We could call and ask. I’d be surprised, though; drinks are nearly always more profitable than food.
Just to clarify, we are looking for someplace:
[ul]
[li]central (most places named have been near the West End – what are our outer boundaries of ‘central’? Inside the Circle Line?)[/li][li]doesn’t have music[/li][li]can handle a group of ~15-20 people[/li][li]is interesting(?) enough for people looking to ‘do London’[/li][li]takes reservations (of a table? an area?) for free[/li][li]is a ‘pub’ more than a ‘bar’[/li][li] is not a Wetherspoons, please![/li][/ul]
Guess I’m worried about finding someone whose accent I can understand and who understands mine Would it be too totally freaky if I brought a notepad and pen along?
FYI, I’m out of town this weekend, so if someone else wants to try to navigate a consensus (THAT ISN’T A WETHERSPOONS PUB LIKE LORD MOON OF THE MALL), I won’t complain. I’m also happy to make telephone calls and that sort of thing when I get back.
Okay, well I vote for Nanobyte then because it’s actually NOT place that gets swamped and I really enjoyed it last time. My runner up choice would be Ha Ha in Charing Cross, been there also and it’s a decent place.
I agree with Nava that more than one group isn’t an issue, and I’m probably going to bring a name badge for myself so if others want them they just have to ask. Again, I’m happy to give my mobile to people by PM so you don’t have to worry about not finding us.
I’m not in a position to organise anything as I’m in Sweden until Monday, but happy to try and sort something when I’m back if no-one else wants to in the meantime.
BTW, sorry if I sound like I’m trying to piss on people’s parade here - I just couldn’t find a way to work enough positive stuff into the more negative comments.
FWIW, Wetherspoons doesn’t necessarily mean bad, IME. Some of the franchised pubs aren’t very Wetherspoons at all.
Founders Arms by Blackfriars. Good outside area, the beer was pretty good when I last went there. Next to the Tate Modern as well.
The Anchor, Thamesside down by the Globe theatre, which weather permitting has a great outside area. However, its been a while since I was there, so I can’t comment on the state of the beer though.
How many people are expected at this DopeFest? If its more than about 8-10, it might be an idea to find a pub with a bookable upstairs room, since even the great big Wetherspoons’ get too packed for a group of that size to sit together on a Saturday afternoon/evening.
I could ring round a few pubs and see which has a room available.
I tried to get the upstairs of the Nellie Deans but that’s a no go because of the Rugby unfortunately. I can concede to Nanobyte, the Anchor’s a decent boozer but it gets crazy busy of a Saturday if the weather’s nice,plus it’s family friendly, so kids running about everywhere.
Well can I vote for Nanobyte then? I’ll ring them tomorrow and try and sort booking an area, but even if we can’t manage that I’m sure I can stake a place out as 4pm on a Saturday isn’t exactly the busiest time (and it’s a tad off the beaten track so should be okay).
Again, happy to share my mobile number if people would feel it useful - and let me know if you want a name badge!
I don’t know Nanobyte specifically, and you may be right. But most London pubs I know are fairly packed by 4pm on Sat afternoon. I was in town last Saturday, and looked in on both the Silver Cross and the Lord Mall just by way of research (honestly, didn’t stay or have a drink) and both were very, very busy. If this were my call, I’d try to ‘stake out’ and reserve places, either formally or informally, from earlier in the day, like 2pm ish. Just my two cents.
In the past (not at Dopefests), I have found that just printing out the word ‘Reserved - private party’ on pieces of paper, taking them with me and putting them on a few pub tables does the trick. It’s possible the pub staff may object if you do it without permission, but if you’re getting a small crowd of friends to come along and spend money, they should be on your side. Sweet talking and a smiling attitude can go a long way.
Swapping mob phone numbers can be useful. I can understand that first-timers think name badges and a little flag saying ‘Straight Dope’ are either desirable or necessary, but in practice every Dopefest we’ve ever had has managed just fine without either.
Thanks ianzin - I’m more than happy to stake out an area earlier, can just rock up and bring a book.
mutantmoose - I don’t know that particular pub but it sounds like an idea, however quite a lot of posters in this thread are Wetherspoons averse (in case you hadn’t noticed).
I’ll ring Nanobyte later about booking an area, so hopefully it should be fine.
I’ve just realised that due to a clerical error among my secretarial staff, I’ve accidentally been double-booked for this evening. To my regret, this means that I will have to withdraw, as the previous engagement was the longer-standing one. I’m sure all of you will manage to contain your disappointment without too much public bawling.
Bah. I was looking forward to this, but cest la vie. I’ll try and make it for the next one.
Right - I’ve put in a request to book a table/area via Nanobyte’s website so all being well that’s the place. I’ll post to that effect in the Nads thread too, and can someone do the honours on domebo?
Would it be too totally freaky if I brought a notepad and pen along? 
I’m also happy to make telephone calls and that sort of thing when I get back.