Comments on: Surely, People Will Be in Madison for WisCon

Surely, People Will Be in Madison for WisCon

GenjiandProust — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:09:19 -0800

So, last year, we tried to have a WisCon meetup, and it didn't come off as cleanly as hoped. So I am going to get the ball rolling. WisCon is 25-28 May 2012. The last day is Memorial Day, and not so great for a meetup, so that leaves 25-27. My suggestions for a venue are:

1. Downtown. It needs to be as close as possible to the venue so that people who are attending can get to and from conference events without immense difficulty. We probably want to avoid times that conflict with things like the Guest of Honor speech, too. 2. Not at the Con. I expect plenty of Madison MeFites who aren't going to the con might want to attend. 3. Open on the weekend. This seemed to be a serious problem with Sunday times, but that might be my imagination. 4. Takes Reservations. Getting a table at the last minute seems kind of impossible with all the traffic downtown. Any thoughts, responses, comments?

By: escabeche

escabeche — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:59:21 -0800

I'll try to make this!

By: gillyflower

gillyflower — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:05:18 -0800

I'd like to be there also...I won't be at WisCon but have no idea about other conflicts that weekend. Good to get started planning early, though.

By: andythebean

andythebean — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:27:21 -0800

I'm down for a meetup, but probably won't be available until 9pm+

By: thanotopsis

thanotopsis — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:32:05 -0800

I can be there. Hopefully, we can settle on a date and a place early enough to block out the time.

By: GenjiandProust

GenjiandProust — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:54:44 -0800

As for date and time, Saturday or Sunday night would be good for me -- we probably want to start either early enough so that those who want to go to, say, the GoH speeches, could show up early then go to the event (the schedule isn't out, but it usually runs 7-9, as I recall). The other option would be to start later so that those who want to go to that could come after (this would also allow andythebean to attend). I have a slight preference for Sunday, but others might have their own feelings. Any Madisonians want to recommend places? I remember the Old Fashioned being OK to eat and drink at, but they don't take reservations....

By: escabeche

escabeche — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:01:27 -0800

The Old Fashioned is mobbed on weekends when there's not a big convention, so unless the meetup is going to be "wait outside the Old Fashioned for an hour and a half" it's probably not the best choice. 9 is better for me, too, just because I like to wait to go out until I've gotten the kids to bed. It really depends whether people want to do a "have dinner" thing or a "have a beer" thing.

By: GenjiandProust

GenjiandProust — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:47:00 -0800

Well, can anyone suggest a place? We could start around 8 or so, allowing the earlier and later people to attend (I am definitely an earlier sort of person). Also, does anyone have a preference for Saturday or Sunday?

By: thanotopsis

thanotopsis — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:45:27 -0800

Sunday is better for me. Brochach is always nice, but may be as busy as the OF..depends, I guess. It's too bad Frida's is closed, or that would be just about perfect.

By: GenjiandProust

GenjiandProust — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 13:35:07 -0800

Sunday would generally be better for me. Any chance they take reservations for a large party (assuming we will be a large party)?

By: MidSouthern Mouth

MidSouthern Mouth — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:25:11 -0800

yeah WisCon! :)

By: Pogo_Fuzzybutt

Pogo_Fuzzybutt — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:26:21 -0800

There is the Great Dane. It's across the square, but it's big enough that even when it's packed its possible to get in. I don't recall if they take reservations, though.

By: yomimono

yomimono — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:30:20 -0800

The Great Dane only takes reservations for truly massive parties (12+ or 20+ or something; don't recall the exact figure). I will be at the meetup if I'm in town that weekend, which is still up in the air.

By: spinifex23

spinifex23 — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:51:59 -0800

Like last year, I'm scheduled to attend Wiscon. Unlike last year, I'll have plenty of wiggle room in my schedule so that if/when my flight gets cancelled, I'm not hung. I'm interested. I'm staying at the hostel, BTW.

By: thanotopsis

thanotopsis — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:18:42 -0800

I'm attending Odyssey Con today, if anyone wanted to meet up for lunch or something. Don't know what kind of crossover there is from OdCon to WisCon.

By: rocketman

rocketman — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:51:43 -0800

I'm not going to WisCon, but I might be tempted to go to a meetup if the venue works for me. Brocach is a bad, bad place. The Old Fashioned is too busy to ever get in. I might be able to sweet talk somebody into opening the Corral Room, which would be fantastic. The Come Back In has big tables and usually isn't too loud or too crowded. Also, the Tipsy Cow is basically the Old Fashioned but not as busy. Unless they're having trivia night, it's easy to get a crowd together in there.

By: rocketman

rocketman — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:55:55 -0800

I also haven't been at the Argus in forever, so I don't know how busy it runs, but I've usually known it to be a good place for get-togethers. Also, the bar at Sardine is huge, and can accommodate plenty of people.

By: escabeche

escabeche — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:56:53 -0800

Not committing to going to this but will comment that if Sardine has place, it's pleasant as anything, and quite close to the Square.

By: thanotopsis

thanotopsis — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:11:51 -0800

There's always that smaller bar behind the Essen Haus -- we've had at least one Mefi meetup there before. I forget the name, but they've got a nice little porch that overlooks the parking lot.

By: rocketman

rocketman — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:32:27 -0800

Up North Pub. That's a good place too.

By: GenjiandProust

GenjiandProust — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:30:25 -0800

Hmmm. The Tipsy Cow seems to not be open on Sundays, I am thinking that Williamson is a little far for people to get to and from the convention hotel. The Old Fashioned and the Great Dane are crowded (horrifyingly so, as I recall from last year), and evidently Brocach is not good. Although, now that I think of it, no one actually attending the con has chimed in (as far as I know) -- maybe Williamson would work (although Sardine closes at 9, which would rule out the late start discussed earlier)

By: GenjiandProust

GenjiandProust — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:29:42 -0800

OK, based on the responses, we don't have any clear place or time, and I am not finding venues. Since this is about to roll off the "proposed" list, unless anyone wants to take a stab at reviving it, I guess a WisCon meetup is not to be.