Not following your logic here. My point is not that SOME folks MUST drive to get to a DO no matter it's location because they do not live near a Metro stop (even when the DO is near a Metro stop), but that EVERYBODY MUST drive when the DO is not near a Metro stop.

It's the destination not the onset of the travel to the DO that requires the DO to be near a Metro.

So what is gained and what is lost by making a DO away from a Metro stop?

Gain= no difference from a DO near a Metro stop.
Loss= many folks won't go to the bother/hassle of arranging a car pickup at a Metro stop then transport to the DO.

I just don't see the reason to hold non-Metro DOs.

So the logistics are:

1. DO near a Metro: (a) SOME drive only, (b) SOME take Metro only.
2. DO not near a Metro: (a) SOME drive only, (b) SOME take Metro AND hitch a ride = fewer attendees.

I suspect there are more (b) FTers in this area than (a) FTers. So we're cutting into our fan base by unnecessarily having non-Metro DOs.

If someone is coming to town and can only spend a short time and must be near IAD, then it makes sense. But even DCA visitors can Metro to a DO. So I'm lobbying for Metro based DOs based on all this. Any thoughts?

Hear, here. I'd love to attend a DC Happy Hour, but not a NoVa or MD or WV happy hour. Is it so difficult to organize a get together in the District of Columbia?

They are in DC sometimes. In September or October it was at Capital Brewery on NY Ave. While I'd prefer them all to be in DC, I understand that some people live a little further out and try to attend the VA ones when I can. Perhaps something in Ballston, VA Square, Clarendon, Courthouse or Rosslyn would be possible one of these times. I think those areas are pretty easy for most people. They also have tons of good places and are metro accessable for the driving impaired. :)

Jeez! People! I dont get the what the big deal is with a location that isn't next to a Metro - especially when there seem to be enough and more people offering to go out of their way to give people rides to and fro from the metro - or even better as dcgators for example has kindly offered multiple times - pick people up from where they are in DC!

While it is true that a DO Near a Metro - Probabilistically speaking has chance of attracting FAR more people (driving and non driving impaired) traditionally it has been quite the opposite with far more people attending
a. The DO we had at Sweet Water in Gallows
b. The DO we had at Rio Grande in Reston
c. The DO we had at American Tap Room in Reston

I think we have been pretty well split with having DOs in metro accessible places as well as just outside - we have DOs at the Capital City Brewery, Brickskeller, Jaleo, Flat Top Grill, etc. It all ends up depending on who the people are that are possibly going to make it for the do. If for instance the majority of the people are like GoingAway, MileageAddict, MarkBach, bhatnasx then it does make sense to have it in a place that is more convenient to that majority.

If folks in DC seem to be in a majority then by all means someone should go ahead and set up something in DC - but ultimately if no one is going to pick up the ball to get it going - and in this case Gator Gal and GoingAway decided to do it at a half way location then I think rather than raising issues with it - go with the flow. If you can't make this one then well lets do another date or maybe next month go ahead and organize one in DC!

And as for those not wanting to attend a NoVA or MD DO - for your sake I hope you dont have to fly out of IAD, BWI or even DCA ever! For who know what its like to step out of DC!

Complimentary limo service from DC, Alexandria and Arlington proffered by DCGATORS LIMOUSINE SERVICE. ;)

Could not agree more.

This is why I have offered events near DC or Metro accessible of late, and will keep doing so from time to time. This is the best of both worlds for all involved IMHO.

And I agree with GoingAway that the 5th was originally chosen to accommodate SweetWillie but it does not in any way preclude us from having another HH in January near DC, Metro accessible and not on a Thursday. I am thinking of January 12 or 19 to accommodate gleff or January 11 or 18 for pranu. Thinking of Jaleo in Crystal City or Lauriol Plaza in Dupont. Dates and locations are only recommendations and can be adjusted for maximum attendance but in the end, we can't please everyone.

You are too kind for trying to accommodate my scehdule!

I am fine with any location - in DC or not. Lauriol Sounds good - would be walking distance for headinclouds if I remember correctly! - where is he anyway? Seems to be MIA!

Unfortunately with my schedules Thursdays are next to impossible but any other day of the week when most people can meet up I am game!

You are indeed the man! Drinks are on me (drinks for dcgators, not the rest of you slackers). ;)

Tazi would indeed show up if it were in Baltimore :D

And Skye1, pm me when you get settled and let me know where you are living. I'm less than 10 miles from BWI. Perhaps we could carpool to one of the Happy Hours ... although, midweek is difficult for me.

Since Sunday was mentioned a few posts ago, would anyone be interested in a dinner at the 94th Aero Squadron on a Sunday? We did one a couple years ago. It's a wonderful location overlooking the College Park airport (oldest operating airport in the world) and it is within walking distance of a metro stop. I could even make a midweek happy hour there but I know it is a bit out for some people. :)

Sounds wonderful! I would vote for the Sunday myself!

I missed this the last time you had a meet up there ... I'd be up for the drive but definitely prefer a weekend for the trek ;) As a suggestion, let's find out when Skye1 is coming in and have it after that so he'll be sure to make at least one of these since it'd be in his backyard.

Not MIA, just working??!! Seems that there is a lot of talk regarding the Jan 2006 (already) that maybe we should start a new thread for next year's events. And whoever starts that thread can be the grand poopah of the DC are FT happy hours. Any takers?

Regarding locations, I am inclined for Metro accessible venues. But this does not mean right at the Metro. I can subway/bus/walk to anything within 2-3 miles of a Metro. Let's keep rotating between very near Metro and those a bit farther away.

Sounds good! Sunday would work best for me as well.