Friday July 17th - Pub Night - Duke of York, Marylebone

I'll be there.

Might I also suggest that this one of the events, given that it's in a private space with (apparently) internet-type facilities, would be a good one for attempting some sort of extra Awesomeness - if anybody's got any clever suggestions. We probably can't stretch to a video wall with live satellite link-ups to every other MeFi party around the world, but, you know, something like that. Only not wildly impractical.
posted by flashboy at 10:28 AM on May 12, 2009

I'll most likely be at this one. And if any Londoners have recommendations for a hotel nearby, I'm all ears.
posted by triggerfinger at 11:54 AM on May 12, 2009

Not sure I can attend the other events but I'll be at this one!
posted by vacapinta at 1:53 AM on May 13, 2009

Yay! I'm well up for this. Can we bring/make music?
posted by freya_lamb at 7:37 AM on May 13, 2009

flashboy: Twister?!
posted by freya_lamb at 7:38 AM on May 13, 2009

Yes, I believe there is a sound system. Will confirm closer to the date.
posted by Optamystic at 8:36 AM on May 13, 2009

I'm not sure how early I can be in the UK since I'll be working that day back home in the Netherlands.
posted by jouke at 9:31 AM on May 13, 2009

I'm a 'maybe' for this. Sounds great though.
posted by MrMustard at 9:36 AM on May 13, 2009

I'm in for this.
posted by garius at 9:53 AM on May 13, 2009

I'm in.

flashboy, if you want a video wall, we can make a video wall. Although frankly I'd rather sit around and get drunk.
posted by chrismear at 12:51 AM on May 14, 2009

Will it be like sliver for metafilter?
posted by doobiedoo at 9:02 AM on May 14, 2009

What, me sitting around and getting drunk? Maybe.
posted by chrismear at 10:47 AM on May 14, 2009

I'll be there. Also Mogulus.
posted by johnny novak at 10:41 AM on May 18, 2009

irrelevant sidenote: Mogulus changed its name today to Livestream - always thought the name was a little odd.
posted by johnny novak at 7:47 AM on May 19, 2009

I'm in.
posted by sueinnyc at 2:29 PM on May 21, 2009

Sign me up.
posted by lucidium at 3:53 PM on May 22, 2009

My presence is exceedingly likely.
posted by fordiebianco at 12:12 AM on May 27, 2009

I'll be there.
posted by atrazine at 3:59 AM on May 28, 2009

I will *attempt* to make a triumphant, late entrance at around 10.30, but can't promise anything.
posted by Jofus at 6:02 AM on June 3, 2009

I'll do my best to attend this one. Put me down as a 'maybe'.
posted by essexjan at 9:41 AM on June 7, 2009

I've been roped in to lighting a play that week, but I'll endeavour to get to the pub following final curtain circa 10pm. Do you know what time the pub'll be chucking folk out?
posted by freya_lamb at 1:07 PM on June 20, 2009

Sounds like fun! I've got it diarised (in ink) :D
posted by KMH at 7:34 AM on June 29, 2009

I booked the flight.
Bier in Londen!
posted by jouke at 8:46 AM on June 30, 2009

Well, if the Edinburgh meetup doesn't pan out (and it looks like it probably won't), then I might try to go to the London one. I'd have to take the day off work, though, so it depends on whether that's possible...
posted by klausness at 4:12 PM on July 1, 2009

I'm in for this. Being relatively newly registered, though a lurker for years, how is everyone intending to recognise each other, and am I alone in not knowing anyone else?
posted by Biru at 8:06 AM on July 7, 2009

We'll work out how to recognise eachother in this thread in the days right before the meetup. Probably the organiser will take the lead in this.
posted by jouke at 11:03 AM on July 8, 2009

Upgrading myself from 'maybe' to 'yes'.
posted by permafrost at 6:55 AM on July 9, 2009

We'll work out how to recognise eachother in this thread in the days right before the meetup. Probably the organiser will take the lead in this.

Carnations in buttonholes, surely?
posted by Happy Dave at 3:16 AM on July 10, 2009

Oh and also, for the the Friday we have a room booked in the pub I believe, so it should simply be a case of asking the bar staff where that is. Once you've met a few people on the Friday, it'll be a cinch to recognises the same group on the Saturday and Sunday (I, for one, will be doing my best go to at least 2 out of 3, if not all of them).
posted by Happy Dave at 3:17 AM on July 10, 2009

OK, since Edinburgh doesn't seem to be happening, I'm going to try to take half a day off work and go down to London for the Friday night meetup.
posted by klausness at 4:35 PM on July 10, 2009

Also upgrading from maybe to yes. For identification purposes I might be wearing what some might consider to be a mildly offensive t-shirt.
posted by i_cola at 12:18 PM on July 11, 2009

Ok, guys, no pressure, but we are the first mefi meetup.
posted by vacapinta at 1:24 AM on July 13, 2009

I'd expect Asia and Australia meetups to be the first...
posted by jouke at 4:03 AM on July 13, 2009

Not if they're starting theirs on Saturday evening.
posted by chrismear at 4:44 AM on July 13, 2009

Yeah, looks like we're after Hong Kong, after all.

Japan and NZ are having meetups but theirs are on Saturday.

We're still the first "big" meetup.
posted by vacapinta at 5:01 AM on July 13, 2009

I'm going to organise a meetup on the continent after all. We'll be first!
posted by jouke at 8:56 AM on July 13, 2009

We also got a shoutout in the Metro this morning. Scary stuff.
posted by garius at 1:32 AM on July 14, 2009

Can you provide a link?
posted by jouke at 5:16 AM on July 14, 2009

Metro link
posted by vacapinta at 5:45 AM on July 14, 2009

Don't appear to have previously commented but I aim to be showing up, if anyone's trying to figure out numbers etc.
posted by edd at 7:27 AM on July 14, 2009

I'm having a beer tonight to celebrate already. And to train for this upcoming pub night with you Brits. You have this awe inspiring reputation of being the binge drinking specialists of Europe!
posted by jouke at 9:59 AM on July 14, 2009

I'm having a beer tonight to celebrate already. And to train for this upcoming pub night with you Brits. You have this awe inspiring reputation of being the binge drinking specialists of Europe!

Nah - that's the Poles these days.

Drinking on an empty stomach, mind, is something at which we are indisputably the champions of the world.

Why? Because decades - indeed centuries - of having pubs that served booze unparalleled, yet thought that a stale toasted sandwich was the height of culinary delight, has left the stomachs (and heads) of the humble British worker hardened as iron to the horrors of drinking-whilst-empty. After all, there's no time to grab dinner between leaving work and arriving at the pub on a Friday night, and a tuna sandwich that's been breveled with the filling already in it is worse than no tuna sandwich at all.

The presence, since the 60s, of the world-wonder that is the post-pub kebab only further developed this unique trait - for why eat early when there's the seductive promise of a cheeky donner later?

Now, of course, this alcoholic ability faces a double threat. On the one hand gastropubs mean that for the first time a Briton can actually get a decent pint and a tasty meal at the same time and, on the other, the alcopop fruity beverages preferred by Chavs render them drunk and fighty before they even realise it.

Both threats mean that the ability to drink more than a couple on a friday evening without acting like an utter tit is becoming a rarer sight.

For now, however, we remain the best empty-boozers out there, and on Friday night I suspect you will witness several MeFites, without thinking about it, demonstrate this remarkable skill - and you will be awed.

Rule. Bloody. Britannia.

_{Um. I probably won't be one of them though. There's a really nice chippy just off Baker Street that I was going to pop into on the way if I got the chance.}
posted by garius at 12:19 PM on July 14, 2009

Eh. I guess I was thinking of the Scandinavians then.
posted by jouke at 12:48 PM on July 14, 2009

See you there.
posted by honest knave at 1:06 AM on July 15, 2009

I've just spoken with the staff at the pub, and they said they do not have any facilities for music, so if we want tunes, we'll need to bring our own. Anyone have a decent set of portable speakers? I'll be bringing my crappy ones, but any improvement would be most welcome.
posted by Optamystic at 8:55 AM on July 15, 2009

Music? But what about your traditional drinking songs then?
posted by jouke at 10:00 AM on July 15, 2009

I'll probably be there.
posted by cbrody at 10:07 AM on July 15, 2009

so, are we all going to wear reddit shirts with name tags?

FB
posted by fordiebianco at 10:27 AM on July 15, 2009

Festivities!
posted by Edwahd at 11:11 AM on July 15, 2009

Ooh, I'll come to this.

And Biru - I don't know anyone either. But who knows, maybe these Internet People will be ok!
posted by Hermione Dies at 9:07 AM on July 16, 2009

so, are we all going to wear reddit shirts with name tags?

No, we all have to wear a label with our user number on it. Optamystic will be on the door, and if your number's too high, you're not coming in.
posted by essexjan at 2:13 PM on July 16, 2009

N.B. She really does mean just the label.
posted by chrismear at 2:55 PM on July 16, 2009

Eeek!
posted by i_cola at 3:56 PM on July 16, 2009

Ooh! I've kind of filtered out the 'Metafilter is turning ten' thing because it's been there so long. I got bored and decided to click on it, and lo and behold, it's tonight (nearly 1am fo' real on Friday). I am very tempted!

Has anyone been to a MetaFilter meetup before? What should I expect? I'm 21… how old is everyone else? Ahh! I'm sure I'll be fine, after all — it is a pub!
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 4:56 PM on July 16, 2009

Oh, it's so on.

Who's ready for beers n' cheers?
posted by Happy Dave at 11:53 PM on July 16, 2009

Has anyone been to a MetaFilter meetup before? What should I expect? I'm 21… how old is everyone else? Ahh! I'm sure I'll be fine, after all — it is a pub!

Your thought process here indicates that you'll fit right the fuck in.

(I'm 28, but I look, oooh, 27-ish.)
posted by flashboy at 12:42 AM on July 17, 2009

I'm 27. I'd be willing to bet the age range will be pretty broad, fairly sure we've got a few 40s and 50s London Mefites coming along at some point over the weekend.

But we're all Mefites!

Alcohol, cake and curry will take care of the rest.
posted by Happy Dave at 1:28 AM on July 17, 2009

*crying 41-year-old*
posted by i_cola at 2:32 AM on July 17, 2009

22 over here. You won't be the only one there without a pension. Unless you do have one, in which case I will be.
posted by Edwahd at 3:42 AM on July 17, 2009

Now now, i_cola, we all know the story about the boy who cried 41-year-old. One day the 41-year-old actually came, and... Well, you know the rest.
posted by chrismear at 4:22 AM on July 17, 2009

I'll be there tonight! I'm that magical age of 30.
posted by CRM114 at 5:17 AM on July 17, 2009

I won't be there at 6pm though - probably more like 9pm. You guys will still be there, right? Somebody want to follow me on Twitter so we can DM?
posted by CRM114 at 5:20 AM on July 17, 2009

Is there a telly? I'll be arriving not far off 6 and wouldn't mind catching up with The Ashes highlights :-)
posted by i_cola at 5:49 AM on July 17, 2009

Me and my 27.8 years will be there around 6:30 or 7, I suspect. Possibly with a red shirt and nametag.

Or beer. I forget which.
posted by generichuman at 6:10 AM on July 17, 2009

You'll be pleased to know there's a special Metafilter page for cricket fans. It's right here.
posted by cillit bang at 6:15 AM on July 17, 2009

sorry, gotta pull out last minute. Real life interfered.

Mea culpa,

FB
posted by fordiebianco at 6:20 AM on July 17, 2009

CRM114, the chances of us calling it a night early doors and leaving before 9 are, I think it's fair to say, slim.
posted by flashboy at 6:58 AM on July 17, 2009

Just to be safe, here's the information for the pub:

Duke of York
45 Harrowby Street
London
W1H 5HT
0207 262 9129

My phone number is 07887991900
My name is Daryl
posted by Optamystic at 7:14 AM on July 17, 2009

Yeah, I didn't figure on this being an early night but you never know. Optamystic, I'm following you back on Twitter!
posted by CRM114 at 7:32 AM on July 17, 2009

What's your NI number and mother's maiden name?

Just in case I need it for... um... stuff...

On a slightly more serious note, I don't work that far away from the pub so will probably be there ridiculously early (by 6pm I'd have thought).

So if anyone gets there and sees only some shaven-headed scruffy bloke hanging around, don't worry - its not the crazy local wino, it's just me.
posted by garius at 7:32 AM on July 17, 2009

I won't hold your scruffiness against you garius, as long as you tell that queue jumping story with lots of wild hand gestures.
posted by Happy Dave at 8:05 AM on July 17, 2009

We are planning to be in the pub around 8 o' clock.
posted by jouke at 8:38 AM on July 17, 2009

Ooh a dart board AND the cricket! with these facilities ambassador you are spoiling us!
posted by garius at 10:14 AM on July 17, 2009

Dang! I just called the pub and they'll be closing at 11. I'm not going to be able to hotfoot over in time. Ah well. Catch you sunday instead.
posted by freya_lamb at 10:20 AM on July 17, 2009

We'll be streaming video for a while at least. The WiFi here leaves something to be desired. Clicky
posted by Optamystic at 11:04 AM on July 17, 2009

Well I had fun...
posted by i_cola at 4:09 PM on July 17, 2009

An excellent night. I really enjoyed it. We even had the obligatory "Is it 'meh-fee' or 'mee-fie'?" debate without which no London meetup is complete.

It's Mee-Fie.
posted by essexjan at 5:04 PM on July 17, 2009

Agreed.
posted by Happy Dave at 5:06 PM on July 17, 2009

I am eating an ill-advised chicken burger. I blame all you bastards.
posted by flashboy at 6:21 PM on July 17, 2009

Swear to god, this 'chicken' has never run squawking round a farmyard in its life. I doubt it's even flapped forlornly in a battery farm cage. Pretty sure it may have been manufactured in a trough in a lab in an anonymous research centre somewhere outside Hilversum.
posted by flashboy at 6:27 PM on July 17, 2009

Also, what the fuck is with this bread? Is that vulcanised rubber or something?
posted by flashboy at 6:28 PM on July 17, 2009

I feel ill. Brilliant night.
posted by flashboy at 6:45 PM on July 17, 2009

Well you only have yourself to blame, Flashboy. Not 100 yards from the pub is the Edgware Road, which sells the finest Middle Eastern food you can find in the UK, so if there was any night that should have ended with a kebab, it was last night, but no, you have to go and have a chicken burger instead. Make your bed, lie in it, etc.
posted by essexjan at 11:29 PM on July 17, 2009

I had a good time with you people. Next time we'll meet up in NL.
Some pictures.
posted by jouke at 1:42 AM on July 18, 2009

Seconding essexjan - you were in the middle of Little Lebanon and you went for the Chicken Burger option?!

Excellent night - thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone.
posted by garius at 2:36 AM on July 18, 2009

Thanks for a great night all! Enjoy the rest of the weekend's meets, those able to go.
posted by edd at 2:51 AM on July 18, 2009

Great times, everyone.
posted by Optamystic at 4:17 AM on July 18, 2009

well done Optamistic!

(Fuck that has to be the worst shot of me ever, jouke, I even know what I was saying to Ms Vacapinta at the time, it was that kind of conversation! about my bloody arrogant Spanish Prof in Leon telling me to go practise my Portuguese down the red light district, really, you had to be there!)

I had a great time, hope we see some of the shout-out pics too?
posted by Wilder at 5:54 AM on July 18, 2009

London, England — Organizer: Optamystic

Friday July 17th - Pub Night - Duke of York, Marylebone
May 12, 2009 4:12 AM Subscribe

London, England — Organizer: Optamystic

Friday July 17th - Pub Night - Duke of York, Marylebone May 12, 2009 4:12 AM Subscribe

Friday July 17th - Pub Night - Duke of York, Marylebone
May 12, 2009 4:12 AM Subscribe