New York City Skeptical Get-Together?

Jack of Hearts

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Jack of Hearts
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Jul 26, 2001
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Are there any New York skeptics out there?

I've spent most of my life looking for skeptics and atheists and critical thinkers among the people with whom I spent my free time. Recently, I realized that it might be easier for me to just track down the local skeptics and atheists and critical thinkers directly!

An inquiry to the Amazing himself confirmed that, as of right now, no New York-area skeptical organization is holding any kind of local regular meeting or get-together, for skeptical folk to meet and rant about how stupid homeopathy is, or whether Richard Dawkins is too confrontational for American audiences.

I was at the first TAM, and I still remember how much fun the after-hours chatting was -- friendly, robust debates and lots of welcome empathy. Since I can't make it to TAM this year, it seems that the only chance I have to be able to hang with a bunch of rational people is to organize the darned thing myself.

Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated. Just skeptics and humanists and freethinkers shooting the breeze in a relaxed, relatively inexpensive environment. Ideally, it could happen once a month or so... but let me try to organize one meeting before I commit to a two-year contract! ;)

So... first things first. Are you a New Yorker (or near enough) and interested in some kind of low-key, no-fee, bar-or-some-such-place kind of evening where we could all relax and be ourselves? If so, please post in this thread and let me know what your idea of a perfect skeptics' evening would be -- or just throw in your two cents! :)
 
I live in South Jersey, outside Philly. I might not be able to get to NYC for an event, but I can recommend a venue, where I once had a meetup of people from the Internet Infidels forums.

It's a great restaurant called Mustang Harry's. http://mustangharrys.com/

It's one block away from Madison Square Garden, which is where Penn Station is, so travelers coming via train, bus, or subway will have an easy time getting to it. They were very receptive to our group of 8 that stayed for 3 hours. The NYC Atheists group meets at a location right next door. We walked around Manhattan looking for a place to hang out, wound up back where we started, and had a great time.

I'll try to keep tabs on this thread in case I can make it up to NYC for a meeting!
 
Wow, thanks, EverLastingGodStopper! :) I didn't even know about nyc-atheists! Their website says they have a meeting on the 16th. Coolness!

Of course, that doesn't mean there isn't room for more organizational efforts along these lines, does it? ;)
 
I live in NYC and would be up for any kind of skeptical get-together. I know about NYC Atheists but haven't attended any events. There is also NYASK, but I believe they are...what..all of New York? It would be much better to have a dedicated New York City skeptics organization. Maybe it would be worthwhile to try and get something like that going.
 
There is a fairly active group of us here on the forums in the New England /NYC area. We try to get together as often as we can. One of our recent gatherings centered around Phil Wiseman and his Theater of Science that he brought to NYC.

Other forumites visiting the area or just because are other stated reasons for gatherings.

I live in southern CT and about an hour away by train,which is my preferred method of getting in and out of the city.


Pick a weekend a date, weekends work best for those us coming from the outlaying areas, and post it here. Whether you have a specific idea for a gathering or just want to meet up and hang out.

You can also just check in this area of the forum and keep your eye out for threads about New England or NYC get togethers.

See you soon!



Boo
 
I have a hunch that a skeptics meet-up in the New York City area on the evening of Friday January 12th would not be a bad idea.
Just saying ...
 
I am on Long Island and am frequently in Manhattan. I would love to get together if you start up some meetings.

And, Exarch, are you going to be stopping in NY again on your way to TAM? Friday night is bad for me since I have a Regional tourney Saturday morning (very early too, starts at 10 am :eek: ) I will probably still be in Manhattan after I get my butt kicked in the tourney, so if anyone else wants to meet up that Saturday, I will be dazed from tourney but up for fun.
 
alright here is the deal. Every Saturday afternoon, 2pm, there is a meeting of magicians in NYC at a pizza place not far from Penn station. Cafe Rustico on 35th between 5th and 6th. I am there every Saturday. The magicans who come are usually older and go home early. Afterwards I go down to the Mustang Sally's, 2 blocks down from the previously mentioned Mustang Harry's. Anyone up for joining me?
 
I am a recently transplanted Torontonian here in NYC, and would love to get together with people offsite. I was at the Theatre of Science gathering, and it was loads of fun. Let me know what's the what, and I would love to attend :)

-Allison
 
With TAM so close my weekends until February are booked.

After that, depending on the other variables of life, I would be willing to meet up on a Sat evening.



Boo
 
Saturday evenings are tough, for a number of reasons. However, I'm all for planing something on an upcoming Saturday that people have free. Next Saturday unfortunately I have plans, the Saturday after that is TAM, and the following Saturday I'll be in Florida....but y'all don't have to wait for me. :)
 
firecoins said:
alright here is the deal. Every Saturday afternoon, 2pm, there is a meeting of magicians in NYC at a pizza place not far from Penn station. Cafe Rustico on 35th between 5th and 6th. I am there every Saturday. The magicans who come are usually older and go home early. Afterwards I go down to the Mustang Sally's, 2 blocks down from the previously mentioned Mustang Harry's. Anyone up for joining me?
Click to expand...

I am at Neutral Ground on 26th Street between 6th & 7th most Saturdays gaming, so the Mustang places are on my route both to and from Penn Station. I can definitely do it when I am in playing. Of course, anyone who wants to come play some games is welcome to join me there, too :D
 
Kochanski said:
I am at Neutral Ground on 26th Street between 6th & 7th most Saturdays gaming, so the Mustang places are on my route both to and from Penn Station. I can definitely do it when I am in playing. Of course, anyone who wants to come play some games is welcome to join me there, too :D
Click to expand...

I may come by and visit.
 
I'm going to be visiting New York on Tuesday and Wednesday 9th-10th, and again on Tuesday 16th. Anyone want to meet up, or let me know where you're going to be so I can drop by?
 
I am in NYC and am out several nights a week. Let me know anytime you want to meet up. I go to many NYC Atheists meet-ups. http://nyc-atheists.org/ Their newsletters are interesting as well. Check out this one with a pic of my kids and I tabling at Columbus Circle. http://nyc-atheists.org/newsletters/2006/Newsletter-0606.pdf There is also a NYC Humanists group.

Interesting side note: not all atheists are skeptics (and vice versa).

Any night you want to meet up let me know. If we can’t meet as a group PM me and I'll let you know where we'll be. If not, see you at TAM!
 
We are meeting at Fraunces Tavern. It's down town, a few blocks from Wall St. on Broad. It's close to almost every train, they have good food, drinks and a lounge. It's also a national historical site. We will be there at 6PM this Thursday.

www.frauncestavern.com

Hope to see you there!

Gulliamo
 
I can't make it tonight (Tuesday the 16th), but sooner or later I *will* meet up with, or organize a meeting of, my fellow atheists, freethinkers, skeptics and troublemakers!

Thanks for all your responses. I feel much more optimistic now about finding a community of like-minded people here in the Big Apple! :)
 
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