Toronto meetup, July 15, 2005

July 4, 2005 9:29 AM

Toronto meetup planning in progress, for Friday, July 15. [more inside]
posted by Melinika to MetaFilter Gatherings at 9:29 AM (32 comments total)

filmgoerjuan's flying out from Vancouver again and we'd like to meetup like we did last year. Friday night, probably around 8 PM or so; where shall we meet? And who would like to meet up?
posted by Melinika at 9:30 AM on July 4, 2005

Me! Me! Me!

And I humbly suggest either Scallywag's at Yonge and St. Clair or the Dark Horse at Jane and Bloor for our meetup place.
posted by orange swan at 9:51 AM on July 4, 2005

Melinika and I were discussing maybe Scotland Yard on the Esplanade for the NTN factor, plus the lack of loud music? Do you have links for those, Orange Swan so we can see what they're like?
posted by jacquilynne at 10:07 AM on July 4, 2005

I'm curious what the Veg Vietnamese restaurant mentioned in the other thread was.
posted by dobbs at 12:47 PM on July 4, 2005

Cafe 668. filmgoerjuan and I ate there before the last meetup and the food was wonderful. So delicious, and not expensive either. We're making plans to go there again this time.
posted by Melinika at 12:58 PM on July 4, 2005

Cafe 668, if you're a veggie, is the best restaurant in Toronto.

/ imho
posted by The Dryyyyy Cracker at 1:03 PM on July 4, 2005

What, no C-Lounge this time? ;)

I KID, I KID!
posted by filmgoerjuan at 1:06 PM on July 4, 2005

Ah, I know 668. Yeah, it's okay. I prefer Buddha's and Lotus Garden (though it's gotten worse since the new owners took over).
posted by dobbs at 1:15 PM on July 4, 2005

Still pushin' for Insomnia at Bathurst and Bloor, but since I may or may not be able to make it two weeks hence, I defer to the definite attendees.
posted by dreamsign at 1:38 PM on July 4, 2005

Scallywag's link for jacquilynne.

Doesn't seem to be a site for the Dark Horse.
posted by filmgoerjuan at 1:54 PM on July 4, 2005

Scallwag's - looks to be a British sports bar. Apps, $4-5, Mains $8-10, no drink prices on the web page. Has patio.

Insomnia - upscale 'internet' bar. Really freaking badly designed web page. Tapas, $8-10, Mains $15-20, Pizza $10-12, beer $4, martinis, $7.

Can't find links for the Dark Horse.
posted by jacquilynne at 1:59 PM on July 4, 2005

Please mark down one request for photos, and plenty!
posted by jonson at 3:12 PM on July 4, 2005

I vote Scallywag's or (preferably) Scotland Yard. Either way, I'm in.


And I promise I won't get political :)
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 3:19 PM on July 4, 2005

I want to come! Yay, this will be the first meetup I can actually go to!

Not a fan of Insomnia, it tends to be really loud and doesn't do groups that well.
posted by orangskye at 5:49 PM on July 4, 2005

I'm not sure we can have an Orange Swan and an orangeskye at the same meet-up at the same time. Judges?
posted by jacquilynne at 6:24 PM on July 4, 2005

sign me (and my wife) up. Have we chosen a venue?
posted by Popular Ethics at 7:20 PM on July 4, 2005

The Dark Horse is one of those pseudo-British pubs and has a quiet atmosphere that allows one to hear what others at the table are saying. It has a front patio - an actual patio, not a few tables set out on the sidewalk. It's quite easy to get to, being just a short walk from the Jane subway.
posted by orange swan at 8:09 PM on July 4, 2005

Internet bar? Never seen anyone use the internet there.

Picture about ten small tables up front near the windows, art for sale on the walls, low lighting (with white Christmas lights running the length of the ceiling beside the bar), with more tables along side the bar and couches and more tables in back by the DJ spinning booth.

Forget the mains. The $8 chicken sandwich is what the regulars get (it's amazing) and $9 for smoked salmon.
posted by dreamsign at 8:30 PM on July 4, 2005

Insomnia is no longer an internet bar. It used to be (the whole east wall was computers when they opened) but the martinis had more pull than the mice. It ain't quiet there, though. Nor do they have a table that comfortably holds more than 8 and that's pushing it. The food is above average. The martinis are rather excellent. I used to be a regular but have only been a couple times in recent months.

Scallywags has a rooftop patio. I've only been once and it was pretty packed (a Tues night)... I can't remember the music situation though there was definitely something on. I believe it was a reasonable level. The food was reasonable--regular pub fare, if I recall.

Dark Horse is relatively quiet though I've only been there once so can't say if that's the norm. I didn't eat so can't speak ot the food. The night I was there it was dead but I don't remember the night of the week.
posted by dobbs at 8:44 PM on July 4, 2005

I'm liking Scotland Yard because NTN is always a bonus with me. Anyone ever been there that can report on it?
posted by Melinika at 9:13 PM on July 4, 2005

Although I used to go to Scallywag's fairly often, I haven't been in about four years. But as I recall, it is a busy place though the noise level is reasonable.

I have never seen the Dark Horse anywhere near crowded, and I do go there at least twice a month on average.

Er, please don't think I'm lobbying aggressively for these places. I barely know any bars in Toronto and am just trying to chip in with the only suitable ones I can think of. I'd be perfectly happy to go with anyone else's suggestion.
posted by orange swan at 4:53 AM on July 5, 2005

The Dark Horse patio is quite nice if the weather is permitting. It's also in a somewhat less congested area than Insomnia and right off the subway line.

I can't make it but I thought I'd add my two cents anyway. ;)
posted by purephase at 10:33 AM on July 5, 2005

Can I be invited? :-P
posted by shepd at 1:26 PM on July 5, 2005

I like the back patio at the cadillac Lounge, no tv's and some times there's live music.
posted by joelf at 4:47 PM on July 7, 2005

DARK HORSE SOUNDS GOOD
posted by joelf at 4:49 PM on July 7, 2005

Too true, Insomnia is not quiet.

Dark Horse sounds good. Will see if I can get my ass down there.
posted by dreamsign at 12:05 AM on July 8, 2005

So, it's either the Dark Horse or Scotland Yard?

This thread seems to be dead, but someone (perhaps me) will be sure to post a few days before the 15th to remind everyone so we can cast a final vote then.
posted by orange swan at 10:57 AM on July 8, 2005

Okay, well, I guess 8 PM at Scotland Yard then. See you there!
posted by Melinika at 6:42 AM on July 11, 2005

It appears there is a website for Scotland Yard.
posted by filmgoerjuan at 9:32 AM on July 11, 2005

Any planned identifying marks for the meet-up newbies to find us? MetaFilter paraphenalia, large signs, etc?
posted by jacquilynne at 12:31 PM on July 11, 2005

We'll make filmgoerjuan wear a funny hat.
posted by Melinika at 8:07 PM on July 11, 2005

My neon pink beret is *not* funny, it's got class up the ying yang :P
posted by filmgoerjuan at 12:07 AM on July 12, 2005