MeFi IRL

I regret I never made it to a Chicago Goat meetup. But I may actually make the trip from the north suburbs to meet one of my favorite London mudlarkers, Nicola White, who is coming to town to meetup with Brycefoot, who does Geocaching and related stuff locally. I don't know how much this might appeal to some of my local Mefites - or even if it doesn't - if you want a reason to get out for a bit, then come on out! [more inside]

Protest Chicago Supporting Organizations: Chicago for Abortion Rights, Chicago NOW, Gay Liberation Network, IL NOW, Women's March Chicago & others [more inside]

My spouse and I are planning to attend the Lincoln Park Zoo's Adults Night Out event on June 26. Tickets are $20 and may sell out. We'll be socially distanced, wearing masks, and fully vaccinated. The venue looks like it should be reasonably safe, perhaps aside from lines for the cash bar. If anyone else is interested in going, it would be fun to meet up in person.

First Wednesday will shortly be upon us. Less than a fortnight. You should prepare. And join us at Carol's Pub, sometime after 5:00pm for $5 dollar burgers, $5 dollar craft beers and at least 5 friendly faxes. foxes. faces. Many of us will be in for the long haul and stay through karaoke (which starts at 9:00 pm). Others will not. You choose your own adventure.

Screw it--Carol's has a really great $5 burger and craft beer specials on Wednesday. AND then Popup Karaoke starts later in the evening. Join us! Or don't. It's up to you, but we're charming, really. [more inside]

I'm executive-decisioning this one. L&L Tavern, after work, say 6ish? I'm five minutes away, so if you're going to make it to L&L earlier, let me know and I'll join you. We'll head to Carol's Pub around 7pm or 7:30 for a karaoke fundraiser for Sarah's Circle, a nonprofit that provides homeless or at risk women with food, clothing, shelter, housing and clinical services for domestic violence and trauma. [more inside]

After a few months of trying elsewhere, we're returning to the Billy Goat for this first Wednesday because 3 years ago we were here for the Cubs winning the World Series and also we haven't found a better permanent place. I'll be there after work around 6 and we'll be there for a few hours probably and then I'm planning on heading up to Carol's Pub for karaoke and burgers. [more inside]

Sadly, the trivia night interfered with our new alternate First Wednesday plan. So we are trying another new thing this month! We hope that means some new faces! Kite String Cantina at 1851 W Addison (Addison at Wolcott). Sometime after work, say 5:30? [more inside]

Rescheduled after sickness & questionable weather caused an eleventh-hour cancellation of our originally planned event: We had so much fun going to all eleven stops of the #11 Bus Beer Explorer Passport in a single day in 2016 that we did it again the next year. We missed organizing one last year, and the #11 bus no longer exists, but we're going to recreate the crawl on foot or other methods of transportation for 2019. [more inside]

UPDATE: At least two of us are now sick, it's starting to rain, and we're going to push this to a different day (TBD). [more inside]

It's First Wednesday again already! We're going to mix things up a little this month and try a new location very close to our traditional location. Meet us at the Red Star Bar inside Whole Foods Streeterville (255 E. Grand) for food and drink and excellent companionship. [more inside]

After work, we shall nonetheless gather at the Goat on this, the First Wednesday of August 2019. Tiny beers, grilled meats, unexpected party room complications! Wheel of Fortune. Internet jukebox. All this can be yours, if you join us. [more inside]

I will be in Chicago for a week starting tomorrow 8/1, because I have to retake the stupid blasted exam that kept me from graduating med school because it was misadministered. First Wednesday meetup on 8/7! [more inside]

Happy 20th! Chicago-area Mefites will celebrate with a picnic in Smith Park, on the West Side. [more inside]

First Wednesday is upon us, which means it's time for the monthly Chicago meetup at the Billy Goat Tavern! [more inside]

Anyone going to this thing and care to meet up and stand around together? I have been trying to talk myself into going because I know I will be very happy I made the effort. I will be traveling solo from Evanston, a thing I do rarely and awkwardly, and attempting to arrive between 4 and 4:30. [more inside]

It's World Environmental Day and also Arbor Day in New Zealand, so since we can't go plant some trees there sadly, let's drown our sorrows for fellowship, beers tiny and otherwise, and hopefully Wheel of Fortune. I'm also commandeering this time to discuss what Chicago will be doing for Metafilter's 20th anniversary in July. Eventually, we'll dismiss to karaoke if the last ~10 years are anything to go by. [more inside]

Goat Milk Goddesses - a new music improv team formed with my classmates. We'll improvise a short musical. There's an opening non-music improv act. You get what you get. [more inside]

Extra ticket: Read all about it. [more inside]

I’ll be in Chicago next week and I’d love to meet everyone! Details inside. [more inside]

So First Wednesday being on May 1st means it absolutely snuck up on me. Let's celebrate International Workers' Day by meeting at the Billy Goat under Michigan Avenue and striking up conversation. [more inside]

It's maybe-springtime and another First Wednesday is upon us. Let's gather for fellowship under Michigan Avenue at the Original Billy Goat. I'd love to see your face!

Greetings, Sapients! Forsooth, thar be a First Wednesday a-brewin'! Get it? Brew? Beer? Brew? Beer? Bruins? Beer? Aight? Pip pop, Cheerio, Wheaties, wot wot, and a few other m in the area of the car as it left the scene in the middle of the night and I was wondering if you had any experience with the right promotion program and how to palm coat gloves or something like that and a full size if you are able to fit them in around then and would like to be able to make it right on the right hand side of the street from the event that you are near the entrance to the entrance to the entrance to the entrance, breaker, breaker, breaker, end keyboard suggestion mouthfart cascade, ten-four good Computar, five by five, Tea, Earl Grey, Hotpants, tiny Bears, bear Cubs can't use bridges, you insensitive clods! Hope that helped! Your mileage may vary, ta ta for now. [more inside]

It's the 102nd anniversary of Zsa Zsa Gabor's birth. Celebrate by slapping a cop joining us at the Billy Goat for our monthly revelry. [more inside]

The First Wednesday of 2019 is soon upon us. Join us at the Goat for companionship and strange new tiny beers. We really would love to see your face, Don't be like Lyft drivers--don't look for us on Upper Michigan; we'll be on Lower. (Goddamn calendars) [more inside]

Hello friends! I’m in town for an interview, and am sticking around through next week. I’d love to meet up with folks (anyone know of a good bar trivia night?) UPDATE: We’re on for Riddle Me That on Tuesday evening!

So at some point, post-daylight savings but pre-New Year ten long years ago we settled into a comfortable routine of drinking tiny beers and eating greasy grill food on the First Wednesday of every month in one another's splendid company. This is the closest you're getting to an anniversary event. We hope you'll join us. There might be cake. Or swag. Or nothing at all. [more inside]

I've heard through the grapevine that there's been discussion of the Chicago non-cabal taking a field trip out to Elgin - I am more than happy to facilitate! See inside for some options. [more inside]

I have no clever title. But I will have a drink. See you Wednesday, after work at the Billy Goat Tavern on Lower Michigan Avenue. We'll decamp 8ish, 9ish, for some sort of karaoke shenanigans. I don't know what.

So though the Second Saturday Second City Stand-Up Sanity Check Committee has been silent for a few months (though I know many of us have not been inactive), the Long Room (which has hosted us many times) and 5 Rabbit Brewery are hosting a benefit for Chicago Votes. Let's hang before the weekend [more inside]

OH MY GOSH! FIRST WEDNESDAY IS THIS WEDNESDAY! ALARUM! ALARUM! As always, we'll be starting at the Billy Goat on/under Michigan Avenue for tiny beers and gigantic bathrooms. Afterward... we'll just have to see.

First Wednesday is nearly upon us! Cheap grill food and beers at the still weirdly upgraded Original Billy Goat Tavern. Then karaoke for what is rumored to be the last time Angela's last First Wednesday behind the bar at Live Wire Lounge. She's delightful and so are you. Plus, it's a short work week--what do you have to lose? Join us, won't you?

Come have dinner at my place 8/28 from 7-10 and we'll also write postcards to get out the vote, and tell our elected officials what we think. [more inside]

The Millennium Park Summer Film Series is showing movies (again) at the Pritzker Pavilion - bring a cheese plate or a bottle of something, a blanket to sit on, and be prepared to be EMOTIONALLY DESTROYED, courtesy Pixar. [more inside]

The calendar has pulled that trick again where First Wednesday falls on the first of the month, which is...this week! That's very soon, but there's still time to make plans to join us at the Original Billy Goat Tavern for tiny beers and excellent company. Even if - especially if! - you haven't joined us before, we'd love to see you on Wednesday. [more inside]

Seven teams enter, one team leaves with a prize. Plus there's food. And an excuse to hang out in a bar this Saturday. [more inside]

Join us for an ice cream social at the Village Green Park in Northbrook! Bring a picnic, or buy a hotdog, and have some ice cream. Park features shady grassy areas, picnic tables, and a great playground if you bring the kids! (The small McGees will be there.) Hang out and chat with the grownups, or rediscover your inner child on the playground (we won't judge). 1 block from Metra, free parking for drivers. [more inside]

We tried and failed to come up with an alternate plan R Bar Chicago (Renaldi's bar annex) for First Wednesday which happens to be this miserable shitheel of a country's birthday celebration.There is no Live Wire karaoke that night, but we think Shakers on Clark in Lakeview/Boystown will have karaoke for those who enjoy. If not, trivia starts at R Bar around 9 pm. [more inside]

Man, it's hot. Next week may not be so hot. But next week will be First Wednesday. Join us at the Original Billy Goat Tavern (Lower level Michigan Avenue), after work, for beers and stuff. Then join us after the Goat for karaoke and stuff at Live Wire Lounge (3394 N Milwaukee Ave). [more inside]

It's first Wednesday! Join us for beers, burgers, bonding and the Original Billy Goat Tavern. It might even be warm enough to make the trek to Live Wire for karaoke bearable!

Yes, it's open again. The Press tells us it now has spacious spa-like bathrooms. No shit! Or shit! Whatever. Join us, won't you? [more inside]

As everybody who wrote postcards to voters until their hands cramped last month, the Illinois Primary is March 20th. Let's get together and discuss any questions we might have about the candidates and where our loyalties lie. Also BRUNCH! [more inside]

First Wednesday is almost upon us, which means it's time for the monthly Chicago meetup! [more inside]

Medieval Times in Schaumburg is now ruled by a queen. We must show our fealty. [more inside]

Yes, we're still doing our American political hellscape support group. This month, again, we've got postcards. I should have gubernatorial primary postcards for Biss and some GOTV for Roskam's district. We meet at the Long Room! Feel free to bring a friend. We meet, talk politics, support one another in our efforts to Resist & Persist. Drink and eat. [more inside]

The Goat is not yet reopened, but First Wednesday is next week. We will decamp to LiveWire for Metahound karaoke around 10, but where should we drunken first? We have agreed that Monk's Pub is a good place for the drunkening. Hope to see your faces there!

Wednesday, January 3rd is the first first Wednesday of 2018. Let's make it happy. Join us at Monks Pub in lieu of the Original Billy Goat Tavern with their crazy new beers because renovations. Then wander with us (quickly! though. It's cold) to LiveWire for something special.

First Wednesday is next week! Apparently the Goat has changed how it does beer! But we have not changed how we do fun--it's still good and you should join us! [more inside]

And we've made it through all 17 of the years that have passed since last November somehow. In the oldest tradition of Second Saturdays, let's get together on the Third Saturday to commiserate and even celebrate what we can. [more inside]