Engadget's NYC reader meetup / holiday party is tonight!

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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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.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 1:10PM]

I think at this point any dress code should be allowed..Snow boots, big winter jacket & sweater, backpack with supplies because you want to make home in the storm after wards....

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 1:11PM]

I'll be there by around 4 p.m. with my winter gear. Please bring your DS/PSP for some multiplayer goodness. I'm looking forward to meeting you guys and getting some real live networking done. Is there a good iphone app for swapping vcards?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 1:13PM]

so is anyone hoping to get laid..with all those bloggers there,.??r we allowed to take our iPhones ,

[Cahlito Posted Dec 19th 2008 1:21PM]

I'm bringing mine ;-)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 1:55PM]

@Joseph- Why don't you take a picture of your information then you could just email people with your info on it. I don't think there's any iPhone apps for vcards yet.
I'm bringing my iPhone. Just hope it doesn't run out of juice..

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 2:13PM]

Good idea Dwyane, I'll just have a email template ready to forward with my relevant info. I hope you guys have your info ready to send as well. I'd rather come away from this event with more friends than prizes.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 1:26PM]

Speaking of bringing people, Ill be in line early, but what is the policy on allowing people to join you in line? My gf does not get out of work until 5 or 6. Any advice. At other clubs and such, joining your friends in line is common practice, but with only 1000 getting in, I feel this is different. Skips and holding spots were not tolerated on iphone release day.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 1:54PM]

Why, oh why, can't we have one in Los Angeles?

[mab1376 Posted Dec 19th 2008 1:54PM]

i wish it wasn't snowing like crazy here on Long Island or i'd hop on a train and go.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 2:39PM]

I don't think skips and holding spots in line would be cool, with only a 1000 people getting in.

[tushar Posted Dec 19th 2008 2:15PM]

Any reader meet ups planned for India???

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 2:25PM]

That would be a nice group trip Engadget could plan but it might suck since not all of the gadgets would make it. Cost to bring and take gadgets would be too much....

[tonytouch28 Posted Dec 19th 2008 2:45PM]

someone online now (if anyones actually online yet) report in whats going on...how many people are lined up already? just wanna kno if i should bother making the attempt to head in from Long Island...

[latinoedge Posted Dec 19th 2008 3:06PM]

who wants to meet up? i dont wanna go by myself

[Raul7 Posted Dec 19th 2008 3:08PM]

Does this mean no Apple news in the next couple hours?!

[rrr29 Posted Dec 19th 2008 3:15PM]

MTA, don't fail me now!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 3:16PM]

Can someone let us know how long the line is?

Thanks.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 3:21PM]

Well it stopped snowing in the city, it's just raining now. So I see no reason not to show up.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 3:39PM]

i got no friends if someone wants to meet let me know i live 3 blocks away.......

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 5:52PM]

What?! No meetup in LA area?! Booooo!!!!!

[webterractive Posted Dec 20th 2008 4:29PM]

Engadget Engadget Engadget... LOL they used a non-compatiable version of planning software to get this going.