I organize Hackers News meetup in Paris but I'm still not sure what's the best format. So I'm trying to understand how other meetups work. I'm curious to know what's the program of your evening? Lightning talks? Birds of feather?
General format for the 3 I've been to here in Tokyo is you pay a cover charge for food/beer/softdrinks. Then just casually mix and talk to people. No set program besides hitting a local bar afterward. Works really well and the guys put on a really good spread of food every time.
Thanks!