Western Mass Labor Day Weekend Get Together thread!
 

Mel_C. and girl_dee will be visiting Western Mass (Northampton area) over Labor Day weekend and we would like to get a gathering going while they are here.

Our options for times are looking to be either Friday night (Aug 31st) and Saturday lunch/early afternoon (Spetember 1st). The Saturday lunch/early or into late afternoon if folks wanna stick around is so far looking like the best option for most people.

We are trying to decide where to go. The last time we had a Western Mass gathering we ate at The Teapot. Plusses: it's big and has an extensive Chinese/Japanese menu anyone can find something to eat from. The negatives: the long table in the back doesn't allow for easy conversation amongst a large group. It can accomodate a large group, however, which is why I like it.

Another option is Packard's. It's a bar that has a rather extensive menu of pub food. Plusses: we'd be able to eat AND drink. There's a private room in the back we could reserve and we'd have privacy and one big table we could all sit around and converse. Minus: the room only holds 12, 13 people at MOST, so depending on group size it may not be an option. It's my favorite option of the three I am going to propose.

Last option is Quarters, which is an arcade with old fashioned games. Plusses: it's a fun activity and can accomodate large groups. They have food and drinks as well. Minuses: I fear it will be to loud to be able to hear each other but that might just be my fear. This is Jedi's first choice. Caveat: we have never been so I cannot personally vouch for the place like I can for the other two.

Please discuss amongst yourselves! Feel free to contact me or Jedi on Facebook if you're friends with us there, or PM questions but it would be great if we could discuss as a group!

Let's have some fun!

PS: It's Jedi's birthday on the 28th so it would be great if we could celebrate that!! It's her big 5-0!!!

Labor Day weekend
 

I will be around and would love to finally meet everyone

Yay! We'll keep you posted as plans come together.

We would SO come to this if life wasn't so crazy right now. Great location and I hope you'll take tons of pics! :)

That would have been awesome!!! We will take lots of pics for you.

Ok, let's do Saturday then so you can be bright eyed and bushy tailed. That seemed to be the day people were leaning towards anyways!

I can only do Saturday if it's later in the day...I usually work until 3. But I'll be there!

I loved Packards because we had that separate room, but yeah, if we have too many people it'd be tight.

Oooh this has potential!!!!!!!!

I was holding off on Saturday PM as an option but let’s include it as well.

Ok Saturday PM is fine with me as well.

Chancie, I've never been to Bombay Royale but do love Indian. I'm just not sure if it's a group friendly food. It might be! How do folks feel about indian???

Packard's is still my #1 for the back room but it really depends on people. Based on how many people have responded here and to me personally we're already pushing the limit. So, I guess let's think of a plan B.

How do people feel about Sunday instead?

From what I understood Mel and Dee can't do Sunday. Not that they can't speak for themselves lol.

Officially letting everyone speak for themselves . :)

I am scratching off Friday night as an option for possible times and the back room at Packard's because we have too many people.

Would everyone please tell me whether or not they'd like to meet Saturday or Sunday and if you'd rather eat at Bombay Royale or Teapot? The Northampton Brewery was also mentioned to me as a good possible option. Check out their web site too.

Saturday would be best for me. I like the idea of later on, or, at night. I can’t tell you what restaurant because I don’t know them.

Northampton Brewey I think this is a good option as well.

profpacker, all possible venues are linked in this thread so you can peruse their web sites and menus.

Northampton Brewery or the Indian Restaurant whichever is able to fits us all

My vote is for Sunday @ the Northhampton Brewery.

(I feel like I should add with Miss White and the candlestick)

Saturday night would be my first choice but Sunday isn't impossible.

This, though Saturday night could work, too,.just with more finagling. Lol

This sounds awesome. I will look at my teaching and dissertation schedule and let you know if I can attend. What is the deadline for informing you if someone can attend?

Getting psyched to meet everyone

That looks good. I would say that is my first choice

Looks great!

THIS .. looks like a keeper all the way around!!

Ok, if everyone wants Mama Iguanas I will acquiesce. But for the record I HATE Mama Iguanas. Which is why I didn't suggest it. I think they're vegetarian options suck. But if it's what the group wants I'll go along.

Like I said, it seems like people are excited about Mama Iguanas so if that's what people want I'll be ok with it. It is very festive and they at least have good margaritas lol.

I dunno....I think Packard's has better drink options as well as food options for everyone. Not just Mexican fare. JMHO

I agree with this as well. I think Packard's got struck down early on because of the room size. However, we would not be sitting down and dining the whole time we are there (I would think). .. and would be floating around here and there. Also, we do not necessarily have to all be in that particular room, right? We could figure out other table options like putting some together in another area, etc.

I am all about compromise and I think we can come up with a good plan that suits everyone.

For me it is not necessarily about the meal, it is more about the company.

I truly like Packard's as an option. There's plenty of booths and tables outside the back room, and room at the bar. We could reserve the back room and hopefully fit everyone and if not just reserve booths right outside the room and people can flit around and socialize after we eat.

ETA: There's also a back patio for drinking and smoking and socializing. The birthday butch wants Packard's. ;)

I think we've gotten slightly off track because last time we had dinner at the Chinese place and met for drinks at Packards. If the intention is to have dinner and drinks at the same place, then Packards will suit the group best. Let's plan on Packards Saturday night...starting 6 or 7 PM?

No deadline, just show up (but let us know as soon as you can commit).

Yes, I think it would be easy to have dinner and drinks at the same place to simplify things. I will call and reserve space for Saturday at 6!

Reserved. Unless we have a complete change of heart, Packard's it is at 6pm on Saturday September 1st. I will post another link to the bar as soon as I'm at a computer again.