Locations for future meetings

[DrLudicrous]

So we need to find a place to meet at that will put up with a group watching a soccer game and is big enough to fit everybody. Here's some places that have been discussed plus some random ones that I found.

Places we've been
Richmond Arms (http://www.richmondarmsonline.com/) Good but too small
Big John's (http://www.bigjohnsbar.com/) Good but too far out

Places that have been mentioned to check out
Woodrow's (http://www.woodrows.net/index.html)
BW3's (http://www.buffalowildwings.com/index2.asp)

Places I found with google
Griff's (http://www.griffshouston.com/index.html)
The Bull And Tavern (http://www.thebullandbear-tavernandeatery.com/) Probably too far
Slainte Irish Pub (http://www.slainteirishpub.com/index.html)
Ron's Pub (http://www.ronspub.com/)

I really don't know anything about these places so comment if you've been to one (especially during a big event or weekend night) or know of other places to check out.

[FuBoy]

So we need to find a place to meet at that will put up with a group watching a soccer game and is big enough to fit everybody. Here's some places that have been discussed plus some random ones that I found.

Places we've been
Richmond Arms (http://www.richmondarmsonline.com/) Good but too small
Big John's (http://www.bigjohnsbar.com/) Good but too far out

Places that have been mentioned to check out
Woodrow's (http://www.woodrows.net/index.html)
BW3's (http://www.buffalowildwings.com/index2.asp)

Places I found with google
Griff's (http://www.griffshouston.com/index.html)
The Bull And Tavern (http://www.thebullandbear-tavernandeatery.com/) Probably too far
Slainte Irish Pub (http://www.slainteirishpub.com/index.html)
Ron's Pub (http://www.ronspub.com/)

I really don't know anything about these places so comment if you've been to one (especially during a big event or weekend night) or know of other places to check out.

Rons Pub is a couple blocks from here - I'll try to get there this week. Was at the richmond arm's again tonight. It really is tiny in there.

Someone suggested Liquor Lounge or something like that in midtown, they said it's really big, and if we're there before 9pm we should be able to stake claim to plenty of space.

[Markus Derailius]

Places that have been mentioned to check out
Woodrow's (http://www.woodrows.net/index.html)
BW3's (http://www.buffalowildwings.com/index2.asp)

Places I found with google
Griff's (http://www.griffshouston.com/index.html)
The Bull And Tavern (http://www.thebullandbear-tavernandeatery.com/) Probably too far

Just a few comments on the above listed...
Woodrow's and BW3's?...there are miltiple locations, I assume you're thinking about the two in Midtown.
Both are good, but very different...you should check them out, talk to the managers.

Griffs is a really old irish pub/sports bar. They are usually very involved in sports, and even have their own "Griffs Army" for Astros and Texans games. Interesting option.

The Bull and Bear is just as far as Big Johns.

Just some additional info.:D

[FuBoy]

Just a few comments on the above listed...
Woodrow's and BW3's?...there are miltiple locations, I assume you're thinking about the two in Midtown.
Both are good, but very different...you should check them out, talk to the managers.

Griffs is a really old irish pub/sports bar. They are usually very involved in sports, and even have their own "Griffs Army" for Astros and Texans games. Interesting option.

The Bull and Bear is just as far as Big Johns.

Just some additional info.:D

Yeah, I think BW-3's in midtown is kind of dead on Saturday nights - plus there's plenty to do before/after a game around there. Woodrow's midtown looks like a hole in the wall, but the Big Woodrow's @ Richmond & Chimney Rock might be able to set us up with the upstairs - I know plenty of groups have had meetings there.

[BB020]

Griffs would be a good choice. They bill themselves as the oldest sports bar in Houston. They might also start a Griff's Army like they have for the Texans. For Texans games you meet at the bar, ride their party bus (stocked with plenty of beer) over to the stadium for a tailgate party. For one fee you get transprotation, tailgate party, all the beer you can drink from the bus before and after the game, and tickets to the game.

Another very good option would be the Wetspot in midtown. http://www.wetspot-houston.com/about_us.html

[Markus Derailius]

Another very good option would be the Wetspot in midtown. http://www.wetspot-houston.com/about_us.html

The Wetspot is a good location, but small...smaller than RichArms. The duma$$ who designed the place put a bar in that was larger than the room!:rolleyes:

Woodrows in Midtown may look like a hole, but it's acutally very good. Great beers, multiple TV's....I watched most of the MLB playoffs there.

I also like the idea of Big Woodrows on Fountainview and Richmond.

[yanks02]

Does anyone know anything about the private rooms in Brian O'Neills? Jen emailed me and brought up BON as a potential meeting spot, and I know we had discarded it because of the place being so crowded. Does anyone nkow if there are TVs to watch games in the private rooms?

Just an option.

[DrLudicrous]

I've talked with one of the owners of Live Sports Cafe downtown and he's very interested in working something out with us. He mentioned setting aside a room for use and having some sort of special for the group. The only problem is that after 10 on Saturdays it kind of goes into "Club mode" instead of just being a sports bar. Depending on the schedule that may or may not be a problem but it's definatley a place to keep in mind.

[yanks02]

I've talked with one of the owners of Live Sports Cafe downtown and he's very interested in working something out with us. He mentioned setting aside a room for use and having some sort of special for the group. The only problem is that after 10 on Saturdays it kind of goes into "Club mode" instead of just being a sports bar. Depending on the schedule that may or may not be a problem but it's definatley a place to keep in mind.

Oooh I see Karaoke! ;)

It seems cool to me. Maybe we can check this out next time.

[Numero Dos]

Griff's is worth looking at. Plenty of space. lot's of TVs. Good atmosphere inside and out, and decent burgers, fries, etc.

[bford]

Griffs is pretty cool.. the downtown place seems interesting also.

rock

bford

[Markus Derailius]

just to add another comment about Griffs...

If you haven't been there, try to stop in at some point just to check it out.

It has an 'underground', gritty, hardcore, authentic feel about it....probably 'cause it is all of those things.
It might be just what the group is looking for

[nobius]

I haven't been to Griffs but it looks pretty cool. It's also in a pretty central location.

[FuBoy]

just to add another comment about Griffs...

If you haven't been there, try to stop in at some point just to check it out.

It has an 'underground', gritty, hardcore, authentic feel about it....probably 'cause it is all of those things.
It might be just what the group is looking for

As soon as I saw SHENANAGINS - I had found the spot.

Officially it's Griff's Shenanagins Cafe & Bar. Nice.

[nobius]

Another very good option would be the Wetspot in midtown. http://www.wetspot-houston.com/about_us.html

Was at the Wetspot last night. Lots of TVs, but that bar is kinda big. :)

[ethan]

Hi. I'd like to put my two cents in for Ernie's on Banks, off of Montrose. The upstairs might be suitable. A large, long bar and 4 TVs (including a bigscreen) up there, with a deck.

e.s.

[DrLudicrous]

Hi. I'd like to put my two cents in for Ernie's on Banks, off of Montrose. The upstairs might be suitable. A large, long bar and 4 TVs (including a bigscreen) up there, with a deck.

e.s.

I think I went there once but don't remember much about it, we'll add it to the places to consider though. Thanks for the suggestion.

[anderson]

We talked a bit about Griff's (http://www.griffshouston.com/) at the meeting on Friday.

Jen (who does the Keeper Notes newsletter (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291916)) also points out that Brian O'Neill's (http://www.brianoneills.com/) showed every WC 02 game and sponsored both of the WUSA exhibitions that were held in Houston. BONs has also been very accommodating in the past when we've called ahead to arrange to watch a game.

She also suggests that we may want to consider Kicks Indoor (http://www.kicksindoor.com/), which apparently has a bar area on the second level with lots of TVs. Anyone watched games there or is just want familiar with the bar/TV area and want to offer thoughts?

Both locations are inside the Loop.

I have a couple of other thoughts:

First, I agree that we should support business that support soccer in Houston. Of course, if a bar that hasn't previously supported soccer now wants to sponsor a supporters group, then that should probably count as supporting soccer in Houston. But we should also keep in mind that some businesses have been sponsoring Glenn's radio show, will soon sponsor 1836, and have a track record of showing soccer games. I understand that we need to consider a variety of factors - just emphasizing that it pays off in the long-run to support the businesses that sponsor soccer.

Second, we need to pick a location that will guarantee us priority on at least one reasonably sized screen and seating area for 1836 road games and WC 2006 games. Some of the bars that we're considering have other priorities - such as EPL, Rockets, or Astros - that will conflict with 1836 and WC games. They'll all tell us that it's no problem because they have lots of TVs. It's true that they all have lots of TVs and we'd be able to get one, but I think we'd want the biggest screen they have. Obviously, our negotiating leverage all depends on how many people we can get into the habit of attending viewing events - but it may be easier to fight that battle in any event with a bar that has a track record of prioritizing soccer.

[anderson]

Back to our regular programming for just a moment - Jen adds that she knows the owners of both BON's and Kicks and is willing to help if we're interested in either location. Just FYI.

[nobius]

I had never been to Griffs before until I met OL there. Seemed like there was plenty of room for gatherings. I say move it around until you find a sponsor or a place that almost everyone loves.