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....

QV do you not remember the choas of sorting the money the first year we went? Or are youproposing the whole cost upfront rather than a deposit as we did then?

But, when you do it with work, you know how many people are going to show up. I don't mean to be the thorn here, I just don't want you to put your own money forward only to be shafted by no shows. And there will be no shows. Things come up. People have family issues, work demands, no babysitter, someone is sick, financial dificulties, the list goes on....

chaos

You better come, bubble! I noticed your name is distinctly absendt from the sign up list.... I know where you work.

Does MNet Towers have a Paypal whatsit?

Most people, IME, will stump up a tenner, whether they then come on the day or not. We could then cover the cost in advance and no-one will be left with the tab?

is it not easier to meet in a bar and then go onto dancing if that's what people want

also in a bar, you get to talk to lots of peeps rather than just those sat next to you

I noticed with the 'do' last year, that those who dropped out at the last minute wanted to contribute something.

If we find a function-room and then ask people to pay a tenner to a Mnet Paypal, if people then drop out, the cost is still covered.

I would certainly pay up-front and wouldn't expect my money back if I couldn't come, for whatever reason.

Foxy. The bar thing seemed to disintegrate into so many splinter groups last year that it didn't really feel like a whole meet-up. IYSWIM.

If it's a drinks/dancing thing only (with people getting food before they arrive or later) people can then 'mingle' (such a crap word.)

Talking to myself and getting a bit carried away here?

I'm listening...

I like my splinter dinner. It was yummy.

Have to say my preference is a smaller meal then go on to somewhere for drinks/dancing.

No takers for my Pizza Express suggestion, then, lol!

IMO, the problem with the smaller meal or splinter meal is that you/we then have a really good chat with those few at the smaller meal but then have to spend the rest of the evening in a noisy bar/club shouting to be heard by all of the other people we'd like to meet/talk to.

There were so many people I wanted to talk to last year but, as it was so noisy ( and yes, I'm getting old ) I gave up.

Agree Bubble.

Folk are committed to spending when they put their name on the list.

I dont see why folk would have a problem paying up front for a set(ish) meal, and a half bottle of wine each.

Then there is no problem with drop outs or complicated bills at the end of the night.

I really REALLY dont want a 'small' meal, then on to a noisy place where you cant hear the person sat next to you speaking.

A tenner up-front doesn't sound too bad, does it?

I wonder what The Selfridge Hotel or another hotel nearby would charge for a function room/hall, DJ and perhaps a basic buffet type thing?

We could also then negotiate a good rate for rooms for the night for those who needed a bed?

Is it not possible to do the small meals then met up at a quieter bar where it is possible to mingle and hold conversations? There must be such a place in London surely?

Do you want to email them bubble?

I've contacted Strand Palace but apparently its not such a great place.....

They had pretty reasonable charges.

The issue with that COV, is that folk end up having to meet really quite early, and then there is the push to end the meal in order to move on to another place.

I cant be arsed. I think I speak for a fair few other people too

If we can have it all in one place, why not do that? What's the appeal of going to a bar where there isnt much space to sit, no space for dancing etc?

Fair enough. I jusr remember the set meal at the one a couple of years ago was pretty pants.

VVVQV. I'll do that.

TBH, I don't think it matters too much what the venue/food is like as long as it's a place where we can all meet-up and chat and dance. Rooms on-site would be fantastic as well for those who need a bed.

COV. Hiya, BTW.

My problem with the 'small meals' thing is that it feels too splintered before the evening has begun, IYSWIM.

COV. I agree. The food a couple of years ago was pants. But, TBH, I hadn't really gone along for the food, IYSWIM.

Pizza Express St Martins Lane!

ok, sorry I shall shut up about that now.

i would prefer to be able to sit and eat and talk at a table first.
then perhaps dancign would be nice too.