Is anyone interested in a Christmas do over in Bristol?

[MrsWembley]

If so, let me know and we can arrange something.

[MsIngaFewmarbles]

How about the Chinese restaurant near New Bridewell police station then The Lanes? Then people could go to one or both?

[QueenofWhatever]

Which Chinese is that, Shanghai Nights? Now MsIng just because you're a student now, what's with all the dancing? If I can stay awake long enough , I always like a bit of a dance.

[MsIngaFewmarbles]

That's the puppy! Depending on the night there might not be dancing maybe a live band?

[MrsWembley]

Hello all you newcomers, too many to mention

I don't know about anybody else, but I wasn't thinking about a club I'm too old for all that and anyway, I don't want to get arrested for punching a student...

Depending on how many of us there will be, we could either occupy the corner of a large-ish pub (the bar at the Avon Gorge Hotel springs to mind, lovely view but I haven't been there in a while and the service used to be questionable) or we could hire a room above/below (The Quadrant and The Hop House in Clifton are the sort of thing I'm thinking of - both have rooms and could do food).

I also don't fancy being too close to the centre on a weekend night. I remember what it used to be like and I imagine it hasn't changed much since my DCs arrived and put a kibosh on my social life.

If anyone has suggestions then please tell me and I'll put it all together and we can have a civilised discussion argument about the best place to go.

[Spero]

I didn't like clubs when I was young and carefree so I imagine I would really hate them now. Like the idea of a room with food and then the young happy ones could go off after to dance and take drugs and the older misanthropes could go home muttering.

[freetoanyhome]

i just need to be close to buses cos i live miles out of the centre

[MrsWembley]

If there's one thing Clifton is good for, it's buses.

And for those who don't know me, I was joking about punching students...

[AbigailAdams]

Ooh I'd be up for this too (depending on when it is - possible childcare issues in evenings).

I'm with Spero. Neve liked clubs when I was younger. Last time I was in one I managed not to punch a student but it was a close run thing

[QueenofWhatever]

Clifton would not be a preferred location for me as it means four buses which makes it all rather hard work. I would prefer somewhere central. Also if you're thinking of booking a room MrsW, you might find quite a lot of places are already booked up with Christmas dos. Oh hang on, that's exactly what we have in mind... What date were you thinking of?

[Ninjacat]

Now I know I know a few of you but you have all changed your names!
(apart from you Queen)
I'm useless at actually turning up for anything but in theory I'm up for waddling along.

[IslaMann]

Ooh ooh can I come along please... Anywhere is ok for me. I'm in North Bristol (sadly broke) but have a lovely chauffeur DP
BUT to be fussy, ill need lots of notice on the date as I work shifts at the 'mead

[MsIngaFewmarbles]

Not Clifton for me either, I live very locally to Queen and it would be either numerous buses or taxis which then rules it out for me cash wise. The Lanes is actually a bowling place with a bar not a club per se. How about Juniper restaurant in Cotham? They have an upstairs room they hire out, food is amazing and wine not too pricey for a restaurant.

Erm I'll carry on thinking.

Oh and MrsWembley, I have my eye on you and your student bashing, I is a mature student doncha know

[oldsilver]

I'm not to fussy where as long as it's on bus routes good to get back over the river again I haven't really been clubbing since R&J's changed it's name

I suggest not the 1st December as some may be going to the big London meet-up then, and I shall be going to the thread meet-up on that date instead.

I've always been me

[xkcdfangirl]

I think anything that's not really central is going to exclude some people because there are folks in every which direction. Clifton is really not that accessible except for pople that happen to live along one of the bus routes that goes there.
Something near the arches on Gloucester Road might be good as there are a large number of cross-city bus routes that go there so it will be reachable by a wider number. Do we have enough numbers-wise to book a whole room? And are we thinking meal or just drinking & chatting?

[MrsWembley]

Ok, we are up to 16 in number and I'm still hoping people will let me know (some have) whether they want a sit-down or a few sandwiches on a plate.

I am in favour of the later as I feel that a restaurant, with people tied to their seats, will hamper the atmosphere of a group of (almost) complete strangers; whereas a buffet/canapes will allow for free movement when we find we disagree with the person we are talking to want to talk to someone else.

I only mention Clifton as it's the place I know best but, please, do make other suggestions that we can look at. I'm a little confused about where people will be coming in from, especially as Clifton is only one bus ride from the centre, the same as Cotham/Gloucester Road/Bradley Stoke, so could people also put their vague if necessary distance from the centre?

@ so many agreeing to the idea of a room where we can chat and get drunk, but not clubbing...

[MrsWembley]

Oh my god!!

latter

[lunchbox]

Can I come too? I'm in Portishead so anywhere along a bus route is fine by me.

[MrsWembley]

Heeyyyyyyy, 17!!

[lunchbox]

Should we do a doodle quiz thing to work out best date for everyone?

[MsIngaFewmarbles]

Um ok I'm out of this

May I suggest the Rummer, used to be a hideous dive but now a lovely pub that does food and I think has a function room too. Very central for everyone.

[exexpat]

You can probably count me in, as long as dates don't clash with any student parties essay crises.

How about somewhere like the Watershed bar/restaurant? Nice food, close to all buses, parking in Millennium Square, wheelchair-friendly etc etc...

[MrsHoarder]

If is near the centre, count me in. Waterfront or park st maybe? Gloucester rd is at least 2 buses for me.

[MrsWembley]

The Rummer is added to the list (looks lovely), as is Shanghai Nights, Juniper and (could I add?) the Glass Boat.

i would suggest looking at what is available at the same time as looking at who is available when. Maybe everyone could mention dates they can't meet?

MsInga Why you say what you say when you say 'out of this'? Confused (.com)

[MrsWembley]

Hello MrsHoarder and hello exexpat! You are definitely off the students I may punch annoying list!

Watershed is another lovely idea, will add it to the list to contact once I know what the general consensus is re. food!!

[bookwormthatturned]

Hi Mrs W - add me to the list too! I'm near the Glos Rd but could make anywhere central (walking / cycling distance would be a bonus as I'd then be able to have a glass or three of something festive