[herge]

The key to a meet up or a community's longevity is consistency. If you can consistently schedule events like the second Monday of every month or every two months, people can remember that and plan around those events, as opposed to waiting for an announcement.

Also, a meet up does not have to be long. A couple of presentations for a total of a hour is a fine excuse to meet at the bar afterwards and talk technology. Finding speakers for events is hard, so even alternating between 'talk/presentation' nights and just bar nights can work, especially to keep a 'every month' rhythm going.

[macintux]

> A couple of presentations for a total of a hour is a fine excuse to meet at the bar afterwards and talk technology.

Speaking as someone who rarely drinks and doesn't like trying to listen to conversations in loud environments: organizing a short meetup as a prelude to retiring to a bar isn't necessarily going to be the most inclusive strategy.

[herge]

Even for drinkers, it's important to find a 'quiet' bar, or at least one where you can talk among yourselves, especially towards 8-9pm when meetups finish.

[Eridrus]

I don't drink either, but sadly there's not a tonne of good alternatives to bars. And not all bars are loud, finding a quiet one isn't that hard, especially on a week night.

[jdironman]

Quiet little 'mom and pop' italian restaurants are the best choice, especially if something goes wrong.

[philh]

You have to factor in that a lot of people might not want a meal. If there's a large group of which only about half are eating, I'd be more comfortable taking them to a bar than a restaurant.

Though if the restaurant is fine with it, go ahead.

[franze]

Consistancy! 100% agree: viennajs, ever last wednesday of the month, 3 to 4 talks, every talk needs to show some code, optional: sponsored pizza & beer

austrias biggest meetup, works like a charm