The Very Second Regular London Meetup!
posted January 9, 2017 5:35 PM   RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Tue February 7 at 6:00 PM, The Banker
The Banker, 2 Cousin Ln, London EC4R 3TE, UK (Map & Directions)
Radiocontrolled organised us a really fun meetup for this January, and it seemed like a good idea to make this a slightly more regular thing. So Behold! The very first Second Regular London Meetup (Whooo!, Cheering!, Streamers! Confetti! etc.)
The thrilling continuation of the Regular London Meetup will be:
  • Tuesday, February the 7th (and then the first Tuesday of the month)*
  • The Banker, Near Canon Street*
  • Post work. (so 1800ish).
*(All up for revision as we progress)
posted by Just this guy, y'know to Meetup (49 comments total) 4 users marked this as a favorite

This sounds a great idea.
posted by kelper at 12:04 AM on January 10, 2017


Definitely. Perhaps trying for a regular date, say, 2nd Tuesday of the month? Varying location might be nice though, within a mile or so from centre.

I went to both January and December ones so from that small sample size I think these would be well attended with varied and interesting people each time!
posted by JonB at 12:09 AM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]


This sounds great to me.
posted by Aravis76 at 12:24 AM on January 10, 2017


Yes, having something on a regular basis would be very helpful.
posted by crocomancer at 1:28 AM on January 10, 2017


I'd be keen. Would be my first meetup!
posted by sardaukar at 2:19 AM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]


Sounds suitably intriguing, I'll be keeping an eye on this too.
posted by DancingYear at 3:00 AM on January 10, 2017


The second Tuesday of next month is the 14th....
I'd be fine with that, but I'm guessing places are liable to be busy and some people may have other plans.

So I'm going to propose recurring on the 1st Tuesday of the month, i.e. making this inaugural one February the 7th.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:05 AM on January 10, 2017 [5 favorites]


great idea! I'd be at one or more of these :)
posted by greenish at 3:26 AM on January 10, 2017


Ack! I'm keen, but I just enrolled on a course (Horror Cinema!) that runs on Tuesday evenings. I'll see what I can do.
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 4:16 AM on January 10, 2017


I'm in for coming down for the occasional one, too. Busy for February's but otherwise, I'll turn up for a pint once in a while.
posted by ambrosen at 11:50 AM on January 10, 2017


I think it's a really good idea. I don't know how often I'd make it (which might be a feature rather than a bug), but it's a great idea. I'd suggest either keeping the venue the same or planning a schedule well in advance, so there doesn't need to be any negotiation nearer the time. It's amazing how much partying dies in the planning stages.
posted by Grangousier at 12:34 PM on January 10, 2017 [5 favorites]


I'll try and make it when I can. I agree with Grangousier though, planning well in advance or setting a regular place would be good.
posted by knapah at 1:30 PM on January 10, 2017


I'm in! :)
posted by harperpitt at 2:07 PM on January 10, 2017


Could do!
posted by toerinishuman at 2:13 PM on January 10, 2017


I am definitely keener on a standard venue.
Ideally, I like the idea that if you go to the bar on the 1st Tuesday of the month there will be mefites.
So, let's do that.

What's the best bar?
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 2:19 PM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]


Criteria: central-ish. Not too expensive. Decent size. Serves food. Quiet enough to hear people talk... Anything else?
posted by knapah at 3:05 PM on January 10, 2017


I've seen casual meetups upstairs at The Banker work out pretty well. Possbly someone booked it or staked it out early, but the place is roomy and conversation wasn't too hard.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 10:18 AM on January 11, 2017 [1 favorite]


Will people still be around about 8:30 or so? I work until 8pm that night!
posted by toerinishuman at 1:16 PM on January 11, 2017


*confetti etc*

:)
posted by radiocontrolled at 1:44 PM on January 11, 2017


I think it's relatively safe to say that the event will still be ongoing by 2030.
And probably not really get going properly till more like 1900, but I'm going to aim to be there early, just to take up space and develop the appropriate level of bonhomie. (Which as a British man is primarily a function of booze)
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 6:02 AM on January 12, 2017 [2 favorites]


I'd be up for trying out The Banker and am highly likely to still be out at 8.30 assuming I make it in the first place...
posted by knapah at 1:27 PM on January 12, 2017


I am potentially up for this, especially as my office is approximately 30 seconds walk from the chosen pub...
posted by Stark at 6:47 AM on January 13, 2017 [1 favorite]


I'm certainly up for trying a new place, but IME the only places that are cheap and can reliably seat and efficiently cater to large parties are Wetherspoons pubs. The Knights Templar comes to mind, fr ex. Just a thought for the future.
posted by adamgreenfield at 4:39 AM on January 16, 2017 [1 favorite]


Yeah I was worried the requirements would result in a Wetherspoons. They're remarkably convenient and don't play music which is great for a meetup. I just cannot abide the politics of the company's owner, so I refuse to spend money there.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 5:46 AM on January 16, 2017 [3 favorites]


My criteria were just suggestions. I'm happy to try anywhere to be honest.

Being relatively quiet (ie quiet enough to hear people talk) would be my highest priority.
posted by knapah at 6:00 AM on January 16, 2017 [2 favorites]


Not sure if I can make it, but I'm not far away - might I propose the extremely fine pub, The Mitre, on Hatton Garden, for the next one?
posted by bookbook at 1:43 PM on January 19, 2017


Unfortunately I now can't make it as I'm having to be home to cater to nine veterinary nurses, as you do.

For what it's worth I quite like the Banker, there are a variety of areas from noisy (by the bar) to relatively quiet (upstairs and on the riverside area).
posted by Stark at 3:00 AM on January 20, 2017


Yeah, the upstairs area is what I had in mind.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 3:12 AM on January 20, 2017


Count me in!
posted by KateViolet at 12:27 PM on January 26, 2017 [1 favorite]


If you're still meeting up, I'll pop in to say hello, but then I'll be legging it off to the theatre for half-seven. Sex With Strangers at Hampstead. Don't get any ideas.
posted by bookbook at 12:04 PM on February 5, 2017


Yes!
Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow!
I might end up being a bit late, because circumstances dictate that I need to pick up a child.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:57 AM on February 6, 2017


Chicago MeFite popping in thead just to say I think it's awesome that another city is holding a regular monthly meetup. First Wednesdays have served Chicago well for 8 years and I hope Tuesdays do the same for London!
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:40 PM on February 6, 2017 [2 favorites]


I've come down with a cold and won't be able to make it after all. See you in March, though, I hope.
posted by kelper at 12:13 AM on February 7, 2017


Welp, I'm in the office now and just a quick walk from the pub. I even took the tube this morning instead of cycling, because I knew I'd be out late.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 12:53 AM on February 7, 2017 [1 favorite]


I can't come to this one, but am planning to come to the next one, please could someone drink a pint of good ale for me tonight?
posted by greenish at 3:43 AM on February 7, 2017 [1 favorite]


I've also got a lurgy that I don't want to share with everyone, so I won't make it this time. Hopefully next month.
posted by crocomancer at 3:54 AM on February 7, 2017 [1 favorite]


Hi Mefites, I'm fashionably early sat on a leather couch reading the Economist and extremely good looking. You can't miss me!
posted by radiocontrolled at 9:59 AM on February 7, 2017 [2 favorites]


Sorry people, no can do after all. Hope you have a good night.
posted by knapah at 10:16 AM on February 7, 2017 [1 favorite]


I've collected the child, handed over and now I'm on my way. Sorry for being late.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 10:58 AM on February 7, 2017


I just showed up, and have taken the long table right by the entrance, as the upstairs is reserved for someone named Patrick and there seem to be some folks playing pool up there. I'm the bald guy in the tweed jacket.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 11:23 AM on February 7, 2017


Ooh, on reflection I should look for radiocontrolled now... Economist, eh? Perhaps people are upstairs after all!
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 11:24 AM on February 7, 2017 [1 favorite]


Alas, the radiocontrolled of 5pm is not in the same self-described state at 7pm!
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 11:28 AM on February 7, 2017


I made it!
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 12:01 PM on February 7, 2017


Well now, that was a success! I think first Tuesday of the month could work well for me, although not next month.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 2:34 PM on February 7, 2017


Great to see those who came out and sorry I missed those who couldn't. Hope to see you at the next one.
posted by radiocontrolled at 2:36 PM on February 7, 2017


For the record, I make no refutations of radiocontrolled being good-looking, but sans visible economist my verdict was: easily missed!
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 3:12 PM on February 7, 2017


Glad you all had a good time. I was already double-booked tonight even if I hadn't had to cancel everything and sit at home with a cold. Hopefully be at the next one or April's.

Just so we're clear on this: the policy in general is that the first person to get there carries a magazine with a picture of someone throwing a molotov cocktail on the front, right?
posted by ambrosen at 4:15 PM on February 7, 2017 [2 favorites]


I think any fake Banksy will do, ambrosen!
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 12:02 AM on February 8, 2017


Even with a number of ill people who couldn't make it, that was a very successful regular meetup.
I was late, and monstrously sleep deprived, but everyone else made up for it by being witty and interesting throughout.

I think booking the upstairs space makes a lot of sense. I will try and do that for next time.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:36 AM on February 8, 2017 [3 favorites]



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