SF Pre-Tiki Crawl Event: Trader Vic's March 7

OK- As is tradition for the SF Tiki Crawl, dinner at Vic's on the Friday before is in the works. Since there is also a concert and a trip to the Ugh House in the works, it's shaping up to be a very nice night. (In fact with Thursday at the Odeon and Sunday hangover at The Mallard, if we had a couple of dealers, we'd be the biggest event of the year!)

Anyway, back on track: There are only two private rooms left that evening. the Captain's Cabin is huge and needs at least 50 people. So I booked the Captain Cook Room. It's a great room, with killer shell lamps for all you lamp nuts, plus we can play our own music, and it has its own bar so we don't have to get drinks with the regular riff-raff. (Wow, this sounds like my bus posts.). I don't have the prices yet, but you can expect it will cost what a regular three course meal would cost at Vic's. We must have 25 people or there is a room charge of $150. The private rooms are for private functions- as such, they have a set menu. We can decide on the entree (or possible two choices) later. What I want to find out is if there is enough interest to do this. Getting this room is a committment: I have to sign a contract, make a deposit, and a guaranteed headcount. This isn't a case of "Well, I don't feel like going after all" and then flaking out the night of the event. This isn't to say that it won't be great- it's just a bit more serious than the Puka Room was last year. (It's already booked, I'm afraid) If we cancel, then Vic's eats the $500 deposit.

Do people want to do this? Otherwise, we can probably do something similar to what we did at Vic's 100th b-day and just get regular tables in the restaurant. I do think the room will be cool, but what do y'all think? (I'm talking like Sven!) Is there enough interest?

Post your thoughts here!

-martin

Yes! sign me up!

--cyn

How many do we have signed up for the room? Is it a go? What was the deadline? I'm out in Walnut Creek, so depending on the time, I may be able to make it....just trying to work out the details!

:drink:

Tacky Tiki

Well, so far, it's you, me, and Cindy makes three. That's not going to work.

Is this really all the interest? Please post ASAP as I cannot keep this reservation much longer without a deposit.

Thanks!

-martin

C'mon, you guys! We had tons of people at Vic's last year -- our room was overflowing!

--cindy

I'd like to commit, but I'm afraid that with the expense of the drive up, accomodations, etc., dining out is the first expense to be cut from the budget!

Hotel room coffee makers are great top ramen cookers, you know!

:tiki:

what time are you thinking of meeting up at Trader Vic's???

I could drive up after work....

Sadly, we've decided to pass on the TV activity this time. It's great fun to see everyone there, but it's so dang expensive, and what with being a new homeowner and all...
Besides, we really wanna catch the show at the Plough and the Ugh event. With 3 things happening the same evening, something had to go. :(

See you on the bus!!!

Mrs. Smiley and I hope to have drinks at Trader Vic's right before the UGH party 3-7-03. Maybe some of you will want to join us--bruce

mrsmiley wrote

Mrs. Smiley and I hope to have drinks at Trader Vic's right before the UGH party 3-7-03. Maybe some of you will want to join us--bruce

Sure! About what time?

]Mrs. Smiley and I hope to have drinks at

Trader Vic's right before the UGH party 3-7-03 AT 7 PM.
Maybe some of you will want to join
us AT 7 PM--bruce

Craig and I are in! I think we'll be bringing at least one other person, maybe more if I can convert them to the Tiki lifestyle before then.

We were pushed out of the room last year, damnit, I'd better get in this year, even if I have to shell out the $150 myself.

Grrrr!

Well, that's about nine people by my count, so I'm going to cancel the room tomorrow unless I see a huge surge in the numbers in the next 24 hours. No big deal- It is a bit pricey in an already pricey weekend. In its place, I have reserved space for 15 people at 7pm in the lounge area of Vics. (Toward the banquettes (sp?) and the never-on TV end of the lounge closest to the front door) You can get full food service there and you're closer to the bar anyway. Bruce/Dean/everyone- the reservation is under Martin Cate- just tell 'em my name and start drinkin'.

See everyone then, if I don't see you at the Odeon first.

-martin

Hey, so it's 7pm at Trader Vic's? Lounge room reserved area for 15 guests and there's only 9 so far? Well add two to that, my escort and I will be attending. That's 11. And I'm assuming that that UGH house is the same thing as Mr. Smiley's party? Just want to make sure I didn't know I about a different party.

Okay, so if we are in the lounge, are we still able to order dinner? And if so, what do they serve there?

I will need directions to Vic's and to the mysteriously double-named party afterwards. I should probably get them now in case Micheal Douglas comes barreling over a hill in his hooptie through the streets of San Francisco and crashes into my effort to make it to Vic's on time. Should be able to make it though, as my flight arrives at 5:55pm from Florida, and I will be already tiki-dressed in pre-preperation.

Hey, am I the one coming from furthest away?

Can't wait! One week!
Tikicutie Laura

Hi Martin, I'll be at Trader Vic's at seven too, so make it twelve! So sorry to have passed on the big room but I've got money issues too these days...

And Tikicutie, MrSmiley's party is at the Ugh House--don't worry, there's no mysterious second party.

Which airport are you flying into? You're renting a car, I assume?

Lisa

Oh, I'm flying into Oakland, arrive at 5:55pm, a fellow Tiki Centralite is picking me up, gotta rush over and check into my hotel and then rush over to Trader Vic's.

I don't think I'll be able to do all that by 7pm, but then again, I don't know what proximities the three destinations are from each other.

Anybody have any idea? Oakland to Grant Plaza Hotel (apparently in Chinatown) then to Emeryville?

Tikicutie Laura

On 2003-03-02 22:07, TikiCutie wrote:
Oh, I'm flying into Oakland, arrive at 5:55pm, a fellow Tiki Centralite is picking me up, gotta rush over and check into my hotel and then rush over to Trader Vic's.

I don't think I'll be able to do all that by 7pm, but then again, I don't know what proximities the three destinations are from each other.

Anybody have any idea? Oakland to Grant Plaza Hotel (apparently in Chinatown) then to Emeryville?

Tikicutie Laura

It's about 5 miles from downtown Oakland to Emeryville marina where Vic's is. By the time you get from the airport to the hotel to Vic's, with Friday night traffic, it will be after 7, but don't worry: we'll be there.

-martin

OK everyone:

Since there's still plenty of people interested in Vic's, but not as many interested in a big expensive dinner, I've cancelled the private room.

In it's place, I increased the reservation in the bar area (Or "The Deck" as they call it) to 20. You can get drinks, appetizers, and dinner from the full menu there if you are so inclined. And it's the best part of the restaurant anyway.

So: See everyone at 7:00 on Friday. Reservations are under my name (Martin Cate). And if you can, try to bring lots of cash in small bills so settling up at the end won't be problem. That way people who only want drinks won't get screwed and we won't have to make the waitstaff do 20 checks. We'll irritate them enough as it is.

And yes, since you asked: It IS hard trying to be tiki and anal at the same time, but I'm getting better everyday.

-martin

Friday night is shaping up to be good! Thanks to Martin for helping with all of this! We'll see everyone Friday night in THE DECK.

Aloha!

Count two more in for The Deck! Looking forward to seeing all of you, and having some fantastic Mai Tais!

We're having real Island weather right now-looks like a freaking monsoon outside right now here in the 'deep east bay'!

:drink:

Tacky Tiki

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, no TV's for me this year. Oh well, everyone be sure to remind Mig to pick my tiki butt up at the airport! hhahahahahahahaha

and steal me some menehune stirrers! heeheehee

PARTY...Party... PARTY!! 3-7-03
This is a reminder to everyone. Please email me ASAP for info and directions to the Tiki Crawl Pre-Party this Friday after Trader Vic's at Mr Smiley's World Famous Ugh House Tiki bar. Email me at . See you Friday!

Can someone please give me directions to Trad'r Sam's for Saturday....from Chinatown?

Tikicutie Laura

TikiCutie,
Ya absolutely positive you wanna drive?

If you're in Chinatown area, it's a quick left from Sutter on to Stockton at (big garage on your right, Hyatt across Stockton in front of you), down two blocks (past Post), Union Square on your right. Right turn at Geary.

West! on Geary until you get in the general area of Trad'r Sam's (Geary/26th ave). It will be on your...uh,let me see, right? Yeah, right.

Parking...not too bad.

midnite

ps Anyone going to Trader Vic's Friday night from the City? We're debating it...taxi share, anyone?

I am really excited having another Tiki Crawl party Friday night at the UGH tiki bar in Oakland. It is a private house so you'll have to email me at to get directions and info. I will be handing out info also Friday night at 7pm at Trader Vic's.
I also will be selling some tiki/aloha shirts and dresses at my party.
Please Byob or something and I'll see you there!!

Yes--I don't know if the Fri. party has been mentioned in the main pre-crawl events thread, but for y'all who haven't yet seen the Ugh House Tiki Bar, it really is a must for connaisseurs of home bars...spectacular is putting it mildly.

Sounds like they'll be running fairly late, too, so...hope to see you there!

Richard--PLEASE call me at work today 415-241-8150 until 5:30 pm about the party directions--it seems every email I have sent you has bounced back.
Everyone else:
Everyone else please email me at for directions and info on tonight after Trader Vics in Emeryville.

I will also be handing out a map at trader Vics tonight. Please bring some Rum or something fun TO share at the party.

Tonights party at the UGH House will be an excellent chance to meet and talk to your fellow Tiki Central without the noise of a night club!

-bruce

I'll see everyone at Vic's tonight! And then off to Mr. Smiley's! I don't want to knock any event that Otto is promoting (meaning the show at Starry Plough). But, just as a warning to out-of-towners, for my money the Starry Plough is lame - too brightly lit, always filled with frat-type college students or granola-heads, and crappy sound. The UGH house is where it's at tonight!