Meet Up 2024 Meet-up thread...

[cats_09]

With 24 days until our first official hit out for the years, seems a good time to open the 2024 edition of this thread

While pre-match drinks over recent seasons have been a little scarce, they're something which have been popular in the past and we're always open to advertising & inviting all to attend, whether it's for before or after the match - and that includes home matches, those in Melbourne and interstate

For pre-match drinks they often start a couple (or 3) hours before the first bounce - time for a drink or two, maybe something to eat and then get to the game & your seat without missing any of the action

Lord of the Isles was the popular choice for home matches, but it changed hands a few years back, and as St Lord'snot sure if they still have their beer garden or what it's like now days -

In Melbourne we've frequented Hophaus, Duke of Wellington and Young and Jacksons over the years

If folks have other suggestions of places to meet, please share them and the same goes for interstate options

These meet ups are a great opportunity to put faces to usernames

 

[Shell]

I'll be down for a few catch ups prior to some Melbourne matches

 

[allrighty]

I'm trying to confirm if I can get to Norf or Essendon this year with mates from the 70's. We did it last year for the Dons game. First time i'd seen a couple of them since then. Would be good to catch up with a few BF peeps prior to the game.

 

[cats_09]

Some random decided it would be fun to go to Adelaide for a few days in March...

Anywhere good for a beer before the match... Or even to watch the match if one's unsuccessful in getting a ticket

 

[dangerwood]

Some random decided it would be fun to go to Adelaide for a few days in March...

Anywhere good for a beer before the match... Or even to watch the match if one's unsuccessful in getting a ticket

I went to the cricket a few years and at tea went to a pub that wasn't too far that I thought was quite good. I'm just trying to google now, it could've been the British Hotel?

 

[Matthew Jelley]

St Mary's is usually a good option before the home games and Sawyers Arms afterwards
Hophaus has been a favourite of mine before our yearly marvel game

 

[The rabbi]

Hophaus has been a favourite of mine before our yearly marvel game

Same here. Because they have great beer on tap.

 

[Willo_]

Lord of the Isles was the popular choice for home matches, but it changed hands a few years back, and as St Lord'snot sure if they still have their beer garden or what it's like now days -

Soulless and shit, went there pre match last year and it has no atmosphere or feeling anymore.

Barwon Club HEAPS better... albeit bloody near impossible to get a table

 

[cats_09]

Soulless and s**t, went there pre match last year and it has no atmosphere or feeling anymore.

Barwon Club HEAPS better... albeit bloody near impossible to get a table

I think I've been there once since they changed hands and found it a bit meh, but wasn't sure if it was different on match days

Love the Barwon Club, and the food is great

 

[cats_09]

Bumping ahead of our opening game tonight

 

[The Unforgiven]

Some random decided it would be fun to go to Adelaide for a few days in March...

Anywhere good for a beer before the match... Or even to watch the match if one's unsuccessful in getting a ticket

Definitely the Sôl Rooftop bar at SkyCity. If you can't make it to the game, you can hear it from the bar.

 

[The Unforgiven]

Soulless and s**t, went there pre match last year and it has no atmosphere or feeling anymore.

Barwon Club HEAPS better... albeit bloody near impossible to get a table

Agreed. It doesn't have the feels that it used to have.

 

[cats_09]

Definitely the Sôl Rooftop bar at SkyCity. If you can't make it to the game, you can hear it from the bar.

I was able to get a ticket - sitting the bay beside our cheer squad. I normally avoid the cheer squad area but don't mind the idea of it at an interstate game

Sounds like a good place to hit up for a drink anyway

 

[The Unforgiven]

I was able to get a ticket - sitting the bay beside our cheer squad. I normally avoid the cheer squad area but don't mind the idea of it at an interstate game

Sounds like a good place to hit up for a drink anyway

Did you end up going there, or anywhere else for a drink?

 

[cats_09]

Did you end up going there, or anywhere else for a drink?

Not last night - though I ended up sharing a drink on the hill with fellow Cats supporters

I also knew I probably shouldn't have been going out afterwards - had a 5am-ish wake up this morning for a tour to Kangaroo Island, so couldn't really afford a big or late night

Still got a couple of days here to explore a few options

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Gather round is a great vibe

Anyone coming to see the Bailey Smith

3

Bailey Smith

Age

24

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

8.5

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

19.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

CL

3.2

4star

D

14.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

CL

1.6

4star

cup?

 

[The Unforgiven]

Gather round is a great vibe

Anyone coming to see the Bailey Smith cup?

I'll be there.

 

[The Unforgiven]

Not last night - though I ended up sharing a drink on the hill with fellow Cats supporters

I also knew I probably shouldn't have been going out afterwards - had a 5am-ish wake up this morning for a tour to Kangaroo Island, so couldn't really afford a big or late night

Still got a couple of days here to explore a few options

19 years I've lived in Adelaide and I haven't made it across to K.I. yet! Have fun, enjoy your time. It's a beautiful spot!

 

[cats_09]

Not sure who's heading to the G' on Monday or if anyone's up for a beer and/or bite to eat beforehand

I know a regular catch-up location in Melbourne has been Hophaus but they've decided to not open on Easter Monday over recent years

But there's the classic option of Young & Jackson's, https://www.youngandjacksons.com.au/testimonials

I know a pre-finals fav has been Duke of Wellington, https://dukeofwellington.com.au/menu/

While a few regular attendees at our Melb catch-ups I know enjoy an important European beer, and at Beer Deluxe in Fed Square they have those available - is also an easy walk to the ground from there, https://beerdeluxefedsquare.com.au/eat-drink/

 

[cats_09]

Bumping this barely used thread ahead of tomorrow's match

For those unaware, the club has organised 'March to the G' starting in Birrarung Marr - as per the latest info:

"Meet at Birrarung Marr (opposite Artplay and the Birrarung Marr Playground, along the River Terrace) from 3.50pm, to start marching at 4pm. Listen out for the marching band who will be leading us on our March to the ‘G!

The march will arrive at the MCG by 4.30pm ready for all of the on-field action."


If anyone's interested in the march or catching up for a pre-match drink - whether at one of the numerous Fed Square bars, something in the city or at Southbank, feel free to reply in here

Edit - to beat the crazy rush on the later trains, I may well catch an earlier service and find somewhere for a beer and snacks early afternoon in Fed Square... So look for the solo crazy cat lady