Jessica Stella Fox

Exactly.... as I mentioned, I think 'Spontainious Drinks' or 'Vegan Drinks--Unplugged' might be the way to go... whoever's up for suggesting, co-ordinating, just throw the ideas out there & work out the best plan!! A rough idea is to make it a Friday/Saturday for those who can't usually make Thursdays.... what pub ideas do you have Ian? I've already mentioned a few local suggestions that we're already familiar with... Citie of Yorke... & just up the road is Penderel's Oak (I suggest this place as its a big pub...) & also there's The Princess LOuise, etc... all in the same area.... a pub crawl in the making perhaps?? But, no... you need to take it easy... but when you feel like it... we could do a Holborn Crawl!! :) All the best, Jess :)

1 · March 26

ian perry

hi jess

0 · March 27

ian perry

whoops that wasn't supposed to happen.... now the thing is, is, i obviously would like meetups in s.e. London, but i cannot see many people up for that.... nobody seems to want to go to far south of the river, lol. perhaps i will give it a try one day when we get a little more used to seeing how it all goes. suffice to say, i will go to most places, not to far from a tube please. x

0 · March 27

Jessica Stella Fox

Dog Star?? :) Its not too far from Brixton Tube! :)

0 · March 28

Jessica Stella Fox

AKA The Drunken Brixton Walkabout *Cupcakes optional*

0 · March 28

Jessica Stella Fox

**Yes, me, with access to a keyboard, still tipsy from a night out with Dawn & Co.... must stop typing/rambling.... hahaha....**

0 · March 28

Sun Flower

Why not just do another regular 'drinks' at Tibits, perhaps a couple of weeks after each of fatgayvegan's monthly drinks? Unless there are reasons I do not know for not going back there (have you all been banned?). Some people probably prefer to go to a veggie/vegan venue rather than a 'non-veg' place. I think Tibits is a pleasant venue, although the food could be better and the prices much cheaper! Having said that, I do like the idea of what fatgayvegan is doing with the main monthly drinks at the moment (even though I still haven't yet managed to attend! Shocking!).

1 · March 31

Amelia Pereira

Hey Sean,that sounds interesting I'm in Xxoo see you at vegan drinks

1 · March 16

Ponder

I don't really see the connection between a meet-up of vegans in London and the first dates of single Londoners...

0 · March 18

FatGayVegan

There isn't a connection other than this person asked if they could come along to to talk with people who would like to be in a documentary. Nobody has to speak to him if they don't want. We once had someone from the BBC along to talk to people about being single and vegan, but only a handful of people spoke to that reporter. If you are not interested in speaking to this producer, you won't even know he is there. The film they are making has absolutely nothing to do with London Vegan Drinks or London Vegan Meetup. The film is in no part being filmed or made at this week's event. I just mentioned it on here to let anyone know who is interested. Just a fun opportunity for anyone interested and in no way will affect the fun night had by those not interested.

5 · March 19

Ponder

Well obviously, I understand and appreciate all that.

My point was more along the lines of the producer having more joy if he went to a more singles/dating orientated event.

But if he wants to meet vegan people and hopefully try some food, then good for him.

1 · March 19

Sun Flower

He's probably looking for 'freaks and wierdos' for some reality tv documentary to spice it up and get the viewers watching (definitely Channel 4 territory). Most people still view vegans as wierdos/freaks, and vegans/veggies are still regularly disparaged by comedians/others on the telly and in the media so we might be considered as good entertainment. So........ try not to let them down, let's freak it up vegans!

1 · March 21

Ponder

That is what I suspect his motives are here.

0 · March 21

Amelia Pereira

That is not a good attitude to have I think that you are turning yourselves into the freaks loot's of people are very open minded which is not your case how cynical judging without even knowing I'm shocked

6 · March 21

FatGayVegan

I don't think people see vegans as weird. I think people see weird vegans as weird.

8 · March 21

Gabi

if you don't want to talk to him, don't talk to him. Looks like there'll be at least 118 people to talk to

2 · March 21

Lewis

Maybe time to draw a line under this?

0 · March 21

Ponder

I can be sceptical of someone's intent if I wish.

1 · March 21

Richard Ⓥ Molyneux

At least we CAN laugh at ourselves :-) http://www.youtube.co...

0 · March 21

Sun Flower

It's good to have a laugh, but let's not be naive about the media's motives. From experience it's more likely to be derision than helpful, but then it's down to how you handle it. I recall an incident at a vegan/veggie group when a 'journalist' attended who said they were going to report it in a 'positive' manner. What she wrote (for Time Out) was anything but 'positive' but a deliberate bit of tabloid sensationalism/titillation which would have been fitting for the Sun newspaper.

1 · March 21

Sun Flower

For those who seem to live in a vegan 'bubble' just look at the hostility that vegan comedian Jamie Kilstein got when he mentioned that he was a vegan at his recent gigs in London (apart from when us vegans attended!) - booing etc! I've been vegan for over 25 years so obviously I don't see it as something weird or freaky, but it is still not the norm in society and most people are still critical of it although it is getting better. So what if people consider it weird/freaky, that just shows up their stupidity. Just carry on doing the right thing, after all who or what is normal?

1 · March 21

Ponder

Of all the groups and meetings this producer could attend, I ask myself what is the motive for attending a gathering of vegans? After pondering that, my instinct is not to give the benefit of the doubt here.

0 · March 21

Lesley Dove

I think we have to appear as unfreakish as possible, definitely not freak it up, we do not need bad publicity! I was really shocked to hear that Jamie had a hard time from most audiences for his veganism because when I appeared on a game show and won (it was on the telly a few yrs ago) when I got to say a bit about myself and said I was vegan because of respecting life, I got applause out of the audience so actually was surprised that although they would not likely have been mostly vegans or veggies they did seem to have respect for it, which is a start. A lot of ppl will acknowledge we are quite right to be vegan but do not have the resolve to change themselves - yet.

1 · March 21

Jessica Stella Fox

Here's my '2 pence' worth; I am a proud, eccentric, passionate Vegan! Sod the cliches, ignore the critics & idiots who think we're weak or odd or whatever! The amount of lovely, healthy people I've met utterly contradicts this & goes to prove you can't judge a book by its cover!! It's sad when some people I've spoken to feel either bored or frustrated at explaining themselves, or not wishing to talk about their veganism-- I think Josh put it very well in Sean's Google Hangout; people asking why we're vegan should get the question re-jigged & thrown back at them ''Why are you not vegan?'' Yes... it makes sense to us vegan bubble residents... so... the idea is to pose a question, show people there is another way.. but not living up to the stereotypes by coming across as agressive/militant...rather, articulate, calm & gently suggesting... 'why not..?'' :) All the best, Jess :) x

2 · March 25

Sun Flower

So did they turn up? Did anyone find out what they actually wanted? Did they find their freaks? After all there were a lot of vegans to choose from. (Calm down dears, I'm only joking!)

1 · March 26

Ponder

The food is more expensive at Titbits, but then the quality is far superior.

It doesn't matter how much something costs, if it's overpriced then it's overpriced.

1 · March 24

Robb

So... let me get this straight, you say that you don't like to knock vegan companies, but you've posted at least three comments knocking Shambhu's. And that's after they gave you free food!!! Nice way to repay them...

2 · March 24

Ponder

You got it.

Just because a company is vegan doesn't make it immune from criticism. If I think the food isn't good value, I'll say so.

2 · March 24

Robb

True. But when they gave you free food to compensate for your disappointment, such posts seem churlish.

You could see the prices and the products before ordering, so if you're not happy with what you're going to get for your money, just don't order! To order anyway, only to complain about value for money seem disingenuous.

As does making multiple posts that criticise a vegan company, when you claim not to like doing so! If you really had to comment, a single critical post would have more than enough.

4 · March 24

Ponder

So I can't make any further comments when you make a post (partly) referring to my original remarks, nor can I add anything when someone posts something similiar to what I did?

Just as some people have chose to comment on the venue, the room, the noise levels/music (nothing compared to a little old skool rave I went to in that room about 7/8 years ago) or drink prices, I chose to comment on the food.

Yeah I thought in advance that it looks like you could get more for your money, but I wanted to try the food, as I had never tried some of the things before. Out of the pile of pizza slices I wasn't to know that I'd end up with the smallest piece in the tray. If I remember right the burrito's were covered up so couldn't really tell what I was getting beforehand.

1 · March 25

Robert

Ponder has every right to be critical. If there is room for improvement then so be it. Criticism can lead to improvement. It is better to be objective rather than biased.

I thought that the food was a bit cold and also thought that there was room for improvement. The pizza looked cold and soggy for my liking :( Plus it was £2 a slice. But the samosas were just 80p each. But they were cold also :(

I suggested to Hannah that we should have some 'hot' vegan hot dogs. They would awesome in my opinion. Or some 'hot' (in temperature) vegan curry :)

What is important for me is to see that this event is a success and that people have an amazing time.

1 · March 25

Robert

On the positive side, I thought that the cheesecake was perfect! 10/10 gorgeous! :D

1 · March 25

Robb

When you complain to a company, and they do something to make up for your disappointment, they naturally do so with the expectation that you're not going to lambaste them afterwards. To do otherwise seems spiteful - and discourages companies from trying to make amends in future.

But of course everyone has the right to make constructive criticism. And no-one's saying you *can't* make any further comments, Ponder. But every additional one only further undermines your claim not to like knocking vegan companies. If that was genuinely true, you wouldn't feel the need to add your twopenneth when anyone else either agreed or disagreed. Instead, you seem to be making a sport of it...

2 · March 25

Robert

No matter what, I know they did a sterling job and I'm looking forward to the next one. I liked their offerings at Animal Aid :) Definitely have a couple of samosas again :)

0 · March 25

Ponder

If someone replies to my posts, I reserve the right to respond to them. Or if there are posts related to what I have expressed previously, then I would want to comment on them as that is something of interest. That doesn't undermine anything. If you can’t have dialogue or if someone doesn’t have the right of reply without being accused of making a sport of something I won’t bother commenting much in such a forum.

0 · March 25

Robb

Anyone would think you're out looking for problems. Especially when taking into account your comments on the person from Channel 4 too. Or even your previous comments about the Summer Vegan Fete.

But while you're quick to make negative comments, it's a shame that you're much slower to make positive comments about the catering (100% vegan, snacks from as little as 80p, great complaint handling), about such events overall, or about those who give up their time and money to make them possible. For free.

Try subtracting the value of such events (and this group) from what you paid for food at Vegan Drinks, and see if you can still tell me that you don't get value for money...

However, I'm sure that everyone's tired of this discussion. So I intend this to be my final comment. Let's see whether you'll stick to your promise to comment less, or whether you'll undermine that claim too by your apparent need to have the last word.

1 · March 25

Ponder

I'm replying as I have no idea what you're talking about re the Summer Vegan Fete? I didn't actually promise to do anything.

I can question and be sceptical of someone's intentions given that the media is not normally fair or kind to vegans.

0 · March 25

Jessica Stella Fox

Damn....I was going to have a laugh & get the last word in instead... :) actually, as I write & am this close to hitting return.... yep.... is this the last word?? LOL ; I'm having a giggle; I've nothing to add to this, but regarding the original comment above re; ''do we really have to wait a month...?'' ... Well, there's no reason why we can't do 'Spontainious Vegan Drinks' every now & again to 'kill time' between our regular gathering!! I can think of 2 large pubs off the top of my head, in High Holborn; Citie of Yorke that we enjoyed after Potluck recently, & Penderel's Oak, a Whetherspoons. Re; food options; there's cold salads & stuff from M&S, or some stuff you can get in Holland & Barrett...there's also one pub grub option; chips!! >>

1 · March 25

Jessica Stella Fox

>> Yes, this 'drinks' food option will only suit chips & booze fans but most of us like chips now & again?? Anyway, this is 'spontainous drinks', so the idea could be its less organized than the regular one!! I am just rambling off the top of my head... but there's the idea... oh & there's at least 2 vegan drinks at Whetherspoons; Stowford Press Cider & Becks (yes, more research needed!!) Anyway, it was a fun, surreal, & good start to the new venue! It can only get better when ''Aslan shakes his mane, we shall have Spring again!!'' All the best, Jess :)

1 · March 25

Lesley Dove

Yes no problem at all being spontaneous, AND there is always the lunchtime pub meet we do in Ham (between Kingston and Richmond) on the last Sunday of the month, although at that one I can only guarantee ppl present will eat veggie not all might eat vegan (that is why I advertise it on the veggie group not the vegan group by the way but would like it to be mostly vegans or those willing to be vegan on the day!)

1 · March 25

Lewis

why not have a drink this Sunday? Vegan Sunday lunch at the Smithfield Tavern?

1 · March 25

Ponder

For the record I haven’t said anything about a summer fete. I never even attended any such event.

0 · March 26

Sun Flower

If people don't like something that's vegan then they should be free to say. Others may disagree with their opinion but hey, that's what makes things interesting and should hopefully improve things for the better. Surely thinking or just accepting that everything in the vegan world is 'wonderful' is somewhat delusional/dishonest (freakish? weird?). Just try not to kill free speech otherwise you'll probably end up killing veganism.

1 · March 26

Amanda Andrews

I quite like the name tags as there are a lot of people to chat to and it helps to remember names.

3 · March 22

Anna Brynolf

I like the name tags too - there'll always be new people and I forget names two seconds after I've heard them.

1 · March 22

Steven OG Sarandon

Yeah, it's great for those people that you have met before, but forgotten their names. A sly look down, sorted ;-)

Jokes aside, yes.

1 · March 22

Lesley Dove

I also like the name tags as I am really bad with so many ppl to try to remember who's who even ppl I met before (sorry Lizzie in particular!), pls make allowances for me the senile old biddy! Glad I am not the only one who likes the idea.

1 · March 22

Sebastian

I like them too. I reckon they make it more likely to talk to people you don't know yet.
If it's a question of cost towards printing them I'm willing to chip in a pound or two.

1 · March 22

Gabi

ditto

1 · March 22

Amelia Pereira

Yes I like the name tags makes it easier to remember peoples

1 · March 22

Amelia Pereira

Names etc etc

1 · March 22

Robert

Love the name tags, very handy and nice. I've got a sequence of 5 of them stuck to my book shelf at home. Good memories :-)

1 · March 22

Jessica Stella Fox

:) I popped February's sticker on the back of my mobile & I've got at least 2 in the interior of my camera cover...plus I've stepped on a stray sticker on my bedroom floor before now :P

0 · March 22

Jessica Stella Fox

Ohh & there have been a number of memorable alternative names on tags, re; 'Lucifer', & last night, the 'c' word *with a k ;)* naughty! As many of us know each other, shall we go nuts with the labels & dream up creative nick names? I know someone who could put 'Jesus' .... Hehe!! :)

0 · March 22

Jaysee Costa

London Vega drinks is the meetup that allows you to solve the embarrassing problem of not remembering the name of someone whom you have talk to many times in other meetups, without having to ask. This is possible because of two reasons: 1) the chances are that person will be in this meetup, and 2) name tags. So, for me, the name tags are both idiosyncratic of this event, and a great service for the whole of the London Vegans Meetup phenomenon.

3 · March 22

FatGayVegan

So the stickers are staying! Thanks for all the feedback. xx

2 · March 25

Ponder

Ditto your comments about the food David. See my remarks below. I didn't even get a quarter slice of pizza. In fairness to Shambhu's when I went to have a bit of a moan about it later they did give me a free samosa. Dunno why they were called tofu or sausage pizzas as the amount of either topping was miniscule.
I'd recommend the falafel from the Grill House across the road. I went there on the way home as I was still pretty hungry.

Hope you had fun at the Orion 15 yesterday David.

0 · March 24

Lesley Dove

I was a bit more shocked at £5.10 for a pear cider than the price of food.

0 · March 24

Lucy

Next time I’m going to book a train so I have to leave before being tempted by a 4th bowl of rose! Just doing my bit to demonstrate the value of the vegan pound to London’s bars. Ahem. Great night and loved the venue.

4 · March 22

Hannah

Together we will aid the vegan economy! :-)

4 · March 23

Amanda Andrews

Yes, that sounds even better x

3 · March 22

Ian McDonald

Really good atmospheric venue. Felt like a private party. At the risk of sounding like an old fart, given that we're mostly talking rather than dancing, is there any chance the music could be a little quieter?

1 · March 22

FatGayVegan

No problem. Next time we are going to have a DJ but I'll make sure it is at a good level for old farts!

1 · March 22

Jessica Stella Fox

But when the 'old farts' have gone home, can we turn it up, just a little...& all the 'Vegan Drunks' can have a right giggle!! ;)

1 · March 22

Amelia Pereira

Yes I want to dance and let my hair down to the sound of disco I want disco Sylvester you make me feel more real

0 · March 22

Anna Brynolf

I had a tremendous time at my first vegan drinks! I think a cloakroom is a great idea, it'd make it much easier to mingle if I'm not fretting about where I've left my coat...
I agree about the music levels, just because loud music makes my ears hurt but if I wear my earplugs, I can't talk to anyone!

0 · March 22

Julia Fleming

I love abit of disco or soulful house....

0 · March 22

Ponder

As I mentioned to a few people, I thought the food could of been better value for what it was.

I don't like to be critical of vegan companies and I know they're just like any other business at the end of the day with people having to make a living and all that.

That said, the samosas were very small for 80p, I got two tiny strips of tofu on my pizza so the topping was next to non-existant. The burritos were very nice but not really filled that deep so not that substantial. Also the cheesecakes were only very slightly cheaper than what it costs to buy them in the shops, and I was surprised at that as you were buying direct from the manufacturer ; )

0 · March 22

Josh

That's fine Zoë. You can show up at any time throughout the night and stay for as long or as short a time as you like. I'm coming straight from uni too but my class doesn't finish until 9!!

1 · March 21

Julia Fleming

nice to meet you Zoe

0 · March 22

Zoë C

You too, Julia! I really enjoyed my first meetup and it's one of many to come :) Great to meet lots of lovely people

0 · March 22

FatGayVegan

Sorry you were crowded out, Mark. Maybe try it again when the weather is warmer and people can spread out on the terrace. Cheers.

1 · March 22

FatGayVegan

Too many vegans! Who would have thought? LOL. Good to see you last night, Lesley.

2 · March 22

Amelia Pereira

Yes for sure

2 · March 20

FatGayVegan

Thanks, Richard. Where would we be without you? LOL ;)

2 · March 13

Richard Ⓥ Molyneux

Still probably at the right address ;-p

2 · March 16

Richard Ⓥ Molyneux

If only Meetup simply allowed us to enter Google's unique location code - https://maps.google.co...

1 · March 19

FatGayVegan

Of course Kate. The more the merrier! Have you RSVPd at the top right of the page? You can say there how many guests are coming with you. Cheers!

1 · March 18

Kate

Now I have. Thank you!

1 · March 18

FatGayVegan

Of course. Come late, come early, come for ten minutes. Whatever you want! Hope to see you.

1 · March 18

FatGayVegan

No. Don't go to tibits. We won't be there! xx

1 · March 12

FatGayVegan

Because we have moved!

4 · March 12