The London & South East meet - venue needed!

[jessica]

We need to find somewhere to have the LSE meets. The landlord of the Kings Arms won’t consider allowing us to have a private party anymore   The turnout was too low last time and he’s also now open to the public on Saturday nights.

Previously we met in the Prince of Wales Feathers but had to stop because the pub’s vaping policy changed. Before that we met in the Coach and Horses in Soho but they require a deposit as there’s a minimum spend for the room and we can’t guarantee that we will meet it.

The upshot is that we need to find somewhere else and we need help finding it!

The pub needs to be in central London, we need our own separate room (or we need the pub to be opened just for us).
The room needs to be big enough for 40-50 people to be comfortable
There needs to be no hire charge or minimum spend and the pub needs to tolerate vaping.
The meet has always been on Saturdays as quite a few of us travel to it from outside London - so the venue needs to be available on Saturdays. 

Do you know anywhere that might fit the bill?

Also, please point out anything I've got wrong or missed out!

[Ash]

this is listed on the CAM-VIP website as being vape friendly

Plough

... they have a room as well but no details on the capacity. That map is quite possibly out of date however

this is the link ... map

[jessica]

Thank you Ash I'll call them to find out

[mart166]

As I pointed out before, The Swiss Cottage in guess where was vape friendly, they have an upstairs and downstairs bar, so maybe they would be interested in letting us have the upstairs, the manageress was very friendly, and acess although not central is easy on the Jubilee line.

MP

[spanky]

It's not a solution, but the weather is getting trust worthy enough to consider any venue with decent outdoor seating...

[mart166]

Apr 23, 2015 8:07:28 GMT spanky said:

It's not a solution, but the weather is getting trust worthy enough to consider any venue with decent outdoor seating...

Picnic in the park ?


Mind you that would guarantee rain

MP

[jessica]

I called The Plough today - no answer but I will try again (I think Taylor Walker might have a no vaping policy, but it's definitely still worth asking)

I will call The Swiss too, thank you mart166 We could decide whether the location is ok once we have it as an option

Outside would be interesting, thanks spanky for that one - can anyone suggest a pub in central London with a decent sized outdoor seating area?

Not sure about the park idea myself (but thank you mart166 ,and please keep the ideas coming!) - what do you all think? 

[mart166]

More ideas ?
The square where I live is quite nice for outdoors, it's pedestrianized with landscaped gardens in the middle, the neighbors use it all the time for kids birthday parties etc, although this is bone of contention at moment, they use all that and then object to me building conservatory, but that's another matter, it would be fine for small meet up maybe 15-20, upside you have my facilities loo etc, downside not so easy on public transport, nearest tube about 15 mins walk, great bus service though, parking near impossible, although arrangements could be made for those that need it eg dolly. Just another thought to throw in pot for later in year, unfortunately for may/June/July we are busy being elsewhere, but a meet in sunny August be great.
I like the idea of meet outside in big pub garden, we spend lot of time in pub gardens lol, but trouble is nice day you struggle for seats, I'll put my mind to this and maybe have to go and sample a few (the torture I put myself through on your behalf lol). Just one thought is the meantime brewery in Greenwich, I think it's August they have a beer festival, everyone sitting eating and drinking on grass in the Naval college gardens, very informal, quite good access.
I'll get back with more thoughts.

MP


MP

[Phoenixflame (Julie)]

Jessica and I are going to check out a couple of possible venues on wednesday, one is 5 mins from Kings Cross station and the other is 10 mins from Victoria station.
What are peoples thoughts on those locations please ?

[lairey]

For me, unless it's right by Waterloo, it will necessitate a tube journey, I'm not really bothered whether that's one stop or 10, so pretty much anywhere near a tube station works for me

And I'd just like to take this opportunity to say a massive thanks to Phoenixflame (Julie) and jessica for their ongoing efforts to both secure a new venue and arrange the past and future meets Your hardwork is very much appreciated ladies

[spaniel]

Apr 23, 2015 8:07:28 GMT spanky said:

It's not a solution, but the weather is getting trust worthy enough to consider any venue with decent outdoor seating...

 i think spanky has it  this time of year 

[OneDay]

I'm not familiar enough with London to offer venue suggestions I'm afraid.

We have had problems with fire alarms at several meets - does anyone know whether certain types of alarm are more sensitive or insensitive to our vapour? (I guess it would only be a selection criterion if we had a list of possibles begging for our custom )

[sydsut]

Off topic a bit but the licensed trade are in a mess with pubs closing down daily, they claim, due to the smoking ban, and here's something that might just pull in some punters and what do a lot of them do. God it's not even Illegal. Rant Over

[VapingBad]

I second what lairey said and like OneDay I don't come into London much (in the last decade), but it used to be that pubs on the city side (still central) are more desperate for custom at the weekend than the west end.

Thanks Phoenixflame (Julie) & jessica we are so lucky to have you working so hard for us

If you book it I will do my damnedest to come

[Phoenixflame (Julie)]

Unfortunately Jessica and I wont be going to the Kings Cross one tomorrow after all, because it turns out the venue is one which we had a bad experience of at a meet in January 2014. The Victoria one may have a charge so until we know for sure we wont be going there either.

There is another possible, which Jessica and I have already visited. It's this one www.thekingandqueenpub.com/function-room.html

As you will see they have a function room (upstairs unfortunately) they say they are fine with vaping, and all they ask is that we make a donation of a minimum of £1. per head which they will donate to charity. Unfortunately they do not do food at weekends.

Can we have your thoughts on this venue please ?