Milwaukee Planning Thread May 6, 2009 8:53 AM Subscribe
We need to pick a date and time between July 17 and July 19 and a location.
I'm living in Illinois but I'm Milwaukee born-and-raised and I'm just a little over an hour away from the city.
I very much enjoyed the Paddy's Pub location from the 2008 meet up. It's got both indoor and outdoor action as well as areas for non-smokers.
Also, it's awesome.
But I'm up for pretty much anything. posted by quin at 9:12 AM on May 6, 2009
I am not attached to any place in particular. I do like that neighborhood a lot and would prefer to stay downtown/east side. Was the music distracting? posted by desjardins at 10:42 AM on May 6, 2009
Also, it will almost have to be Saturday or Sunday in order for me to attend, so I'm not driving 2 hours from work > home > Milwaukee. posted by desjardins at 10:44 AM on May 6, 2009
Was the music distracting?
Nah, there's a couple of different rooms and the one we were in had the music on only really quietly. Conversation wasn't a problem at all. Though if we wanted to sit outside, that might be a different story.
I would think Saturday the 18th would be the best all around choice as I figure the most people will be free and able to attend, but we'll have to see what everyone else prefers. posted by quin at 11:57 AM on May 6, 2009
Paddy's was pretty cool. We should be living back in Milwaukee by then so I'd definitely be up for attending. posted by drezdn at 4:29 AM on May 7, 2009
If we don't put one together here in Madison (we should, there are definitely enough people to make it happen), I can *maybe* make it to this one. It mostly depends on if I can catch a ride or what the weather's doing. posted by rocketman at 11:22 AM on May 7, 2009
Might go to Milwaukee, would go to Madison. posted by escabeche at 5:42 PM on May 7, 2009
Looks like I can't put myself as a maybe for two different meetups. Anyway, I live near the Illinois/Wisconsin border and spend my weeks working near Chicago and my weekends in Milwaukee so which meetup I attend (if any) depends on how the scheduling shakes out. posted by indyz at 2:38 PM on May 8, 2009
Put me down as a maybe for the meetup. The 18th is right smack in the middle of my super busy weeks at work. It's hard to make it out for cocktails when you're workin' 80 hours, but if I can make it, I will. Just let me know when and where. posted by aine42 at 6:55 PM on May 10, 2009
If we do the 17th, I could get my pre-drink on at Rascals next to Paddy's. I'm game for either Friday or Saturday unless if something comes up. Drinking on Sunday is just weird. But I'm pretty metropolitan Milwaukee, most popular bars are just a hop skip and a jump away. My only concern for Paddy's for that weekend would be just how busy they get, but I don't get out enough to know. And hell, if they do get busy, I've never seen more than 2 other people in Von Trier's, just down the street. _ever_. posted by Kyol at 12:33 PM on May 13, 2009
Drinking on Sunday is just weird.
Are you sure you're from Milwaukee?
I could get my pre-drink on
Ah, I see that you are. posted by desjardins at 1:51 PM on May 13, 2009
OK, so Chicago has settled on Saturday. Was anyone planning to try and attend both Milwaukee's and Chicago's? I am not married to the idea, but if there are others who want to attend both, I'd be happy with having Milwaukee's on Sunday. Or I suppose I can take Friday afternoon off if that's the consensus. posted by desjardins at 8:47 AM on May 15, 2009
Curses! We shoulda put down dibs for Saturday _first_ and beaten those darn Chicagoans to the punch. I'm pretty preference free, honestly, although Sunday would be less likely to rage late into the night, but if it's a nice day drinking on the patio wouldn't be so bad either. posted by Kyol at 7:17 PM on May 15, 2009
Does anyone have STRONG OBJECTIONS to Sunday? Otherwise I'd like to make that our tentative plan. I realize it's a teensy bit selfish on my part because I'd also like to attend the Chicago meetup, but no one has made the case that it absolutely must be Saturday, and damn, you people are wishy washy :)
I'll give y'all til the end of May, and on June 1st we'll decide. I'm also going to crosspost to the Chicago board and see if there's any interest in coming up to Milwaukee. posted by desjardins at 7:32 AM on May 21, 2009
Eh, y'know, whenever. Will we have to wear HELLO MY NAME IS badges? The MeFi Meetup For Newbies guide ran long. posted by Kyol at 4:28 PM on May 27, 2009
Alrighty, since no one has spoken up, I'm calling it. 6 pm at Paddy's on Sunday, July 19. posted by desjardins at 10:39 AM on June 1, 2009
So it is written, so shall we party like we don't have to work the next day.
I'll be there. posted by quin at 12:03 PM on June 1, 2009
Anyone know how brutal parking in that neighborhood is on a Sunday afternoon? Last time I was down that way I ended up maybe a block north of there, but it was 5:30 on a Friday, right before the Junior Alcoholic Society crush hit. This affects my plus one - I would walk from pretty far away, but she's less prone to enjoy a stroll from Bay View. posted by Kyol at 9:33 AM on June 8, 2009
Kyol, I missed your question in my recent activity. It should not be bad at all, considering it's summer and UWM is not in session. Plus, hourly parking restrictions won't apply on Sundays so you won't have to worry about moving the car. There is a lot across the street, but I don't know to whom it belongs. You can also always take the #21 bus down North Ave. Or, if you don't care about the walk, drop your +1 off at the door and go park, then pick her up. NO EXCUSES!! :)
In other news, mathowie has posted the details about paying our bar tab. I suggest handling it thusly: I will tell the bartender to run a tab for our table up to $50*, which I will pay (and mathowie will pay me back). After the $50 runs out, y'all are on your own.
*This is assuming we have less than 10 people, which seems accurate considering only 3 are confirmed. Only 3? Bangalore has 3 confirmed, ffs. posted by desjardins at 9:30 AM on July 2, 2009
Also also, I don't have to work on Monday! posted by desjardins at 9:31 AM on July 2, 2009
Hi all. Paddy's is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so if we're doing this on a Sunday, we'll need to pick a new location. posted by aine42 at 8:50 PM on July 4, 2009
Crap! That complicates things. I know we are dodging Saturday so that some people can hit multiple meetups, should we go with a different location, or would it be possible to move to Friday night instead?
Given my love for the bar, I'd prefer the Friday option, but given a good enough alternative, I'm game for pretty much any plan. posted by quin at 9:33 PM on July 4, 2009
I'm definitely going to have to back out if Friday is chosen, given that I'll be 2 hours away at six o'clock.
I've committed to bringing something to Chicago's meetup on Saturday, so while I could back out, I'd rather not.
Sooo... I'd prefer to pick another place. I am not attached to any location or neighborhood. If we want to stay in the same area, the Y-Not Y-Not Y-Not is close to Paddy's and has a separate bar upstairs. I'd have to call and see if that is open on Sundays. Downstairs is pretty dive-y. Hooligan's Super Bar is also in the neighborhood, and likewise has an upstairs area. I've only been there once, so I'm not attached to that either. I did my undergrad out of state so I missed out on most of the barhopping years in Milwaukee.
For a totally different idea - Landmark Lanes might be a fun time if anyone wants to do some bowling, air hockey, or pool.
I'd be up for either the Landmark on Sunday, or anywhere on Friday. posted by drezdn at 4:51 AM on July 6, 2009
The only hitch with Landmark is that it tends to be a bit of a dive, but I don't know of anything else that's as group-friendly in the neighborhood as Paddy's for conversations. Well, Von Triers, but their beer selection is sorta specific. On the other hand, everyone knows where Landmark is, and if it's quiet enough on Sundays, we might be able to monopolize the side bar.
(Yeah yeah I'll probably end up coming, I'm just awful at committing JUST ASK MY WIFE heyoooo.) posted by Kyol at 10:15 PM on July 6, 2009
(that said, Landmark is fine with me, and christ if they ever close to (say) clean, the place doesn't smell like it.) posted by Kyol at 10:16 PM on July 6, 2009
Hey y'all, due to some personal life events I'm turning over the reins to quin as organizer for this shindig. I do plan on attending, barring (yet another) crisis, but I really can't have this on my plate right now. Thanks to quin for stepping up. posted by desjardins at 8:25 AM on July 7, 2009
Ok, so we are going to need to make some decisions here pretty soon; Landmark on Sunday sounds like a possibility, my only concern being that there really isn't a great escape from the smoke or noise (though I'm first to admit, I haven't been there on a Sunday in the better part of a decade, so I don't know how much of an issue this is.) I do recall the front bar as being less active than the side areas, though.
Another choice is Paddy's on Friday, but that sounds like it might prevent desjardins from making it, and I'm not keen on any plan that limits our attendance.
I'm not much in the bar scene anymore, so I really don't know; what other choices might be good? If this is like previous meetups I suspect a premium is going to be placed on everybody being able to talk to one another, so finding a bar with an area that is somewhat quiet is probably the biggest factor.
Any final suggestions? posted by quin at 1:39 PM on July 8, 2009
What about the Britt Inn: http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/29226804.html
They're open Sundays. posted by [insert clever name here] at 9:39 AM on July 10, 2009
Or not. I didn't realize it burnt down just recent: http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/48088247.html posted by [insert clever name here] at 9:40 AM on July 10, 2009
Ok, in the absence of a better plan, I'm going to call it; Sunday at 7pm at Landmark Lanes on Farwell.
Landmark has three bars, a bowling area, and an arcade, so I figure we can move as needed to avoid noise and smoke. We will start in the front bar (immediate left after you walk in).
If you have trouble finding the party, MeMail me and I'll send you my phone number so we can marco-polo you to where we are. posted by quin at 7:40 AM on July 13, 2009
Yeah, we've taken over the front bar before. You're still quin, I'll spot you. I dunno if my wif will be along or not, though. posted by Kyol at 8:47 PM on July 13, 2009
If it's anything like it was a few years ago, it should be pretty dead on Sunday night. Can't wait. posted by drezdn at 8:11 PM on July 14, 2009
I'm difficult to miss, as I will almost definitely be the shortest person over 21 in the bar. Or within a 10 mile radius. posted by desjardins at 7:19 AM on July 16, 2009
I'm difficult to miss, as I will almost definitely be the shortest person over 21 in the bar. Or within a 10 mile radius.
heh heh heh posted by Kyol at 2:14 PM on July 18, 2009
She lost last night at the Chicago meetup. I suppose I should have made an actual bet. posted by desjardins at 9:12 AM on July 19, 2009
Ugg... In order to not infect anyone else with whatever is making me sick, I'll be staying home tonight. posted by drezdn at 12:58 PM on July 19, 2009
The wiff and I are running a bit later than anticipated, Mauthe Lake is further up Hwy 45 than I remember. posted by Kyol at 4:54 PM on July 19, 2009
Kyol, his wife, quin, aine42 and I were in attendance. We failed to use up mathowie's $50 at the bar, which is surprising for Milwaukeeans. If I hadn't had a 2 hour drive ahead of me, it might have been a different story.
It was great to meet you guys. Sorry the rest of you couldn't come - there'll be a next time. I vowed that Milwaukee's mefi20 will outshine Chicago's.
(also, sorry for only the one photo - my cameraphone would have sucked inside anyway. quin has one or two more.) posted by desjardins at 10:27 AM on July 20, 2009
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Also, it's awesome.
But I'm up for pretty much anything.
posted by quin at 9:12 AM on May 6, 2009