How about a Chicago dopefest?

[Bob Ducca]

I might be able to make it out depending on what night gets settled on. A weeknight is easier than a weekend.

[Vinyl Turnip]

I'd love to attend, but I haven't lived in the Chicago area since 1979 and I hate all of you.

[MeanOldLady]

Fine, we hate you too.

[Vinyl Turnip]

Okay, not you. Everyone else.

[C K Dexter Haven]

OK, this thread has got pretty far afield. It's hard enough to co-ordinate and tabulate something like this, and these side conversations and asides are in the way. Hence, I've started a new thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...d.php?t=657705 to be devoted to SPECIFICS, and no side conversations.

[Tim R. Mortiss]

As long as side issues are still allowed in this thread, here's one: separate checks are not a problem if everyone goes up to the bar and buys their drinks one at a time. That won't work in a restaurant, of course, but it works fine in a tavern.