Vancouver Planning Thread May 5, 2009 8:02 PM Subscribe
We need to pick a date and time between July 17 and July 19 and a location.
Somewhere with wifi and close to transit would probably be best (as well as the selected location having food).
I suggest the Friday or Saturday as the better evenings - or maybe even Saturday late afternoon into evening so that if we are webcam-ing, we can better synchronize with the East-coasters. posted by birdsquared at 9:49 PM on May 5, 2009
Yah, finally another Vancouver meetup! What's the etiquette for spamming Vanfilter-ites regarding this event?
18th and 19th work better for me, but the 17th isn't a dealbreaker.
Does anyone have location suggestions?
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is being held that weekend. There's also a (very) expensive "Outstanding in the Field" UBC Farm dinner that Sunday. posted by porpoise at 10:51 PM on May 5, 2009
Would it best to make this the single west BC meet-up, or set up a separate one for the island? posted by ageispolis at 3:44 PM on May 7, 2009
I can do either. If there are enough people in Victoria I could do that. posted by mock at 8:12 PM on May 7, 2009
Any of those dates work for me. Something not horribly expensive would be good. posted by stray at 2:04 PM on May 8, 2009
So, Portland is meeting up on Saturday from 6 to Midnight, so if we pick the same time frame, we can easily be video-present. I don't know anything about this place "The Pound", but it is close to the Stadium Skytrain station, has beer and food (seems not to be too expensive) and has free wi-fi. There's a No Doubt concert scheduled for the night of the 18th of July, so a sports bar shouldn't be too crowded in that location. Whaddya think? Should I check with them that they can accommodate our little group of 5-12 (currently). posted by birdsquared at 9:29 PM on May 8, 2009
Sounds good, I'll plan to be there. posted by russilwvong at 11:56 PM on May 10, 2009
I will definitely be there and I can do any of the suggested dates. posted by jokeefe at 3:27 PM on May 12, 2009
Oh wait, you're saying Saturday-- need to read the thread first. Okay, Saturday, at the... Pound. posted by jokeefe at 3:28 PM on May 12, 2009
If I may-- if everybody votes for the Pound, I'm happy to go there, but I'd really prefer someplace without huge television screens. *smiles winningly* posted by jokeefe at 3:29 PM on May 12, 2009
Afraid I don't know downtown well enough to suggest alternatives. There's a pub at Library Square, but it also has giant TVs. The Nelson Cafe (where we met when jessamyn was in town) appears to be a live music venue. posted by russilwvong at 5:46 PM on May 12, 2009
jokeefe - please feel free to recommend one or more alternatives. I did not suggest the Pound from any personal experience, I simply searched for a place with free wifi, somewhat near a Skytrain station. We are, after all in the "planning" stages. No determinations have yet been made (we're still yellow on the map, not blue). posted by birdsquared at 8:16 PM on May 12, 2009
I will try to make it to a Van meetup, but I would also be interested in a Victoria/Gulf Islands meetup. posted by KokuRyu at 10:45 AM on May 13, 2009
Library Square, Steamworks, or Yaletown Brewing are all good venues. Steamworks is probably the best of the bunch for a meetup with YBC a close second.
I've worked within a few blocks of The Pound for four years now and not once has anyone suggested going there. That's not to say it is bad, just that it doesn't seem to be a popular venue.
Either way though, if I'm in town, I will attend. posted by stp123 at 12:55 PM on May 13, 2009
I'll try my best to make the Van meetup but one in Vic would be sweet. posted by 913 at 11:59 PM on May 13, 2009
stp123, could you go by the Pound sometime soon (maybe on a break or something) and check it out - see if it would work. I like Steamworks, but it is a little on the more expensive side, and might perhaps be difficult to arrange for our meet-up on a weekend night.
What do the rest of youse think? posted by birdsquared at 12:39 AM on May 14, 2009
We've had a Vancouver MeMe at Smiley O'Neals once (link may not be working right now) that worked out pretty well. 'round the block from Burrard Skytrain and four blocks from Waterfront. Quietish, not too expensive, and I like the decor.
I've never been to The Pound, but the pictures and menu look good to me. If I have a vote, I'd vote against Steamworks or Yaletown Brewing for something like this. I'm ambivalent on Library Square. posted by porpoise at 4:50 PM on May 14, 2009
I'm in for wherever, and am preparing to become DaShiv of the North, so look good because I'll be shooting you. In the face.
I called the Pound, and they can accommodate us from 7PM to closing on the 18th, and they confirmed that they have free wifi.
Steamworks does have the space at the moment as well, but described themselves as being "busy" that night, already, so if we want to go there, we should decide on that relatively quickly.
porpoise, does Smiley O'Neals have wifi? Website's down, so I can't check. posted by birdsquared at 3:01 PM on May 15, 2009
The Atlantic on Davie is pretty cool, too. And it comes complete with surly, tattooed staff that'll shoot you the stink-eye all night. Just like home! I don't recall there being a huge screen in their back room, either. Somehow I doubt they have wi-fi, but it's another option along the lines you guys are talking about. I imagine the Railway is out of the question on a weekend, but that place is awesome. Last time I was there Toad from American Graffiti was in there getting completely blotto.
Also, just a question to you longer-term Vancouverites: I was out with work folks a month back and we went into this place that was completely unmarked, just a metal door in the side of a building. Inside was a really nice little bar, really packed. Unfortunately by then I was in no state to know what street I was on. Where and what was that little speakeasy? Being exposed to this place hasn't helped me overcome the feeling that there's a secret underground Vancouver where all kinds of fun things happen. posted by Hoopo at 5:50 PM on May 15, 2009
Crap. Scratch that, looks like the Atlantic is moving to Robson & Beatty on Canada Day so I don't know how easy it will be to book anything. posted by Hoopo at 5:53 PM on May 15, 2009
I called the Pound, and they can accommodate us from 7PM to closing on the 18th, and they confirmed that they have free wifi.
It sounds like it'll work for vid streamers, beer swillers, and appetizer eaters alike. And it's next to BC Place, so skytrain-accessible. Parking.... Well, there's no game (http://www.bclions.com/schedule/year/2009/1), it's downtown, but it's probably better than Robson Street. The reviews say "...there's parking (omg)!"
I've walked past it, it's pubby, and quieter than steamworks. There's a patio to if it's not raining that day.
I'd vote for this one. posted by sleslie at 10:55 AM on May 16, 2009
Something not horribly expensive would be good
Not from around here, huh?
But yeah I've been to the Pound. Basically your standard sportsbar/pub; serves pub food and beer and they have a patio if it's a nice day. Which is to say, I'm in. posted by Hoopo at 4:58 PM on May 16, 2009
The Pound it is. We have a reservation for the 18th of July from 7:00 PM to midnight (or thereabouts, they are open until 1:00 AM). Hope to see you there. posted by birdsquared at 5:15 PM on May 16, 2009
Barring unforseen events, I will be there. posted by seawallrunner at 9:28 AM on May 17, 2009
Thanks for making the arrangements, birdsquared. posted by jokeefe at 10:09 AM on May 17, 2009
I don't know if anyone's still reading this but Hoopo: sounds like you went to the The Narrow - Main @ 3rd. posted by doublesix at 11:16 PM on May 19, 2009
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posted by birdsquared at 9:49 PM on May 5, 2009