After last year's dinner, we more or less insinuated ourselves into a hotel sitting area, unannounced. The late-shift desk clerk was clueless about the thirty people who pranced by his station clutching bottles and stems. But all in all, I'd say we were lucky, and probably overstayed our welcome after the fire alarm went off.

It might make sense to plan ahead this year and secure a room in advance. I'm staying at a small boutique hotel that doesn't have space for an after-party. Does anyone have an idea or suggestion for a place that we can retire after our dinner is over. It would provide a great opportunity for 42 (or more) people to chat informally after dinner sharing wines that they have brought from home. Anyone in a big hotel want to try to snag a sitting area or conference room?

JimmyV, You are a better man than I Gunga Dhin!

Dinner breaks up around 10:30--- that's 1:30 am where you live.
Granted that the next morning if you awake at 9:00 am it is really noon for you but... I have a date with a pillow at 11:30 that night.

I will check out the Clift tomorrow when we arrive. Maybe we can try not to set off any fire alarms. Hard core to the last wino we just ignored it and went on with the party. Of course in New Orleans last year the party went into Futronic's hotel room. He had to deal with 20 or so wacky winos.

Joisey folks at the Clift - you might want to check into this if you see this message.

The Palace might have room, too. I can check it out.

MadameNCVL and I will be at a concert at the Fillmore and would love to drop by someplace for an afterparty. It should only be around 11:00 or so ..... the nights just getting started

I think you're exaggerating a bit, Winetex. I only remember seeing about half a dozen people in futronic's New Orleans hotel room.

Of course, it's possible the others were all hiding in his tiny bathroom like the craven cowards they really are.

Or maybe they just never really existed at all.

I do, however, have a crystal-clear image of futronic chugging down some very young Tignanello directly from a magnum bottle. Perhaps that made it seem like there were more people in the room than there really were.

The Clift is a 150% RAVE until the wee small hours of the morning. Your biggest problem at the Clift will be finding a place to sit anywhere in any of the public rooms. It is not a wine crowd.

I struck out. My hotel is 100% full tonight including the meeting rooms.