DC Meetup

posted November 30, 2011 3:40 PM | |

Fri December 9 at 7:15 PM, The Getaway

1400 Meridian Pl NW, Washington, DC, USA (Map & Directions)

I'd definitely be interested (and keep hopefully looking at the meet-up side bar for the opportunity to go to my first). I can do the 9th but not the 10th.
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 5:06 PM on November 30, 2011

The Passenger is a short walk from both Chinatown and the Convention Center Metro station - MeFi librarians (and fellow travelers) met up there last year, and it was a good fit.
posted by ryanshepard at 6:46 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

That was a good meetup, and I love the Passenger on its off days, but my experience has been that it's very loud and crowded on the weekends.
posted by EvaDestruction at 7:15 PM on November 30, 2011

The 9th works for me.
posted by anotherpanacea at 3:16 AM on December 1, 2011

The 10th is also out for me, but Friday the 9th sounds good.
posted by exogenous at 4:31 AM on December 1, 2011

Yes please! Will also have to vote for the 9th.
posted by zennie at 4:40 AM on December 1, 2011

I think this sounds great, 9th or 10th should both be fine.
posted by nickgb at 5:37 AM on December 1, 2011

what time/ how late will this shindig go? i usually work until 6 or so, but could be there by 830-9. i'm coming from harrisburg.
posted by sio42 at 5:40 AM on December 1, 2011

Hmm. I'm actually taking the 9th off so I won't be downtown, but might make it in for a meetup. The 10th is out for me though.
posted by JoanArkham at 5:49 AM on December 1, 2011

(I don't suppose anyone would go for after work/happy hour on the 8th?)
posted by JoanArkham at 5:50 AM on December 1, 2011

I could probably make either the 9th or 10th.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:18 AM on December 1, 2011

sio42: Historically, DC meetups start before 7 and go til maybe 10. But we've gone plenty later for Fri/Sat meetups.

Still need suggestions for places.
posted by zennie at 6:24 AM on December 1, 2011

+1 to The Passenger. One of my favorite bars in DC.

Alternatively, I've been hearing good things about The Getaway in Columbia Heights.
posted by schmod at 6:42 AM on December 1, 2011

Assuming I can make it, anywhere Metro-able is fine. I do like the Passenger, but not sure what it's like on a Friday.
posted by JoanArkham at 7:05 AM on December 1, 2011

Thanks for suggesting something -- finding the local MeFi crowd has been on my list of things to do since moving to the area this summer. Unfortunately, I have a dress rehearsal on Friday the 9th and a concert on Saturday evening (out in the 'burbs).
posted by QuantumMeruit at 7:22 AM on December 1, 2011

I'd be up for a meetup. The 10th would be better for me, but I could probably make one on the 9th.

I've haven't been to the Passenger on a Friday, but when I recently suggested it to a friend she expressed the same opinion as EvaDestruction. Then again, I would imagine that is going to be an issue for most places on a Friday or Saturday evening.

Also the Chinatown/Convention Center/Penn Quarter is both central and convenient to the metro, but I'd check to see if anything is going on at the Verizon Center. If there's a hockey game or other event taking place that night, all the surrounding bars and restaurants will be packed pre-event.
posted by kaybdc at 8:05 AM on December 1, 2011

The Passenger is good, but we may have a capacity issue unless enough people get there earlyish and grab the corner tables.

Thinking about Chinatown makes me want asian food. Been meaning to go back to Malaysia Kopitiam (near Farragut North/West).
posted by zennie at 8:09 AM on December 1, 2011

You really don't want to go to the Passenger on a weekend. Yes, every place is more crowded then. But it's a small venue with an even smaller bar. As in, can't move out of the spot where you're standing, plan on waiting 45 mins near the bar for the chance to order a drink.
posted by decathecting at 8:10 AM on December 1, 2011

Oh yeah, the Caps are playing at home on Friday the 9th.

The Malaysian place sounds good. I've been wanting to go to RFD and it looks like they have lots of space, but it's pretty close to the arena and I have no idea if it will be packed with hockey fans.
posted by exogenous at 8:36 AM on December 1, 2011

Iron Horse is also around there and was generally good the couple of times I've been there.
posted by Copronymus at 8:37 AM on December 1, 2011

I'd love to see you all again (it's been forever.) I can't do the 8th but both the 9th and 10th work for me. The Caps are indeed playing a home game on the night of the 9th, so prepare for everything to be swamped in Chinatown, but I believe RFD takes reservations, and it hs the kind of space to accommodate us, so we could probably make reservations there.

I adore The Passenger but it's just probably not the right fit for this one.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:39 AM on December 1, 2011

I can't do Dec. 10, but Dec. 9 would be perfect.

Ironhorse will be close to the Verizon center crowds, but I think they also take reservations. (Also, they're so huge that I've never seen them unbearably packed.) It's a 7pm game, so if we do a 7:30 start it should have cleared out pretty significantly.
posted by mercredi at 9:32 AM on December 1, 2011

A reservation at RFD or Ironhorse sounds like a good idea.
posted by zennie at 9:52 AM on December 1, 2011

This seems to be out of the "people need to express interest or it won't happen" phase, but I'll go ahead and express interest both for myself and my wife.

I like Ironhorse as a suggestion because of the size, and because it seems a a little less likely to packed because of the game than say Rocket Bar. On the other hand, pretty anything that's 1) a bar and 2) Not in Virginia will make me happy, and if I offer any other input it will just be "come to the bar closest to my house."
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 9:59 AM on December 1, 2011

Well, this level of interest is a pleasant surprise! So December 9 looks pretty definite, and Iron Horse sounds like a good venue. Since the game starts at 7:00 and happy hour ends at 8:00, should we aim for 7:15? Does anyone feel strongly about starting earlier?
posted by EvaDestruction at 10:16 AM on December 1, 2011

Only thing to note about Iron Horse is there's no food on the menu. It's BYO or delivery.
posted by zennie at 10:40 AM on December 1, 2011

Thanks for the catch, zennie. I would like to put in a preliminary reservation this weekend, since there's strong interest, so I've (hopefully successfully) made a Google Docs form for voting on location and time. I've left out the Passenger (it really is a zoo on weekends, it's like an entirely different place than it is earlier in the week) and Rocket Bar, since that didn't get any nibbles, but included the other options suggested so far.

I don't want to shut the door to any great venue suggestions, so if you have one, there's still time to bring it up.
posted by EvaDestruction at 11:29 AM on December 1, 2011

Ooh Columbia Heights is good!
posted by anotherpanacea at 11:58 AM on December 1, 2011

Either day works for me. It would be nice to go somewhere we can hear ourselves, and Iron Horse and RFD are both pretty loud. How about Barrel and Smoke, above Asylum? Dickson Wine Bar? Blackbyrd? Dodge City? The Saloon? Chi-Cha?

We could go to the Islander for caribbean food and karaoke.
posted by oneironaut at 12:25 PM on December 1, 2011

YAY! I am super excited about this; it feels like it's been forever since I've seen MeFites (except my husband and my roommate who I see all the damn time) and I'm pretty pleased about the idea of some grown-up time (I teach second grade). Awesome awesome awesome.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 2:53 PM on December 1, 2011

I'm in; the 10th would be better than the 9th but can still make it either day, I think.
posted by _cave at 3:23 PM on December 1, 2011

I'm in! Either day would work for me. The Malaysian place sounds intriguing, but I'd be up for anywhere metro-accessible.
posted by photo guy at 4:25 PM on December 1, 2011

Yay voting! I voted but I'm not positive I can come. If anyone can gaurantee mrmoonpie will be there tho I'm 100% in.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 4:27 PM on December 1, 2011

Then I will activate the MoonPieSignal.
posted by exogenous at 5:26 PM on December 1, 2011 [1 favorite]

I can put in a tentative yes for the 9th and 10th!
posted by TheMidnightHobo at 5:46 AM on December 2, 2011

Sorry, can't promise anything that weekend--a (very weak) maybe, at best.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:01 AM on December 2, 2011

probably can come...
posted by k8t at 7:11 AM on December 2, 2011

Was in the Chinatown area last night (Thursday) around 5:30pm. Caps fans everywhere! RFD had a 45min wait for two people. Capitol Heights or The Saloon options are looking better and better.
posted by zennie at 7:34 AM on December 2, 2011

I can't access the Google doc while at work, but DCist just had a great happy hour upstairs at the Big Hunt. I think there might be a fee involved with getting the upstairs skee-ball room reserved, but we might just be able to take it over...no one from the DCist group even went into the reserved room, everyone just hung out at the bar/patio.
posted by JoanArkham at 8:03 AM on December 2, 2011

Capitol Heights or The Saloon options are looking better and better.

Do you mean Columbia Heights? I'd support (and voted for) the Columbia Heights option; I'm not sure how many takers you'd get for a meetup in Capitol Heights.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:58 AM on December 2, 2011

The hubs (playertobenamedlater) and I are in, for anywhere!
posted by timetoevolve at 10:02 AM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]

Do you mean Columbia Heights?

Yes.
posted by zennie at 10:51 AM on December 2, 2011

Big Hunt has excellent beer, a large menu, and a lot of room. It's a little cheesy, but great for gatherings.
posted by oneironaut at 12:32 PM on December 2, 2011

Also, I go to Malaysia Kopitiam all the time, it's near my office. Food is very good, and they have beer and drinks. Large groups go there all the time.

For that matter, we could go to Sichuan Pavilion, which is also perfect for large groups and has great food for social eating.
posted by oneironaut at 12:34 PM on December 2, 2011

Also, I go to Malaysia Kopitiam all the time, it's near my office. Food is very good, and they have beer and drinks. Large groups go there all the time.

For that matter, we could go to Sichuan Pavilion, which is also perfect for large groups and has great food for social eating.

I have to say, I've never been as big a fan of the meetups that happen at places that are less bars and more restaurants. I appreciate that people want to be able to order food, but I think bars work better for this sort of think than restaurants.

That said, I've never been either place you mention so I have no idea where they stand on the continuum
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 1:03 PM on December 2, 2011

I think bars work better for this sort of think than restaurants.

This is pretty sensible. Once the group is over six or seven it's good to be standing so you can get a chance to talk to everybody.
posted by anotherpanacea at 1:13 PM on December 2, 2011

Hey! You kids get off my restaurant lawn!

Any results in the poll?
posted by zennie at 2:02 PM on December 2, 2011

Hey joanarkham, I could meet you for happy hour on the 8th. :)

Dunno if I can make it on the 9th. I will try!

I also say yes to a bar with food as opposed to a restaurant.
posted by frecklefaerie at 2:51 PM on December 2, 2011

Hey all, sorry for the radio silence, work was crazy today. I was able to get a quick look at the poll results at lunch, and The Getaway and 7:15 had solid leads. The 9th is the clear winner for the date. Will confirm later tonight, when I'm not on my phone.
posted by EvaDestruction at 3:21 PM on December 2, 2011

Oh, didn't even notice this had transitioned from Proposed to Upcoming meetup.

Thanks EvaDestruction!
posted by zennie at 8:52 AM on December 3, 2011

Thank you so much! I am really excited to see MeFites I haven't seen recently and to meet new people. Hooray!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 9:02 AM on December 3, 2011

Thanks EvaDestruction. From the update: the meetup will be on December 9th, 7:15 at The Getaway.

If you're reading this in Recent Activity you should click through and RSVP.
posted by anotherpanacea at 9:18 AM on December 3, 2011

Thanks, anotherpanacea. It was late last night when I updated, and I didn't think to comment, as well. I've put in a reservation, but please do RSVP so I can adjust it if needed later in the week. Looking forward to seeing everyone!
posted by EvaDestruction at 2:23 PM on December 3, 2011

Looking forward to seeing and meeting everyone!
posted by playertobenamedlater at 12:23 PM on December 5, 2011

Will be there for sure with Mr. Arkham but maybe a bit late.
posted by JoanArkham at 5:00 PM on December 5, 2011

AHHH, nuts, I'm going to be coming into town on the 13th.

Is the DC meetup scene active enough to have another one between the 13th and Christmas?
posted by Blasdelb at 7:27 AM on December 6, 2011

I plan to be there.
posted by Navelgazer at 11:00 AM on December 6, 2011

Blas, it depends if these people are even weirder in person than they are online. If so, then yes, I'll be down for another.
posted by oneironaut at 5:19 PM on December 6, 2011

I'm probably not going to make it up to Columbia Heights on Friday so I'd be open to another meetup later, maybe at Trusty's
posted by exogenous at 7:55 PM on December 6, 2011

i'm very excited! i don't work on friday so i am going to be able to make this for sure.
this will be my first meetup of mefites!
posted by sio42 at 12:06 PM on December 7, 2011

Blasdelb - we can make it happen, probably. I was so excited to finally attend one of these...but it's my office xmas party on the 9th. Wah.
posted by troika at 2:34 PM on December 7, 2011

I have posted another meetup if folks are interested!
posted by Blasdelb at 2:47 PM on December 7, 2011 [1 favorite]

I went over to The Getaway this evening to see what they can do with a group of one to two dozen or so, and they have a lounge area upstairs that's perfect for mingling and hanging out. It might be a little tricky if everyone shows up at right at 7:15 wanting a full dinner, but I didn't think that was terribly likely to happen, so I asked the manager to hold that space for us. If you're asked, the reservation is for MetaFilter. See you Friday!
posted by EvaDestruction at 6:17 PM on December 7, 2011

I'll try to make it.
posted by whoaali at 8:31 PM on December 7, 2011

Completely missed this thread until now, but seeing as the Getaway is literally at the end of our block I can pretty much guarantee that fontophilic and I will be there. And yay for this being our first meetup since we've been (back) in DC!
posted by malthas at 9:55 AM on December 8, 2011

I am going to try ... wow first meetup.
posted by Cocodrillo at 3:05 PM on December 8, 2011

ugh, i came down with either really bad allergies or some sort of cold, so i wont make it after all. :(
posted by sio42 at 5:38 PM on December 8, 2011

Yeah, I really, REALLY wanted to come but I got sick and I feel AWFUL. Mr. Pterodactyl will probably still come though, and I hope everyone has a really good time.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 5:29 AM on December 9, 2011

Sorry to hear that, sio42 and Mrs. Pterodactyl. Hope you're feeling better soon. Did you see the meetup Blasdelb proposed for the 21st? Something to keep in mind!
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:35 AM on December 9, 2011

Sorry everyone, but Mr. Arkham is stuck at work...by the time he gets home and we get back into the city it's going to be way too late. Won't be able to make the pub quiz either. Can we do something after the new year???
posted by JoanArkham at 2:40 PM on December 9, 2011

Goddamnit! Why am I just seeing this NOW? I'll try and hit up the one on the 21st, just two blocks away, yay.
posted by kinsey at 7:04 PM on December 9, 2011