I nominate the Beach Chalet by Ocean Beach, because the location is antipodal to all known forms of public transportation and favored neighborhoods.

(And because I'm feeling wantonly rebellious)

*bangs gavel, smashes thumb, runs away screaming*

We should really just decide that we have "a place" and always meet there. That would avoid all these debates.

I have no real suggestion for what such a place might be, however.

The only definites were s_r, Triode, mp, and me, yes? That would lead me to think downtown or Hayes Valley might be good.

(Me +1)

Anything works for me. I'll have wheels.

Yay, +1!

I think ikkyu is also coming, but I'm not definite on that.

If we're really going to be that small a group, part of me wants to suggest Edinburgh Castle. But once you get more than 7 or 8 people there, it gets overly complicated.

There's Place Pigalle in Hayes Valley, though if we do that I'd suggest starting a bit earlier, as it can get stupidly noisy later in the night. Also, it's only beer and wine (and sake), but they have a nice but non-expensive wine list.

There's a place in the Financial District that might work, but I'm blanking on the name. It's directly across from the parking lot in which mudpuppie parked for the last MeCha meetup, and I once had drinks there with DaShiv, and it has paintings on the wall of hipsterish folks in business suits doing yoga poses. If this is ringing any bells with anyone, lemme know.

It occurs to me that where I actually want to go is the Thirsty Scholar. But it's in Boston. Outside Boston. I supect BART does not go there. (And even if it did, it would be BAHT, and that's just silly, because we're not even in Thailand.)

Yeah, and I want to go to the Dog & Duck in Austin.

We're all screwed.

Occhi - That'd be Zebulon.

And since we're sharing where we'd *really* like to go, I'd call for the Albatross in Berkeley. Bar w/ Scrabble and no TVs = alll-riiiight.

Indeed, it is Zebulon. Thank you, and three points for you.

Does Zebulon sound at all appealing?

Not knowing anything about it (other than that there's a nearby parking lot), I say Yes, just so we can be done with it.

Zebulon.

Brick walls. I'm sold.

7:00? 6:30? 6:00? 7:15? 7:25? Anyone?

Zebulon sounds good. I'd tend to skew earlier, but that's only 'cause I'm A) Not gainfully employed and 2) dislike crowded & noisy bars, which generally happens later than 6 pm.

Tentacular (a mashup of "Spectauclar" and "Tentacle-y" by which I mean good, hot, fried & plenty of unctuous dip) calamari there, too.

I get off work at 5:30, right around the corner, so I can be there anytime thereafter. And I'd vote for soon thereafter, as well.

Really, I just like saying "thereafter."

Oh, also, they have happy hour till 6pm.

I think earlier works for me (+1). I just assumed all y'all locals would vote for later.

So 5:30?

Yes. 5:30.

Does that mean you get to bang the gavel now?

Oh, sweet, a place with real drinks and no smoking inside. I'm totally there. Free medical advice until I can no longer speak in complete sentences.

*BANGS GAVEL WITH FINALITY*

I might not have been able to go, because ostensibly I was hosting a dinner that night. But I have NO FUNCTIONING BATHROOM and no chance of recovering one in two days (long story, will elaborate sometime) so the dinner is off.

If when 8 or so rolls around you all are still up for things, I'll join you.