Engadget Holiday Party / Reader meetup lineblog!

Okay, we had no idea we'd have to liveblog this, but we're setting up for the meetup tonight and there are already six people in line. Four hours early. In the rain and snow. In other words -- yeah, this sucker is still on, and we're going to rock it. We'll be updating as company reps get here and start setting up, check it out after the break, along with all the info you need to brave the elements and party with us tonight.

Update: We're working on setting up the Ovi slideshow, peep the last set of line pics after the break and check back in a few for the live streaming action!

We gave them their giftbags a little early.

3:15PM EST: Yep, there are already people in line. FYI, the entrance is on 9th Ave, not 16th Street.

3:42PM EST: Cesar from ZuneInsider is here and working furiously -- hmm, wonder what kind of phone he's got...

3:51PM EST: Josh just rolled in with a report that there are now 20 (!) people in line. Craziness!

3:55PM EST: A random reader just wandered in through the loading dock and asked us where the party is. We did not give him a microSD card.

4:17PM EST: The line grows, even though it's basically raining ice pellets. People are huddling for warmth, and we've seen a couple collective group coffee runs.

4:40PMEST: Phil Torrone and the MAKE guys just got here, they're setting up -- we hear they've got a little surprise in store for us later.

PT and Josh reminiscing about 2600 magazine.

5:01PM EST: The line's down the block, it's getting dark, and people are ready to get down. Josh and I are about to go hype up the crowd a little bit, we're all super excited.

5:12PM EST: Nokia's here, with a ton of cool stuff to play with!

5:21PM EST: The line outside's turned the corner, it's cold, but spirits are high. We promise, tons of free stuff will warm everyone right up.

5:28PM: Paul Miller has arrived! He is threatening to perform a song called "The Lament of Ryan Block" in his best Taylor Swift voice.

5:40PM EST: The lights have been turned down -- just about an hour to go! The Ovi people should be here soon, uploading in real time -- we might switch over to them when that happens.

6:45PM EST: The line is around the building, and things inside are at full tilt. We're checking out for now -- be sure to hit up out live party stream post in a few!

---

This is it! The Engadget reader meetup / holiday party is happening tonight in New York City! All of the information you need is below, but we'd like to stress a few points:

• The venue capacity has a limit, so make sure you get there early, and plan to wait in a bit of a line.
• It is snowing like crazy in New York -- so please bundle up and come prepared for the elements! We'll do everything we can to move people inside as quickly as possible, and there's a coat check at the venue for your heavier gear.
• Bring your ID! Without it, you can't get in!

And the rest of the details about the event:

• 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
• Live Q&A session with Engadget editors
• Music for the evening will be provided by Justin VanDerVolgen (of !!! and Outhud)
• 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 early!

When: Friday, December 19th, 7:00PM to 12:00AM
Where: Hiro Ballroom, 371 W. 16th St., New York, NY. 10011

You can discuss plans for the event on Facebook here.

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[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:03PM]

I'm jealous. I'll certainly work to make it to the next one!

[kaimonkey Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:15PM]

well i will be old enough next time so YES!! :D

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:20PM]

I was debating whether to go or not because when I got out of work, the roads were horrible. I have RWD and I was slipping and sliding.

After seeing the giveaways................I can't stay home.

IM ON MY WAY ! I'll Be there by 7 !

[maveric101 Posted Dec 19th 2008 7:57PM]

can we have one at DC?

[Ptr Posted Dec 19th 2008 11:25PM]

Meh, thought it might be like a mini digitalLife or something, but we spent 2 hours on line just to go into a club. :(

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 12:08AM]

HOLY SHIT MY PICTURE IS UP THERE !!!!!!!!! the 15th from the top !!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 21st 2008 1:40AM]

@flashpoint: which one were you? Only my head is in that picture...

Tell me, or I'll call 311! Ugh...I thought that lady was gonna start flinging rock salt at us.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 2:56PM]

When the old lady started her bullshit, I just stepped aside, I didn't say anything. There was a guy standing next to me with his girlfriend and he got loud with her and I just wanted to laugh. There was another guy and his girlfriend, and his other friend behind me. You can guess who I was.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:06PM]

Damn! I wish I could be there right now!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:05PM]

Multi colored eyes are the new rage.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 3:20AM]

You should see my xbox live char.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:05PM]

I'd be there.
But I'm in the UK
Sad face.

[VeganFreak Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:18PM]

You've clearly been watching too much Arby 'n' the Chief.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 6:00PM]

Same as man.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 6:42PM]

I wish I was in NYC to get a bunch of free stuff.

[000000 Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:05PM]

I wanna get hammered at the Engadget party... :*(

[laxuo Posted Dec 19th 2008 8:50PM]

i'd do the same...sweet male:female (/ 9:1) ratio, hah....i'd still wanna go though.

[Melvin Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:07PM]

Why aren't there more reader meet-ups? I remember there being smaller ones early on.

[Judah Rosenthal Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:57PM]

Yes. Couple years ago. Was one in a crazy town like Stockton, CA once (or was it Bakersfield, CA?).

[Judah Rosenthal Posted Dec 19th 2008 5:52PM]

http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/15/any-engadget-readers-in-merced-ca/2

MERCED!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:09PM]

lests see a bunch bloggers n alcohol.,dont kiss n tell now.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:31PM]

wow i dont believe what i saw.,a blogger ,which looks to have some female human interaction,he might actually be standing 1 foot from her.,insane.,.,

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:10PM]

microSD freebies ftw.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:19PM]

Well, I was going to be there, albeit a little late. But now our plane in from Seattle is delayed an additional 5 hours. No fun :-/

[Alex Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:13PM]

Damn snow, I really wanted to go.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 6:22PM]

there's no way in hell I'm going out tonight.
I could take the train in now that it took me 3x as long to drive home.
ugh...
.....but the thought of sitting on trains for hours for a few hours
of mixing it up with other engadget readers and holiday party fun....
maybe I'm not dedicated enough.

have a drink for me. cheers everyone

[electron Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:13PM]

I would LOVE to be there but the age limit is a bit of a problem.....

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 5:01PM]

Well it's there to stop people like iEye, clak and "Professional" from going there..

[oldmanhorton Posted Dec 19th 2008 11:12PM]

among others :-(

[Jomolungma Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:13PM]

I'm sad inside. My home town, and an event I'd love to attend, and I'm stuck hosting my mom down in DC for the weekend. Oh well, maybe next year. Have fun y'all.

[JustinB Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:14PM]

Have a meetup party in San Francisco. I'd be 110% down to go.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 5:42PM]

I second that motion

[Johann Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:15PM]

Remind me again why I live in Florida.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:30PM]

The Weather, I guess.

[Blacksheep Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:34PM]

Beats me man, I hated living there lol.

[UnixSystemsEngineer Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:34PM]

For the wonderful humidity?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 5:40PM]

For Miami, the best party place outside of Ibiza

[Cris Posted Dec 19th 2008 6:17PM]

No state income tax?

[bohoy2k Posted Dec 19th 2008 7:17PM]

because it's snowing there. and i'm wearing shorts here.

[Aguiluz Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:16PM]

Awww, crap.... I wish I was there.

Any usernames on the first 6?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:23PM]

The Oceanic six.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:18PM]

crap i gotta hurry yp and get there!
not looking forward to the nonstop hail while standing in line...

[CapnShiner Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:18PM]

FYI, Nilay, you typed "lineblog." I assume you meant liveblog?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:22PM]

No, I think he meant lineblog, as he is blogging while waiting in line.

[CapnShiner Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:39PM]

Ah, I guess that makes sense too.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:19PM]

to bad i didnt live closer or couldnt get up there this weekend

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:20PM]

or im surprised engadget would still wanna hold this event after they had to yell at us last nite, since were a bunch of little kids.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:20PM]

Please have a meetup in Atlanta some day.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:20PM]

18+ requirement is completely unnecessary, you guys D:

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 4:26PM]

Sure it is, it keeps the riff raff out, they should bump it to 21! ;)