A plain-old meetup?

posted October 26, 2011 8:12 AM | |

Sat November 19 at 5:00 PM, Horse Brass

4535 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR, USA (Map & Directions)

I'm game. And, anywhere the beer's good and it's not so loud we can't hear each other's BS. Oh, and available via bus or MAX.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:34 AM on October 26, 2011

Sounds great!
posted by Prince_of_Cups at 9:36 AM on October 26, 2011

Horse Brass? Only been there once. Appears to be on a bus line.
posted by mimo at 10:08 AM on October 26, 2011

Horse Brass? Only been there once.

Only if the bagpipers are going to be there, right Greg?

I thought it worked pretty well the last time we went there.
It may have been a little out of the way for some, however.
posted by nickthetourist at 11:04 AM on October 26, 2011

I only thought of it because I often pass it on my way home from Caldera.
posted by mimo at 3:27 PM on October 26, 2011

I've been wanting to go there since Nick claimed it had some of the best fish and chips in town.
posted by curious nu at 5:02 PM on October 26, 2011

Let each suggest a location convenient unto him or herself, and verily, we shall put it to a vote.
posted by mimo at 5:21 PM on October 26, 2011

Forsooth and prithee, I shall stick to my initial "vote"; also Horse Brass is fine by me - with or without pipers.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:50 PM on October 26, 2011

re: pipers: If there's a boisterous Celtic and/or sea shanty group I'm going to be singing along.

Take that as a pro/con as you will.
posted by curious nu at 7:21 PM on October 26, 2011

re: pipers: If there's a boisterous Celtic and/or sea shanty group I'm going to be singing along.


Remember that our phones are also recording devices.

Horse Brass seems to be the place.
Now we need a date and time....
I'm thinking November 12, 19, or 26.
posted by nickthetourist at 9:17 PM on October 26, 2011

Hey everybody, I just wanted to say that the Horse Brass is very nice and indeed has excellent fish and chips.

Also I like to go to meetups and will probably go to this one
posted by maqsarian at 11:31 PM on October 26, 2011

Another great place is the Lucky Lab - especially the one in NW. I say this because the Lab has excellent beer, and their tables are very long, meaning we could easily come together as a group.
posted by 2oh1 at 12:03 AM on October 27, 2011

I work roughly thirty meters from the NW Lucky Lab. Seconded the long tables, and it lends itself nicely to gaming, should the event arise. It'd be nice to have a very local meetup if we're talking about a Friday. Otherwise, wherever works. It's been a while. I miss you guys.
posted by geckoinpdx at 1:26 AM on October 27, 2011

Related: Lucky Lab NW is just a few short blocks from line 17 (2: 21st and Quimby) and the streetcar (4: 21st and Northrup).
posted by geckoinpdx at 1:28 AM on October 27, 2011

can't on the 12th. lucky lab is fine, we've been there before sucessfully.
posted by mimo at 5:18 AM on October 27, 2011

Everybody should bus or drive up to Nopo and we can have a meetup that fills up the Sundown Pub right near my house. It's like having a meetup at my house except I don't have to clean the house!

Or we could go somewhere convenient I guess.
posted by cortex at 7:26 AM on October 27, 2011

I need to have non-toddler/non-work interactions. Someday I'll make it to a meetup again... Someday...
posted by togdon at 8:03 AM on October 27, 2011

So, now we have choices of:

Lucky Lab in NW
Horse Brass
Sundown Pub

If only we had a vote option....
posted by nickthetourist at 8:12 AM on October 27, 2011

Does Sundown really have a table type space for lots of people? If we were to do the N Portland/St. Johns thing, I think we should go to Plew's Brews, since they have:

1. a weird green and purple/stoner decor
2. tons of awesome beers on tap
3. large tables conducive to groups or games

Bus lines- at least the 75, 4, 17, 44- there might be others within a few blocks.
posted by Secretariat at 9:31 AM on October 27, 2011

togdon, what location/time of week would work best for you?
posted by Secretariat at 9:32 AM on October 27, 2011

True, actually. Plew's is kind of awesome.
posted by cortex at 9:32 AM on October 27, 2011

Yes! Any place is fine, but I can't do the 12th. The other dates in November are fine.
posted by dchrssyr at 9:47 AM on October 27, 2011

Plew's sounds interesting, but their ratio of IPAs to drinkable beers seems a bit....err....really high to me.
This could be related to my fiery passionate hatred of IPAs.

My vote is for Horse Brass on the 5th or 19th.
posted by nickthetourist at 10:48 AM on October 27, 2011

The Horse Brass is excellent, but how do you do a meetup where there are tons of tiny scattered tables. Can they be bunched together? Is the Horse Brass that kind of place?
posted by 2oh1 at 11:02 AM on October 27, 2011

@ 2oh1 - I think that's how we did it last time. Overall, I thought it was a great place for a meetup. The food is good, and the beer selection is near exceptional.
posted by nickthetourist at 11:04 AM on October 27, 2011

This could be related to my fiery passionate hatred of IPAs.

I still call geographic bias!

However, seasonally, I think we're headed to dark beer territory anyway :)
posted by iamabot at 2:24 PM on October 27, 2011

Well there's ostensibly a Shakespearean meetup thingy on the 5th except it might just be me going, so, uh, 19th or 26th for my votes. Don't care where. Am happy to shuttle people from eastside to wherever if needs be.
posted by curious nu at 4:34 PM on October 27, 2011

later in the month is better. if not now, plew's or lucky lab next.
posted by mimo at 5:56 PM on October 27, 2011

I vote for the 19th as being (maybe) less likely to conflict with people's Thanksgiving plans the following weekend. Any of the suggested pubs are fine with me.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:22 PM on October 27, 2011

Thanksgiving

Wait what? *looks at calendar*

Yeah okay, 19th.
posted by curious nu at 6:49 PM on October 27, 2011

I still call geographic bias!

All because I can't stand the so-called signature brew of the NW and curse its over-abundance at EVERY bar and pub? Whatever!

Anyway, it sounds like we have a date: Saturday, November 19th.

Should I make the executive decision for a venue?
posted by nickthetourist at 8:09 PM on October 27, 2011

Honestly, the very next day I was over at kennedy school in the cigar section of the joint and all they had was IPA on tap, and I immediately thought, son of a bitch, he's right.
posted by iamabot at 8:14 PM on October 27, 2011

@ iamabot - That's what I'm talking about....and it's unfortunate that I'm right.
posted by nickthetourist at 8:35 PM on October 27, 2011

Moon and Sixpence?
posted by fiercekitten at 8:52 PM on October 27, 2011

Proposal: All of these locations seem like viable alternatives. Since we intend to make this a semi-recurring thing, perhaps we should just load up the queue and start working our way through. We could alternate between east and west of the river. Since Horse Brass seems to have some general support at this time, I propose we set the 19th for that location and Plew's, Lucky Lab NW, and any other likely westside comers can fight it out for the next slot.
posted by mimo at 7:14 AM on October 28, 2011

IT IS A SOUND PROPOSAL
posted by cortex at 8:05 AM on October 28, 2011

Thank you, mimo, for taking control.

Date and time are set.
posted by nickthetourist at 8:10 AM on October 28, 2011

No, a "sound proposal" is "You should turn the music up louder."
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:10 AM on October 29, 2011

"lower the reverb"
posted by mrzarquon at 7:15 PM on October 29, 2011

"Needs more cowbell."
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:16 PM on October 29, 2011

Agreed with the sound. Turn it up. Thanks mimo for taking control, and my vote for next time will be Lucky Lab NW.
posted by spherical_perceptions at 12:59 PM on October 30, 2011

You better come to this, Portland. We know you're out there. This one doesn't have scary board games or people lurking with instruments in basements or anything weird, promise.
posted by curious nu at 4:41 PM on November 1, 2011

nu, you threatened to sing sea shanties. The rest of Portland will be hanging out in dive bars.
posted by mimo at 8:12 PM on November 1, 2011

...listening to some Billy Joel-wannabe grinding out "Piano Man" for the umpteen-jillionth time to a grim uncaring audience...
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:19 PM on November 1, 2011

Yes but that was only if the place would HAVE sea shanties. I don't think the Horse Brass will possess such refined entertainments; thus are we all diminish-ed.
posted by curious nu at 9:20 PM on November 1, 2011

Unless the experience is augmented by bagpipes like it was last time.
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:00 PM on November 1, 2011

You're not helping, Greg.
posted by mimo at 5:02 AM on November 2, 2011

The thing about bagpipes is that it's hard to sing over them, on account of their majesty.
posted by curious nu at 7:14 AM on November 2, 2011

Also they're usually quite tall, what with those long drones sticking up. It would be easier to sing around or under them.

You're not helping, Greg.

Then my work here is done now...
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:38 AM on November 2, 2011

It would be easier to sing around or under them.

Their majesty just keeps getting in the way.
posted by curious nu at 4:50 PM on November 2, 2011

Her majesty's a pretty nice bag but she hasn't got out of the way.
posted by cortex at 4:55 PM on November 2, 2011

Meanwhile nickthetourist is too preoccupied trying to get its pajamas off to sing at all.
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:15 PM on November 2, 2011

Hello, non sequitur! TMI, Greg.
posted by mimo at 5:22 PM on November 2, 2011

Semi-sequitur! I was harking back to nick's joke about an octopus and a set of bagpipes.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:07 PM on November 2, 2011

Meanwhile nickthetourist is too preoccupied trying to get its pajamas off to sing at all.

I am NOT an octopus.
posted by nickthetourist at 7:41 PM on November 2, 2011

Semi-sequitur! I was harking back to nick's joke about an octopus and a set of bagpipes.

Ah, yes, the love that dare not drone it's name.

I am NOT an octopus.

Methinks he doth protest too much.
posted by mimo at 7:50 PM on November 2, 2011

I've always said you can't trust an octopus - they're slippery creatures.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:04 PM on November 3, 2011

That's what the pajamas are for!
posted by Secretariat at 12:46 PM on November 3, 2011

Or is that what slippers are for? I can never remember.
posted by Secretariat at 12:47 PM on November 3, 2011

Wear footie pajamas and you're (literally and conceptually) totally covered.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:57 PM on November 3, 2011

I've always said you can't trust an octopus - they're slippery creatures.

I consider being likened to an octopus a compliment. They are one of my favorite animals.
posted by mimo at 1:03 PM on November 3, 2011

DON'T LET MIMO GET DRUNK OR SHE'LL WANT TO FIGHT
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:53 PM on November 3, 2011

This explains so much.
posted by curious nu at 3:10 PM on November 3, 2011

Wait, now I'm the octopus in this scenario?

at this rate no one new will ever come to one of our meetups
posted by mimo at 3:57 PM on November 3, 2011

I'm starting to wonder if y'all should be allowed in public anymore....
posted by nickthetourist at 5:15 PM on November 3, 2011

After all the meetups you've been to, you're just now starting to figure that out?
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:26 PM on November 3, 2011

Horse Brass is good for me but 5:00 typically is not. I'll check in on the thread around 7:00-8:00 and try to pop down for the later part if possible.
posted by churl at 5:58 PM on November 3, 2011

After all the meetups you've been to, you're just now starting to figure that out?

The suspicion has been growing.

@churl - definitely check in. Chances are good we'll still be there.
posted by nickthetourist at 6:14 PM on November 3, 2011

yeah, by 8:00 I won't even be looking for anyone to fight yet.
posted by mimo at 8:00 PM on November 3, 2011

But at 8:02 it's battle royale!
posted by nickthetourist at 9:43 PM on November 3, 2011

TheDonF and I can't make it: we'll be on a plane flying to England. Where we will probably go to an actual English pub. Have fun!
posted by Specklet at 3:37 PM on November 4, 2011

Though, on consideration, since it's a weekend, earlier might be possible. I guess I will see you when I see you and if the giant fight is already going when I get there I'll just jump in and start swinging wildly.
posted by churl at 4:16 PM on November 4, 2011

Okay, elder PDX-mefites, you have to answer: does Specklet really exist, or is this just some elaborate practical joke of cortex's? I was all ready to believe the latter, but he's been spending all his time making Jesus-generators so maybe he has an alibi.
posted by curious nu at 6:46 PM on November 4, 2011

We have been sworn to secrecy.

There is no cartel
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:16 PM on November 4, 2011

...Ni.
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:17 PM on November 4, 2011

Actually, there is a cartel; it's run by the cabal. However, there is no cabal.

Specklet does exist. If you are pure of heart, she will appear before you. If you do not see her, look into your own heart for the cause.
posted by mimo at 7:47 PM on November 4, 2011

If you do not see her, look into your own heart for the cause.

Well, hell.
posted by curious nu at 8:49 PM on November 4, 2011

Specklet does exist. If you are pure of heart, she will appear before you.

No wonder we haven't seen her in so long....

And based on the recent conversation, cartels and the like, I'd say you're all experiencing Illuminati withdrawals.
posted by nickthetourist at 9:21 PM on November 4, 2011

I'm sorry, nick, this is the plain-old meetup post. Please restrict your game-related comments to the games meetup post.
posted by mimo at 9:30 PM on November 4, 2011

Please restrict your game-related comments to the games meetup post.

They overlap now....because....because I say so. So there.
posted by nickthetourist at 9:33 PM on November 4, 2011

> Where we will probably go to an actual English pub.

Well, then you should go to the Princess of Wales, the Horse Brass's official sister pub in london. The portrait of Princess Diane in the Horse Brass resided there until it was sold to the Horse Brass to hang over the bar. I'm serious.
posted by mrzarquon at 10:56 PM on November 4, 2011

mimo: Actually, there is a cartel; it's run by the cabal.

Tomayto, tomahto...
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:09 AM on November 5, 2011

If you are pure of heart, she will appear before you.

Hee hee, I'm most amused. I exist, I swear, although sometimes I wonder if we aren't all figments of Cortex's imagination...
posted by Specklet at 1:03 PM on November 6, 2011

Portland people: does anyone know mediocre/is anyone able to get in touch with him to make sure he gets to an emergency room?
posted by phunniemee at 6:26 PM on November 8, 2011

I'm glad mediocre was located and I hope he got/is getting the care he needs.

In other news: fish fish fish chip chip chip.
posted by mimo at 12:30 PM on November 13, 2011

Lurkers who've never been to one of these things are welcome?

(You better be nice, the last time I went to an internet meet up [Yelp, Boston] I was so nervous that I ended up being escorted to the T at the end of the night out of sheer necessity.

And now I've gone and made myself out to be a nervous drunkard. Whoops.)
posted by seesaw at 11:47 AM on November 16, 2011

And now I've gone and made myself out to be a nervous drunkard.

You sound like just our kind of people, seesaw!

Though a fairly small set of meetup regulars seems to have developed, that's purely by chance. We're by no means exclusionary and lurkers and frequent contributors alike are always welcome. I think it's safe to say that all (or at least most) of us would like to meet more of our fellow PDX MeFites.

And hey...beer.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:41 PM on November 16, 2011

Yes, fresh meat! Um, no, fresh faces, that's what I meant!

Please, at least drop by and say 'hi'.
posted by mimo at 1:23 PM on November 16, 2011

Yes, fresh meat!

Oh, mimo, what has happened to you?
posted by nickthetourist at 4:22 PM on November 16, 2011

But seriously, any and all MeFites are welcome.
The more the merrier.
posted by nickthetourist at 4:29 PM on November 16, 2011

Oh, mimo, what has happened to you?

I haven't changed, you just know me better.

Seriously, I enjoy the company of the people who show up regularly, and those who show up infrequently, and would like to meet more Portland Mefites.

don't be mad at me, nick
posted by mimo at 5:25 PM on November 16, 2011

don't be mad at me, nick

We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.
posted by nickthetourist at 8:52 PM on November 16, 2011

What's a nice kid like mimo, doin' in a place like this?
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:15 PM on November 17, 2011

Ah, it turns out I'm not going to make it this time...

(And no it's absolutely not because of anything that mimo may or may not have said... Fresh meat, really!?!)
posted by spherical_perceptions at 5:15 PM on November 17, 2011

Can I blame the kickboxing?
posted by mimo at 7:44 PM on November 17, 2011

Can I blame the kickboxing?

That's a little weak, but sure.
We'll say you were high on endorphins or something. Like they were making you feel aggressive.
Yeah, that's it, endorphins!
posted by nickthetourist at 5:20 PM on November 18, 2011

meetup meetup meetup
posted by maqsarian at 3:40 PM on November 19, 2011

Probably be there around 6
posted by churl at 3:54 PM on November 19, 2011

6 or 6:30ish
posted by iamabot at 4:41 PM on November 19, 2011

Checking in bit early, on the right as you enter.
posted by 0bs01337 at 4:53 PM on November 19, 2011

ETA: ~30 minutes.
posted by mimo at 5:11 PM on November 19, 2011

Current darts scores, 214 199 147 179
posted by 0bs01337 at 7:52 PM on November 19, 2011

14 2 45 3 Scores unchanged for the last 5 rounds
posted by 0bs01337 at 8:18 PM on November 19, 2011

Wonderful evening! I still worry I came away paying for one less drink than I owed for, despite my best efforts to the contrary -- if you suspect you paid for an extra beer let me know and I'll insist on making you whole
posted by churl at 9:09 PM on November 19, 2011

Two less, actually; or at least that's what I paid for. You complete me.
:-)
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:43 PM on November 19, 2011

Apologies for not bringing my fresh-meatiness. Next time when I don't have a ton of Thanksgiving company I will quash my shyness and turn out with bells on.
posted by seesaw at 9:54 PM on November 19, 2011

Thanks to nick for the suggestion of Horse Brass!

(fish fish fish chip chip chip)
posted by curious nu at 10:11 PM on November 19, 2011

Thanks to nick for the suggestion of Horse Brass!

Excuse me?
posted by mimo at 10:19 PM on November 19, 2011

seesaw, stay fresh and we'll see you next time.
posted by mimo at 10:19 PM on November 19, 2011

Thanks to nick for the suggestion of Horse Brass!

You'll need to direct all thanks to mimo.
I merely supported her suggestion.

@seesaw - No worries. There's another opportunity in the near future.
posted by nickthetourist at 10:42 PM on November 19, 2011

Excellent meetup!
posted by iamabot at 10:51 PM on November 19, 2011

Quite the scam you're running here, Ace. I'll pay you for two but only because I am trying to improve my beer karma.
posted by churl at 1:50 PM on November 20, 2011

(Above was meant in pleasant jest, hopefully that came through)
posted by churl at 4:29 PM on November 20, 2011

It did, and usually this sort of thing all evens out in the long run. No worries.

I had fun hanging out with everyone last night and got into some great conversations. Looking forward to the next one!
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:19 PM on November 20, 2011