Venue

I've done some searching this afternoon for a venue and have come across the Horse Bazaar - a bar in Little Londsdale St in the CBD.

I've chatted to the manager there and they sound like a good venue on most week nights (which looking at the poll seems to be the popular choice).

I like them because they are a 'digital art' space and are quite techie. They even have wifi from what I've read. They also won 'bar of the year' this year in 'cheap eats'.

They said they'll even promote the meetup in their monthly newsletter and are keen to be involved with us where they can.

My thought is a Wednesday or Thursday evening gathering will probably work well from around 6 or 6.30pm so that city workers can go straight to it. If we schedule the even for 2 or so hours and then people can hang around if they want to.

Now we just need to work out a date :-)

the pub sounds nice to me. but if we could arrange the meeting at weekends would be better :) besides, i think people would like to spend their weekend at bars. but nevertheless, i could go anytime.

Horse bar is an awesome place, or so I've heard. Can we try and get the date well in advance? (At least a week or two) I generally work nights during the week, but I can easily get somebody to cover my shift if I have some notice.

Since I am a poor university student and you are a ProBlogger first round is on you right, Darren?

For future meetups I know of a place in Elwood with a large outdoor and upstairs area, lots of good wine and wifi... Cafe Presse. The bloke that runs it would be happy to have us with a few days notice.

Not as centrally located as the CBD of course, but there as an option.

Horse Bazaar is a good choice. Warm, central etc.
for anyone who doesn't know it: http://www.horsebazaa...

Also I have no qualms with a weeknight.

-crrg

Horse Bazaar... going once, twice... sold to Lex Luthor... uh... I mean Darren.

I'm ready! Let's make a decision...

I vote next Thursday night, 3rd of May... and then the first Thursday each month after that (or perhaps every second month?!).

Someone make the call.

Horse Bazaar it is, make it the second Thursday of every month - 'cos I'm planning on being in pain then (wisdom teeth).

So Thursday May 10th and then every second Thursday in teh month.

I've been given some other suggestions too - and they are below:

The Elephant and Wheelbarrow in Melbourne - Cnr. Exhibition and Bourke Sts. A relaxed atmosphere for any occasion and can easily accommodate 20 - 40. It has 3 levels so I'm sure they could accommodate your group. And if you want to eat - the meal prices are very reasonable for the CBD and the food is to die for (in my opinion)!!! Easy to get to via any public transport means - Parliament Station by Train, or various trams can be taken to get there.

Another place I can recommend is Max's in Hardware Lane - located between Queen and Elizabeth Street and in commences Lonsdale Street to Bourke Street. Max's is pretty much in the middle. It has indoor and outdoor seating available, good in the warmer months or warmer days (such as today). Again they have the capacity to seat the number of people you are looking for. Meal prices are slightly higher here than at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow.

Also Starbucks on Swanston Street has the capacity and is open in the evenings as well.

I'm a big fan of Lounge on Swanston Street, downstairs & upstairs are quite cosy. I'm pretty sure they do Wifi although I don't think it's free.

Is Wifi a priority for the meetup? :)

Stuart

Horse Bazaar... going once, twice... sold to Lex Luthor... uh... I mean Darren.

I'm ready! Let's make a decision...

I vote next Thursday night, 3rd of May... and then the first Thursday each month after that (or perhaps every second month?!).

Someone make the call.

i though i'm the only one who thinks darren resembles lex. lol