Good place to knit with a group?

I might be getting together this weekend with a group of ladies to do some knitting, and Park Slope seems like it could be the most central location. Does anyone have ideas of where we could knit, relatively unmolested? It would probably be a group of eight people or so and we wouldn't want to feel pressured into buying lots of food or anything. A cafe would be about the right speed, but it would have to be relatively well-lit during the afternoon--no place cavernous. Thanks.

Tea Lounge on Union Street seems like it would be a good place.

And I'm talking about the one on Union and 7th. The one at 7th and 11th (?) is smaller and quite crammed. Union and 7th has tons of space.

Subject: Re: Good place to knit with a group?

EmilyM wrote: Does anyone have ideas of where we could knit, relatively unmolested? It would probably be a group of eight people or so and we wouldn't want to feel pressured into buying lots of food or anything.

Someone's apt. might be the best bet. As a business owner, I have to tell you that I wouldn't be wild about seeing a group of eight looking like they were there for the long haul without spending any money.

Besides, I can't think of anyplace in the neighborhood that would be appropriate Tea Lounge would be way too dark, I think.

Subject: Re: Good place to knit with a group?

I really have to register wrote: I wouldn't be wild about seeing a group of eight looking like they were there for the long haul without spending any money.

I didn't say we wouldn't spend any money, just that if it's the middle of the afternoon and we're trying to do something with our hands, we wouldn't want to feel pressured to buy lunch or dinner as the "price of admission." That's why I was thinking of a cafe--I don't see how buying a $5 drink and knitting for a while is any different than buying a $5 drink and messing around on your laptop for hours.

Screw it, I'm just going to suggest The Point in Manhattan.

Subject: Re: Good place to knit with a group?

EmilyM wrote: [quote=I really have to register]I wouldn't be wild about seeing a group of eight looking like they were there for the long haul without spending any money.

I didn't say we wouldn't spend any money, just that if it's the middle of the afternoon and we're trying to do something with our hands, we wouldn't want to feel pressured to buy lunch or dinner as the "price of admission." That's why I was thinking of a cafe--I don't see how buying a $5 drink and knitting for a while is any different than buying a $5 drink and messing around on your laptop for hours.

Screw it, I'm just going to suggest The Point in Manhattan.

tea lounge is usually packed on weekends, especially with the laptop crew, at least in my experience.

I was there for a knitting circle a few weeks ago -- note of warning -- their chairs are hard as rocks. but it was pretty empty.

soda is open during the day and usually relatively empty (unless they're having a private party). same with half.

I suppose I could suggest Soda, except that would be gratuitously self-serving... They're now suggesting Smith Street, which is okay too since I can take the B71 over there.

EmilyM wrote: I suppose I could suggest Soda, except that would be gratuitously self-serving... They're now suggesting Smith Street, which is okay too since I can take the B71 over there.

totally self-serving -- it will be pouring the rain, allegedly.

oh, and the place with the stupid-hard chairs is the point. I realize I wasn't clear in my previous post.

There's a group that meets at The Gate on Tuesdays, I think

ozzie's is just boring enough to host such a gathering.

kathy wrote: ozzie's is just boring enough to host such a gathering.

Ouch!
I'm not sure if that's more offensive to Ozzie's or the knitting circle. :shock:

Ozzie's used to be a beloved local spot back about 10-12 years ago before the coffee craze hit. I can attest that their French Roast was great back then.

Nowadays, I don't drink coffee anymore, but their stuff is usually burned and abysmal. This comes from my experience with their decaf blends and friends responses. They basically have really, really, really lost touch with how to make coffee over the years.

But their space on 5th Avenue is nice and spacious. So that's the only saving grace they have for themselves.

And if you're looking for decent coffee on 5th Avenue the 24hour bagel place right across the street is great! Not too much to look at in there, but the to-go is perfect.

How on earth does Ozzies stay in business? They have that massive space full of folk sitting on their one, undrinkable, coffee. I suppose they could be squeaking by on all those beat poetry evenings. :shock:

germfree! wrote: How on earth does Ozzies stay in business? They have that massive space full of folk sitting on their one, undrinkable, coffee. I suppose they could be squeaking by on all those beat poetry evenings. :shock:

They were there before the real estate boom on 7th Avenue and there before the real estate boom on 5th Avenue.

I'm not too sure whether they own or rent, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they are not affected by the real estate prices in the same way that others in the Slope are affected. It's usually the only reason behind some businesses--with odd habits or business models--even existing.

I recall - ahem - when I moved here a mere 7 years ago, that space was run (correct me if I'm wrong) by the people who have Aunt Suzies. It was a bizarre ice-cream parlour/second hand furniture store. A real wacky throwback. Utterly unfrequentable.

We were so excited when Ozzies took over (that tall, blonde, French chef dude was in charge of the menu. Ah, memories). Then....the downward spiral. Remember the one month they did brunch? Anyone? Ugh, it's all coming back!

WTF?

Guest was I. Training wheels 'n' all.

Oh, the ice cream place, yeah! Ozzie's has the window going for it, which makes it a nice place to do work during the day. But the food, the coffee--ugh. I thought they'd tank immediately when Tea Lounge siphoned off all the mom groups, but I guess not.

Then again, I don't understand how Aunt Suzie's stays in business either, so what do I know.

Remember the antiques store on that block with all the crazy carnival/funhouse stuff? Wish I'd had the scratch to buy something from them.

How about the subway?

daveb wrote: How about the subway?

Nah--the MTA's coffee sucks.

daveb wrote: How about the subway?

Wow... I think that I passed that lady the other morning on Classon... Head-to-toe in a red/pink/white knit jumpsuit (matching hat, natch)... She was yelling at her 4-5 year old kid in a profanity-laced tirade because he was taking too long to tie his shoe, or something...

daveb wrote: How about the subway?

Nice one. Not until they introduce the fully-licensed bar and smoking cars. At either end of the train (crumple zones!). The MTA deficit would vanish immediately, i reckon.