Update on the "Mother of all DU Meetups"-September 24th

[EstimatedProphet]

OK, slight change of plans…

When I originally contacted RFD, they told me that handling a large group would be no problem-they could easily take care of us in the large dining room, and there was no need for anything other than reservations.

They lied.

When I tried to make reservations, I was told that for a party of the size we will be bringing, we would need to rent the back room at $150 per hour. I was told that I shouldn’t have been told a party of that size could be managed any other way, especially on a Saturday. In other words, cough up $450 or forget it.

I called a few other places in DC and got the same response. However, I did find a place that would take a large party with no problem, is open all night, and is guaranteed to be a unique experience-

http://www.cafeprince.com/index.cfm

The Prince Café is a hookah bar in DC. They have 7 locations; one is within a block of the Tenleytown metro at 4629 41st Street NW. They have a good selection of Indian and Middle Eastern menu selections, strong Turkish coffee, and a full selection of hookahs and shisha tobacco. Best of all, they don’t close until 5 am!

Now I know what some of you are thinking: a hookah bar would be WAY too smoky! Actually, it won’t. Hookah “smoke” is more like a vapor-it’s vaporized flavorings of tobacco. Hookahs use charcoal instead of lit tobacco, so the tobacco caramelizes rather than burns. The result is a mist which dissipates immediately, and is reminiscent of incense (trust me on this; my wife lets me smoke mine in the house and she has ZERO tolerance for cigarrette smoke. She can't even stand it outside). Plus, the bar will have a non-smoking area (as all public restaurants in DC do).

So, to give people who are interested a chance to get together, we’ll meet at 8:00 pm. on the 24th. The Prince Café is only a block away from the Tenleytown metro, Red line.

The management assures me that a large group is no problem, so come on out and hang out with DUers!

Sign up below, and keep this kicked!

[VelmaD]

1. The only question...

is whether or not they serve alcohol. :evilgrin:

[EstimatedProphet]

2. Kick

[Name removed]

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[sniffa]

22. oh what the fuck

fuck this pLace.

[ronnykmarshall]

36. What happend???

[Beetwasher]

4. That Sounds AWESOME!! Too Bad I'll Be In Japan!

I go to this great Middle Eastern Restaurant in NYC that has hookahs and they supply this great apple flavored tobacco for it...You're right about the smoke, it's not very noxious...

[progmom]

5. I plan on being there!

But that's a good question - will there be alcohol?

[DinahMoeHum]

6. Tricky. My hotel is SE of Capitol Hill, but methinks if LynneSin

is going, I will too. I'm sorely tempted to try hookah smoking. Wonder if they have backgammon playing as well? Oh well, there's always the medium sweet Turkish coffee or tea.

:evilgrin:

[LynneSin]

8. I don't think I'm going to a Hookah bar - sorry no

I hate smoking as it is but I'll tolerate a night of cigerette smoking on Friday. But sorry, I'm not sitting around at a Hookah bar inhaling that crap for a long period of time.

[DinahMoeHum]

9. OK, no problem.

n/t

[Taverner]

7. Can one stick something else in the hookah?

Perhaps something that carmelizes as well?

:evilgrin:

[EstimatedProphet]

13. At your own risk

:)

[TheProphetess]

10. You know I'll be there

And for those of you who might be worried about being in a bar filled with smoke, Hookahs are not even close to cigarettes. There is no real "smoke" and the scent can be very pleasant (EP likes some of the sweeter, more fragrant tobaccos).
I can't tell you how many bars I've been to where my lungs hurt from the cigarette smoke! This place should be much more nonsmoker-friendly than other bars.

Plus, the ambience sounds very cool - can't wait to try out some of the exotic foods!

[JimmyJazz]

11. I have to tell you two things:

First: I like the idea. I've never been to a hookah bar and it sounds fascinating.

Second: I really like the idea. I am really in love with the idea that we are going someplace that isn't centered around alcohol. I was really a little nervous about that to be quite honest. Anyway, I can't wait to try the Turkish coffees! I might be awake all night, but I don't care :D

Thanks for offering up a wonderful alternative.

[southlandshari]

14. Thanks for all your hard work on this, EP

Wish I could be there in more than spirit!

:applause:

[sundog]

16. man that sounds wild

i've never been to a hookah bar

great idea :thumbsup:

damn wish i could be there

[bicentennial_baby]

17. i wish you could too!

x( i'll miss you sweetie

[sundog]

19. i'll be here

working x(

s'ok... every dog has its day :D

[tjwmason]

31. Change the spelling a tad then you might have been

I'd love to be there also - sounds like a wonderful time will be had.

[terrya]

18. I wish I could make it, EP. The hookah bar sounds so cool!

That sounds like a great idea. Naturally, you will supply pics to post here. :-)

You did a great job, EP. I honestly wish I could be there...the money just isn't there. I'll be thinking of you guys.


:thumbsup:

Terry

[TheProphetess]

20. One more comment for us nonsmokers

I am very intolerant of cigarette smoke but I have no problem being around "smoke" from a Hookah (the Prophet smokes a Hookah occasionally and it's really not at all what I expected it to be).

That said, I've never been to a Hookah bar so I can't say from experience what it'll be like. My suggestion to those of us nonsmokers who may feel a little leery about trying out a Hookah bar is this: come by and give it a chance. If things are not what you expected, then you can move on, perhaps even with some other DUers. The worst case scenario is that you get to meet some great people from DU and maybe move the location for more conversation to a different place of your choice. Best case scenario is that it's much better than you expected and you get to spend time getting to know some great people from DU. Either way, I say give it a chance. :hi:

Looking forward to meeting more DUers - the ones I've met so far have been terrific!

[JimmyJazz]

21. Hi Mrs. EP!

I think that is a great suggestion. I'm really sensitive to smoke too, but I'm certainly willing to try something new. :hi:

[TheProphetess]

23. Looking forward to meeting you, JJ!

Thanks for the "Mrs. EP" comment - it's still strange to be called a "wife" but it's strange in a good way. I've found a great partner in the Prophet. :loveya:

[cally]

24. Also, EP said there is a nonsmoking area

I've been to a hookah bar and I dealt with it. I am intolerant of smoke and this wasn't so bad. Turkish coffee is disgusting, though. I suspect this place will Americanize it so it will taste good.

[TheProphetess]

28. I've never had Turkish coffee

but some of the other items on the menu sound very interesting...:)

[tigereye]

30. when I've had it

it's been very thick and sweet. I liked it. And the pastries are awesome.

This sounds really cool - I have little tolerance for smoke myself. Wish I could go. But I've already had several vacations this summer! Have fun guys!

[progmom]

27. you put my mind at ease - thanks!

:hi:

[TheProphetess]

29. Glad to hear it!

I'm intrigued by the description of the place and am looking forward to checking it out. Also, it'll be nice for DUers to have a centrally located event to start out the evening and then take it from there. Looking forward to meeting you, progmom! :hi:

[Midlodemocrat]

25. This sounds so great. I hope I can make it.

[progmom]

26. ooooh - me too!

it would be swell to meet you!

[Kire]

32. I'll be in DC from about 10 to 5 on Saturday

what time is this thing?

[EstimatedProphet]

34. 8:00 that evening

to give people a chance to get away from the march and get organized.

[Kire]

35. oh well

send my regards to everyone

[nickgutierrez]

33. This sounds like a hell of a lot of fun.

I wish I could make it there. :(

[TheProphetess]

37. kicking

Be there or be square!!

[progmom]

38. kick

[Patiod]

39. Have fun everybody - we're having a Mardi Gras party that day

to raise funds for the Gulf Coast.

We'll be with you in spirit, though!

[In_The_Wind]

40. ~

[intheflow]

41. Hey, if hookah smoking is good enough for Alice's ceterpillar,

it's good enough for me. Count me and usedtobesick in. :)

[progmom]

42. yay!

see you then!!

[TheProphetess]

43. Kicking with four days to go!

:bounce:

[TheProphetess]

44. Kick

Now three days left...:)

[TheProphetess]

45. One more kick for the road

We're heading out in the morning....see y'all soon.