Drinks, anyone?

posted July 12, 2012 6:05 AM

Hoyland is still coming to town, but there wasn't a sudden upswell of people for the BBQ idea, so that's pretty much dead now. Flapjax has suggested Koenji, but that's a bit far for me, personally (although I'm sure it'll be an awesome show). Other than that, I don't know. There's various and sundry drinking establishments in Tokyo, and as mentioned, I'm partial to Yurakucho area, though reservations might be a good idea on a Saturday night. Any ideas?
posted by Ghidorah to Proposed (44 comments total)

Wish I could go but currently I'm not scheduled to be in Tokyo at that time. If my schedule changes, I'll do my best to be there.
posted by gen at 6:19 AM on July 12, 2012

I'm totally down for a Chiba trip. I'm almost positive I can join but I'll confirm this weekend. I think I'll be bringing my girlfriend too.
posted by dubitable at 7:02 AM on July 12, 2012

But also, an evening in Tokyo is cool too, either way.
posted by dubitable at 7:02 AM on July 12, 2012

I'm in (perhaps obviously).
posted by hoyland at 1:50 PM on July 12, 2012

I live in town but can certainly make it out to Chiba.
posted by 23 at 12:02 AM on July 13, 2012

I'll be there with bells on. Not sure yet about Mrs. flapjax and offspring, but maybe them too.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:12 AM on July 13, 2012

BBQ. Deep BBQ.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:17 AM on July 13, 2012

Oh, wait a minute. Dammit. I can't after all... I've got a gig that evening in Koenji, and it'll be way too tight to make soundcheck and all. Hell. Sorry about that.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:20 AM on July 13, 2012

After looking at those photos, suddenly I'm feeling a bit sheepish about my BBQ abilities. Yaki-niku and yaki-soba for all!
posted by Ghidorah at 12:23 AM on July 13, 2012

I would so love to come and I know I've sort of nudged you about this before, Ghidorah, but... I can't make it. I'm sooooo disappointed.

The thing is, my son is a "jukensei" this year and is basically studying his eyeballs out this summer, and I can't really mosey on down by myself for some beer and BBQ without seriously annoying him.

Yes I am a "kyoiku mama" and proud of it!

Have fun, everyone! *cries*
posted by misozaki at 12:24 AM on July 13, 2012

After looking at those photos, suddenly I'm feeling a bit sheepish about my BBQ abilities.

No WAY, Ghidorah. Your 'cue gonna be AAAAWWWWESOME!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:25 AM on July 13, 2012

Sorry to hear you can't make it, Misozaki. Then again, all study and no BBQ makes students go crazy. Surely his concentration levels would be higher after a little pulled pork and grilled chicken!
posted by Ghidorah at 3:56 AM on July 13, 2012

pulled pork and grilled chicken

Why must you taunt me?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:00 AM on July 13, 2012

Well, to be honest, the taunt was aimed mostly at Misozaki. Did I mention the homemade bratwurst?
posted by Ghidorah at 2:25 PM on July 13, 2012

Cooked brats.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:17 PM on July 13, 2012

a little pulled pork and grilled chicken!

homemade bratwurst?

Why must you taunt me?（T_T)

I checked the calendar hoping I'd confused the dates, but sure enough, my son has to go to juku that day, just like almost every single day of his summer vacation this year. Meaning I have to make two bentos for lunch and dinner. Crazy, but true.
posted by misozaki at 10:45 PM on July 13, 2012

I guess I'm lucky in that I don't fully understand the ordeal you're going through. However, if I read that right, he'll be at juku all afternoon, right? Plenty of time to step out to Chiba, and we can even set you up with a little BBQ bento to take home, some pulled pork, a little potato salad, a couple chunks of grilled pineapple.

of course, I do understand how deadly serious the whole thing is, and I hope he does well. Don't worry too much, there will be other meetups.
posted by Ghidorah at 12:12 AM on July 14, 2012

Did somebody mention grilled pineapple?

Why must you taunt me too!
posted by woodblock100 at 2:21 AM on July 14, 2012

I'm actually about to go hack up three pork shoulders to make some sausages for another friend's barbecue on Monday, but just for you, woodblock,

grilled pineapple:
melt two tablespoons butter in a pan
add one tablespoon of brown sugar, and one teaspoon of powdered ginger
simmer, then add two tablespoons dark rum
marinate chunks of pineapple in the glaze, thread onto skewers, grill until soft, try to imagine how lived for so long before you first tasted the wonder that is grilled pineapple.

Now that? That's taunting
posted by Ghidorah at 7:10 AM on July 14, 2012

Now, misozaki, I'm trying to figure this out.

1) Your son needs bentos made. A.k.a., he's gotta eat.

2) There is a barbecue happening.

I see some really synergistic possibilities here. tako-hotdogs are the just first thing that comes to mind.

Just sayin'.

(more) Seriously though, all the best to you and your son...
posted by dubitable at 11:14 AM on July 14, 2012

Oh, and Ghidorah, now you're just being mean.

I'm getting hungry too.
posted by dubitable at 11:14 AM on July 14, 2012

Ghidorah and dubitable, thanks for your kind words. I know this whole "juken" thing must be incomprehensible. Honestly, being a "returnee" who has never really experienced it myself -- I was completely bilingual by the time I was my son's age and basically scraped through my post-high school education with my English skillz only -- it's baffling to me as well. It's hard striking an acceptable balance between "there's a lot more to this world than cramming for some tests so go out there and see the world" and "but you gotta study for those tests because they will seriously impact the rest of your life if you intend to live and work in Japan." Anyway, hopefully it'll all be over by end of February or earlier if he's lucky.
posted by misozaki at 4:37 PM on July 14, 2012

Think of me, gentle MeFites, speeding towards Tokyo strapped into a flying metal tube while you munch grilled pineapple,. I'm going to miss this by 12 hours. *sob*.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 11:31 PM on July 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

Well, I'll be in Toyko again on 12 August 2012, for about three or four days. I'll be bringing the lovely misfish with me. If anyone's interested in coming out on the town with us, it would be lovely to see the Japanese shift. I'll create a new event for it.

I still want grilled pineapple though.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:52 AM on July 16, 2012

OK - here we go: Tokyo Meetup 2. Round about 12 August 2012.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:02 AM on July 16, 2012

I'm just checking in to see if people are still interested. The cutoff for the bbq is next week, and so far, we've got 2, including myself, attending, and one maybe. If it ends up being a night in Tokyo, that's fine, but if it's going to be a bbq, more people need to sign on, or else it becomes an awkward afternoon of a couple people standing around a grill...
posted by Ghidorah at 11:50 PM on July 18, 2012

Still works for me, in town or out.
posted by 23 at 12:34 AM on July 19, 2012

2000 yen, same as in town.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:24 PM on July 19, 2012

Okay... is this the point where we make our backup plan? And has everyone from the original post checked in, suggesting they've seen this one?
posted by hoyland at 7:09 AM on July 22, 2012

Well, I was holding out hope for a midweek retreat to the backup plan, but as of yet, there's been no word from a bunch of folk, but there's no telling who's got their alerts for irl set up. I'm not really familiar with Tokyo, aside from a couple of areas.
posted by Ghidorah at 7:54 AM on July 22, 2012

Sure. Wednesday doesn't exist for me due to the time change, but I think I don't start travelling until it's Wednesday for you guys. I should have wi-fi at the hostel.

I sent me-mail to monocot, who was the one person from the last post who hasn't commented here.
posted by hoyland at 4:28 PM on July 22, 2012

It seems the Sumida River Fireworks Festival is Saturday. That could be a BBQ alternative.
posted by hoyland at 7:23 AM on July 24, 2012

Well, it's the twenty-fourth, and there's still just two people confirmed and one maybe, so I think it's time to declare this BBQ dead.

I'd avoid the Sumida Fireworks, personally. It can be an all day slog, finding a place to sit and watch them, and there are usually around a million people (seriously) packed along the river. Then, right after the fireworks, there's the mass exodus.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Yurakucho izakayas, but if anyone else has an idea, feel free to chime in.
posted by Ghidorah at 9:58 PM on July 24, 2012

Fireworks are cool, but I'd opt for dodging the crowds as well. Never been drinking in Yurakucho.
posted by 23 at 3:07 AM on July 25, 2012

Hey y'all, well, as I mentioned before, I couldn't come to the proposed BBQ because of a gig that night. Now, lemme just throw this out there: maybe folks could meet in Koenji (that's where my gig is) and I could meet up with the gang after my show.

This is all very theoretical, though, cause I don't know when, exactly, my band is going on that night. By the looks of the billing, we might be last. But that might still not necessarily be too late to hook up for a drink or two with y'all, if you're in Koenji. The show starts at 18:30, and there's just three bands, so it won't be super late.

Otherwise, there's the possibility that we're on earlier, so time wouldn't be so tight. OR... say we're on last, but I can catch a drink or two with the Mefiers before we play.

I can also see what kind of guest list action might be possible (I haven't played at that venue in years, so I'm not sure about their policy) but, yeah, maybe folks could catch my band's set. That could be fun!

Potential downside is that Koenji is more of a hike for ghidorah (coming from Chiba) than Yurakucho...

Anyway, I'll try to get more info SOON on the gig schedule, and maybe it could work out some way or another. Stay tuned for further details, and y'all let me know what you think of any of this.

BTW, here's the calendar page at the website for the venue, Showboat.

Here's the band, The Dosages.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:03 AM on July 25, 2012

Damn, I'm sorry Ghidorah, I've been so busy I forgot to confirm the BBQ, but maybe it wouldn't have made a difference. In any case we gots to do that some day soon.

I'm definitely down for something though, I'm free that day. Um, Yurakucho would be fine with me, as would Koenji. Maybe we could meet up in Yurakucho, and then those of us who are game could head over to flapjax's gig...?
posted by dubitable at 6:24 AM on July 26, 2012

Yeah, also, ditto Ghidorah on the fireworks, fucking hell really. Fun once or twice but you don't get to see much fireworks and you end up in an insane crowd.
posted by dubitable at 6:26 AM on July 26, 2012

Having not really heard anything from anyone, I'm going to suggest that Flapjax's gig would probably be the best meetup point. That said, I doubt I'll make it, as it is a bit far. Apologies to hoyland, I hope you have a great trip.
posted by Ghidorah at 3:56 AM on July 27, 2012

heck, it's pretty damn hard getting Tokyo Mefiers together. I'd have loved to attended Ghirorah's BBQ, and here's hoping that it can happen sometime, for sure. Maybe the early fall?

I'm not necessarily expecting anyone to show up at this Koenji gig tonight, but, hey, if you do, please step up and say METAFILTER!

Should be a fun night, several bands on the bill, Koenji and all that. Peace and love, y'all.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:21 PM on July 27, 2012

Back home now. No Mefiers in Koenji! Hoyland, hope y'all are having a fine time in our fair city!

On the off-off-off chance that you or any other Mefier wants to check out the deep underground scene in Ikenoue tomorrow night (29th) I'll link here once again to my live schedule, with full info. The OBAKE YASHIKI monthly event is full of crazy stuff: a lively mix of Japanese and foreigners. Relatively unique cultural mix and very casual and agreeably rowdy vibe.

So, yeah, check out the link, hoyland, and any of you other Mefiers who have *ahem* never shown up at any of my gigs! Haha! See you there!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:42 AM on July 28, 2012

Damn! And here I am only now finding out about this. Oh well. There should really be automatic location-based notification for these sorts of things.
posted by GoingToShopping at 6:32 PM on July 28, 2012

On a side note, I might drop by that OBAKE YASHIKI thing and say hi to Flapjax, if any other Mefiers are planning to do the same.
posted by GoingToShopping at 6:36 PM on July 28, 2012

My band will go on a little after nine, I think. But lots of stuff to see there before we hit. It's a fun hang.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:58 PM on July 28, 2012

Well, I'm dying to know now... did anyone get together? At all?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:54 AM on August 1, 2012