The New York to Los Angeles Metafilter Goodwill Caravan 2008 May 24, 2008 9:58 AM   Subscribe

Thin Lizzy and I are going to be in Los Angeles the first week of June, scouting for our upcoming move. Howsabout a meetup?

We're going to be apartment-hunting from the 2nd through the 7th, but we were thinking of making the meetup early in the week so we can grill y'all for L.A. tips. Let's say the 3rd? As for location, we're mainly going to be on the West side but are certainly open to suggestion.
posted by Bookhouse to MetaFilter Gatherings at 9:58 AM (84 comments total)

Yea! More east coasters coming out west! I don't feel so alone now!

The 3rd is fine as long as it's after 7pm.
posted by Derek at 10:28 AM on May 24, 2008


Yeah, that'd be cool, especially the west side.

I have to say, though, that I was more excited when I thought that you were accompanying the band on tour or something.

At least give us a "The Boys are Back in Town" or something about the toughest street or jailbreaks…
posted by klangklangston at 10:36 AM on May 24, 2008


The 3rd is a winning idea, especially on the west side.
posted by jmhodges at 12:01 PM on May 24, 2008


PHIL LYNOTT'S NOT DEAD

I'll try to make it -- the 3rd/West side both appear to work for me. I don't know of any good places further west than Tom Bergin's, though, so I'll let others make the suggestion for where to hold this little jailbreak shindig.
posted by scody at 2:00 PM on May 24, 2008


OK, the evening of the 3rd it is. Can a local pick a good place?
posted by Bookhouse at 5:10 PM on May 24, 2008


Oh, and Klang, we'll see what we can do.
posted by Bookhouse at 5:15 PM on May 24, 2008


The boys are back in towooowooowooowoon!
the boys are back, the boys are back
posted by Thin Lizzy at 5:30 PM on May 24, 2008


I'm up for this, particularly if it involves hangin' down at Dino's.
posted by dhammond at 5:49 AM on May 25, 2008 [1 favorite]


Wow, we really, among all of us, only know two Thin Lizzy songs to pull our quotes from?
posted by jonson at 9:00 AM on May 25, 2008


I'm in!
posted by katillathehun at 11:58 AM on May 25, 2008


That's okay, jonson, I don't know any Thin Lizzy songs to pull quotes from. Although, from context, I gather that "The Boys Are Back In Town" is a Thin Lizzy song. I know the refrain to that.
posted by Justinian at 12:58 PM on May 25, 2008


They say people out in Hollywood , they have a lot of style. So I'll be fighting my way back to the meetup.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 4:54 PM on May 25, 2008


Hey you.

Actually, don't believe a word of that. Los Angeles has a bad reputation for being a renegade town where you are encouraged to do anything you want to, some kind of silly, immature utopia for those who love to live. But I've got to give it up, that's probably why I'm fighting my way back and heading southbound after leaving town. Not that I can afford to move back right now, but Hell... it's only money.

Hope the meetup is a wild one. Can't make this one but maybe the next. Are you ready?

XOXOX.

With love, miss lynnster
posted by miss lynnster at 5:49 PM on May 25, 2008 [1 favorite]


Locations for the meetup? Well, we'll want to see the downtown sundown, though that's hard from the toughest street in town. It's no Opium Road, however. Perhaps, while dancing in the moonlight, we might meet an angel from the coast or a soldier of fortune. Dear Lord, I hope we don't find a killer without a cause. We'd have to get out of here, to fight or fall, like warriors. Once the police picked us up, our visitors Romeo and lonely girl would be waiting for an alibi. I told Bookhouse, that woman's gonna break your heart, she likes S&M, a real rock legend.

Anyway, JAILBREAK.
posted by klangklangston at 7:37 PM on May 25, 2008


Yeah, I didn't just derail this thread, I AM a derail!
posted by Thin Lizzy at 7:58 PM on May 25, 2008


(Metatalk-free day)
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 9:18 PM on May 25, 2008


Well, as for locations, sonny, move out to the country. Working too hard can give you a heart attackackackackack. You oughtta know by now.

(Sorry. I couldn't think of any Thin Lizzy, so I brought, um... some Billy Joel.)
posted by katillathehun at 9:46 PM on May 25, 2008


So, uh, is there actually a meetup or just a series of quotations?
posted by Justinian at 11:24 AM on May 27, 2008


Yeah, does someone local want to suggest a location? The third after seven seems solid, so that's the missing link.
posted by Bookhouse at 11:28 AM on May 27, 2008


What do you want? Dinner? Drinks? Dancing?
posted by klangklangston at 12:12 PM on May 27, 2008


*buzzes in* What is "all of the above"?
posted by katillathehun at 12:37 PM on May 27, 2008


Well, there's a pretty great Indonesian restaurant across the street from the kareoke place, but I don't remember if they serve booze. They're also next door to a pretty great vegan place (The Vegan Joint, natch).

There's also a couple of Indian restaurants on Venice that I've been meaning to try, but I don't know if they serve booze either. There's Saints and Sinners for a good drink spot, but they've got no food. There's the Empanada Place, which also has no booze but has amazing empanadas (natch). There's Real Food Daily, off in Santa Monica or Hollywood, both of which have good grub and no booze. There's the Irish Times, which has pretty horrible food and good booze. There's Tacos La Flama, which has tasty Mexican food for dirt cheap and is right across the street from an awesome record store, but no booze. There's California Vegan, which has organic wine and decent food, though the wine's overpriced. There's the Overland Cafe, which has kinda over-priced vegetarian food but apparently really good meat food, and a bar.

There are a smattering of Japanese spots on Sawetelle, but I don't remember which ones are good for vegetarians, and most of them have sake.

So, really, what I'm saying is that if it's gonna be in my neighborhood (which the West Side sort of is), I'd like a little bit more information about what people are up for, so that I can give suggestions based on that.

There's also bowling and a night club called "Plan B" that I've never been to but that has a van that parks on my street.
posted by klangklangston at 12:57 PM on May 27, 2008


Isn't Plan B a "Gentlemen's Club"?
posted by mogget at 3:26 PM on May 27, 2008


I did not realize that, though from that link it's hard to tell whether there's actual nudity or if they just like the idea of having cognac served by women in lingerie.

Honestly, I only really know it because it shares its name with a contraceptive method and that makes it hilarious as a nightclub (that, and the van they park on my street is one of those full-wrap paint/screen jobs).

So… Plan B it is?
posted by klangklangston at 4:05 PM on May 27, 2008


Plan B is a topless bar, owned by the same guy who owns "4play" down the street. A company I used to work for was a vendor to both places, which is the ONLY reason I know that :)

Also in your neighborhood is the Arsenal, which has food and drinks, Lares, which has both, and also the Air Conditioned Lounge, which may or may not have food.
posted by cell divide at 4:12 PM on May 27, 2008


I like the Arsenal for drinks. (Haven't been in ages, since it was still a reasonably authentic dive; I get the sense that it may have become a hipster psuedo-dive in recent years.)
posted by scody at 4:32 PM on May 27, 2008


Arsenal's in Santa Monica, innit? Isn't it one of their British-themed pubs? Or am I confused?
posted by klangklangston at 5:02 PM on May 27, 2008


It's on Pico, just past Bundy -- if it's not officially in Santa Monica, it's within spitting distance.

Not British-themed, just munitions-themed. Also, definitely NOT a vegetarian-friendly place for dinner (which is fine for me, but I know that doesn't work for everyone -- so if others want dinner, please chime in).
posted by scody at 5:13 PM on May 27, 2008


Yeah, yeah, I'm a vegetarian (as is my girlfriend), which is why my suggestions skew that way.

Oh, by the way—the last time everyone was going to the Edison, I shoulda just said that I'd be at The Smell next door, but I didn't know they were so close at the time.

Speaking of which, hey Bookhouse, is this gonna be a music tourism trip too, or just a house-huntin' one?
posted by klangklangston at 5:37 PM on May 27, 2008


House-hunting is the key, but I'm hoping to meet with at least one editor while there, so color me curious. I'm woefully out-of-date on music, mostly writing about movies these days.

As far as the venue goes, I don't drink but I certainly don't mind a bar as the meeting place. Easy, it is.
posted by Bookhouse at 7:49 PM on May 27, 2008


Way to wrangle this one back on track, klangklangston. I appreciate that.

I like Mexican, Japanese, empanadas, vegetables (though I'm not a vegetarian), and booze if that narrows it down. Indian is bad because I have a food allergy that flares up if I eat cumin in large doses.

Also, I would happily go to any bar named "The Smell", or a topless bar, but not a topless bar named "The Smell".
posted by Thin Lizzy at 8:51 PM on May 27, 2008


I really gotta make a better effort to get out to this one, and I will chime in to say the Indo Cafe is REALLY good, but as a communal ordering type place, might be impractical depending on how many are showing up. Or posssibly actually totally practical, as they actually do the risjtafel smorgasbord-type thing for a large party. I actually like the Irish pub around the corner on Motor, which has pub grub of Irish and less Irish persuasions. The karoake place I usually find even more infuriating than most karoake places, and I like karoake, but I also begged out of karoake portion of the last LA meetup that featured it, so take that as you may. I have not eaten at the SF Saloon (more in the neighborhood of Plan B and Arsenal) in ages, but my recollection is that it was spacious and of the requisite quality, though not a destination.
posted by mzurer at 9:43 PM on May 27, 2008


the SF Saloon actually works VERY well for this kind of thing. Spacious, not overly busy, tons of booze and decent eats. Plus it's very Westside.
posted by jonson at 9:51 PM on May 27, 2008


the SF Saloon actually works VERY well for this kind of thing. Spacious, not overly busy, tons of booze and decent eats. Plus it's very Westside.

That's the strongest words in favor of anyplace so far. In the interest of this not going on forever, let's say June 3rd after 7 at the SF Saloon.
posted by Bookhouse at 10:43 PM on May 27, 2008


If anyone is interested, I'm housing a couple of visiting mefi/mofi lads (pmdboi and suomynona) tonight and we are heading out to Little Bar (La Brea and 8th) for beer and pizza delivery tonight around 7/7:30.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 10:53 AM on May 28, 2008


Er, make that more like 8/8:30.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 2:01 PM on May 28, 2008


I'm up for a beer and a slice tonight...I'll try and swing by the Little Bar around then.

As for the 3rd, the SF Saloon is fairly close to where I work, so that's great for me.
posted by dhammond at 3:21 PM on May 28, 2008


SF Saloon is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away from me, but I'll do it because I love you guys. What, this bruise? I... I fell down. It was my fault, really.
posted by katillathehun at 7:31 PM on May 28, 2008


SF Saloon? Good times. I watched UCLA get waxed by Memphis during the Final Four there. Felt kinda bad about it, but not really.

Good burgers, too. Mmm, burgers.
posted by jabberjaw at 11:04 AM on May 29, 2008


Hey, a westside meetup! Another excuse for me to chicken out at the last minute.
posted by Justinian at 3:31 PM on May 29, 2008


I'd like to bring everyone's attention to the World on Wheels roller skating rink in beautiful, pastoral Culver City. They have a little event called Roller Disco. I have attended, and I can confirm that it is fucking awesome. They play a vast array of disco and funk until 2 am, and hold on, it gets better. Upstairs there's a bowling alley! Our troubles are over, dude. In the bowling alley there is, I shit you not, a karaoke bar.

Trifecta.

So roller disco isn't happening on the night this meetup is scheduled for, but I insist, nay, demand that we have a future meetup at roller disco. For reference, I will be wearing this.
posted by mullingitover at 3:42 PM on May 29, 2008


This is a supergood idea that mullingitover just had. Bookmarked for future reference.
posted by jonson at 7:56 PM on May 29, 2008


Just so I'm clear. Are we talking about the San Francisco Saloon on Pico, on June 3rd at 7PM?

Does this officially make the next LA meetup happen somewhere besides the Westside?
posted by Argyle at 7:19 AM on May 30, 2008


Argyle, the answer to your first question is "yes." The answer to your second question appears to be Disco Roller Boogie.
posted by Bookhouse at 3:50 PM on May 30, 2008


zomg I have really really really been wanting to go to that roller disco. I haven't been to one since my high school prom. But I'll go to this other meetup as well. There have also been suggestions that we need to have a meetup where we all get shitfaced at the Smogcutter.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 4:24 PM on May 30, 2008


Sooooooo someone just needs to pick an option?
posted by jmhodges at 1:33 PM on June 2, 2008


I've been of the belief that we were meeting at SF Saloon on the 3rd at 7:00. But now that there's mention of roller disco boogie or Smogcutter, my belief system is shattered. Will somebody confirm where exactly it is that we're meeting or am I gonna have to start whoopin' people with my whoopin' stick?
posted by katillathehun at 2:44 PM on June 2, 2008


let's say June 3rd after 7 at the SF Saloon.
posted by jonson at 3:33 PM on June 2, 2008


Is this still a go?
posted by Space Kitty at 7:49 PM on June 2, 2008


I love how we can always squeeze at least 2 or 3 gatherings out of an LA meetup thread. Now that's economy!
posted by dhammond at 10:57 PM on June 2, 2008


I hope it's still on, don't leave me hanging at the saloon all by my lonesome!
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 11:05 PM on June 2, 2008


How do y'all find the metafilter peeps? Look for the most impeccably dressed and stylishly groomed group present?
posted by Justinian at 11:53 PM on June 2, 2008


Well, I'll be there. Justinian, just look for Scarlett Johansson. We all look like Scarlett Johansson. Even the dudes.
posted by katillathehun at 8:17 AM on June 3, 2008


Um, me and Thin Lizzy are still planning on being at the SF Saloon tonight. We didn't fly across the country for nothing.
posted by Bookhouse at 8:39 AM on June 3, 2008


I'll be there wearing a tie, 'cause it's Tuesday, and on Tuesdays I wear a tie.
posted by Argyle at 9:16 AM on June 3, 2008


Well, I actually know what you look like, katilla. From stting outside your place in my va... uh I mean from previous meetup photos.
posted by Justinian at 10:01 AM on June 3, 2008


Sweet! See you all at 7.
posted by jmhodges at 10:23 AM on June 3, 2008


I'll be there, wearing a purple dress. (I guess it's purple. Dark magenta? Mulberry?)
posted by scody at 4:20 PM on June 3, 2008


Must... stop... watching... Obama... win... nomination...

(sets DVR to record MSNBC and CNN for the next 6 hours)
posted by Justinian at 5:21 PM on June 3, 2008


Making me drive over the hills on the 405 at rush hour...you people are killing me. They're now offering 90 days same as cash on a fillup at the gas stations! My tank has been siphoned. I have in turn started siphoning tanks. Oh the huge manatee.
posted by mullingitover at 6:12 PM on June 3, 2008


Crappo - I though the 3rd was tomorrow! I may still be there, but odds just went down considerably.
posted by mzurer at 6:20 PM on June 3, 2008


oh god, that reminds me: I have to get gas before driving over from work.

*starts looking around for things to pawn*
posted by scody at 6:32 PM on June 3, 2008


Fuck, sorry guys. Got sucked into the Obama speech and now I've got to bail out to something else. Hope you're having fun!
posted by jmhodges at 7:57 PM on June 3, 2008


If you SLACKERS had actually shown up, they would have had to knock out a wall or something. Longtable is long.
posted by katillathehun at 10:45 PM on June 3, 2008


(By which I mean that there were a whole buncha MeFites and it was an awesome time and the table was also long)
posted by katillathehun at 10:45 PM on June 3, 2008


You wouldn't have fit at the table anyway! Unless...was it one of your who ordered the Miller Lite?
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 10:51 PM on June 3, 2008


I am certainly glad I'm not the only one that posted to metafilter right after getting home.
posted by Justinian at 11:02 PM on June 3, 2008


Oh, hey, apparently I'm late to the post-meetup party. Pics are up.
posted by mullingitover at 11:25 PM on June 3, 2008


Thanks for coming out! T'were fun.
posted by Bookhouse at 11:38 PM on June 3, 2008


Holy crap that was awesome! Best turnout in recent memory; and totally the fastest I've ever seen pix go up.

LA represent!
posted by Space Kitty at 12:05 AM on June 4, 2008


So sorry I couldn't make it, had to go to a late night interview in West Hollywood that took most of my time. Can't wait for Roller Disco though!
posted by Derek at 10:58 AM on June 4, 2008


Ah yes, Roller Disco. Here's a link to the Roller Disco myspace page, the next one is June 28. Who's in?
posted by mullingitover at 11:47 AM on June 4, 2008


Good seeing all y'all last night!
posted by dhammond at 11:52 AM on June 4, 2008


Great seeing everyone. A splendid time was had by all!
posted by scody at 12:47 PM on June 4, 2008


I am so down.
posted by Space Kitty at 3:20 PM on June 4, 2008


Oh noes! The Anaheim meetup with Jessamyn et al is on June 28th!

Also, I don't know how to rollerskate.
posted by Justinian at 3:35 PM on June 4, 2008


Justinian writes "Also, I don't know how to rollerskate."

That's ok, the non-skaters can fall back on the alternate activites: bowling, karaoke, and drinking.
posted by mullingitover at 5:54 PM on June 4, 2008


Justinian writes "Oh noes! The Anaheim meetup with Jessamyn et al is on June 28th! "

I suppose this might be a problem. However, roller disco is a monthly event, so it doesn't have to be this particular date.

Of course we could try to kidnap Jessamyn and take her on a bowlingkaraokerollerdisco tour of debauchery. I think she'd fight it until the ether took hold, but then later on she'd thank us.
posted by mullingitover at 6:27 PM on June 4, 2008


I heard debauchery and had to check back in here.
posted by Derek at 6:48 PM on June 4, 2008


That's ok, the non-skaters can fall back on the alternate activites: bowling, karaoke, and drinking.

I can drink!
posted by Justinian at 7:13 PM on June 4, 2008


Good times people. I posted my group shot.

I learned that Paul Weller is not to be confused with Peter Weller.

I'm still trying to pawn off my 4 bags of comics to someone that reads them.
posted by Argyle at 11:11 PM on June 4, 2008


Don't worry, it's never a bad thing to confuse someone for ROBOCOP.
posted by Justinian at 9:00 AM on June 5, 2008


One unintended consequence of going to a meetup: trying harder not to appear like an ass online in case you go to the next one.

Or maybe it's not me.
posted by Justinian at 2:53 PM on June 7, 2008


uh, maybe it's JUST me. I appear to have failed in my attempt to appear less like an ass online. Oops.
posted by Justinian at 2:54 PM on June 7, 2008


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