MetaChat - AskMecha: Oh, the stressful life of a party girl...

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14 August 2006

AskMecha: Oh, the stressful life of a party girl... I'm trying to plan a little party for my other half's 30th bday next month. Help!→[More:]I'll be specific for the benefit of my fellow Cleveland-ers. What would be ideal would be if a cool place like the Hi-Fi or the Grog Shop (rock bars) would let me pre-purchase a keg and bring in some food, and our guests (probably 30-50) could come and go as they please, drink 'free' beer, eat some snacks, hang out, if they want other drinks it's on them.

Mr. Kitty also LOVES video games, so I'm considering places like Dave & Busters or the Boneyard Grill on Mayfield Rd., but after brief chats with their party planners it all feels so structured. And planned out. And expensive.

My house is out, as the neighbors have a tendency to call the police on anyone trying to have fun, and friends' and families' homes won't work out for assorted reasons.

So what kind of venues am I just not thinking of?

post by: ferociouskitty at: 14:09 | 5 comments

Jillian's in Cedar-Fairmount? I've never been there, or to Dave & Buster's for that matter, but aren't they somewhat similar? Probably wouldn't be any cheaper, but you never know.

posted by amro 14 August | 14:20

Are there parks or beaches or other outdoor areas that might let you bring a keg, commandeer a grill, and just hang out? That seems to be the party method of choice in San Francisco.

posted by occhiblu 14 August | 14:33

It's been my experience that the local park system really values that whole "family friendly" and "no drunkards" vibe they've got going on. We also considered some kind of camping - people who want to stay the night can, others can come and go - but we don't know of any place close enough to the city that would let us act like drunken jerks. And that's important to me.

posted by ferociouskitty 14 August | 14:43

I don't know about Cleveland, but I do know that Dave & Buster's parties have a real air of defeat and manufactured experience about them. This is based on two visits over a lifetime - one for a co-worker's going-away and one for somebody's birthday. Both were halfhearted affairs.

The problem with the scenario there is that planning an evenening around game-playing separates a group rather than unites it. Sure, you can sit together while you drink the beer and eat the Santa Fe Pizza Fingers, but then people end up playing machines on their own or in pairs. And inevitably there will be people who don't enjoy the noise and lights and games and are a bit non-engaged.

So I'd recommend against that, unless you think he and all your friends would truly love it.

posted by Miko 14 August | 15:39

Ask one of your favorite local bars how much it'd be to hold a private party there one night until, say midnight. It's doable, particulary earlier in the week.

posted by trondant 14 August | 20:13

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