San Diego Bars (Read 841 times)

A bit of an odd request.

I've got a conference coming up in San Diego, at the Hilton Bayfront close to the Gaslamp Quarter.  As part of the conference we're trying to organize a social event for young investigators on the Friday night.  There is already a formal dinner on the Saturday night at The Museum of Man, however this is rather expensive and it's unlikely to be well attended by younger delegates as a result.  The people who have been hunting for places have come up with nothing, we either can't get a room reserved without a big desposit, bars/restaurants don't respond, don't have space or are already booked as it's a Friday night. It's now getting rather late in the day, but it's only just come to light that this is proving such a problem.  In the UK and at previous conferences in Montreal and in Brussels it's been possible to reserve rooms for free on the guarantee of a certain income from drinks/food on the night.

Does anyone in the area have suggestions of somewhere that may be able to accommodate approx 50 people?  It's not essential that real meals are served, but it would be good if some nibbles could be ordered.   The date we're looking for is September 16th.  We can potentially organize something within the hotel, but this is a bit more formal and drinks are always expensive....plus it's good to actually see something other than the inside of a conference centre!

An alternative would be that we have a few bars in close proximity, and we don't actually reserve anything, just split into small groups who know that other delegates would be in these particular bars.  However not knowing San Diego at all, I don't know if this works, and which bars we should then be suggesting!  So if anyone has any ideas on that it would be great too.

Thanks Ilene.   I think we may well end up going for the multi-venue option.  It makes it easier for people to get food and go to places that suit their tastes.  It's less inclusive as people will split into groups and nervous types won't turn up to a bar alone when they don't know if people will be there, but I think, given the late stage this is better than no venues at all.

As I don't know the area I'd like to be able to list the bars committee members/groups are planning to be in, that way people can turn up when they fancy.  It's too hard to coordinate 50-60 people on the night unless there are actually vague plans/venues.   I'll hunt through the website and see if I can come up with a few places that are close together and are a bit varied in what they offer (I realise they're all in the same area, but the closer they are the better for allowing people to change venues easily and meet up with other groups).

Thanks!  I'll check out places around the Whiskey Girl area then, and come up with a list that we can put on the flyer.  I'm more or less given up on finding one place (personally I'd prefer a few as I like food and a quiet drink, or some decent music to listen to rather than clubbing and music I can't talk over and isn't worth listening to, but I know others there are more likely to be keen for a heavier night out drink and dancing wise).   I suspect using googlemaps to find places within the same immediate area and then reading a few reviews will do the trick.  Thanks again.  Under 21 crowd shouldn't be too much of an issue as the absolute youngest people will be PhD students, and the rest post-docs or early career stage medics.

The Yardhouse downtown is nice, good beer selection..

 

If you want a dive, hit up The Star Bar.

Thanks!  A dive can always be good, I'll just put that on the description for people.

Purdey, maybe they need a labrador because they're blind or deaf, or maybe they're helpful for collecting whatever is being hunted.  At least if it's an assistance dog it might be allowed in to the bar.