# SF Bay Dopers- Meetup or Dopefest? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 4, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700 "2005-04-04T18:02:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/1 "2005-04-04T18:02:42Z")
Let’s rock it. I declare a Mini Dopefest to be held two weekends from now, location undetermined. Who’s with me? ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/2 "2005-04-05T01:46:58Z")
I’m in - my only request is it be near(ish) to BART. I have to work on the 19th, so I’m only available for the PM half, if it ends up being an all-day deal. (Might have baseball on Sunday - have to check with the hubby.) ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/3 "2005-04-05T16:35:29Z")
Sounds vaguely like a plan to me. Are you thinking the 16th or 17th? ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/4 "2005-04-05T18:49:55Z")
I have something Friday night, but otherwise, I might make it. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/5 "2005-04-05T18:56:06Z")
Depending on the day/time, I’ll try to make it. I might even be able to persuade a visiting Doper to join me. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/6 "2005-04-05T18:59:47Z")
Saturday is not so good for me, but I’ll try to make it as well. Sunday would be better… ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/7 "2005-04-05T20:18:15Z")
I’m in. Friday or Saturday works for me. Sundays are for recovering. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/8 "2005-04-05T20:37:07Z")
I’ll be following along to see what’s decided. Tentatively figure Stuffy +1. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/9 "2005-04-05T21:00:19Z")
I’m thinking of the 17th. How about Lake merrit in Oakland? It’s big, can accomendate many different activities, and is at a BART stop. Alternately, we could do a potluck dinner and a movie. Low cost, high fun. Anyone have any ideas for Sunday the 17th? ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/10 "2005-04-05T23:49:01Z")
Pot luck sounds fun, I like to cook ( and I’m scared of Oakland ). ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/11 "2005-04-06T02:58:56Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > I’m thinking of the 17th. > > How about Lake merrit in Oakland? It’s big, can accomendate many different activities, and is at a BART stop. > > Alternately, we could do a potluck dinner and a movie. Low cost, high fun. > > Anyone have any ideas for Sunday the 17th? What’s fun/interesting in Lake Merrit? I’ve always wondered. (More specific - is it safeish after dark? I ask this knowing pretty much NO PLACE is completely safe after dark, but I’d rather not have to navigate a “sideshow” if at all possible.) Plus I’ve only been to one dealie in the East Bay. (Fondue in Berkeley - yum!) I vote NO on the potluck. If I’m out of the house, it’s because I’m ESCAPING cooking. Unless I can get away with bringing a bottle of booze or something. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/12 "2005-04-06T03:37:40Z")
I spend a fairish amount of time around Lake Merritt and I can’t think of a venue in the area. Almost all the restaurants and bars are on the opposite side of the lake from the BART station. **voguevixen** sideshows take place in East Oakland, generally from High Street south to the San Leandro border. Lake Merritt is probably one of the safer places in Oakland day or night. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/13 "2005-04-06T15:53:30Z")
Oakland gets a worse rap than it deserves. There are some very nice areas, and I don’t just mean up in the hills. And even so, I’ve walked from the Fruitvale BART station down International (where they had the Superbowl riots) twenty minutes to my friend’s house at night, and my honky ass was just fine. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/14 "2005-04-06T16:14:29Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > I spend a fairish amount of time around Lake Merritt and I can’t think of a venue in the area. I was thinking more picnic in the park if we were going to use Lake Merrit, otherwise I am open to suggestions about venue. Anyone? Anyone? Any place you’d like to go nearish a BART station? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/15 "2005-04-06T18:11:22Z")
I can probably make it. I’m not much for picnics, generally speaking, but I can deal if that’s what everyone else wants to do. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/16 "2005-04-06T21:52:51Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I can probably make it. I’m not much for picnics, generally speaking, but I can deal if that’s what everyone else wants to do. I feel the same. Too many homeless people shitting on the lawns. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/17 "2005-04-06T22:01:57Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > I feel the same. Too many homeless people shitting on the lawns. 😃 Ah, the SF bay area homeless. They are truly paragons of bumness. Ok, so people think my picnic idea sucked. Fair enough. Sometimes I am an asshat, this may be one of those times. So we will do soemthing distinctly NOT a picnic, but still near BART. Dinner at a restaurant, or a potluck dinner at someone’s house? Yes, booze counts as bringing something. Vote now, vote early, vote often. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/18 "2005-04-06T22:16:10Z")
May I suggest Berkeley instead? There isn’t much for restaurants near BART stations in Oakland, but the Berkeley BART is smack in downtown. I’d suggest Jupiter, a brewpub with OK food. But there are many other possibilities in Berkeley. However, I think beer is a requirement for dopefests. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/19 "2005-04-06T23:02:49Z")
> [@Ghanima](#): > > May I suggest Berkeley instead? There isn’t much for restaurants near BART stations in Oakland, but the Berkeley BART is smack in downtown. I’d suggest Jupiter, a brewpub with OK food. But there are many other possibilities in Berkeley. However, I think beer is a requirement for dopefests. Ok, good idea! But how about deeeeeeelicious Zachary’s? Do they accept resevations? I’d rather NOT do a loud pub or bar, if it’s all the same to everyone. Not much for the bar scene these days. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700/20 "2005-04-06T23:17:28Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > Ok, so people think my picnic idea sucked. Fair enough. Sometimes I am an asshat, this may be one of those times. Suggesting a picnic doesn’t make you an asshat! It’s a perfectly lovely idea, I just happen to be morally opposed to the outdoors. And **Troy** is making a joke about a current Pit thread. Still, I’m just as happy to be having a DopeFest as far as possible from \ _nature_. Berkeley sounds good to me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-dopers-meetup-or-dopefest/297700.md?page=2)