Engadget's NYC reader meetup / holiday party is tonight!
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted December 19th 2008 12:00PM
posted December 19th 2008 12:00PM
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!
- 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.
For media interested in attending, please ping us at: nycreadermeetup [at] gmail [dot] com
Note: space for media is very limited as this is a reader event. Readers, you're all set -- no need to email us.
OMFG, it's snowing so hard, but I promised to be there... through RAIN, SLEET, OR SNOW!!11!BBQ
Just promise a public stoning or clak and iEye and everyone will be there.
So when should we plan on showing up to be one of the first few hundred? You gotta save me a spot!
See you there soldier!
This weather is killin me. Im not gonna make it.. Somebody call Mr.Plow!
Color me jealous...
:(
I had a GREAT TIME.
They raffled off lots of cool stuff. Nokia phones, TMobile G1, a bunch of those "Peek" devices and lots of othjer cool stuff like cameras and frames.
I got there at 5:40 and waited till 7 in COLD. I didn't get inside till 7:30 cause there were at least 2000 people on line. Some old lady was snapping at us to get from in front of her house cause she was trying to shovel.
Highlights of the evening:
I met Ryan Block
I got a free drink ticket - I got a Sprite with a Lime
Didn't win any raffle prizes but I still had fun.
TIPS FOR NEXT TIME ENGADGET.
#1 You need a bigger place. 2000 in a room designed for less than 1000 doesn't work.
#2 You need MORE FOOD. When I got there it was like they were handing out cheese. And there were like 3 pieces left.
#3 CHECK THE WEATHER BEFORE HAND.
Otherwise - Great show !
What if the snow is too bad? Will it be canceled? Some of us rely on pt to get in, if they shut that down we're fucked.
Use an usually underrated "gadget"... common sense.
a segway with snowtires?
Quick ... everybody put snow tires on your Segway.
Mmmm. Nothing like the smell of freshly fallen snow, stale urine and cabbie BO for that special holiday feeling.
Will comments be disabled at the party?
Sorry, couldn't help myself.
Nope -- you can ask us if Steve Jobs paid for our luxurious Italian suits in person during the Q&A! :)
+1 Jason!
After last night's big argument i'd be afraid to enter this meetup.... i'd pack some heat just in case.....
Why, will Plaxico be there?
How'd you guys get the snow storm to arrive in time for the party?
You guys are smarted.
The weather is going to prevent many people from coming. We are getting an inch an hour of snow here in Edison, NJ. I guess that means more prizes for me! :D
That's BS. weather people lie. Yesterday they told us here in the Chitown we were going to get a foot. we got like four inces from the whole storm. So don't use weather as an excuse, go out and get free shit.
Man, glad I didn't make plans for the 3 hour journey, this blizzard is hammering NYC now and it will be over my house in about 1 hour. For those of you who make it there, you're lucky, you'll probably all win prizes because of a low turnout!
Everything always happens in NY or LA. :(
Have Fun! :*(
Agree. :(
What about the capital of the United States? It never gets any treatment :(
Why never any love for Seattle? Too close to Redmond for engadgets tastes i guess ;-(
woohoo! taking the train in later today! see you guys later tonight!
public transportation? who needs that....I can hike the 30 blocks in the snow. =D
"When I was younger, we had to walk 15 miles to school in the snow!...."
I and three of my friends 2 of which are actual females were salivating to get into this party tonight from north jersey. I am going to do everything in my power to get into the city.... I'm hoping the roads around my house will get plowed and that way I can get in... I only live 35-40 minutes away all I need is to get to rt. 80 or 78 and I'll make it.
They may be "actual females" but I will assume they are actually unattractive as well.
You lie! Females of the geek species are never spotted outside their caves!
Can't wait!
@Joshua Topolsky: Can you put a link for non-American readers that don't display articles exclusive to the American. like Giveaways and these meetings .... etc, like you did with non-apple link. also can you do monthly gift-guide, i don't celebrate Christmas, but i do celebrate different holidays.
Looks like public transport in this area is running a bit slow but still running. MTA keeps a good list of what is and isnt working on their site. Cant wait to get there.
I can walk down to Hiro. It's not that far...it's snowing pretty hard out here though and you know how NY'er are. We do not do rain or snow. I'm sitting in my office on 30th watching all this show pile up..but I guess Engadget has to do it now with no snow plans. More gadgets for my goodie bag then.
I'll be there engadget! wearing a black shirt. hehehehe I cant wait hehehehehe!!!
free stuff yay!!!!
So when will you be hosting an event in Paris ?
There isn't even any accumulation here in NYC (midtown) yet. Stop complaining! Wear a hat and grab an umbrella. Subways always run too.
but there are people shoveling snow in midtown all day, at least around where i live
Oh, this is only a couple blocks away from work... I'd go, but I'm afraid that, if I actually get in, they'll shut down the comments and we'll all have to stand there in awkward silence.
So, will you guys be passing out nametags with everybody's username and avatar on them?
Too bad I'm at the airport instead! Yikes!
Have fun everyone!
nice
I'm in midtown and I just came in from outside. The snow is just falling hard.....be sure to grab that ski mask unless you want that snow in your face.....Hey anyone up for a snow ball fight afterward hahahaha
My only question is, "first 500?"
Will this really be a problem? Why do I get a vision of 17 nerds sitting one table, netbooks in hand, drinking diet sodas? Party on, O Loyal Readers.
From the incentives, looks like if you want it, better go line up now...
I was going to go - but just too much snow. That rain/snow line is staying to the south.
I think we may be in the 5 inch range.
Engadget you have broken my heart. Why couldn't this have been on Saturday?! I will be arriving in NYC at around 10am tomorrow which does me absolutely no good.
Where is the day-after party?
Im gonna go hopefully but now im not sure my date will want to go.
What dress is allow?
I still have exams next week... otherwise I'd definitely attend. :(