Engadget reader meetup / holiday party in NYC, December 19th!

This is the one you've been waiting for, Engadget fans. We've decided to end the year on a high note with a big reader meetup and holiday bash for our faithful readers! On December 19th, we're blowing it out at the completely amazing Hiro Ballroom in Manhattan. We'll have a big selection of gear and giveaways on hand, including products (both to play with and to win) from: Nokia, Microsoft, T-Mobile, HP, SanDisk, Peek, Sling, Rhapsody, and more! And believe us, there really is more to come. Here are a few details:

• We're giving away tens of thousands of dollars in gear! Including...
  
• SanDisk 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB microSD cards for the first 200 people through the door!
• Free food, and free drink tickets for the first 500 people, totally awesome music all night
  
• Live Q&A session with Engadget editors
  
• The event is 18 TO ENTER / 21 TO DRINK, AND YOU MUST BRING AN ID. ADMISSION IS FREE. Sorry younger readers, but we'll do a follow-up all ages event soon!
• The venue capacity tops out at a tiny bit over 1000, so you if you're coming, be sure to get there and get in line early!
  

When: Friday, December 19th, 7:00PM to 12:00AM

We're still working out details as well as adding to our roster of giveaways and companies which will be in attendance, so expect updates as we move towards the event. If you're planning on coming, shout it out in the comments!

Update: Super exciting news! Music for the evening will be provided by Justin VanDerVolgen -- who you just may know from his bands !!! (chk chk chk) and Outhud!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:33PM]

Free food, and free drink?

Sign me up.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:47PM]

Can I bring my frequency-interferer gadget?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:00PM]

Any chicks going?

:P

[NeoJew Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:09PM]

Yes.

[JKooL Posted Dec 5th 2008 7:03PM]

If i can convince the girlfriend to go, i'll be there for sure! Funny luck - we planned our trip up there nearly a year ago and this pops up just 2 weeks before we go :)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 7:51PM]

free food and free gifts are cool
but will there be free WiFi??

[spasewalkr Posted Dec 5th 2008 10:58PM]

also, not to be lame, but whats the dress code topolsky?

[Joshua Topolsky Posted Dec 5th 2008 11:22PM]

@ a ham sandwich -- No dress code! But I encourage you to look awesome.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 11:35PM]

C'mon, a 13 year old tech freak/computer programmer can't go, but a 22 year old cell phone junkie can :/

I WANT ACCESS

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 12:12AM]

finish your homework first

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 2:16AM]

LOL@Mitchell, He said:
"It would be so nice to get this for my son, i'm in debt and its probably the only way he can get the game he wants."
In one of the articles. How does he have a son? Is he married? Does have no shame to post his devilish deeds on an international site?
Answers! I need Answers!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 2:27AM]

I have an answer, he's just a pedophile, he wants the access for 13 year old girls

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 7:26PM]

I'll be there...

Then I'm gonna smash my gifts with a hammer and put it on youtube (except for Nokia goodies, which I'll keep)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 10:59AM]

I'm gonna be all like "Topolsky!" and then you'll be all like "... Party!" and then it'll be awkward. Also, I heard Tom Selleck will be there.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 1:14PM]

No, my dad was on here, he used my name, it was saved.


He was talking about me

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 2:41PM]

Ugh, only two more years until I can go!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 4:05PM]

Yeah sucky timing. I will be in NYC the next couple of evenings but on Friday I will be home in Baltimore still :(

Oh well at least we have Wimax, right?......right?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 7:40PM]

i'd come but im shomer shabbat! not fair!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 7th 2008 11:36PM]

you have to be 21 to drink at the party? Like that's fair!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 8th 2008 1:39PM]

I'm going, only a few blocks from work

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 12th 2008 7:42PM]

I am so in. free drinks + free techs + thousands of geeks = ONE CRAZY NIGHT!!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2008 4:29PM]

Hey, I do read your news everyday, I love it, its my source
I will take my wife with
Martin

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 11th 2008 5:18PM]

i AM TOTALLY DOWN TO COME +3 is there an open bar2?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:34PM]

To busy to fly out to NYC. Got work here in the Chi.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 7:31PM]

Figures, the exact day that I am flying back to Chicago from NYC Engadget decides to throw a party! Unfair.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 3:33PM]

im a chi...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 7th 2008 10:43PM]

Chicagoans... ASSEMBLE!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2008 9:19PM]

who would fess up to being clak?
i would punch him/her in the mandibles

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 14th 2008 5:34PM]

Cubs Fans, Assemble!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:34PM]

Just try and keep me away!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 7:33PM]

NICE, Catch me there, Mite go



Professional Party Starter
Fusion Fuzo

[Mike10010100 Posted Dec 5th 2008 11:21PM]

There will be a special section for trolls.

People will pay a dollar to throw rotten fruit at them and beat them up. Also, free dunce caps will be provided to all trolls.

For the entertainment, we can put a Windows fanboy in a cockfighting cage with an Apple fanboy.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 2:45AM]

Brilliant Topolsky, brilliant!

Set up this event... Open to Endagdet readers, free admission... iEye and "C"lak attend then, BAM! We got 'em!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 9:19AM]

I'm contemplating going just so I can knock the fuck out of Fusion Fuzo.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 7:07PM]

doesn't fusion fuzo live in england?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2008 10:57PM]

So down!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:35PM]

I don't live there. I'm sad I can't go.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:44PM]

Me too. I don't know where you live, but i hope they show us Chicago based readers some love soon!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:49PM]

Same here. Stuck in chicago =[

[brentos Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:52PM]

Agreed! Come to the Windy City, Engadget. We can have deep conversation and deep pizza.

[Nerdtalker Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:44PM]

Same here, no such love for my part of the country. Engadget seems to have a huge number of NY-folk, and here I thought Ryan Block lived in southern California...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 7:49PM]

wow Chicago here too, never knew I lived near so many nerds! ;)

[The Habbler Posted Dec 5th 2008 7:59PM]

Large contingent of Chicago reader on these Weblogs Inc. blogs. We did have a wowinsider party for the wrath of the lich king release, but that was just a couple of drinks and then waiting in line outside a gamestop.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 12:47AM]

Damn Chicago here too! I live next to the White Sox Stadium haha...

[jere Posted Dec 6th 2008 11:22AM]

Also from Chicago!

[suncho Posted Dec 6th 2008 12:08PM]

Come to Europe, you have lots of readers here. Go to some city where RyanAir flies, so we could all go.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:35PM]

I'm SO there!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:29PM]

Do we get to have little name tags so we know who everyone is? And so we can beat up trolls?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 12:29AM]

Yeah, 'cuz then iEye will have to hide in a closet.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 6:03AM]

iEye is already in a closet. :P

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 7:03AM]

Name tags, for everyone, should be helpfull to know whos who...


Professional
Fusion Fuzo

[Google Posted Dec 6th 2008 10:42AM]

That way we can discern the professionals from the non professionals right Fuzo?
/sarcasm

Anyways sign me up! Im bringing my BFG.

Best Friend's Girl. =P

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 9:18PM]

@thedesolate1

Douche-bag....

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:37PM]

What? No Cali love? If you held an event here, you wouldn't have to reserve a coat room, 'cuz we get 60-70F in December. Think about the money you'd save

[Joshua Topolsky Posted Dec 5th 2008 11:22PM]

We did one in SF last year, and you can be sure we'll do one again on the West Coast. Also, Chicago... watch out!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:33PM]

Need to be in SoCal next time.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:39PM]

Agreed! Less SF, more LA...you can stay at my house.

My mom makes great food!

[James Posted Dec 5th 2008 10:21PM]

Any hope for Seattle?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 1:00PM]

YEAH CHICAGO!
Make it happen, captain!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 8th 2008 7:41PM]

Don't we all live in LA? Oh wait, that's just me. Lowest Ranked, right on! But can't wait till all ages group. ME

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:36PM]

I hope there is a separate section for iPod fanboys, because if not, I'll be afraid to walk in with my Zune

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:38PM]

Say, what did you say your name was again?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:39PM]

Joe, of course. -_-

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:43PM]

Well, since I can't go, here's hoping you win a new mp3 player! :p

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 10:47PM]

Ill bring my Zune 80gb we can pwn them.....

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 2:07PM]

Cool! I'll bring my old 30gb Zune too. Been hooked on the Texas Hold'em game.

[ChrisAre Posted Dec 6th 2008 5:09PM]

"You have a Zune?!? "Naw, I'm just kidding. I'll get my iPod!"

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 7:29PM]

Chuck FTW!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:36PM]

Come on Engadget can you let me slide? Im 14 but i look 18 :D and if not can you make the all ages readers meet up in Manhattan again. Im only a train ride away. :D

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 7:54PM]

Will you be checking ID's for entrance? Im 17 and dont turn 18 until next year but i look 20 ish. Hopefully you will have a little heart and wont check id's at door!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:36PM]

Noo! I'm flying out of JFK on the 17th!!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:40PM]

Sucks to be you...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2009 9:06PM]

really good idea....but i am only 11

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:36PM]

If I ship my computer to them, do you think they will set up a video chat and pretend I'm there?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:40PM]

(my plane leaves for Hawaii the day before, how's that for luck?)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:47PM]

You strike me as a nice guy... send me your laptop and I'll keep you updated...








of its whereabouts ;-)

[Google Posted Dec 6th 2008 10:48AM]

Your gonna have to go back to the future and become Engadget Friday.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 1:43PM]

@thedesolate1

I uploaded my old avatar again, but now my avatar keeps switching between my old one and this one at random intervals... This comment system really needs and update.

[Google Posted Dec 6th 2008 4:04PM]

Yeah It happened to me too...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:37PM]

I'm there

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:37PM]

Im there..... Love that place......

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 7:02PM]

+2 I am coming.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 7th 2008 10:07PM]

i'll be there! Rock over London, Rock out Chicago!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:39PM]

Yeah, I'll be there.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:41PM]

I am Sooooooooooo THERE

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:40PM]

Cannot WAIT

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:41PM]

"18 TO ENTER"

Oh, that's too bad, iEye and CLAK won't be able to go... :)

I'm across the pond, but wishing you guys a very happy party and New Year. NYE in NYC must be awesome.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:56PM]

lol, 'i' don't live in new york so 'i' can't come anyway to far me

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:58PM]

so have fun

[James Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:59PM]

Free gadgets for anyone who bitchslaps iEye or clak!!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 6th 2008 12:46AM]

I believe that we established the fact that they were the same person earlier today, so... two bitchslaps?

[Google Posted Dec 6th 2008 10:44AM]

Thank god Clak lives across the Ocean.

[EricR Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:41PM]

I wish I lived close - I would so be there.

[NeoJew Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:41PM]

I'll be in NY over that weekend with some friends, if they're up for it I'll stop by. Otherwise sorry Engadget, you'll have to do without my company T_T

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:42PM]

I'm there..Harlem Represent!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:37PM]

Harlem? I should have known.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:46PM]

What do you think would happen if you brought a cell jammer to the engadget party? Tears? Exploding heads? Wet pants?

[Toadlet Posted Dec 5th 2008 7:20PM]

VOIP

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2008 5:46PM]

Engadget should have a contest where one of us gets flown out to NY and put up in a hotel for this.

[NeoJew Posted Dec 5th 2008 6:42PM]

That would be less prizes for the people who can already go!