"Meet up place" in Toronto before the show??

[ishcabible]

I'm 99.9% sure my fiancée and I will be traveling to Toronto (from PA) to see the show in Aug., and we will probably drive into town on that Saturday. We'll have the VIP tickets, but will likely just go on Sunday for the Mat's, of course (and Iggy and Dinosaur Jr...). Thought it might be cool if some of us loyal Mats fans might like to meet up for dinner or drinks on that Sat. night, or before the show,,,or if you have the VIP package, hang out during the show?? Would be cool to trade our Replacements stories....lord knows I have a few good ones!

Let's see if this is do-able!!! Jeff

[davpel1]

I'm in pretty much the same boat minus the traveling companion -- my wife isn't a Mats fan and none of my friends could make it that weekend, so I'm coming in from Detroit solo. I've got a VIP ticket and would definitely be up for a meet up pre-show or a MWT gathering in the VIP area. Not really up on the best spots to meet for dinner/drinks. Perhaps someone from the Toronto area could organize?

[ishcabible]

Well, we're officially in, with VIP tickets for Sunday, and will be arriving Sat. afternoon and staying at the Renassiance hotel Sat. and Sunday night. Might be coming with another couple, but he is seeing about time off, funds, etc. We're planning on getting into Toronto mid afternoon on Sat., and pretty open to the rest of the day. We were even checking out the "EdgeWalk" at the CN Tower, but it's $175 per person, so we'll play that one by ear. As for meeting up for drinks or dinner, absolutely, and at the minimum, all of us MWT members should definitely meet up in the VIP area for the show. I'm sure it would be great to share all our Mats stories from the years.... Let's make this happen!

[Deleted]

I will be flying solo at this show as well. To say my husband is not a Mats fan would be somewhat inaccurate-he's never heard of them! (You could say we have slightly different taste in music!). My friends are either amused or bemused (or both) by the fact that I still go to concerts, occasionally by myself. Would be nice to meet up with some people in the VIP area. In particular, I'd like to meet up with other people planning to stay by the front of the stage all day. This is important when you're just over 5 feet tall, plus I must get as close to Paul as physically possible!

[davpel1]

My wife has heard of the Mats and can tolerate them (came to a Paul solo show with me once and enjoined it) but is definitely not up for traveling to Toronto -- especially for a festival.

Yes, for those of us going solo and wanting to get near the stage, finding kindred spirits to help save your spot is essential. I'm definitely up for this. As the show gets closer, I'll try to exchange email addresses and/or cell numbers with anyone who posts in this thread expressing an interest in meeting up.


David

[ishcabible]

I wouldn't call my fiancée the biggest music lover in the world....there is a radio in her car, and it's occasionally tuned in to a radio station playing music, but asking her the name of a song, or a band is hit or miss, at best! What's even more funny is the family she comes from....her sister is an audio engineer, her brother is a drummer in a band, and her father runs the sound board at Penns Peak arena (near the Poconos in PA)! Anyway, she never heard of the Replacements before meeting me, so this will be her first time seeing them...in another country no less!! That's love!! lol

Anyway, I'm totally into exchanging emails or cell phone numbers and meeting up in Toronto. As I said, we are getting there Sat., and we will also be trying to get near the stage, and will be willing to help all our other Mats faithful get a better view, or do a little crowd control for the more vertically challenged!! Can't wait,,,should be an amazing time!!

Jeff

ps---my claim to Westerberg fame...I'm in the Come Feel Me Tremble DVD..quick shot of me in the crowd...Philly show..

[Deleted]

While I want to get close to Paul, I'm not sure how close I want to get to Iggy ! I hope he's mellowed  a bit with age!

[monkeytot]

Hello. New here, just surfin around. I'm solo for Toronto as well. Coming up on Friday. Like to get to know some of ya on the boards, but sure, would like to meet up.

[GtrPlyr]

Here are a few suggestions for possible meet up places. I tried to pick ones fairly close to the venue and west end hotels that most out-of-towners are probably staying at. They’re all fairly big so they can accommodate a big group if necessary and are casual establishments; decent places to hang out, have some food, drink and conversation. Edited this and added a few more suggestions and grouped them by day:


SATURDAY NIGHT (Slightly further from venue but closer to the downtown core. Good area for bar hopping):

Irish Embassy Pub and Grill - 49 Yonge Street • 416-866-8282 • Sat & Sun: 11:00am - 2:00am (Good place to hang out with friends and have some food and drinks. Further away than the other places but not unreasonable so.)

P.J. O'Brien Irish Pub & Restaurant - 39 Colborne Steet • 416-815-7562 • Sat: 11:00am - 2:00am/Sun: closed (A few blocks away from the Irish Embassy. Another fun place to hang out for drinks.)

Bier Markt - 58 The Esplanade • 416-862-7575 • Sat: 11:00am - 2:00am/Sun: 11:00am - 1:00am (Another good choice, and it's fairly close to P.J. O'Brien's and the Irish Embassy, just in case someone is considering a bit of a pub crawl.)


SUNDAY AFTERNOON (Closer to venue so good area for a before show meet up. Also good area to do some bar hopping):

Bier Markt - 600 King Street West • 416-862-1175 • Sat: 11:00am - 2:00am/Sun: 11:00am - 1:00am (Less than a km away from the venue, roughly a 10 minute walk. This one is the closest to the venue and another good option to hang out for food and drinks.)

Jack Astor's - 133 John Street • 416-595-9100 • Sat: 11:00am - 2:00am/Sun: 11:00am - 1:00am (This place has 2 floors so lots of space. I go here to meet up with friends on a Friday night from time to time.)

Fionn MacCool's - 310 Front Street W. • 416-340-1917 • Sat: 10:00am - 1:00am/Sun: 10:00am - 11:00pm (I don't think I’ve ever been to the one at this location but I’ve been to a few of the other locations. Decent place for food and drinks from what I recall. This one is the closest to the venue of the bunch I've listed for what it's worth.)

Shoeless Joe's Sports Grill - 276 King Street W. • 416-596-4203 • Sat & Sun: 11:30am - 2:00am (Sort of a generic bar & grill. Not a bad place to hang out for a few drinks and a meal.)

Town Crier Pub & Halfway Beer House - 115 John Street • 416-204-9588 • Sat & Sun: 11:00am - 2:00am (Never been in here but walked by it a ton of times. It sounds like it has a great selection of beer, and decent food choices. It's just a few doors down from Jack Astor's.)


Any of the ones listed for Sunday are also good for a Saturday night—and vice versa—if one doesn't want to venture over to the Yonge Street area.

[ishcabible]

Fantastic! Being this will be my first in Toronto, I'm open for any of the above listed places. Just name the time and place and we'll be there. We'll obviously exchange contact info as we get closer....

[monkeytot]

Toronto has awesome clubs and bars including some amazing Irish Pubs, which would be my choice as I am addicted to Guinness.

[monkeytot]

The Irish Embassy Pub (49 Yonge Street) is an amazing place. Great bar and great food and it's like ten minutes from the Fort. Let me know what yallz think. Also are we going to need a special sign or greeting to recognize us like "Paul is not dead" or "chikabadeebis" Or should we all wear like a yellow gardenias in our hair or something? Oh and thanks to our Mod for some great suggestions.

[GtrPlyr]

Jul 28, 2013 19:04:30 GMT -5 monkeytot said:

The Irish Embassy Pub (49 Yonge Street) is an amazing place. Great bar and great food and it's like ten minutes from the Fort. Let me know what yallz think. Also are we going to need a special sign or greeting to recognize us like "Paul is not dead" or "chikabadeebis" Or should we all wear like a yellow gardenias in our hair or something? Oh and thanks to our Mod for some great suggestions.

I've had some good times there, good bar. Thought about adding it to my list, only reason I didn't was the distance from the venue (3 kms, about a 35 minute walk.) Of course if one is going by taxi it's not an issue.

[monkeytot]

Jul 29, 2013 7:27:27 GMT -5 GtrPlyr said:

Jul 28, 2013 19:04:30 GMT -5 monkeytot said:

The Irish Embassy Pub (49 Yonge Street) is an amazing place. Great bar and great food and it's like ten minutes from the Fort. Let me know what yallz think. Also are we going to need a special sign or greeting to recognize us like "Paul is not dead" or "chikabadeebis" Or should we all wear like a yellow gardenias in our hair or something? Oh and thanks to our Mod for some great suggestions.

I've had some good times there, good bar. Thought about adding it to my list, only reason I didn't was the distance from the venue (3 kms, about a 35 minute walk.) Of course if one is going by taxi it's not an issue.

Oopps. You're exactly right.  I meant 10 mins by taxi, if people wanted to go that route.  Also might be a good place to start if we want to do a pub crawl kinda thing.  To be honest I don't feel the need to see any bands before Best Coast.  maybe others feel the same way here?  

[FreeRider]

loved TO when I was there visiting back in the late 90's. Had a blast. Went to the hockey hall of fame, wandered around the downtown part a lot, checking out a lot of bars. Yonge Street goes on forever....wish I could join you folks, it'd be nice to visit TO again.

[GtrPlyr]

Jul 29, 2013 10:49:10 GMT -5 monkeytot said:

To be honest I don't feel the need to see any bands before Best Coast.  maybe others feel the same way here?  

Yeah, I only really want to see these bands (in order of importance): The Replacements, Iggy and The Stooges, The Weakerthans, Dinosaur Jr. and Best Coast. Maybe the first two bands are good, but I don't know them at all and Rockets from the Crypt I know but what I've heard didn't grab me.

[monkeytot]

Jul 30, 2013 8:01:17 GMT -5 GtrPlyr said:

Jul 29, 2013 10:49:10 GMT -5 monkeytot said:

To be honest I don't feel the need to see any bands before Best Coast.  maybe others feel the same way here?  

Yeah, I only really want to see these bands (in order of importance): The Replacements, Iggy and The Stooges, The Weakerthans, Dinosaur Jr. and Best Coast. Maybe the first two bands are good, but I don't know them at all and Rockets from the Crypt I know but what I've heard didn't grab me.

Same here about RFC. Meh.  I don't know why they're so high up on the bill.  Maybe that will  be nap/dinner time for me.  Otherwise- Mats, Iggy, Beth Coast, Weakers and Dino.

Also, cool avatar.  I've never seen Loneliness, but I remember an interview w/ PW where he says that movie had a big influence on him, but I can't remember why.

[davpel1]

I'm probably looking forward to RFC more than any band other than the Replacements. Hadn't really heard of the Weakerthans before the festival lineup was announced. Checked them out and was decidedly unimpressed.

[Deleted]

Other than the Mats, I'm mainly interested in Dino Jr., although am open to discovering new music. I borrowed a Weakerthans CD from my local library; they used to receive a fair bit of airplay here in To. due to our Canadian content rules. They're OK; mild, inoffensive, catchy pop. Saw Best Coast open for Green Day back in April; didn't make much of an impression.
Regardless of who we all want to see, is it not important to get there early to stake out our spots? Or is that just my concern, shrimp that I am?

[wiser's deluxe]

driving in that day, but staying overnight. got the vip tickets. just look for the drunkin Buffalonians. there'll be a number of us. i'll answer to asshole, bastard and john just as easily. can't hardly wait.

ADD: if tomt's coming, then i'll answer to anything. #respect.