LA meetup 2010: IT'S TIME. January 19, 2010 11:44 AM   Subscribe

Hey, Los Angeles: assuming that the city is still standing after the rain next week, who's up for a belated New Year's meetup?

Sometime the week of Jan. 25. Two caveats: weeknights work better than weekends; location between LACMA and downtown strongly preferred.

Thoughts?
posted by scody to MetaFilter Gatherings at 11:44 AM (98 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

I know I say this every time, but I will really really try to come this time.

Also, Silver Lake/Echo Park is right between LACMA and downtown. El Prado is an awesome bar. Just sayin'.
posted by drjimmy11 at 11:59 AM on January 19, 2010


I'm down.
posted by eyeballkid at 12:02 PM on January 19, 2010


Have y'all been to Busby's? It's on Wilshire right near LACMA and has pool tables and a lounge and a big bar and a smoking patio. I think some nights it's really busy, but I've only ever been on Sundays when it's practically empty.
posted by carsonb at 12:11 PM on January 19, 2010


Oh, and a really shitty shuffleboard table, but a shuffleboard table nonetheless.
posted by carsonb at 12:12 PM on January 19, 2010


If El Prado is the place I'm thinking of (around the corner from the Echoplex?), it's definitely a cool bar but I'm not sure how good it would be for a group -- I don't recall there being a lot of tables, etc., but it's entirely possible that my memory is faulty. Of course, if we don't wind up getting a large group, that wouldn't be an issue, but if it's going to be more than half a dozen or so, we want to make sure there will be adequate tables/chairs -- drjimmy, what do you think?

Busby's I haven't been to, though I drive by it every day. I think they have trivia and/or karaoke nights during the week, but I don't know how busy they get.
posted by scody at 12:48 PM on January 19, 2010


I like El Prado a lot, and live by there, but it's not great for a large group. It's long and narrow, popular, and only has a couple tables - if we had a meetup there, we'd be well-served starting it early on a weeknight.
posted by thedaniel at 1:08 PM on January 19, 2010


I'm down in an abstract sort of way.
posted by Bookhouse at 1:50 PM on January 19, 2010


I'm down in an abstract way too. I'd really like to, but I have a lot going on and it depends when and where (LACMA to Downtown is just right for me) I guess I'm living up to the flaky stereotype!
posted by crabintheocean at 2:06 PM on January 19, 2010


I'm down in an abstract expressionist sort of way, throwing paint at my monitor.

I would like to throw Taix in the ring for location consideration -- it's in between LACMA and downtown (very close to El Prado actually), they have big tables suitable for groups as well as tasty happy hour specials, and aren't super busy on weeknights. No pool or shuffleboard though.
posted by speicus at 2:20 PM on January 19, 2010 [2 favorites]


Yeah you guys are right re: El Prado, in hindsight. Tiny tiny tables.
posted by drjimmy11 at 2:31 PM on January 19, 2010


damn you, speicus, beating me to the abstract expressionist joke.

Taix! What a weird place. I like it. The lounge would definitely be good for a group.
posted by scody at 2:37 PM on January 19, 2010


(also, I like how the dinner menu describes their clam chowder as "infamous.")
posted by scody at 2:40 PM on January 19, 2010


When? Thursday the 28th would be fantastic.
posted by applemeat at 3:02 PM on January 19, 2010


Gah, if you can make it the following week, I'll be back in LA and would love to finally attend a LA meetup. Although, looking at the forecast, it isn't much nicer in LA than it is where I'm currently visiting...
posted by banannafish at 4:02 PM on January 19, 2010


I'm devoted to the martinis at Taix - and where else can you get short ribs for happy hour? I'm in.
posted by Space Kitty at 4:09 PM on January 19, 2010


OK, sounds like several people like the idea of the lounge at Taix. Unless there are any specific objections to that locale, shall we tentatively say that's where we're meeting, and move on to when?

We have an official suggestion for Thursday, Jan. 28, and a request to consider pushing it back to the week of Feb. 1. Discuss.
posted by scody at 4:26 PM on January 19, 2010


Taix is a cool place. And I'm a big fan of Thursday nights.
posted by dhammond at 4:31 PM on January 19, 2010


Freres Taix come highly recommended by my septuagenarian uncle, so yeah! Sounds good.
posted by carsonb at 4:53 PM on January 19, 2010


I also recommend their giant basket o' fries. Speicus and I often find ourselves longing for them. In my dreamworld, Taix has the same tasty beers on tap as El Prado so that I can drink in peace at a comfortable distance from the greasy flanneled riffraff.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 5:34 PM on January 19, 2010




How large a meet up are you looking for? If I could talk Ribman into coming with me, we might coulda be there.
posted by SLC Mom at 5:52 PM on January 19, 2010


And while I'm at it, here's the happy hour menu:
Happy Hour
Monday To Friday
4PM Until 7PM
321 Lounge Only

Taix Draft $3
Well Drinks $3
Well Martinis and Cocktails $5
Pomme Frites With Mayo $2.50
Pate Campagne $3.50
Sweet Potato Fries $4.50
Marinated Olives $3.50
Rosette De Lyon $4.50
French Style Bay Shrimp Cocktail $4.50
Short Ribs $4.50
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 5:53 PM on January 19, 2010


Well one time I had a party at my house, and the Taix Clam Chowder got wicked drunk and fought with his girlfriend and everybody was embarrassed and then he pooped on the carpet.

Nevertheless, this sounds fine to me.
posted by drjimmy11 at 5:56 PM on January 19, 2010 [1 favorite]


I would favor pushing it to the week of Feb. 1, but won't be able to make it that Thursday (and neither will Thin Lizzy, unless our marriage is a sham).
posted by Bookhouse at 5:59 PM on January 19, 2010


but if that's the best night for most people i won't kick
posted by Bookhouse at 6:00 PM on January 19, 2010


Yes, sounds good.

I mean, it really should be somewhere further west.

If we were negotiating, I'd propose Santa Barbara Island.

Then I'd be like, Oh, yeah, well, I'd settle for Santa Monica.

But really, I've meant to go to Taix for a while, so I can only put up token resistance.

Like a blushing debutante—No… Stop… Let me get that for you…
posted by klangklangston at 6:12 PM on January 19, 2010 [2 favorites]


Thurs., Jan. 28 vs. the next week makes no difference to me. For fun, I'll suggest Tuesday, Feb. 2 specifically as the alternate date. (Bonus: James Joyce's birthday! YES I KNOW I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO CARES INDULGE ME PLEASE).

Show of hands: Thursday 1/28 vs. Tues. 2/1?

If you absolutely cannot make either of those days and still really want to attend, please suggest a specific alternate date.
posted by scody at 6:13 PM on January 19, 2010


GRR... should be Thursday 1/28 vs. Tues. 2/2. Speak now or forever hold your Taix.
posted by scody at 6:14 PM on January 19, 2010


SOUPLEBRITY DEATHMATCH: NAVY BEAN VS. LENTIL
posted by dhammond at 6:50 PM on January 19, 2010


Well, if we are picking soup, its Lentil.
But either date is fine with me.
Is someone counting the votes?
posted by SLC Mom at 7:23 PM on January 19, 2010


Thursday is difficult, because it's before payday. Tuesday sucks because I have a standing date.

Therefore, majority rules!
posted by Space Kitty at 7:51 PM on January 19, 2010


Bonus: James Joyce's birthday

For some reason I read that as James Taylor's birthday.

Anyway, either day is fine for me.
posted by drjimmy11 at 7:56 PM on January 19, 2010


I could swing either day.

Wait, that depends. Is there a new episode of Mentalist that Thursday night?

oh darn there isn't.

I mean, YES!
posted by liquoredonlife at 8:18 PM on January 19, 2010


A#1: I've been stalking this place for an LA meetup for, like, two months. YayI'msoexcited!
B#2: Bananafish is gonna be in town the first few weeks of February so I was gonna propose a meetup then so she could join.
C#3: I can't do the 28th! I vote for the 2nd.

Did I mention how excited I am?
posted by buzzkillington at 9:14 PM on January 19, 2010


The Westside is where evil lurks, so I suggest the further away from the Westside and it's demonic freeways, the better.
posted by Argyle at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2010 [1 favorite]


Confirming my vote for the 2nd! And I'm throwing in the idea of Little Tokyo if Taix falls through. (hi buzzkillington!)
posted by banannafish at 9:24 AM on January 20, 2010


Please. For demonic freeways, it's hard to beat the 101. I've never been on that thing when it wasn't miserable. By comparison the 405 is practically a dream (in the highly relative universe of LA freeway driving) now that they've opened up those lanes near Culver.
posted by willnot at 11:35 AM on January 20, 2010


Setting aside the 405 vs. 101 debate the 405 is the devil's freeway it sounds like Tuesday, Feb. 2 at the lounge at Taix works for most folks who've weighed in. The much-vaunted Happy Hour ends at 7:00, so I assume the first wave of folks will want to arrive before that (say, 6:00 onward). Sidebar!
posted by scody at 12:15 PM on January 20, 2010


The 101 is only bad going "with traffic" towards downtown in the morning.

I go from Silver Lake out to Sherman Oaks in the morning, and back at night, and it's one of the smoother commutes I've ever had. The only problems are from that stupid 405 interchange, which clogs up my exit at Sepulveda.
posted by drjimmy11 at 3:11 PM on January 20, 2010


Yay, count me in! I missed the last meetup and plan not to let that happen again. And I've always wanted to check out Taix!

How is parking around there?
posted by estherbester at 10:08 PM on January 20, 2010


Yay! That was a surprisingly easy decision. I guess we can make up for it by arguing about freeways.

405 SUX AMIRITE
posted by speicus at 10:02 AM on January 21, 2010


estherbester: we used the (cheap) valet parking last time we were there... I can't remember if street parking looked plentiful or not as well.

SPEICUS IZRITE
posted by scody at 10:41 AM on January 21, 2010


There's plenty of front-in street parking on Reservoir behind Taix.
posted by carsonb at 10:50 AM on January 21, 2010


And if we're bitching about freeways, I'll hold up a torch for the goddam interchange between 5E and 110S.
posted by carsonb at 10:51 AM on January 21, 2010 [1 favorite]


210 BEST FREEWAY EVAR

Hopefully I'll make it to this one
posted by infinitewindow at 11:59 AM on January 21, 2010 [1 favorite]


There is metered parking all along Sunset, as well. I think they now end at 8pm instead of 6pm.

Right on, TWF. Everybody knows that the 2 is both the prettiest and the loveliest freeway in Los Angeles.

Also, has someone already mentioned that we are meeting on Groundhog's Day?
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 12:18 PM on January 21, 2010


I ♥ the 134
posted by scody at 3:39 PM on January 21, 2010


I'm a fan of the 101 myself, but only north of Oxnard and south of San Jose.
posted by eyeballkid at 3:42 PM on January 21, 2010


Wanted to give a shout out to the "other" Hollywood Freeway, the 170, but really, it's just a'ight at best.
posted by dhammond at 8:51 PM on January 21, 2010


Sometimes the 405 is clear for me on my drives to work (southbay between 110-105), and I have to wonder if a handful of feeder freeways happened to have accidents in critical locations that cause me to experience rare but driving nirvana.

Yes, going over 40mph on the 405 when the sun is out is seriously heaven.
posted by liquoredonlife at 9:32 AM on January 22, 2010


The 2 is kind of a "freeway-ette," wouldn't you say?
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:07 PM on January 22, 2010


I was just checking out miss lynnster's website HiddenLA and it looks like she's doing a meetup for that on the 28th at the Tonga Hut.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 7:19 PM on January 22, 2010


For 8 months I had to commute not only from Mid-Wilshire to Long Beach (and I mean CSULB, Long Beach) in general, but between CSULB - Compton - Palos Verde and Manhattan Beach every day.

Suffice to say, the 405 is equivalent to the 8th ring of Dante's Inferno, but let's not forget the 710 with all its WONDERFUL GIGANTIC 18-WHEEL TRUCKS (and the tiny one lane transfer onto the 405N), the 605, 105, and the ever popular 91 which can kiss my ass.

Now I work in Century City and drink a lot less, except for at meetups. (hi bananafish!)
posted by buzzkillington at 9:43 PM on January 22, 2010


Getting in here late... I'm glad you guys changed it to the 2nd 'cuz that way you can all come to the Tonga Hut on the 28th!!! (Per MandyMan's comment above.)

Get yer mai tai on, people!!!
posted by miss lynnster at 7:50 AM on January 24, 2010


BTW, I'm a 110 kinda girl at heart. Especially the tunnels. I find something awesome yet crazy about it being built for tiny Model Ts yet never really updated for modern cars.
posted by miss lynnster at 7:54 AM on January 24, 2010


My sister told me the other day (while we were speeding down the 110 to see Pee-wee!) that when it opened, the slogan used to promote the freeway was "from downtown to Pasadena in the time it takes to smoke a cigarette."
posted by scody at 12:34 PM on January 24, 2010 [2 favorites]


The slogan I heard about the 405 was "from Long Beach to the 101 in the time it takes to die from lung cancer."
posted by carsonb at 1:41 PM on January 24, 2010 [7 favorites]


I love the 110 once you get a little bit north of the 5/110 interchange, where it gets all dangerous and curvy. Driving those narrow lanes makes me feel alive!

No love for the 105 though? I like the carpool lanes on the 105 except for the part where the 110S's diamond lane merges with the 105E's, and makes it slower than the non-diamond lanes. But going up the 105W/110N carpool ramp reveals a pretty awesome view of the metrop (albeit at 60mph)!
posted by estherbester at 11:22 PM on January 25, 2010


But going up the 105W/110N carpool ramp reveals a pretty awesome view of the metrop (albeit at 60mph)!

I always seem to be the one driving (white-knuckled, tunnel-visioned) on this interchange, too scared to look up at downtown. Someday someone will have to pick me up from the airport.
posted by carsonb at 12:01 PM on January 26, 2010


Not cool. The eastside is like East LA, Montebello, Monterey Park, etc. If I were gonna sneer at (y)our hood, bone, I'd call it 'practically Glendale.'
posted by carsonb at 5:52 PM on January 27, 2010


Oh man, the "eastside" debate. This is where I launch my campaign to bring back Edendale as a neighborhood name for the area btw Silver Lake and Echo Park north of Sunset. Silent film history representing and all. I'm not a stickler for what counts as eastside, but certainly anything near Vermont cannot count as east, unless we're talking East Hollywood.

Which while I'm on the topic, I'd like to also publicly launch my campaign to call the area near Vermont and Santa Monica either SoLoFe (south of Los Feliz) or the Hospital District. L. Ron-adjacent is another potential designation.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 12:42 PM on January 28, 2010 [3 favorites]


I am totally joining your L. Ron-adjacent campaign.
posted by scody at 2:13 PM on January 28, 2010


Xenutown
Little Teegeeack
Engramville
posted by Bookhouse at 3:41 PM on January 28, 2010


Audit Village
SeaOrgBurg
Lower Cruise Heights
posted by scody at 4:15 PM on January 28, 2010


I think speicus favors Xenuwood. We've discussed this in detail. I did like the real estate listing that called our new 'hood a "grittier" part of Silver Lake.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 4:40 PM on January 28, 2010


Close: XeNuHo is my preferred moniker, improper capitalization and all.
posted by speicus at 2:03 AM on January 29, 2010


You guys missed out on the Tonga Hut! Not only were there tiki drinks, but the bar bought us a *free* 36" pizza! YES!
posted by miss lynnster at 10:47 PM on January 29, 2010


omg miss lynnster arishaun and I were going to go Tonga-ing, but life intervened! We're following on facebook now so we know when the next Hidden LA meetup will be.
posted by infinitewindow at 7:47 PM on January 30, 2010


See everyone tonight!
posted by scody at 1:50 PM on February 1, 2010


GAH! I mean TOMORROW NIGHT. Stupid calendar.
posted by scody at 1:51 PM on February 1, 2010


(I'm just really excited to see if anyone gets into fisticuffs over which freeway sucks more.)
posted by scody at 1:52 PM on February 1, 2010


So, this being my first meetup...how do I avoid looking like a wandering idiot at Taix tomorrow night and actually FIND the group of MeFites? Will there be signs? Balloons? A velvet rope around the table?
posted by buzzkillington at 9:10 PM on February 1, 2010


Most anyone who's gonna be there is probably featured in one of these two pictures.
posted by carsonb at 9:52 PM on February 1, 2010


The happy hour bar is the first room on the right after you come in. It's a rather enclosed space, and there's always at least one person rocking a MeFi shirt.
posted by Space Kitty at 10:54 PM on February 1, 2010


buzzkillington- You walk up to random people and begin with "Hello, I am from the internet!"
posted by liquoredonlife at 11:04 PM on February 1, 2010


But then I have to pronounce "Haughey" correctly, right? :)
posted by buzzkillington at 10:36 AM on February 2, 2010


"Math Owie"

I think I sprained my differential.
posted by carsonb at 10:42 AM on February 2, 2010


Man. I can't make it tonight. You peeps have fun and I'll see you at the next one.
posted by eyeballkid at 10:44 AM on February 2, 2010


Hey, is anyone planning on going to this from Burbank who might be able to give me a ride? Because that would be sweet.
posted by Bookhouse at 11:50 AM on February 2, 2010


Just look for the nerd herd.

Speicus and I will likely get there in time for happy hour, just look for our sexy faces.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 11:54 AM on February 2, 2010


I'm here!
posted by Space Kitty at 5:50 PM on February 2, 2010


Guys, I have to work late tonight for this damn release on Friday. So... have fun without me, I guess.
posted by drjimmy11 at 5:57 PM on February 2, 2010


Gah! Still at work, post is going blindingly slow, so I might not make it tonight, which is super lame. Retry soon I hope?
posted by banannafish at 5:58 PM on February 2, 2010


I'm heading over right now. Mr. Scody might be there, too.
posted by scody at 5:59 PM on February 2, 2010


I'm working late but hope to get out within the hour ...
posted by Bookhouse at 6:01 PM on February 2, 2010


Hiya keeds - thanks for being nice to me at my first meet-up. I had a great time. Looking forward to the next one.
posted by Kloryne at 10:01 PM on February 2, 2010


Great seeing you all! Pics are here :)
posted by mullingitover at 10:22 PM on February 2, 2010


Goddamnit, I spaced and for some reason I thought this was on Thursday. I feel really stupid right now.
posted by dhammond at 10:30 PM on February 2, 2010


Had a great time tonight - thanks for making it happen Scody and thanks everyone for not letting me wander around Taix looking like an idiot! And for letting me crash the cougar party at the next table... :)
posted by buzzkillington at 11:22 PM on February 2, 2010


Wow, I was technically there but a series of miscommunications led to some weird worlds-colliding-type mishaps and like a total jerk I failed to properly meet everybody like I wouldve wanted to :(. Y'all seemed to be having a great time, too!

And I liked the location a lot -- It was the perfect place for a meetup!
posted by estherbester at 12:33 AM on February 3, 2010


I got called into work. =\
posted by carsonb at 3:50 AM on February 3, 2010


Agreed, it was a great place for a meetup, and good seeing you all. I should have floated to the other side of the table, though.

Maybe our next one should be relatively soon?

(great pictures, mullingitover)
posted by Bookhouse at 9:44 AM on February 3, 2010


yep, lots of fun! I liked the location, too. Sorry I didn't circulate more -- The World Famous and I were busy talking about the Beatles, as we usually wind up doing.
posted by scody at 12:52 PM on February 3, 2010


That looks like it was a really good time. :)
posted by so_gracefully at 9:29 PM on February 3, 2010


Dammit, I completely forgot about this yet again!!!! :(
posted by starscream at 4:36 PM on February 4, 2010


Great pics mullingitover! I should've wandered over to the other side of the table and introduced myself, as well, but I was bein' all shy. Next time I'll let my more obnoxious side out.
posted by Kloryne at 9:35 PM on February 4, 2010


Thanks! I can't take credit for all the pictures, many were taken by other people. I got a wild hair and decided to dial in the exposure settings and then just hand the camera around, making everyone at the meetup into a photographer. So give yourselves a hand!
posted by mullingitover at 2:41 PM on February 5, 2010


And I finally posted the few pictures that were remotely salvageable here from my camera. Good times guys. :]
posted by liquoredonlife at 9:13 PM on February 7, 2010


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