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Yes, it's now time for a big meetup. I am the volunteer organizer of the TLLTS meetup that is to happen Friday, September 29th. The place??? Well I don't have one yet. That's the reason for this post. I have three places in mind and I would like anyone who wants to go to check out the web sites and let me know which place looks good. By next weeks tech show, I will take whichever place is the top vote getter and call them first. If for some reason they are not available or won't have enough space we'll go down to the next place down the list. The places are:

Barley's Ale House No. 1 - http://www.barleysbrewing.com/
O'Shaughnessy's Public Hose - http://www.ospub.com
Gordon Biersch - http://www.gordonbiersch.com/

All of these are very near the convention center in beautiful downtown Columbus. If none of these are appealing, let me know your vote (and a link to a web page would be nice also). For more info on the area near and around the convention center, checkout:

http://www.arena-district.com/

That has a complete list of bars and restaurants in the Arena District. This is right next door to the convention center and has some local flavor as well as some chains (FYI Gordon Biersch is the only one on my list that is a chain....barley's only has 2 pubs).

That's it. The decision will be made by the responses to this post and we'll announce in IRC (and if they read it) on the show itself. My vote as organizer is for Barley's. Barley's is kind of smallish and I probably won't do anything but say go here at a time and stay til whenever....it's small enough you could probably eaisly roam the restaurant and get back to your table in a reasonable time. It's pretty much one large room. Anyway, let me know what ya think and we'll get that decision and time squared away next week.

Barley's Ale House and O'Shaughnessy's both look decent. I see there's live music at O'Shaughnessy's so maybe Barley's would be the better bet as we'd like to chat with everyone without throwing our voices out before the convention on Saturday.

Hey Gorkon, I just wanted to throw in my .02. I would rank them as follows:
1. Barley's (they say they have the best wings in town...)
2. Gordon Biersch
3. O'Shaughnessy's Public Hose ( I agree with Pat, live band == lots of scraming and getting way too close to talk.

Gorkon, any good places to stay that won't break the bank. I think I am only staying Friday unless I can get another day from the boss. Or should I just stick to the recommended secondary place on the website. (the first one sold out). If you don't want to reply in this thread, just let me know on IRC next Wednesday if you have any ideas

Most hotels in the downtown are booked solid. One that is not in the downtown that IS cheap (59.99 a night) is the Kozy Inn which is less then one mile from my house. It's anout 5-6 miles form the Convention Center. This is a NEW motel and they have free WiFi as well. They have images of the rooms at: http://www.kozyinn.net

Bus service is good in this area(no service after 11 so don't plan on riding it down to the pub). There's a park and ride across the street in the Great Southern shopping center.

Barley's is in the lead now with 2 votes (3 counting my own). Food is excellent there as well. I usually get the Buffalo Chicken wrap and they have Firkin Good Ale!

gorkon wrote:Most hotels in the downtown are booked solid. One that is not in the downtown that IS cheap (59.99 a night) is the Kozy Inn which is less then one mile from my house. It's anout 5-6 miles form the Convention Center. This is a NEW motel and they have free WiFi as well. They have images of the rooms at: http://www.kozyinn.net

As long as the place is clean (no blood on the carpet or crime scene tape) and cheap I'm there. It's just a place to crash and get a shower.

gorkon wrote: Barley's is in the lead now with 2 votes (3 counting my own). Food is excellent there as well. I usually get the Buffalo Chicken wrap and they have Firkin Good Ale!

Good food and beer sounds like a winner to me. Normally I like listening to live music but the main purpose is to hang out with you guys. Like I said I don't want to blow out my voice out after screaming the whole night trying to be heard over music.

I agree. I did not see the live music thing on O'Shaughnessy's otherwise I wouldn't have suggested it. Barley's is small enough(but not so small you can't have 20-30 people in the place) that I think we'll just wing it and not reserve anything (I'll make sure that's ok with them or ask what they suggest). Then we can all get tables and mill around every once in a while. If for some reason we can't get in (if they say it's a two hour wait or something like that), then there's alot of other places we can go right in that area. I will be in that area this weekend so I will stop in (The Greek Festival this weekend is like RIGHT next door to Barley's). and refresh myself on what it's like and talk to the staff there.

Although I will be at the 'fest again this year, I will not be there Friday night. I live less than 90 minutes from the show and won't be able to convince my wife that spending money on beer and a hotel stay is a good idea.


For what it's worth, you can get Gordon Biersch in the grocery stores here, and it's pretty good. Other than that, I have no opinion. My experience with Columbus is if you stay away from places that OSU students frequent, you'll be happier. Seems the area around the Expo Center would be pretty safe.

At any rate, it will be great to meet as many of you folks as possible at the show.

Gomer_X wrote:Although I will be at the 'fest again this year, I will not be there Friday night. I live less than 90 minutes from the show and won't be able to convince my wife that spending money on beer and a hotel stay is a good idea.

I'm sure Dan will let you share his bed with him if you buy him a couple drinks first. From what Linc tells me he's a cheap date!

Gomer_X wrote: At any rate, it will be great to meet as many of you folks as possible at the show.

The feeling is mutual. Should be a good time.

Patrick wrote:

Gomer_X wrote:Although I will be at the 'fest again this year, I will not be there Friday night. I live less than 90 minutes from the show and won't be able to convince my wife that spending money on beer and a hotel stay is a good idea.

I'm sure Dan will let you share his bed with him if you buy him a couple drinks first. From what Linc tells me he's a cheap date!

Good idea, Pat. I'm sure my wife will be OK with it if I put it to her that way.

Seeya at the show Gomer_X. Let's keep the thread going. So far it's Barley's. I'll add more about the places sometime this weekend(specifically Barley's at the moment).

I checked out Barley's today and it appears that they will try to fit us in. I don't think it will be a problem. However, another option has popped into my mind as I was walking the downtown today. This same weekend is also the German Village Oktoberfest. There is of course plenty of beer and authentic German food. The first Keg is tapped on the 29th and here's further details:

GERMAN VILLAGE OKTOBERFEST [Society Signature Event]
Event Date: September 29-October 01, 2006
Event Hours:
Friday, September 29, 5:00PM - 1:30AM
Saturday, September 30, 12:00N-1:30AM
Sunday, October 1, 12:00N-8:00PM
Event Site: Grant & Livingston Avenue
Cost: $8.00 - Adults; Children twelve and under FREE!
Event Description: German Village Oktoberfest is a celebration that blends a time-honored German festival with the vitality and charm of a thriving urban neighborhood. Oktoberfest features traditional German polka as well as various other styles of music, a variety of authentic German food and other festival favorites. Don't miss Marketplatz filled with artisans and unique shops. Join us at Grant & Livingston for "one of the top 100 events in North America!" Be sure to check our website for updates, price breaks, entertainment, and special offers.

Let me know what you think! Either place promises to be a good time.

gorkon wrote:I checked out Barley's today and it appears that they will try to fit us in. I don't think it will be a problem. However, another option has popped into my mind as I was walking the downtown today. This same weekend is also the German Village Oktoberfest. There is of course plenty of beer and authentic German food. The first Keg is tapped on the 29th and here's further details:

GERMAN VILLAGE OKTOBERFEST [Society Signature Event]
Event Date: September 29-October 01, 2006
Event Hours:
Friday, September 29, 5:00PM - 1:30AM
Saturday, September 30, 12:00N-1:30AM
Sunday, October 1, 12:00N-8:00PM
Event Site: Grant & Livingston Avenue
Cost: $8.00 - Adults; Children twelve and under FREE!
Event Description: German Village Oktoberfest is a celebration that blends a time-honored German festival with the vitality and charm of a thriving urban neighborhood. Oktoberfest features traditional German polka as well as various other styles of music, a variety of authentic German food and other festival favorites. Don't miss Marketplatz filled with artisans and unique shops. Join us at Grant & Livingston for "one of the top 100 events in North America!" Be sure to check our website for updates, price breaks, entertainment, and special offers.

Let me know what you think! Either place promises to be a good time.

Oh man, that sounds like fun!

On second thought, Dann + beer and German food? Better bring the gas masks.

Wally Balljacker wrote: Oh man, that sounds like fun!

On second thought, Dann + beer and German food? Better bring the gas masks.

Actually either place will be bad for the guys...they both have beer and they both have menu items containing sausage and cabbage. They are doomed! Glad I don't have to sleep in thier room!

gorkon wrote:Most hotels in the downtown are booked solid. One that is not in the downtown that IS cheap (59.99 a night) is the Kozy Inn which is less then one mile from my house. It's anout 5-6 miles form the Convention Center. This is a NEW motel and they have free WiFi as well. They have images of the rooms at: http://www.kozyinn.net

Just booked rooms for the boys at the Kozy Inn. I'm starting to get psyched for this trip. Sounds like it's going to be a really good community event. The speaker list is pretty good:
http://www.ohiolinux.org/speakers.html

I am not looking forward to the long drive though. Note to self: keep windows cracked if riding with Dan!

Patrick wrote:

gorkon wrote:Most hotels in the downtown are booked solid. One that is not in the downtown that IS cheap (59.99 a night) is the Kozy Inn which is less then one mile from my house. It's anout 5-6 miles form the Convention Center. This is a NEW motel and they have free WiFi as well. They have images of the rooms at: http://www.kozyinn.net

Just booked rooms for the boys at the Kozy Inn. I'm starting to get psyched for this trip. Sounds like it's going to be a really good community event. The speaker list is pretty good:
http://www.ohiolinux.org/speakers.html

I am not looking forward to the long drive though. Note to self: keep windows cracked if riding with Dan!

Just stay away from the Sbarro's on the Turnpike. EVIL evil food. If you have to stop, and I know you will have to stop at least once, try the Sideling Hill Plaza. It's always been a nice one.

So what do you think about the Oktoberfest? That sounds fun but Barley's is great too.