ferret branca visits Cambridge!
posted July 14, 2015 6:47 PM RSS | iCal | +googleCal
Fri July 24 at 7:00 PM, Brass Union
70 Union Square, Somerville, MA, USA (Map & Directions)
+1 and I are visiting the Boston area. Let's go to Brass Union on Friday, July 24th, around 7. We're also planning to hit up some breweries beforehand; discuss in the thread or send me a Memail if you want to join us!
I think I can make that. Are you looking for somewhere to get dinner, or maybe just drinks?
posted by backseatpilot at 7:10 AM on July 15, 2015
posted by backseatpilot at 7:10 AM on July 15, 2015
On Friday or Saturday, either dinner or just drinks works for me. On Thursday, it'd have to just be drinks since I am meeting a college friend for (probably a pretty early) dinner.
posted by ferret branca at 7:55 AM on July 15, 2015
posted by ferret branca at 7:55 AM on July 15, 2015
I'll be here. Keep me in the loop! Would love to hang out.
posted by pxe2000 at 8:40 AM on July 15, 2015
posted by pxe2000 at 8:40 AM on July 15, 2015
I don't want to be meated! But I might be able to make it and meet you guys regular-style. It's too bad we never figured out a public board gaming venue, now that you mention it.
posted by ignignokt at 9:00 AM on July 15, 2015
posted by ignignokt at 9:00 AM on July 15, 2015
July 23 is my birthday and I'm DJing a booze cruise on Boston Harbor. If there's interest I can probably arrange a discount. Otherwise I'd be happy to meet up for something in Cambridge Friday evening.
posted by 1adam12 at 10:10 AM on July 15, 2015
posted by 1adam12 at 10:10 AM on July 15, 2015
In that case, a couple of suggestions:
For larger groups, we've always been treated well by Cambridge Brewing Company. Food's pretty good and you can get beer towers! It's also smack in the middle of a bunch of good bars for cocktails and other stuff if you want to go bar hopping after.
A little farther afield and maybe not super great for large groups (but I'm going Thursday with a big group and will let you know!) is Brass Union in Union Square. They're a little more hipstery and have a few amusements in the bar (one or two cocktail table arcade games, a shuffleboard table, some other stuff). I have not eaten here. It's also close to several local microbreweries which we could visit if you're interested (Aeronaut, Bantam Cider, and Slumbrew). There are a couple of good cocktail bars nearby for bar hopping.
I'll do some more thinking.
posted by backseatpilot at 11:18 AM on July 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
For larger groups, we've always been treated well by Cambridge Brewing Company. Food's pretty good and you can get beer towers! It's also smack in the middle of a bunch of good bars for cocktails and other stuff if you want to go bar hopping after.
A little farther afield and maybe not super great for large groups (but I'm going Thursday with a big group and will let you know!) is Brass Union in Union Square. They're a little more hipstery and have a few amusements in the bar (one or two cocktail table arcade games, a shuffleboard table, some other stuff). I have not eaten here. It's also close to several local microbreweries which we could visit if you're interested (Aeronaut, Bantam Cider, and Slumbrew). There are a couple of good cocktail bars nearby for bar hopping.
I'll do some more thinking.
posted by backseatpilot at 11:18 AM on July 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
Alas, I work late on the 23rd and have plans on the 24th!
posted by sarcasticah at 11:57 AM on July 15, 2015
posted by sarcasticah at 11:57 AM on July 15, 2015
(If y'all do John Harvard's, I have those gift certificates we won.)
posted by maryr at 1:30 PM on July 15, 2015
posted by maryr at 1:30 PM on July 15, 2015
I am free and pretty much always love meetups. John Harvard's does reasonably well with large groups, and we do have gift certificates. But CBC is good, too! What part of Cambridge are you staying in?
posted by DiscourseMarker at 3:22 PM on July 15, 2015
posted by DiscourseMarker at 3:22 PM on July 15, 2015
Ooh, Brass Union sounds great, backseatpilot! I love the idea of going there and also hitting up some microbreweries (that is basically my dream vacation right there). Cambridge Brewing Company and John Harvard's also sound good if people prefer that (or if it turns out Brass Union is awful for groups or something.)
DiscourseMarker, we're going to be staying with a friend more or less halfway between Harvard and Central squares on the T, so it should be pretty easy for us to travel.
I'm excited it seems like some of y'all are free!
posted by ferret branca at 7:13 PM on July 15, 2015
DiscourseMarker, we're going to be staying with a friend more or less halfway between Harvard and Central squares on the T, so it should be pretty easy for us to travel.
I'm excited it seems like some of y'all are free!
posted by ferret branca at 7:13 PM on July 15, 2015
(Also, whoa, we went to Backbar last time we were in Boston and I don't think Brass Union even existed then...)
posted by ferret branca at 7:18 PM on July 15, 2015
posted by ferret branca at 7:18 PM on July 15, 2015
might be in town visiting my +1 friday-saturday.
posted by sciencegeek at 7:47 PM on July 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by sciencegeek at 7:47 PM on July 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
Brass Union opened last summer, if I remember correctly.
If you're interested in checking out the local brews (whether or not it's part of the meetup), it's probably a little over a mile walk to hit all three of them in the area. I'd start on the earlier side, since Bantam closes at 8 on Fridays and Saturday. It's also the one in the middle of the walk, too, which is kind of inconvenient.
posted by backseatpilot at 5:52 AM on July 16, 2015
If you're interested in checking out the local brews (whether or not it's part of the meetup), it's probably a little over a mile walk to hit all three of them in the area. I'd start on the earlier side, since Bantam closes at 8 on Fridays and Saturday. It's also the one in the middle of the walk, too, which is kind of inconvenient.
posted by backseatpilot at 5:52 AM on July 16, 2015
Good to know. Maybe I'll plan on touring breweries in the day (if Mefites want to join, they are welcome, of course) then meet up at Brass Union a bit later. I will check back with +1 and confirm that works for him.
If anyone has strong preferences for a different plan, speak soon!
posted by ferret branca at 9:03 AM on July 16, 2015
If anyone has strong preferences for a different plan, speak soon!
posted by ferret branca at 9:03 AM on July 16, 2015
I've never been to Brass Union, but it looks interesting. Hopefully backseatpilot will report back on his experience tonight--it may be that we want to try to make reservations. If you don't feel like walking, the 86 bus goes to Union Square from Harvard Station.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 11:42 AM on July 16, 2015
posted by DiscourseMarker at 11:42 AM on July 16, 2015
It seemed pretty good! There's a large lounge area in the back and a small dining room in the front; they won't reserve tables in the lounge area, but the manager said it would be no problem to accommodate a large party in the dining room on Friday around dinner time.
posted by backseatpilot at 7:32 AM on July 17, 2015
posted by backseatpilot at 7:32 AM on July 17, 2015
Cool, confirmed!
posted by ferret branca at 8:43 AM on July 17, 2015
posted by ferret branca at 8:43 AM on July 17, 2015
The Red Sox will play at Fenway Park that night, so traffic will be bad coming down from the suburbs, but I'll try to make it.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 9:36 AM on July 17, 2015
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 9:36 AM on July 17, 2015
I made a tentative reservation with the manager there, so I'll firm up with them when we have a better head count.
posted by backseatpilot at 10:36 AM on July 17, 2015
posted by backseatpilot at 10:36 AM on July 17, 2015
Yay, thanks, backseatpilot! And hope you can make it, Rustic Etruscan!
posted by ferret branca at 11:55 AM on July 17, 2015
posted by ferret branca at 11:55 AM on July 17, 2015
What's the parking sitch like in that part of town? If somewhat available I can make it 2.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:33 AM on July 18, 2015
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:33 AM on July 18, 2015
There's a small metered lot right in front of Brass Union, but I have no idea how likely it is to be full on a Friday night. There's also an assortment of metered and two-hour parking in the immediate environs, so my guess is you shouldn't have any trouble finding parking somewhere.
posted by firechicago at 3:18 PM on July 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by firechicago at 3:18 PM on July 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
looks like 123fakestreet and I are going to try to attend. It is a bit dependent on how things go at work for him that day.
posted by sciencegeek at 9:19 AM on July 20, 2015
posted by sciencegeek at 9:19 AM on July 20, 2015
Yay, hope you guys can make it, sciencegeek!
posted by ferret branca at 12:56 PM on July 20, 2015
posted by ferret branca at 12:56 PM on July 20, 2015
Oof, yeah, parking will be kinda rough. I should be able to find someplace, though.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 1:00 PM on July 20, 2015
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 1:00 PM on July 20, 2015
I'm planning on taking the bus (#80) down from Medford. There's plenty of free parking in my neighborhood if anyone from parts north wants to join me.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 1:12 PM on July 20, 2015
posted by DiscourseMarker at 1:12 PM on July 20, 2015
I've never tried it, but you might be able to get away with parking at the nearby Target.
posted by maryr at 3:20 PM on July 20, 2015
posted by maryr at 3:20 PM on July 20, 2015
If ifdssn9 is going to be there, it gives me more reason to finally come out and meet people. I'm still interested in the sordid reasons people don't learn to ride bikes as kids.
posted by cardioid at 7:04 PM on July 20, 2015
posted by cardioid at 7:04 PM on July 20, 2015
I will try and come repay the excellent visiting-stranger hospitality you gave me in Brooklyn!
posted by threeants at 7:36 PM on July 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by threeants at 7:36 PM on July 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm going to call the restaurant tomorrow to confirm our number, so get yourself out of that maybe column!
posted by backseatpilot at 4:07 PM on July 22, 2015
posted by backseatpilot at 4:07 PM on July 22, 2015
I've consulted the Magic 8-ball, and although results are hazy, I will try to make it.
posted by not_on_display at 7:33 PM on July 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by not_on_display at 7:33 PM on July 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
I am in probably on the later side but in looking forward to meeting Bostonians (the shoes).
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:16 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:16 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm a late addition to the maybe list, leaning yes.
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:59 PM on July 23, 2015
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:59 PM on July 23, 2015
Yay, so excited to meet y'all!
posted by ferret branca at 8:31 PM on July 23, 2015
posted by ferret branca at 8:31 PM on July 23, 2015
I'll probably be on the later side as well. With the wrong type of footwear.
posted by not_on_display at 8:54 PM on July 23, 2015
posted by not_on_display at 8:54 PM on July 23, 2015
It's too bad we never figured out a public board gaming venue
Y'all are aware there is a beautiful board game cafe in Brooline, right?
posted by threeants at 11:04 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Y'all are aware there is a beautiful board game cafe in Brooline, right?
posted by threeants at 11:04 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
we'll probably be on the earlier side of things because some of us have a 5am alarm clock on work days. looking forward to meeting some boston-area mefites (and seeing a few familiar new york faces). also not planning on wearing appropriate footwear although it does strike me that i could wear my boston red sox hat with impunity in this town.
posted by sciencegeek at 3:22 AM on July 24, 2015
posted by sciencegeek at 3:22 AM on July 24, 2015
(The reservation is under Mike if you get there first!)
posted by backseatpilot at 8:05 AM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by backseatpilot at 8:05 AM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Y'all are aware there is a beautiful board game cafe in Brooline, right?
I love too pay a $10 cover fee
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 12:04 PM on July 24, 2015
I love too pay a $10 cover fee
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 12:04 PM on July 24, 2015
that said, I will probably propose a meetup there, so
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 12:10 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 12:10 PM on July 24, 2015
Looks like $5 Monday-Wednesday. And you get to use their board games. That seems like a reasonable compromise so the place survives and its customers get to play games.
If I lived nearby I'd be down for a monthly Monday evening board game meetup.
posted by sciencegeek at 12:46 PM on July 24, 2015
If I lived nearby I'd be down for a monthly Monday evening board game meetup.
posted by sciencegeek at 12:46 PM on July 24, 2015
I love too pay a $10 cover fee
that said, I will probably propose a meetup there, so
wow
such multitude
very contain
contradicing selve
posted by threeants at 1:11 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
that said, I will probably propose a meetup there, so
wow
such multitude
very contain
contradicing selve
posted by threeants at 1:11 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm on my way!
posted by DiscourseMarker at 3:42 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by DiscourseMarker at 3:42 PM on July 24, 2015
I am here and strongly tempted to knock everything over because it's all so beautiful
posted by grobstein at 3:46 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by grobstein at 3:46 PM on July 24, 2015
Also this is Internet fraud determined squad in a DISGUISE
posted by grobstein at 3:47 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by grobstein at 3:47 PM on July 24, 2015
We are gonna be there real soon!
posted by ferret branca at 3:48 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by ferret branca at 3:48 PM on July 24, 2015
We are having a moment of bench sitting and coming in now
posted by sciencegeek at 4:04 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by sciencegeek at 4:04 PM on July 24, 2015
"NO! it's is a fucking nightmare" — Greg Nog on whether St. Louis pizza is pizza
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 8:04 PM on July 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 8:04 PM on July 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
FINALLY
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:18 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:18 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
YES
posted by not_on_display at 9:09 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by not_on_display at 9:09 PM on July 24, 2015
Thanks, everyone, that was great!
posted by ferret branca at 9:24 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by ferret branca at 9:24 PM on July 24, 2015
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Potomac Avenue at 5:06 AM on July 15, 2015