Mr. Zarquon goes to Oz (Part 1)
posted January 2, 2014 4:29 PM   RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Mon February 3 at 7:00 PM, Riverland
Federation Square, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia (Map & Directions)
I am going to be in Australia Feb 3rd until Feb 15th. Melbourne the 3rd until the 7th, Sydney the 8th through the 15th. I haven't been to your fine country, and I'm looking for an excuse to get out and drink with you all. CONFIRMED: Feb 3rd, 7pm, Riverland
posted by mrzarquon to Meetup (42 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

I'm generally a fan of having a few drinks, so I'll call myself a "yes".

Where are you staying? What nights are you free?
posted by russm at 1:09 AM on January 3, 2014


Beer isn't poisonous! Plenty of great places to drink, too.
posted by mosessis at 4:09 AM on January 3, 2014


Woot!
posted by goshling at 4:48 AM on January 3, 2014


That's spelled 'w00t'.

Back on topic: I like beer.
posted by pompomtom at 9:30 AM on January 3, 2014


I'm staying at the Melbourne Marriot on Exhibition Street. Probably the night of the 3rd is the most likely to be free since I wont start the slew of customer meetings and calls yet (I will however just have landed that morning). My travel to Sydney yet isn't confirmed, so I could also stick around that Friday night if that works.
posted by mrzarquon at 10:31 AM on January 3, 2014


im free in the day for coffee:)
posted by sparkle55 at 3:59 PM on January 3, 2014


Cool, I'm up for something Melbourne-related. I have no idea what I am doing in Feb but I work in the city so it's not hard for me to fit in with plans. You will probably be pretty tired on the 3rd though. Which could make it even more fun!
posted by Athanassiel at 5:36 PM on January 3, 2014


Would you like a Sydney meetup too?
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 1:52 AM on January 13, 2014


I'm working in the CBD for most of February so good luck keeping your Good Times sekrit from me!
posted by Trivia Newton John at 2:49 AM on January 13, 2014


Hello! I'll try and come along to this. :)
posted by curious.jp at 2:34 PM on January 13, 2014


I keep meaning to make a Sydney meetup, I'll be staying in the CBD if other folks want to kickstart that one.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:37 PM on January 13, 2014


I'll see what I can do, mr zarquon. Any specific date?
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:18 PM on January 13, 2014


I'd be dead from jetlag with that schedule (are you flying straight from the US?), but I'm probably just a lightweight.

That said, the Friday arvo would be fine with me, as you're staying about a block from my work.

In no particular order, in the area, I'd suggest:

Section 8 (outdoory bar-in-a-shipping-container, tres Melbourney, maybe follow up with Crofts for the alleyway bar double)
Bomba (haven't tried it yet, but rooftop bar, which is almost always a win for me, and tapas)
(any other rooftop bars, like the Carlton Club or the thing above Cookie)

Anyone else got some ideas in the area (*gets out notebook*)?
posted by pompomtom at 7:47 PM on January 13, 2014


I was thinking Fed Square could be nice, especially the bits by the river. Arintji is pretty good (though have revamped their menu since the last time I was there), also Feddish. Riverland is a little more typical pubby but can't be beat for proximity to the river.

I'm really not a fan of rooftop places because they usually involve lots of stairs, which are not so good for my dodgy knees and torn achilles tendon. Just sayin'. Section 8 definitely good if the weather holds, only a bar (no food) but proximity to Chinatown means that's less of a problem.
posted by Athanassiel at 11:30 PM on January 13, 2014


I can get behind Riverland. It probably rivals Workshop for meetup count, and we don't go to Workshop any more. The others I don't know.
posted by pompomtom at 5:08 PM on January 14, 2014


Change of plans for hotel: I'll be on Flinders, but still in the same general area near the park (I have no idea what you people call it, or if it is really a park and not a place filled with venomous animals / stuffed animals).

If someone wants to make one for Sydney, it looks like I'm heading there the 7th, so probaby that Saturday the 8th would be the best time? (And for Melbourne, the 3rd will work for me, I'm planning to sleep for my flight out).
posted by mrzarquon at 10:34 PM on January 14, 2014


Confused. Flinders Street is nowhere near the Marriott on Exhibition Street, so it can't be in the same general area. What's the name of your new hotel? Will help us locals actually know what's nearby. Not that Melbourne is that hard to get around, but if we're having another 40-degree heat wave it's good to know whether you should try to walk or hop on a tram.
posted by Athanassiel at 4:53 PM on January 15, 2014


I'm at Hotel Lindrum, 26 Flinders. The conference I'm in town for is at Hilton on the Park (192 Wellington Parade). Ignore the Marriott comment, I blame the international date line.
posted by mrzarquon at 10:50 PM on January 16, 2014


Ok, cool. That actually makes a meet-up at Fed Square/Riverland pretty close to your new hotel, so that's convenient!

What do folks think, should we do the archetypal "meet under the Flinders St clocks" at, say 6.30pm, and head to Riverland from there?
posted by Athanassiel at 5:58 PM on January 17, 2014


I can confirm that it's a very reasonable walk from Riverland to the Lindrum, what with having undertaken it more than a little sozzled last Sunday. Other options a little closer to your hotel are Meyer's Place (smallish) or Loop (larger, but can be pretty loud). Oh, and apparently Loop has a rooftop bar these days as well as the ground floor lane way frontage.
posted by russm at 11:23 PM on January 18, 2014


I always forget about Loop, but yes, that's a great place. Don't know Meyers. We've been to Riverland so much that I'd be keen for a change.

Mr. Z, what kind of place would you normally drink in? Are you more a dive bar, pub, cocktail bar or craft beer hall type?
posted by mosessis at 4:19 PM on January 20, 2014


So have we decided on the 3rd? I work evenings so need to block out my schedule.

Athanassiel: I think it's generally easier if we just make our own way to the venue & whoever gets there first snags us a table.
posted by goshling at 7:12 PM on January 20, 2014


Actually have just realised 3rd is when choir starts back up again; sorry, will have to miss out unless you decide on another day.
posted by Athanassiel at 9:03 PM on January 20, 2014


I think technically I'm barred from Loop.

I'd still go though, cos I'm a rebel and all that.

Are they still putting fruit in the beer there?

posted by pompomtom at 9:22 PM on January 20, 2014


The 3rd works best for me.

I drink in all of those types of establishments, so whichever is best Meetup space (which in the past has been beer hall type places or dives) works for me.
posted by mrzarquon at 7:21 AM on January 21, 2014


Yay! I can come too. Will put in my calendar and hope the date doesn't change or someone lets me know if it does. W00t
posted by jonathanstrange at 12:06 AM on January 23, 2014 [1 favorite]


How does 7pm at the Riverland sound?
posted by mrzarquon at 9:27 AM on January 25, 2014


Hi - I'd like to come as well. It will be my first time meeting anyone from here. Very exciting! I can do 7 PM at Riverland. Do we have a secret handshake to identify ourselves?
posted by latnahc at 4:09 AM on January 27, 2014


Nah, you just buy beers for everyone you see and it tends to work itself out.
posted by pompomtom at 5:10 AM on January 27, 2014


7pm on the 3rd it is. no secret handshake, but you can expect a couple of "I'm the guy wearing glasses and a bright yellow Kennett '99 tshirt" type posts in this thread on the day.

(n.b. I don't think anyone actually has a Kennett '99 tshirt)
posted by russm at 2:39 PM on January 27, 2014


And in case anyone's early, the Round the Way bagel burger van is at fed square on Monday from 9 am to 4 pm. Also, Mr. z, if you're interested in watching the Super Bowl, there's a viewing party at fed square from 9 am, kickoff at 10:30. I'll probably be there from 10ish.
posted by mosessis at 5:45 PM on January 31, 2014


That sounds intriguing. Depending on my post flight state, I may wander down there.
posted by mrzarquon at 10:12 AM on February 1, 2014


I'm here in your country adjusting to your timezone.

Some coworkers may join us as we try to force ourselves to stay up.
posted by mrzarquon at 6:36 PM on February 2, 2014


I am so sorry but I am not going to make it after all. Have a great time!
posted by latnahc at 9:43 PM on February 2, 2014


Mr Zarquon, I'm afraid this is a late apology from me. I need to get home asap. I hope you stay upright and enjoy your night. Other Melbourne folks: I'd like another chance to meet you/catch up and say hi at some stage in the not too distant future.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 10:00 PM on February 2, 2014


russm & I are at Riverland, on the lawn.
posted by goshling at 11:05 PM on February 2, 2014


*shakes fist at Trivia Newton John*
posted by goshling at 11:07 PM on February 2, 2014


Update! Looks like rain on the radar, so we've grabbed the big table indoors near the stairs.
posted by goshling at 11:17 PM on February 2, 2014


I'm running a little late but hope to be there by 7:30ish.
posted by mosessis at 11:43 PM on February 2, 2014


Enroute from my hotel
posted by mrzarquon at 11:54 PM on February 2, 2014


Monday evening, Monday eveninged.
posted by russm at 4:30 AM on February 3, 2014


Thanks folks for coming out. I managed to pass out by 10:30, and woke up around 4:30.

Operation Jet Lag prevention appears to have been a success.
posted by mrzarquon at 2:12 PM on February 3, 2014 [2 favorites]



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