SF Engadget Reader Meetup on September 28th?
By Peter Rojas 
posted September 6th 2005 12:40PM
posted September 6th 2005 12:40PM
Ryan and I are going to be in San Francisco later this month for CTIA, and we thought we'd tentatively schedule an Engadget Reader Meetup for the evening of Wednesday, September 28th. We still need to find a venue, so we figured we'd ask if anyone out there in Engadgetland had the hookup on space that could comfortably fit a couple of hundred people. Drop us a line at engadget@gmail.com if you do, we promise we'll make it worth your while…
The Sony Metreon has lots of places to eat and hang out. It's easily accessible by public transportation and has a reasonably priced (for SF) parking garage next door.
Not sure where CTIA is, but if it's at Moscone then the Metreon is only about a block or two away.
Sounds fun. I was at the NYC meetup and I will be going to San Fran next week on business. It would have been nice if our schedules were in synch.
Oh cool, I'll be in SF for a class that week.
If you choose the Metreon, that'd be awesome, it's like right down the street from where I'll be.
the zeitgeist. (it's a bar)
Still no Chicago Meetup? :(
A bar/brewery called The Thirsty Bear is right there on Howard Street, and can accomodate a big group too....
http://www.thirstybear.com/
- Jon
Condor Droppings! I'm on the road that week. But if you're at CTIA, Metreon would be excellent for this crowd. There's a Sony Style store there where everyone can point and laugh at the beautifully designed, over priced, and under performing gadgets.
Thirsty Bear is great for afterward to do some serious power drinking after Sony's goon squad throws everyone out...
Does the Metreon have meeting space for a few hundred people? We'd need to be able to reserve a space that could fit at least 250 people.
I know I wasn't clear about this, but ideally we'd have the meetup at a proper space, we can't just descend en masse on a store. We need space where we can set up tables and sell t-shirts and also some sort of amplification so we can do the Q&A and our big giveaway. Thanks!
Can't we have a lil' NYC meetup again soon? or do we have to wait until engadget has spread the love to all the other cities around the world before you come back home? Come home....I'll bring the Sparks.....
when is the next NYC Meet up?
If your really looking into the metreon they have a page with info for event booking:
http://www.metreon.com/bookevent/index.html
The Action theater is where many compnaies hold press conferances and presentations.
Jillians is a bar club with billiards.
Portal 1 is a laughable attempt at an arcade. Has a bar inside as well.
I've been to game industry events at all three locations and the Metreon seems like a good place to consider.
*note: I can't believe I'm pimping this place. Ever since I lost two Sony Discman in one year due to their fatastic manufacturing quality, I've held a slight resentment towards them since...
Thirsty bear is a good spot. Im sure we'll have to give them a heads up but it'll accommodate a good amount of people... good food good beer. what more can you ask for?
The metreon is a cool spot to hang out but theres not one place where about 50 to 100 people can just hang out. Not to mention the traffic that buzzes everywhere. and their food? bleh~! Ok thats enough negativity from me.
I'm excited that this is going to happen in sf! wooo~t!
The Sony Metreon has rooms that you can rent for large gatherings and since CTIA will be at Mascone Center it is just next door so you will not have to travel very far.
You can book events here.
http://www.metreon.com/bookevent/index.html
And like the other readers said, it is across from a parking garage and not too far from public transportation.
I just e-mailed this suggestion to them, not sure if they have the capacity or not, but what about Gordon Biersch?? Not tooo far from Moscone Center, and good eats/drinks!
Dammit - I want a Los Angeles meetup!!!
Thirsty Bear is right across from my office. I am talking with my work about the possibility of having the get together in our Loft Space.
Thirsty Bear might be a good choice. They have an upstairs area that's used for private party type things. We gather there every year for a private event and always have a great time. They'll open up the room's bar so you don't have to go up/down to get beers. I believe there's not a charge to use the room, but they have a minimum drink and food allowance that must be met. 200 people might be pushing it though.
There is a large sports bar attached to the Metreon--sorry, don't recall the name. I attended a JavaOne after-party there and it easily accomodates a couple hundred people. It has lots of pool tables, a dancefloor, a long bar, and chairs to lounge. They also catered dinner at our party.
Oops, missed Sicker's earlier comment--Jillian's is the place I was talking about.
rigel: I've been to the Zeitgeist and that place was awesome! The outdoor beer garden with benches would make for a memorable meetup. Their beer selection is quite good also.
An alt suggestion would be 111 Minna.. Super swank L-shaped venue, sound system, DJs, yatta.. Right off Second and Mission..
We've worked with them on events before, and they've proven to be super cool and easy to work with. http://www.111minnagallery.com/
Thirsty Bear is good across from THE GOLD CLUB :)
I am sure a few engadgeters will end up there to check out all the ladies "gadgets" I know I would!
What time would this be? I have Jury Duty in the morning of the 28th
I like 111 Minna best out of the recommended (if you can get them to close up for a few hours). Zeitgest is crowded enough as is -- but we can see who'd be first up to get an Engadget tat next door. Eddy, your office is at the topless bar across from the tapas bar? I have space in the Mission that's used as art gallery space. I'll ask the landlord what's the fire capacity and fee if any.
How about a Miami meetup sometime in the future?
I'd be willing to help run logistics from this end - making calls, confirming venues, et al. Let me know.
Maybe you should try a university? I don't know if that sounds tacky, or how you would do it. I'm a student at Berkeley, and we have a lot of big places. lol.
DNA Lounge is owned by a unix geek that has hosted a few events of this nature in the past. And not to mention it's a great venue :-)
damnit i will be out there late the 29th you guys should do it then ;-). stay a little longer san fran is lovely.
I amn from SF, but not there right now... Yes DNA is awesome, not sure if you folks are looking for a space for rent, but if so SFMoMA has a nice lecture room and so does CCA in the Soma districk, the galleria could work, try picking up a SF-Weekly or Bay Guardian.
Cheers!
It would be nice to use an all ages place (i.e. not a bar or an over 18 club) so some of the younger engadget fans could participate :)
Heh, just realized that there's another tobias from san francisco that posted a comment. Pretty cool.
NOT fair! I live in SF, go to school in Boston. Had it been a month earlier it would have worked. So I guess that means there should be a Boston one.
Yah there is another Isaac on here aswell, except I go by Ike
RE: 31
31. Posted Sep 11, 2005, 1:57 PM ET by Tobias
It would be nice to use an all ages place (i.e. not a bar or an over 18 club) so some of the younger engadget fans could participate :)
Heh, just realized that there's another tobias from san francisco that posted a comment. Pretty cool.