didn't sink.
posted by FishBike at 9:43 AM on May 30, 2010


* Two bouncers

While the "very civilized Ben Wicks" may not have bouncers, this is not out of the norm for a bar on a Saturday night.

* A small queue of underdressed university frosh


I'm not a fan of bars with university frosh either, but they were not rowdy, and so I take no issue with them. Not really sure why you care if they were underdressed, or how you define that.

* Three cops

Who were actually on the sidewalk and there for the club next door which takes in a thousand people in a night.

* Extremely loud music

Did you actually make it to where we were sitting? Because the music was substantially lower back there.

* Some girl who decided she was a free bird and got up and started dancing all by herself


I'll take a free-spirit over a curmudgeon any day.

The Ben Wicks isn’t a Yonge and Eligible straight bar run like a Dave Matthews Band juvie hall. We should go there next time, and not on a weekend.

Most of us are not okay with weekday meet-ups and since we should probably do what's best for the group, this is not likely to happen. My suggestion is that instead of dropping out of nowhere passive aggressive comments in threads, you make a suggestion and accept that majority rules.

Anyway, good times, people. Thanks for that!
posted by gman at 9:52 AM on May 30, 2010


If anyone wants to have a followup movie potluck, I have a few suggestions:
The Human Centipede (First Sequence)
Dead Alive
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead
posted by soft and hardcore taters at 10:27 AM on May 30, 2010


I'll come for the potluck, but The Human Centipede (and similar fare) I'll happily wimp out of....
posted by Phire at 11:14 AM on May 30, 2010


Sorry, the appropriate authorities have carbon-dated the napkin and it's obviously a fake. I wouldn't take anything on it as gospel.

A movie night at Tater Estates sounds great! I'll be the one with my hands over my face the whole time during The Human Centipede.

Just got home and felt outclassed on Bloor St. by a unicyclist with a wheel two feet in diameter. You have to be impressed with someone who can safely steer through city streets with nothing more than tiny, precise butt twitches.
posted by maudlin at 1:34 PM on May 30, 2010


(Ack! Hit Post instead of Preview!)

Great night, everyone! Yeah, every 5 months isn't enough. MOAR! MOAR!
posted by maudlin at 1:35 PM on May 30, 2010


Thanks everyone for trekking all the way uptown! Still feeling mildly guilty about being the only one close by.

But, it was good to see everyone. I think I owe people a shot, too.
posted by generichuman at 4:17 PM on May 30, 2010


Darn, I wish I had been there. Next time for sure.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 6:12 PM on May 30, 2010


Damn scanner won't even turn on! I guess I can take some sad photos of the napkin. In the meantime, cheque this out! Or this!
posted by typewriter at 9:54 PM on May 30, 2010


Napkin. Sorry for crappy photos.
posted by typewriter at 10:54 PM on May 30, 2010


The Ben Wicks isn’t a Yonge and Eligible straight bar run like a Dave Matthews Band juvie hall.

Ms. Cat and myself live stumbling distance from the Ben Wicks.

We stopped going because of the lackadaisical-bordering-on-comatose wait staff and total lack of pubby atmosphere.
posted by tantrumthecat at 6:37 AM on May 31, 2010


Probably the best thing would be if there's a place anybody particularly wants to have the next meetup, they should organize one there at a date and time of their own choosing. I would bet cash money that a bunch of us would show up, and it would be fun. There are enough Toronto MeFites that no meetup is ever going to suit everyone, and no meetup is ever going to suit no one, either.
posted by FishBike at 7:08 AM on May 31, 2010 [7 favorites]




I was starting to think that Movie Night at the Taters Estate might be better off less killy, more frilly (delicious cake and maybe something fun and sci-fi) until I found this. I'm so sorry.
posted by soft and hardcore taters at 8:23 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]


The official drink garnish of the next meetup.

I... need to make a martini.
posted by generichuman at 10:48 AM on June 1, 2010


Well, that takes care of skipping breakfast. Quite effective, really.
posted by maudlin at 3:58 AM on June 2, 2010


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