Comments on: Metafilter Bar Crawl

Metafilter Bar Crawl

backseatpilot — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:46:26 -0800

There seems to be interest, so let's have a Boston Bar Crawl!

Picking one neighborhood/T Stop seems like a good idea, but if no one minds we could head all over the place. Central or Union Squares seem to be good starting points, and we can flesh out an itinerary from there. Starting at Hungry Mother, we'll update our locations here as we head up Mass Ave towards Harvard.

By: Sublimity

Sublimity — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:56:03 -0800

I'm so there! Wherever there is!

By: Aizkolari

Aizkolari — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:18:24 -0800

The problem with Union is that since it's off the T getting from place to place could be a pain. If we go Central to Kendall we can hit 4 places mentioned in that thread in 1.2 miles and have a mixture of beer-centric and cocktail-centric places. CBC is also on that route for more beer.

By: dfan

dfan — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:24:12 -0800

Central is pretty much the sweet spot: Craigie on Main, Rendezvous, Green Street, and Brick and Mortar are all within a few blocks of each other.

By: backseatpilot

backseatpilot — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:32:16 -0800

Some friends and I went on one in the reverse direction one drunken Saturday - started with brunch at the Friendly Toast, followed by the CBC and then up Mass Ave in to Harvard. I would be happy with this plan, and I definitely want to check out Brick and Mortar.

By: benito.strauss

benito.strauss — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:48:59 -0800

I would love to be in. (Does the Attending/Maybe widget show up when this leaves "Proposed"?)

By: dfan

dfan — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:03:06 -0800

Rereading this post, I see that it just says "bar crawl"; my Central Square list above was pretty cocktail-focused because that's what the the original thread that spawned this was about. The bars/restaurants I listed all do have interesting beers, though, and fairly nearby are the more beer-focused Lord Hobo, Cambridge Brewing Company, and Meadhall.

By: DiscourseMarker

DiscourseMarker — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:14:48 -0800

How soon are you thinking about doing this? Only cause I have to go back to Memphis on Monday, so this is my last weekend here. I like drinking.

By: benito.strauss

benito.strauss — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:02:16 -0800

I didn't note the title, Based on the original thread, I was hoping for more of a cocktail sidle than a bar crawl.

By: backseatpilot

backseatpilot — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:51:39 -0800

I'm not sure I know the term "cocktail sidle", but I'm sure that would be fine! If you want to find one bar and run through their cocktail menu, you won't get any complaints from me. As far as timing... I'm fairly free on the weekends, but I would be interested in hearing from other folks before making a declaration.

By: bl1nk

bl1nk — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:55:01 -0800

I'd love to be in on this. I have to go to Melbourne for work week after next, so 3/16 - 3/18 and 3/23-3/25 are off limits for me, but everything else afterwards is good. Also voting for Central. Craigie + Brick & Mortar + Green Street + Rendezvous > Backbar + Bergamot + Trina's. Though Backbar -> Hungry Mother -> various points in Central could be neat.

By: idlethink

idlethink — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:16:29 -0800

I would SO be in! but can it wait until after the 19th please? if not, I shall have to yearn wistfully from Toronto.

By: Horace Rumpole

Horace Rumpole — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:59:34 -0800

This is relevant to my interests.

By: angels in the architecture

angels in the architecture — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 06:20:30 -0800

Yes! I'm in favor of Union, just because it's within walking distance for me, but Central works, too.

By: Miko

Miko — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:45:16 -0800

I am also interested.

By: maryr

maryr — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:55:24 -0800

What Horace said. How is Cuchi Cuchi not being mentioned re: cocktails in Central? Maybe Central is a good start for now and when the weather is nice (in a month or two) we could do Union? It is off the T, but it's a reasonable bus ride from Davis, Lechmere, Sullivan, or Harvard.

By: smirkette

smirkette — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 08:03:19 -0800

How perfect. If it's this week, I'm definitely in (Spring Break) otherwise, I'll try to make it!

By: not_on_display

not_on_display — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:38:52 -0800

I'll take "Potent Potables" for two hundred, Alex. I am interested! I will not wax eloquent about my bacon vodka, but I can bring a sample if I attend.

By: barnone

barnone — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:02:09 -0800

If I'm in town, I'd love to come to my first meet-up!

By: little cow make small moo

little cow make small moo — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:16:57 -0800

We might be up for this, depending on the date. Pro cocktail and pro beer, either way!

By: ldthomps

ldthomps — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:30:57 -0800

How many places are feasible to do in one sidle?Craigie is always packed after, say, 6pm on anything but Sun-Tues., so I might vote for starting early in Central (Brick and Mortar and Rendezvous open at 5pm, Green Street can't be far behind) if we want to include Craigie, especially. In Kendall there's Hungry Mother (though the bar is small), Friendly Toast, Abigail's, and Meadhall, which are all good along with CBC/Kika's/Evoo/Firebrand Saint's. So maybe we need Three cocktail sidles, Kendall, Central, and Union? So many great cocktails, so little time!

By: Diablevert

Diablevert — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 13:53:15 -0800

I do love cocktails.

By: backseatpilot

backseatpilot — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 05:11:09 -0800

Looking at the calendar, I am just remembering now that St. Patrick's Day is next weekend which may not be the best day to try to organize something like this. Two Saturdays from now, the 24th? Any strong objections to that?

By: idlethink

idlethink — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 11:12:39 -0800

none -- in fact, that's perfect for me!

By: canine epigram

canine epigram — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:38:57 -0800

I've never been to some of these places, but they sound enticing, as long as we pick far away enough from St. Patty's. Saloon at Davis Square isn't on this list, me thinks, but probably warrants a meetup all its own! I don't get the love for CBC, and have always had abysmally slow service there, with mediocre food.

By: bondcliff

bondcliff — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:33:02 -0800

It is at this point that I sulk and wish the green line extended a few more miles to the west. Perhaps I could come for a cocktail or two before I switch to the virgin martinis. Otherwise known as an olive.

By: maryr

maryr — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:43:20 -0800

Evoo is in Kendall now? The trick with Saloon, or so I hear, is that it is incredibly crowded/popular right now. I say "so I hear" because the one time I tried to go, there was a line out the door, which is impressive with the number of decent bars and/or popular bars in Davis.

By: bl1nk

bl1nk — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 08:34:43 -0800

I went to Saloon two Fridays ago with a friend and as maryr indicated, there was a line out the door, but the line moved fairly fast. However, inside was super packed and crowded. I would also be of a mind to wait a few months for the "OMG!NEWPLACE!" vibe to mellow out before organizing a meetup there. I think, depending on the size of the meetup, cocktail bars that are more accomodating to larger groups would probably be Green Street, Trina's and maybe Brick & Mortar (though, I was only there when they were early and soft-opening, and I have no idea how mobbed they can get now that they're fully open). Hungry Mother is tiny, and as others have pointed out, the bar at Craigie has its own line on weekends. Highland Kitchen can also probably handle groups, but it's crowded and a long uphill walk\inconvenient bus ride from Union If the CBC suggestions also indicate that people are open for beer, then an alternative that I'd put forward is Atwood's on Cambridge St. near Inman. Good beer list (though the cocktails are not their strength) not crazy crowded\ noisy like Bukowski's and only a five block walk up from CBC.

By: backseatpilot

backseatpilot — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:02:16 -0800

Crud, I just remembered we have orchestra tickets for the 24th, so that day would probably be out for me. Friday ok with everyone?

By: Horace Rumpole

Horace Rumpole — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 07:48:58 -0800

I think a Friday night is going to be an awfully tough time to get a large group into these places, between people going out after work, and people going out for dinner a couple hours later.

By: backseatpilot

backseatpilot — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:46:40 -0800

Alright - I'm going to call it for the 31st, then. If there's serious heartache about that we can change it. Let's start at Hungry Mother and work towards Harvard - we can update locations in the thread as we move.

By: smirkette

smirkette — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:31:49 -0800

Sounds good. For the record, I would very much rather go to a place where I could actually hear you all talk than go someplace to be "seen."

By: smirkette

smirkette — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:34:10 -0800

Okay, that might sound kinda bitchy. Translation: I care more about company than venue; that is all. shoves foot in mouth, a hobby of mine.

By: benito.strauss

benito.strauss — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:13:55 -0800

Not bitchy at all. And I agree — I'm hoping for a place with interesting cocktails we can get into and talk to each. I've been pointed at a drink with Becherovka and Pine Liqueur that I hope to try.

By: backseatpilot

backseatpilot — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:52:45 -0800

Hungry Mother opens at 5, so it shouldn't be too busy. In fact, people might want to arrive a couple minutes late so we're not barreling down the door right at opening!

By: Miko

Miko — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:17:08 -0800

Date won't work for me due to a work event, but y'all have fun and I'll catch you on the flipside.

By: maryr

maryr — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 07:52:56 -0800

Ha ha ha ha, being out of work at 5, that's hilarious. Oh, wait, SATURDAY. Yes, I can do Saturday. Excellent.

By: nev

nev — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:15:43 -0800

In!

By: Admiral Haddock

Admiral Haddock — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:26:22 -0800

In, I think. Hope to bring my lady too--a cocktail enthusiast (and technically a MeFite--she has a very dormant account around here somewhere).

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:52:20 -0800

In! Maybe!

By: Dixon Ticonderoga

Dixon Ticonderoga — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:12:21 -0800

Any sense what the *second* stop is likely to be, or is the plan to decide on the fly? Because I'd consider joining a little later if there's a danger of overwhelming Hungry Mother's tiny little bar area.

By: backseatpilot

backseatpilot — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 05:18:57 -0800

Looking at the map, second stop will probably be CBC or Lord Hobo. After that (or if no one's up for beer) then... Craigie on Main, probably? It'll be a voice vote after we're done with Hungry Mother, but I'll keep this thread updated with our location.

By: Admiral Haddock

Admiral Haddock — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 06:34:27 -0800

Good idea. It looks like the lady and I will be joining--and likely promptly, as Hungry Mother is one of our favorite watering holes. But I think at 5:00 on a Saturday there should be plenty of room for all of us (though it would probably be considerate to refrain from lingering and monopolizing all their bar space for too long...)

By: idlethink

idlethink — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:45:14 -0800

(I am in!)

By: maryr

maryr — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:49:57 -0800

BTW, is there a plan to eat at some point? Or just bar food along the way? (Which given these restaurants, is perfectly fine with me!) Or should I have a giant late lunch?

By: backseatpilot

backseatpilot — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:08:23 -0800

I was thinking bar bites - I didn't think making a reservation anywhere was going to be terrible convenient if we're wandering up Mass Ave without a schedule otherwise.

By: Admiral Haddock

Admiral Haddock — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 06:15:26 -0800

The bar bites at Hungry Mother, for one, are delicious! Although I also never turn down a slice of pizza en route from bar to bar...

By: dfan

dfan — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:06:35 -0800

The bar area at Craigie on Main will probably be super full at prime time on a Saturday. I hear it empties out a bit later (say, after 9). Before then, Brick and Mortar is probably our best bet for a place directly in Central Square that does interesting drinks and is suitable for a medium group of people, although they can sometimes be crowded too. I just heard that Green Street is closed until early April, so they're out :( Plenty of other options, though.

By: Admiral Haddock

Admiral Haddock — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:24:45 -0800

I just heard that Green Street is closed until early April, so they're out :( Plenty of other options, though. Is that right? I just walked past there a week or so ago and it was hopping! Too bad!

By: dfan

dfan — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:36:40 -0800

The Green Street news is second-hand but it's from a friend who tried to go yesterday. It's not like it's that far out of our way if we want to give it a shot anyway.

By: A dead Quaker

A dead Quaker — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:22:58 -0800

I'm putting myself down as a maybe, but would like to recommend Lord Hobo regardless. I've been there once and will go back. The one time I was there, I got a sampler of IPAs from Mikkeller. They were all brewed exactly the same way, except with different hops. So I got to see what different types of hops tasted like, which was pretty cool.

By: maryr

maryr — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:01:30 -0800

FYI, I walked around the block and checked on Green Street while waiting for the 1 this evening. They are closed for repairs until April 2.

By: bl1nk

bl1nk — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 07:26:30 -0800

how late are people planning on boozing? I have a prior commitment that's likely to run over and may not be able to get into town until 8 or so.

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:21:02 -0800

Putting this in the thread for later removal: my cell is 508-415-9074. People can text us to see where we are and I should be able to text back, if that's easy. We may make an earlyish night of it, but it might be easier to text me than check this thread.

By: idlethink

idlethink — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:58:30 -0800

thanks for the phone number! I've been coerced into a last-minute meeting, so I'll only be able to join around 7, and it'll be easier to get in touch by phone. my vote to Lord Hobo or Brick & Mortar, but more importantly to good company! in haste/anticipation --

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:45:08 -0800

Sorry to arrive starving and then bolt. We are at CBC awaiting flights and snacks in case anyone else needs a seat/snack.

By: backseatpilot

backseatpilot — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:03:01 -0800

Just settling up at Hungry Mother right now and we'll be heading to the CBC.

By: backseatpilot

backseatpilot — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:18:30 -0800

Off to Lord Hobo!

By: nev

nev — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 18:18:07 -0800

At Brick and Mortar now!

By: nev

nev — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:17:07 -0800

...and we're out. Thanks everybody!

By: Admiral Haddock

Admiral Haddock — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 06:57:00 -0800

That was so much fun!

By: dfan

dfan — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:40:30 -0800

It was indeed! Thanks to everyone for a fun night and especially backseatpilot for organizing.

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:04:45 -0800

That was a super good time and probably the best bar crawl I have been to because you are all so charming and reasonable so there was no late night drama or puking and I do not have a headache this morning. Thanks to everyone for coming out and backseatpilot for putting it together.

By: not_on_display

not_on_display — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:14:18 -0800

Mmmm, those were some good drinks and some fun conversations. Thanks backseatpilot and everyone, it was great seeing you all and making new acquaintances!

By: benito.strauss

benito.strauss — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 11:17:16 -0800

Great event. Good drinks and great cocktail wisdom from you guys. (Sorry for cutting out early; the least time talking above crowd noise scratches up my voice something harsh. I'm definitely going to go back and check out Bricks&Mortar at some more boring hour of the day.)

By: not_on_display

not_on_display — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:31:18 -0800

Photos are up!

By: benito.strauss

benito.strauss — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:27:42 -0800

Photos are up! posted by not_on_display Epony-contradictory?

By: not_on_display

not_on_display — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:41:51 -0800

Contraponysterical

By: Dixon Ticonderoga

Dixon Ticonderoga — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:27:11 -0800

Glad I made it out to this. Mefites are less intimidating than I expected!

By: Horace Rumpole

Horace Rumpole — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:14:29 -0800

Thanks again to bsp for setting this up, and thanks to n_o_d for the pictures!

By: not_on_display

not_on_display — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:47:42 -0800

Hey, which one of you is eamondaly's sister?

By: Horace Rumpole

Horace Rumpole — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:38:39 -0800

Nev (check his contacts).