MN London Christmas Booze-up. Do we want dance/music or do we want to see and talk to the people there?

[eleusis]

Plead discusse. All Bar One in Soho has been suggested. It looks good in terms of location and price, and we can talk to each other (something that was complained about that we couldn't do last time). But, do we need music and dancing? I can do without it, but I think others might want it.

Please discuss....

Or possibly Boardwalk

I prefer to stay long at the table, eat drink and talk... But it would be nice to be able to dance too, providing the music is not so loud and overpowering it prevents talking! Theres no pleasing me, I like my cake and eat it.

I like Boardwalk.

I prefer to stay long at the table, eat drink and talk... But it would be nice to be able to dance too, providing the music is not so loud and overpowering it prevents talking! Theres no pleasing me, I like my cake and eat it.

I like Boardwalk.

Starry has echoed my thoughts exactly.

I may well come if there's somewhere quiet to talk, I can't face it if it's anywhere loud

Lots of talking, and dancing later on 9f I'm pissed enough

Haven't put my name down yet but, I'd like a bit of both. I'm quite shy and it takes me a bit of time to relax enough to talk to people so some music would take the pressure off.

So, can I have some more opinions on Boardwalk. Anyone been there? I've been looking on the web and seen some very mixed reviews. Sound like the bar scene there is better than the restaurant. Not sure I'll eat there.

Eleusis, is this the place with those scanty clad tequila ladies? If so, it is very loud, and a lot of irritating whistling everytime somebody finnishes a shot? Been so long since going out in central London. I initially thought it was this restaurant with balconies in the middle of Covent Garden. But I realize now I was wrong. Punch and Judy, thats the one I was thinking of.

Eleusis, is this the place with those scanty clad tequila ladies? If so, it is very loud, and a lot of irritating whistling everytime somebody finnishes a shot? Been so long since going out in central London. I initially thought it was this restaurant with balconies in the middle of Covent Garden. But I realize now I was wrong. Punch and Judy, thats the one I was thinking of.

Sounds like Tiujana to me.

I've been to boardwalk - for a 35th birthday actually so its good for people who want to talk and dance to not too loud music. It's pretty good, though it can get totally packed out. You can hire a section quite easily though, I think.

see and talk and then dance!

Thanks for the response, oranges. That sounds pretty good.

I'm thinking that if go somehwere in/near Soho people can go off and have dinner in smaller groups. Meet at a welll lit place for drinks at say 8:00, and head for music and dance floor ar say 11:00ish. What do you guys think?

I'm happy with anything

sounds good to me!

Going for dinner in smaller groups may be a little daunting for the mumsnetter who is new and dont know enough people to actually find a smaller group to dine with. Coming all the way to dine alone, possibly, just to meet up for drinks and dancing may perhaps be a little offputting?
How can it be organized so all mumsnetters who wants to come have a dinner companion?

Eleusis, I think the one I am thinking about is actually Break for the Border and not bordwalk. Sorry for the confusion.

It is way too difficult to try an organise dinner for so many. It would require a big deposit (or credit card) and for one am not prepared to take that hit. So, last year anyway, if people wanted dinner they went off and organise some smaller ones.

The West London crowd did one. Others I think went for Pizza. But, of course, you don't have to go to dinner in order to come to the party.

AND OF COURSE IF ANYONE WANTS TO GO TO DINNER AND HAS NO WHERE TO GO THEY CAN THE WEST LONDON CROWD. WE PROMISE NOT TO BITE.

I don't give a carrot who I eat with
Would like to dance later on if I feel the need. Although if I have enough alcohol in me I may not need the music

Eat and talk eat and talk eat and talk.

Then maybe some dancing later.....

I'll happily help organise a huge dinner. I've done this kind of thing for work before. No big deal.

It's the payment that is usually required that gets tricky. But, go fo it. If you are willing, I'm sure it will be fun. If you aim for somewhere in Soho then people will easily find their way to the main party.

PS Don't be surprised if half of the people you are expecting don't show up.

That's why the whole pay-before-you-go thing came up. I am quite happy to sort this out, as long as its POST 17th november

But, how are you going to work this? If you find a restaurant, take the booking from MNers, then the restaurant is going to want a guarantee that say 35 people are coming to dinner. What are you going to do when only 15 show up?

Could we not just do Pizza Express on St Martins Lane? It is close to Covent Garden (but a lot bigger than the Pizza Express in Covent Garden), but the nearest tube station is Leicester Square. If we agree on a time, they should be able to accommodate. Maybe we would have to book a table first, I have been there with work, and they arranged a large horse shoe shaped table.

Somewhere we can hear each other talk, please.

Dancing later, talking earlier.

Could we chip in, in advance, to hire a function-room at The Selfridge's Hotel or a hotel nearby, with a DJ?

Nice and central, for everyone to be able to get to, easyish?