Seattle meetup August 2008 August 8, 2008 12:49 PM   Subscribe

Seattle meetup?

I just moved to Seattle, and would love to meet some of you fine folks. Who would be interested in meeting next weekend? Sometime Thu–Sat 14–16 August?

I don't know the area well enough yet to suggest a venue, but I'm living between Fremont and Wallingford and have no wheels yet, so I would appreciate it if we could meet somewhere easy to get to from that area.
posted by grouse to MetaFilter Gatherings at 12:49 PM (48 comments total)

I am certainly in for sometime in there, but seeing as I got here a scant three weeks ago I am hardly more equipped to suggest a location. I did go out for beers at Tangle Town / Elysian Brewing last night, which was fairly tasty and not that far from you.

If it happens Thursday I'll only be able to make it after 8 or 8.30 - I have crew practice until then.
posted by fuzzbean at 1:10 PM on August 8, 2008


I'd say I'm in, but I always end up not going (I either forget or have something else to do).
posted by qvantamon at 3:12 PM on August 8, 2008


I'll be in Seattle then! And if it's on Thursday night or Saturday night, I'll do my best to be there.
posted by milestogo at 4:26 PM on August 8, 2008


I'm in!

I moved here six weeks ago, missed the recent brunch (though the canoeing was great)
posted by blasdelf at 11:44 PM on August 8, 2008


I can't make it for this meetup (I'll be traveling, which reminds me I should arrange for east coast meetups to find ways to creatively drink).

But some suggestions, especially in the fremont / wallingford area (more fremont than wallingford):

Brouwers if you want to go for the awesome beer selection

Rowdy CowGirl for bbq (I haven't been here, but have been contemplating it).

Aqua Verde, just south of UW medical center on the canal, really good burritos, patio, good for a lunch on saturday.

George and Dragon is a fun place, the food isn't the greatest (it's authentic english, what can you do, when the english aren't exactly known for their cuisine), but the atmosphere is great, there are big tables, and probably some really good coverage of the olympics on HDtv. I fondly remember waiting in the parking lot at 4am to watch the world cup live. My friends and I even got inside to get a table, and ate an english breakfast with pitchers of guinness. I got sunburned watching the finals standing in their parking lot with a beer in my hand at 7am.

Also, memail Y2Karl, as he can probably point out a few more awesome places that have been around forever.
posted by mrzarquon at 12:07 AM on August 9, 2008


My Roommate and I have tried to go to Agua Verde a couple times, and it's always been ridiculously crowded, with a line out the door. The only time we managed to get any food was when it was closing, and only as take-out.

The food was really good, and the location is great — it's crowded for a reason. To meet there we'd have to strategically pick an uncrowded time, and maybe hack out some sort of reservation.
posted by blasdelf at 3:56 AM on August 9, 2008


Thanks for all the suggestions, mrzarquon. I'm tentatively thinking Brouwer's on Saturday looks pretty good.

We can make a decision a little bit later.
posted by grouse at 11:00 AM on August 9, 2008


If you end up at brouwers, get the Kaas Crouqettes. Think mozzarella sticks, but filled with fondue (gruyere / emmantal) and bacon.
posted by mrzarquon at 11:30 AM on August 9, 2008


4p on a weekday works for Agua Verde, in general. Haven't ever tried to hit a prime-time time there, though. In the U there's the Scholars Inn and the Big Time, both of which have hosted MeFi Meets in the past.

Fremontwise, it's so different from my knoowledge map these days that I canna make a suggestion, realistically. I vouch for Brouwers from a size-and-beer perspective only. I retain a fondness for El Camino, but it's not a good place to wrangle 20 folk.

Improbably, I am watching the Mariners tied in the 10th at Safeco on the Tubetube.
posted by mwhybark at 11:01 PM on August 9, 2008


Ah, I remember my first meetup....

No, wait a minute--actually, that was my second. And what a comedy of errors. I was just about to suggest the patio of the Pacific Inn and that's what came to mind.... And then hesitated at making the suggestion. Man, that meetup... It was more like a snipe hunt than a meetup. Not that it wasn't fun in some ways.

*squints at date on linked post*

Wow, that was, like, six years ago. And, except for the Solstice parade, Sunday Market and and associated yard sales, I don't know Wallingford and Fremont that much bit better. Man, how scary is that ?
posted by y2karl at 10:10 AM on August 10, 2008


The shepherd's pie at George and the Dragon is actually quite tasty.

My fave spot in the neighborhood is just across the bridge on the queen anne side, The Nickerson Street Saloon which has quite a few beers on tap, and makes a tasty burger amongst it's other fare. They've got a huge outdoor space, but they fill up quickly on a weekend night.
posted by nomisxid at 11:08 AM on August 10, 2008


I'll try to make it as well, and will watch this thread for the details.
Al's Tavern is my favorite spot in Wallingford.
In Fremont I like the Triangle, but Nickerson Street Saloon is pretty cool too.
posted by arcanecrowbar at 7:48 PM on August 10, 2008


George and the Dragon

Agh! I fucking hate Brit places.

...however that probably should not be too much of a consideration, given I've missed the last two.
posted by Artw at 9:13 PM on August 10, 2008


Thursday night is our blog-iversary party at McLeod, so that won't work for me. Saturday may be OK.

Agua Verde is sit-down during dinner (vs. find yer own table at lunch). OTOH, it not mad-crazy like at lunch.

Big Time is WAAAAY too noisy, though I guess the deck isn't so bad.

The Red Door is still around in Fremont, one block west of where it used to be (and on top of a parking garage).
posted by dw at 7:54 AM on August 11, 2008


George and the Dragon

Known as the Midget Tavern back in the day.

Just as the Olde Pequliar was once the Valhalla Tavern, yeah, sure, you betcha.

The respective new owners of each changed the respective name and repective ambiance of each to make the places, you know, cool, so as to make them inviting to the cool kids. No midgets, no valkyries need apply. At least not until the second drink.
posted by y2karl at 8:44 AM on August 11, 2008


Ah, the Olde Pequliar— that's where I'm a Valkyrie! (or maybe a midget)

I've been living in Wallingford for a few months now and am still not sure where a good meetup place would be. Probably the Blue Star is the most meetup-y place in Wallingford. Pretty much everywhere suggested in this thread sounds good to me too (though they're mostly not in what I'd consider Wallingford). I concur on Agua Verde being a good place but only if we can be there at an off hour.

We (you) ought to choose a date soon though so this meetup can get sidebarred before it falls off the MeTa front page. I'd advocate one day or another but it looks like there's a 50% chance I won't be able to make it whatever it is, so never mind.
posted by hattifattener at 8:31 AM on August 12, 2008


Thursdays ouit for me, but if it's any day other than that and in Wallingford the chances of me making it are pretty high. I actually kind of like the Blue Star idea.

Agua Verde would be greta if there wasn;t a line and it wasn;t crowded - which is every time I've been there.
posted by Artw at 8:49 AM on August 12, 2008


After reviewing the various suggestions, I've decided on these particulars:

8 p.m.
Saturday, 16 August 2008

Brouwer's
400 N 35th St (at Phinney Ave N)

Hope to see you all there!
posted by grouse at 10:11 AM on August 12, 2008


Tentative yes. Artw, are you the expatriate who once chatted on the topic of Vulcans with me? If not, no biggie. I can find the thread easily enough and remind my interlocutor later.
posted by mwhybark at 11:16 AM on August 12, 2008


Doesn’t sound familiar, but it’s not improbable.

Looks like I’ll make this one!
posted by Artw at 11:29 AM on August 12, 2008


I'm goin'
posted by kindall at 11:38 AM on August 12, 2008


You guys may want to call ahead about a table, brouwers might be packed (i've shown up with an entourage at 8 and found tables some nights, other nights not so much) .

Also, in case people have trouble finding it: the building has no sign except a chimay sign hanging off the side, it is diagonal from the outdoor film parking lot, it is a big brown building with a giant wooden door.
posted by mrzarquon at 12:18 PM on August 12, 2008


I can call about a table, but I need to know how many people are coming.
posted by grouse at 12:28 PM on August 12, 2008


Artw, it was you. I should have clarified: Avro Vulcans, not Mr. Spock's people.
posted by mwhybark at 2:34 PM on August 12, 2008


I'm definitely going to try to maybe be there!
posted by arcanecrowbar at 5:16 PM on August 12, 2008


Oh well then the chances just shot up.

See also: Vulcan 20 mm cannons.
posted by Artw at 5:17 PM on August 12, 2008


I should be able to make it.
posted by fuzzbean at 8:12 AM on August 15, 2008


I may not be able to make it after all.
posted by kindall at 3:31 PM on August 15, 2008


I can confirm I'll be there.
posted by Artw at 3:33 PM on August 15, 2008


I cannot be there, sadly. My car had an epic fail and is currently being fixed by mechanics using the time-tested "throw cash at the problem" method.

Hey, anyone want to buy a 1996 Ford Contour? Only 75K miles! Just a little oil leak problem....
posted by dw at 6:30 PM on August 15, 2008


OK, I am triple booked.

I will try to pop in on my way to event #3, probably around 10. Smoke me a kipper, fellas, I'll be back for breakfast.
posted by mwhybark at 9:45 PM on August 15, 2008


I'll definitely be there. :-)
posted by kindall at 11:08 PM on August 15, 2008


How odd? I will also be at Brouwer's around 8 on Saturday. If I can spot you all a mile away I may swing over to say hello.
posted by Shutter at 1:42 AM on August 16, 2008


Cutting it close on the RSVP, but I'll be bicycling over from UWMC and will try to be there as close to 8 as possible!
posted by krisken at 9:54 AM on August 16, 2008


I take it back - I'll be there at 8 for one round.
posted by mwhybark at 4:36 PM on August 16, 2008


Damn -- I've got an office going-away-party downtown at 7 tonight, otherwise I'd make it.
posted by rossination at 5:46 PM on August 16, 2008


Brouwer's doesn't do reservations, but they say it is slow so far tonight. I'm sure it will all work out. It always does. Well, almost always.
posted by grouse at 6:22 PM on August 16, 2008


Blast. I'm not going to be able to make it out this evening after all. Catch y'all next time!
posted by fuzzbean at 6:29 PM on August 16, 2008


OR

I could take a couple wrong turns and waste all the time I was going to spend with you lovely people trying to get my car pointed in the right direction.

So, so sorry, my people! Next time.
posted by mwhybark at 8:58 PM on August 16, 2008


Yeah, sorry I missed it too. After spending 45 minutes getting across the lake, then driving around in circles for half an hour trying to find the place, I had already missed the start of the gathering by nearly an hour, so I gave up and came home.
posted by kindall at 9:34 PM on August 16, 2008


There were four of us: myself, Tube, Artw & grouse. We didn't really get things together until 8:30ish. There were no pictures in the absence of kindall. Tube left around 11?, and the rest of us ended up at another bar until 1am.

Artw & grouse now know of my hater bona-fides re: the traditional storytelling style of print serial comics.
posted by blasdelf at 2:10 AM on August 17, 2008


It was fun! Nice to meet you guys.
posted by grouse at 9:30 AM on August 17, 2008


I'm going to have to try the culinary treat that grouse suggested to me; Tabasco sauce over baked beans...

My blog entry about Mexican food in Seattle.
posted by Tube at 9:48 AM on August 17, 2008


Ah, Tacos Guaymas was the place I liked in Greenlake. Yeah, they are decent. A lot better than Agua Verde. And they apparently have a location in Fremont! Try the melon agua fresca.

For the Brits, Wahaca was the place I thought was okay in Covent Garden.
posted by grouse at 10:04 AM on August 17, 2008


Taqeria Guaymos; accept no substitutes. I've eaten at their locations in West Seattle and Renton, but I still give the edge to the one in White Center.
posted by Tube at 1:06 PM on August 17, 2008


I think I was too drunk, because I never did get to the bottom of why web comics would be an exception.
posted by Artw at 3:40 PM on August 17, 2008


Also Saturday nights in what Fremont has become are vaguely horrifying to me now.
posted by Artw at 4:06 PM on August 17, 2008


I suck for missing this, but I hurl the blame at Seattle's Hempfest, which was going on earlier that day.
posted by arcanecrowbar at 6:27 PM on August 18, 2008


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