OH-IO

September 15, 2008 7:46 AM

Columbus, Ohio meetup?

Anyone up for a gathering somewhere in Columbus, sometime in October? I was thinking Friday the 17th, but am pretty flexible. I don't post on mefi a lot, but read a ton and would love to meet some cool new people.

I'm up for suggestions on a location - maybe the Winking Lizard? Or someplace cool downtown (restaurant/bar/whatever).

posted by lohmannn to MetaFilter Gatherings at 7:46 AM (32 comments total)

I've thought about asking about this before, but I didn't think there'd be much of a response. So, good work getting it going, lohmannn. I'd be up for something on the 17th (as would my non MeFite wife probably). I wouldn't mind the winking lizard (actually, aren't there two?), but would prefer something a little less chainy. Centrally located for ease of travel for all, and likely to not have a band on Friday so we could talk, would be plusses. So, suggestions: Novaks, Park St. Patio, Bristol Bar. A little divier and quieter: St. James Tavern, O'Reillys. Good places but likely to have bands: Ravari Room, Rhumba Cafe. I'm willing to be as flexible or opinionated as necessary to get something worked out :)
posted by Kwine at 8:14 AM on September 15, 2008

Ooh, Surly Girl! That's were we could go, actually. Great food, reasonable prices, wide beer selection, friendly to all ages and dispositions, on high street in the short north. As long as there weren't more than six or eight of us...it gets dicey in there with a big group.
posted by Kwine at 8:17 AM on September 15, 2008

O HAI-O?
posted by misterbrandt at 8:27 AM on September 15, 2008

OK, it sounds like you know a lot more about this city than I (only moved here a year ago), so whatever you suggest sounds good to me! My roommate is going to come too, so we have 4 already. Sweet.
posted by lohmannn at 9:17 AM on September 15, 2008

Sounds good to me. Let's hope the electricity is back on by then.
posted by Otis at 10:51 AM on September 15, 2008

Another vote here for the Surly Girl - in fact, I may be headed over there tonight, it's movie night! (The Werewolf Versus The Vampire Woman!)
posted by Liosliath at 2:12 PM on September 15, 2008

I expect some MeFites will be in town for the ASIST conference which runs October 24-29 in Columbus, Ohio. Since the conference proper starts on Sunday, it's likely the majority of attendees will start showing up around Saturday.
posted by needled at 6:00 PM on September 15, 2008

Count me in. And to Otis: electric went on at about 6pm in my part of Dublin. Hang in there.
posted by hal9k at 6:21 PM on September 15, 2008

OK, Surly Girl it is. I added the date to the meetup sidebar.
posted by lohmannn at 5:38 AM on September 17, 2008

I should be able to make it, but I'll know for certain once I get the syllabi for my classes and figure out what's going on that week.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 4:13 PM on September 17, 2008

I'll be there! And we have another mefite who is probably driving her family and personal belongings here as we speak, so hopefully she'll be able to come as well!
posted by thejanna at 1:36 PM on September 18, 2008

Woo! I also sent a message to codger who apparently used to, or used to try, organizing meetups here in columbus. Hopefully he'll join us.
posted by lohmannn at 7:36 PM on September 18, 2008

Well, tried once at least. Please, lohmannn, run with it. I'll watch for the updates and perhaps I could make it.
posted by codger at 8:28 PM on September 18, 2008

I submit since that we now seem to have a group of perhaps ten or more (which is surprising to me and also excellent!), we should think about picking another venue besides the Surly Girl. The place is quite small and quite popular, with about twelve tables seating four to six and room for about fifteen more people at the bar in the main area (best picture I could find but still not great for getting a sense of the space, sorry). It is likely to be constantly full on a Friday night, and we might have to wait longer than we'd like to fit a big group close together. There's a more open space at the back with a few more tables. Unless the space at the back is available--which will be, as I said, iffy--there's only one narrow crowded corridor between tables and bar and there likely won't be any way for people at different tables to mingle, if we can't get seated together. My opinion is that it would be possible to fit a big group in there (I've done it before, but on a weeknight), but that we might fit more comfortably and have a better, easier time somewhere else. What do you think, Liosliath and other Surly Girl veterans?
posted by Kwine at 10:58 AM on September 19, 2008

Hm, you're probably right. Betty's is the same way, minus the table in the back. I'm up for other suggestions...
posted by Liosliath at 3:37 PM on September 19, 2008

Alright, I'll leave it up to you veterans.
posted by lohmannn at 5:31 PM on September 19, 2008

What about the Blue Danube? Drinks are cheap, and they have a couple big tables between the rows of booths. I haven't been there on a Friday night in quite some time, so I have no idea how busy it is - anybody else have any idea?
posted by thejanna at 7:28 AM on September 23, 2008

Fridays at the Dube do get pretty busy.
posted by fidelity at 10:38 AM on September 23, 2008

It doesn't matter so much if it's busy as long as it's not tiny and more of a stand up and mingle kind of place, you know? The Dube is not tiny, but it is pretty much a sit down sort of joint during the week (when I order a giant Dube Dog slathered with chili, followed shortly thereafter by gastrointestinal distress). Does it get more standupish on the weekend? Do you think we'd have a chance of grabbing one of the big tables? Are we collectively ready to have our hipness credibility evaluated by some of Columbus's hippest bargoers? Anyway, the Dube would be fine with me, especially since I live three blocks away.

But, please consider my newest, bestest idea: Round Bar, next to the Claremont in German Village. Pro: Never seen more than five people in the place even on a weekend, awesome art decoish booths, name doesn't lie: bar is round, friendly bartenders. Con: Smallish if randomly busy, moderately pricy, attached to Best Western hotel. I went there with twelve or so old highschool friends a few months ago and it was the perfect venue for laid back conversation type bargoing. It's also within easy walking distance of places like Beck Tavern and HighBeck's if we get bored or it doesn't work out.
posted by Kwine at 12:08 PM on September 23, 2008

What time will the meetup happen, anyway?
posted by thejanna at 10:56 AM on September 24, 2008

Doesn't matter to me.
posted by Kwine at 11:30 AM on September 26, 2008

I don't care either, but I will suggest 7:38 to start discussion.

Also, I support the Round Bar. I used to ride the bus past it, and can testify to its being curiously round, which is good enough for me.
posted by fidelity at 7:57 PM on September 26, 2008

I might be able to make it, if you'll consider letting a Cincy mefite in.

Actually, I lived in Columbus a couple of years, and this would be a decent excuse to visit. I was a big fan of The Blue Danube (good call, thejanna), but wherever's clever.
posted by Rykey at 9:04 AM on September 27, 2008

OK, so, tentative start time of 7:38 at the Round Bar?

There is a small, but non-zero, chance that I will not be able to make it due to traveling for work. Right now I rate my chances of attending at 90%.
posted by lohmannn at 9:54 PM on September 28, 2008

Sure, Rykey, come on down!

I've only been to the Round Bar once, and it was long ago - can someone remind me whether or not there is food there? I need to know if I should be grabbing something to eat beforehand...
posted by thejanna at 10:31 AM on September 29, 2008

I am late to this thread and the new to Columbus mefite of which thejanna speaks. I don't know anything about Columbus, so far, expect for the eight block radius around my place and where the closest Target is. As long as where we go is on googlemaps, I am there (though not so late, as I have a little one). Yay! And Janna, we'll connect soon!
posted by rumposinc at 4:37 PM on October 1, 2008

I just noticed that the Round Bar is in my neighborhood--which means the newbie won't get lost on her first Columbus outing, so I am for the Round Bar, of which I know nothing else.
posted by rumposinc at 4:40 PM on October 1, 2008

thejanna, there is no food at the Round Bar. I'll see everyone at 7:38!
posted by Kwine at 8:15 AM on October 2, 2008

Wish I could make it to this one. Have a great time!
posted by Navelgazer at 9:47 PM on October 13, 2008

Well, I'm going to be there for sure, along with my roommate and his girlfriend. I hope to meet all of you then!
posted by lohmannn at 7:30 PM on October 15, 2008

I'm sans car/transportation at the moment and so apparently missing out. :\ I hope everyone has a lot of fun and posts some pictures!
posted by Solon and Thanks at 4:32 PM on October 17, 2008

Thanks everyone for coming out! A good time was had by all.
posted by lohmannn at 8:25 PM on October 17, 2008