Toronto meetup!
posted October 18, 2012 10:42 AM RSS | iCal | +googleCal
Fri November 9 at 8:00 PM, Harbord House
150 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada (Map & Directions)
Hi all. Brujita is visiting our Rob Ford-plagued fair city October 22 to November 11. Would anyone like to get together to say hello to her, imbibe assorted beverages, and generally hang out? Her visit gives us a generous window of time, and as to the venue I will only say we should pick something central — I'll ask brujita where she's staying so we can narrow it down to a place convenient to her.
I haven't been to a meet up in ages. What were people thining?
posted by chunking express at 10:56 AM on October 19, 2012
posted by chunking express at 10:56 AM on October 19, 2012
I missed the last one so I don't know how reliable I am right now but I'm interested (if whatever you all eventually choose works for me).
posted by flex at 11:44 AM on October 20, 2012
posted by flex at 11:44 AM on October 20, 2012
Thanks grippycat!
I got in very early this morning and am still a bit jetlagged. If anyone is going to New Order tomorrow and would like to meet beforehand for dinner let me know.
posted by brujita at 5:14 PM on October 22, 2012
I got in very early this morning and am still a bit jetlagged. If anyone is going to New Order tomorrow and would like to meet beforehand for dinner let me know.
posted by brujita at 5:14 PM on October 22, 2012
I was planning to make a lot of day trips while I'm here. If friday isn't good, I need to know pronto.
posted by brujita at 3:55 PM on October 24, 2012
posted by brujita at 3:55 PM on October 24, 2012
I can't make Friday. I could probably make Saturday nighttime or Sunday anytime from late afternoon on. (I have to drive out from a while away.)
Since there was just a meetup within the last couple weeks I wonder if calling for this weekend might be too soon and next weekend or the one following (Nov. 9/10) would be easier to coordinate? A little more advance time for people to leave schedules free.
posted by flex at 9:01 AM on October 25, 2012
Since there was just a meetup within the last couple weeks I wonder if calling for this weekend might be too soon and next weekend or the one following (Nov. 9/10) would be easier to coordinate? A little more advance time for people to leave schedules free.
posted by flex at 9:01 AM on October 25, 2012
Saturday, then. Orange Swan, please call the venue.
posted by brujita at 10:37 AM on October 25, 2012
posted by brujita at 10:37 AM on October 25, 2012
I'm off to Massey Hall with a friend this Saturday, but could drop in after that.
posted by maudlin at 11:35 AM on October 25, 2012
posted by maudlin at 11:35 AM on October 25, 2012
I actually can't get away this weekend at all. I'm thinking next weekend. How about Saturday, November 3?
As for the venue.... I think something central and on the subway line is best. I am only familiar with the pubs in the Junction/Roncie area, so does anyone want to suggest a venue in the Yonge and Bloor area? Or roughly in that area — a few subway stops in any direction would be fine.
posted by orange swan at 11:40 AM on October 25, 2012
As for the venue.... I think something central and on the subway line is best. I am only familiar with the pubs in the Junction/Roncie area, so does anyone want to suggest a venue in the Yonge and Bloor area? Or roughly in that area — a few subway stops in any direction would be fine.
posted by orange swan at 11:40 AM on October 25, 2012
November 3 is much better for me, actually (see above).
I think we're looking for talk-friendly locations again. Are there any left in this city?
posted by maudlin at 11:48 AM on October 25, 2012
I think we're looking for talk-friendly locations again. Are there any left in this city?
posted by maudlin at 11:48 AM on October 25, 2012
Oh, wait -- that neat little divey place in Blansdowne, Ciro's, where we went last October was talk-friendly. Good music which they turned down a bit when we asked, we had a big table to ourselves and only a few other people in the place, it was fairly cheap and had interesting beer, and it's right at Lansdowne station.
If not Ciro's, can someone else recommend a local near a subway?
posted by maudlin at 12:00 PM on October 25, 2012
If not Ciro's, can someone else recommend a local near a subway?
posted by maudlin at 12:00 PM on October 25, 2012
I live in Harbord Village, so my locals (not sure how quiet we're talking about here, but I like them for meeting up with friends and chatting) would be Pour Boy (Christie Stn), the Tranzac (Bathurst or Spadina Stn), and the Victory Cafe (Bathurst Stn)
posted by iona at 12:18 PM on October 25, 2012
posted by iona at 12:18 PM on October 25, 2012
Friday November 9 would be fine for me.
And the Pour Boy at Christie sounds good.
Everyone?
posted by orange swan at 6:26 PM on October 25, 2012
And the Pour Boy at Christie sounds good.
Everyone?
posted by orange swan at 6:26 PM on October 25, 2012
Pretty sure I can do that as long as you don't mind me showing up between 8:30-9 PMish (traffic going in and out of the city on Fridays from like 4-7 PM is miserable, obvi). Is this place easy to get to if you're driving?
posted by flex at 9:50 AM on October 26, 2012
posted by flex at 9:50 AM on October 26, 2012
Iona, how crowded does pour boy get weekends? Do they allow space to be reserved downstairs?
posted by brujita at 4:40 PM on October 26, 2012
posted by brujita at 4:40 PM on October 26, 2012
I don't think you can reserve tables in advance, if that's what you mean. You can book a room I believe. It can fill up pretty fast on a Friday-Saturday night, but I think that's true of pretty well any bar. I can't guarantee what time I'll be off work that day (or any day), and Pour Boy isn't very big - if people are concerned about not getting a table, perhaps somewhere larger might be a better bet.
for driving, it's at Bloor and Manning. I don't drive an awful lot in the city, but I'd suggest getting onto Bathurst from whatever highway you're taking in and getting off at Bloor. I believe there is street parking on Manning, although I have no personal experience trying to park in that area.
posted by iona at 4:45 AM on October 27, 2012
for driving, it's at Bloor and Manning. I don't drive an awful lot in the city, but I'd suggest getting onto Bathurst from whatever highway you're taking in and getting off at Bloor. I believe there is street parking on Manning, although I have no personal experience trying to park in that area.
posted by iona at 4:45 AM on October 27, 2012
Flex, can you come into the city with public transport? If not, maybe we should pick a place where we can reserve a table. As I posted before, any ethnic is fine: Ethiopian, Greek, Chinese, Indian,Thai ....
are there any table service places with good poutine?
posted by brujita at 5:24 PM on October 27, 2012
are there any table service places with good poutine?
posted by brujita at 5:24 PM on October 27, 2012
asking about poutine was intended as "when in Rome"
posted by brujita at 9:52 PM on October 27, 2012
posted by brujita at 9:52 PM on October 27, 2012
Brujita, I can't - I'm over an hour out so I have to drive. I'm happy with wherever as long as I can find parking!
posted by flex at 9:15 AM on October 28, 2012
posted by flex at 9:15 AM on October 28, 2012
Is it ok with everyone if we switch to a place where we can reserve a table?
posted by brujita at 9:37 AM on October 29, 2012
posted by brujita at 9:37 AM on October 29, 2012
Does anyone have suggestions as to a centrally located pub where we can reserve a table?
posted by orange swan at 12:28 PM on October 29, 2012
posted by orange swan at 12:28 PM on October 29, 2012
Anyong! Grippycat was such a great hostess last time that I thought I might crash another meetup! :)
How about Harbord House*? Can't speak to the crowds on Friday, but they have decent food and apparently take reservations before 6 and after 8:30pm on Fridays.
It's just west of Spadina on Harbord. Flex, you'd take the Spadina exit off the Gardiner, then drive north through Chinatown and turn left on Harbord. There'd be (some) street parking, or you could do the U of T grad house garage for I think $6.
* Not to be confused with the Harbord ROOM, which is just across the street. Harbord House is bigger and more pub-like. Harbord Room is fancier and narrow/small.
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 2:11 PM on October 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
How about Harbord House*? Can't speak to the crowds on Friday, but they have decent food and apparently take reservations before 6 and after 8:30pm on Fridays.
It's just west of Spadina on Harbord. Flex, you'd take the Spadina exit off the Gardiner, then drive north through Chinatown and turn left on Harbord. There'd be (some) street parking, or you could do the U of T grad house garage for I think $6.
* Not to be confused with the Harbord ROOM, which is just across the street. Harbord House is bigger and more pub-like. Harbord Room is fancier and narrow/small.
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 2:11 PM on October 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
looks good!
posted by brujita at 5:58 PM on October 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by brujita at 5:58 PM on October 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
flex. you're always welcome to use my visitor's parking and you have a place to crash if a night out turns into a looooooong night :)
posted by grippycat at 8:08 PM on October 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by grippycat at 8:08 PM on October 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Flex: depending on in which direction you are an hour out, we might be able to haul you along (we would be coming along the 403 from the Hamilton/Burlington direction).
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:04 PM on November 1, 2012
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:04 PM on November 1, 2012
I'm down the 401, ricochet, but thanks! I'm always happy to pick up anyone along my way or carpool, to have company in the car, if you all are on or near my route.
posted by flex at 5:43 PM on November 1, 2012
posted by flex at 5:43 PM on November 1, 2012
Hi everyone. I've updated this post to show the venue and the date and time. Unfortunately I may not be able to make the event myself. There has been a death in my family - one of my cousins died last night. I don't know when or where her funeral is to be yet, but my guess is that it will take place on Saturday and in a town somewhat north of Toronto, such as Stouffville, and given that I will be taking public transit to get there and back I don't know if I can get back to Toronto on time. I'll post again when I know for sure, and I will make reservations at the venue for everybody else if it seems necessary once we have confirmed numbers. Sorry everyone, but of course I do have to prioritize my cousin's funeral over a meetup.
posted by orange swan at 6:28 PM on November 1, 2012
posted by orange swan at 6:28 PM on November 1, 2012
I'm sorry to hear of your loss, orange swan.
I thought we'd decided on November 9th - next Friday?
posted by flex at 6:52 PM on November 1, 2012
I thought we'd decided on November 9th - next Friday?
posted by flex at 6:52 PM on November 1, 2012
Oh shit, you're right! Duh me. I'll change the date.
posted by orange swan at 7:10 PM on November 1, 2012
posted by orange swan at 7:10 PM on November 1, 2012
Thanks for setting up the page, orange swan. I'm sorry to hear about your cousin.
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 10:06 AM on November 2, 2012
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 10:06 AM on November 2, 2012
Changed the date again to November 9. Where it should stay. Thanks all for bearing with me.
posted by orange swan at 5:29 PM on November 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by orange swan at 5:29 PM on November 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'd love to crash this gathering and take a much-needed opportunity to meet people in a -relatively- new city! I hope that's cool.
posted by lotusfeet at 8:03 PM on November 2, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by lotusfeet at 8:03 PM on November 2, 2012 [3 favorites]
Oh hey I'm in Toronto that weekend, coming in from the north earlier in the evening! Like lotusfeet, I'm crashing the party.
posted by Lemurrhea at 9:30 AM on November 3, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Lemurrhea at 9:30 AM on November 3, 2012 [3 favorites]
There is no crashing - just fresh MeFite blood! We love new people.
(Actually there is sometimes crashing, but of a different sort - I might take you up on that offer, grippycat.)
posted by flex at 9:04 AM on November 4, 2012 [1 favorite]
(Actually there is sometimes crashing, but of a different sort - I might take you up on that offer, grippycat.)
posted by flex at 9:04 AM on November 4, 2012 [1 favorite]
Semi-lurker here: I'm in too if it's not too late!
posted by sheprime at 10:26 AM on November 5, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by sheprime at 10:26 AM on November 5, 2012 [3 favorites]
11 and. 4 maybes....should one of us call tomorrow to reserve the space?
posted by brujita at 5:54 PM on November 5, 2012
posted by brujita at 5:54 PM on November 5, 2012
Hey meet-up! Whee! I suspect dominant conversation will be election?
posted by typewriter at 6:55 PM on November 5, 2012
posted by typewriter at 6:55 PM on November 5, 2012
That or Robbie's stolen bus. ;-)......I've been listening to a mix of the cbc and Jim Dale's Harry Potter recordings on my day trips.
posted by brujita at 6:23 AM on November 6, 2012
posted by brujita at 6:23 AM on November 6, 2012
just called harbord house and they can seat us at 8:30.
posted by brujita at 8:09 AM on November 6, 2012
posted by brujita at 8:09 AM on November 6, 2012
I made the reservation for 20 people.
posted by brujita at 9:10 AM on November 6, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by brujita at 9:10 AM on November 6, 2012 [3 favorites]
Well, I know I will know who some of you are, but how will new people (hi new people! yay!) know who we are?
Could someone bring a little table sign or perhaps an outrageous hat so people who haven't met us before can spot us easily?
posted by flex at 6:55 AM on November 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
Could someone bring a little table sign or perhaps an outrageous hat so people who haven't met us before can spot us easily?
posted by flex at 6:55 AM on November 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
I was planning to walk around looking lost until someone took pity on me and invited me to join them (which hopefully would be the MeFi crew, but whatever); a sign or something would probably be a better idea, though!
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:41 AM on November 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:41 AM on November 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
The usual thing (in London anyway) is to ask people if they're friends of matthowie. This is what we're reduced to after a deer ate our sign.
posted by essexjan at 7:53 AM on November 9, 2012
posted by essexjan at 7:53 AM on November 9, 2012
I hear that a Horse Mask will be present and probably worn. No, not by me. Well, not until I have a drink or two.
posted by maudlin at 7:59 AM on November 9, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by maudlin at 7:59 AM on November 9, 2012 [3 favorites]
Oh, about the timing: time at the top of the post says 8 PM, but the reservation is for 8:30, right?
posted by maudlin at 8:02 AM on November 9, 2012
posted by maudlin at 8:02 AM on November 9, 2012
You need to say 8 PM so people show up at 8:30 PM. SOCIAL ENGINEERING
posted by flex at 8:09 AM on November 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by flex at 8:09 AM on November 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
I've seen pictures of some of you... I have long curly hair, glasses and am wearing a purple top and charcoal cords.
See you soon!
posted by brujita at 9:04 AM on November 9, 2012
See you soon!
posted by brujita at 9:04 AM on November 9, 2012
I'm officially still too coughy to be seen in public.
posted by jacquilynne at 1:53 PM on November 9, 2012
posted by jacquilynne at 1:53 PM on November 9, 2012
I just got to Union and still need to head out to High Park to drop luggage etc. We'll see how long it takes me to get there!
posted by Lemurrhea at 3:55 PM on November 9, 2012
posted by Lemurrhea at 3:55 PM on November 9, 2012
Leaving now... hopefully traffic is not too bad. See you there!
posted by flex at 4:29 PM on November 9, 2012
posted by flex at 4:29 PM on November 9, 2012
Late, as usual! Be there in about 40mins! :)
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 5:27 PM on November 9, 2012
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 5:27 PM on November 9, 2012
I am always happy to meet strangers from the internet, but flex and grippycat have me convinced I should try to drop in. On my way!
posted by peagood at 5:58 PM on November 9, 2012
posted by peagood at 5:58 PM on November 9, 2012
Hey I think we might hop on our bikes and head over there; probably in half an hour or so.
Are you guys upstairs or down?
posted by chococat at 6:34 PM on November 9, 2012
Are you guys upstairs or down?
posted by chococat at 6:34 PM on November 9, 2012
Thank you all! I really enjoyed coming out and I apologize for my flying elbows and endless stream of nervous chatter.
brujita, warm wishes for safe travels. Strangers from the internet, I'll hope to see you again.
Also, please forward any pictures of maudlin wearing the horse mask. Because she did. That can be the sign for future meetups - I can make that happen.
posted by peagood at 5:52 AM on November 10, 2012
brujita, warm wishes for safe travels. Strangers from the internet, I'll hope to see you again.
Also, please forward any pictures of maudlin wearing the horse mask. Because she did. That can be the sign for future meetups - I can make that happen.
posted by peagood at 5:52 AM on November 10, 2012
So great to meet you all!
Thanks again to orange swan for calling this.
posted by brujita at 6:43 AM on November 10, 2012
Thanks again to orange swan for calling this.
posted by brujita at 6:43 AM on November 10, 2012
Thanks to everyone who came out and orange swan for organizing; it was great to meet you! Hopefully I'll see everyone again when I'm back in the city.
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:09 AM on November 10, 2012
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:09 AM on November 10, 2012
I had no problem with a couple light flying elbows. If later someone sitting at your shoulder being so quiet they sort of disappear was hit with a blow more vicious, I can't speak for them. (My insecurity runs in the opposite direction from nervous chatter. People from Metafilter have so many pursuits and interests and enthusiasms, I always find it overwhelming.)
posted by TimTypeZed at 8:16 AM on November 10, 2012
posted by TimTypeZed at 8:16 AM on November 10, 2012
Thanks everyone, we had an awesome time! (Thank you, flex, for driving us North York-types home.) Hope to see you all again soon!
posted by ilana at 9:47 AM on November 10, 2012
posted by ilana at 9:47 AM on November 10, 2012
Nice to meet you, brujita; hope you have a safe trip home.
Thanks for calling this meetup, orange swan. And thanks to everyone who showed up!
So good to see you all - both those who I already knew, and to meet new people too! Very congenial, as always... wish it was less travel time for me so I wouldn't be as tired.
posted by flex at 10:42 AM on November 10, 2012
Thanks for calling this meetup, orange swan. And thanks to everyone who showed up!
So good to see you all - both those who I already knew, and to meet new people too! Very congenial, as always... wish it was less travel time for me so I wouldn't be as tired.
posted by flex at 10:42 AM on November 10, 2012
I woke up this morning to pretty grey polish on one thumbnail (hooray Flex!) and memories of having had a lot of fun last night. :) Thanks to all for coming out, and especially to Orange Swan and Brujita for making it happen. It was great to meet everyone, and to see some of you again. Happy weekend!
(PS: Horsey photos are now in maudlin's possession; I trust she will choose to use them only for good/hilarity and not evil.)
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 10:54 AM on November 10, 2012
(PS: Horsey photos are now in maudlin's possession; I trust she will choose to use them only for good/hilarity and not evil.)
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 10:54 AM on November 10, 2012
It was great seeing so many new and familiar faces. I demand horse mask photos!
posted by grippycat at 11:17 AM on November 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by grippycat at 11:17 AM on November 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
What a great night! Thanks again to orange swan and brujita for making this happen, and to miss_kitty_fantastico for suggesting Harbord House, which was actually a really neat, talk-friendly venue. It was great seeing everybody -- regulars, occasionals and newbs.
Also courtesy of mkf: The Horsening and The Horsening 2. I'm sure there are photos of grippycat imbibing horsily, too, but I haven't seen anything yet.
Also also: I believe one more dead town's last parade was able to take off his Obama t-shirt today. Rejoice!
posted by maudlin at 3:46 PM on November 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Also courtesy of mkf: The Horsening and The Horsening 2. I'm sure there are photos of grippycat imbibing horsily, too, but I haven't seen anything yet.
Also also: I believe one more dead town's last parade was able to take off his Obama t-shirt today. Rejoice!
posted by maudlin at 3:46 PM on November 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Yep! Now, if only Allen West would take off his tinfoil hat...
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 3:59 PM on November 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 3:59 PM on November 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Argh. Work was too swampy and draining. I would not have been good company. Catch you another time mefites!! Maybe a holiday meetup?
posted by typewriter at 8:03 AM on November 11, 2012
posted by typewriter at 8:03 AM on November 11, 2012
I think I mentioned this to somebody at the time, but all of the horse masking has kept Horse Outside in my head for the past few days. So...thanks for that.
Also I know a few people were interested in this and I said I'd send it to them, but I forget who (sheprime and orange swan, maybe?) So it's kitty bow ties for everyone! Or at least everyone's cats.
posted by Lemurrhea at 9:45 PM on November 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Also I know a few people were interested in this and I said I'd send it to them, but I forget who (sheprime and orange swan, maybe?) So it's kitty bow ties for everyone! Or at least everyone's cats.
posted by Lemurrhea at 9:45 PM on November 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
stress-relieving fidget toys for some, kitty bow ties for everyone!
posted by grippycat at 11:05 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by grippycat at 11:05 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
wow, those tie are great - I know what my cat's getting for christmas
posted by iona at 4:08 PM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by iona at 4:08 PM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
I'm going to the new order concert, but other than that I'm free.
posted by brujita at 1:05 PM on October 18, 2012