I'll second this. I've only experienced what the parent describes once or twice and, IMO, it's usually pretty easy to suss those groups out.

It's been my experience in NYC for every Docker / Kubernetes meetup I went to.

But you're right. Not every meetup organization is the same.

I'd say that it's not that shocking that attending a meetup about two enterprise grade deployment tools has a bit of a corporate vibe.

I've never been to a specific Docker/Kubernetes meetup. Have you considered specific DevOps meetings or SRE specific stuff to ask for recommendations? My sphere is in postgres, python, and HackR. Again, avoiding talks in general and more going to community-oriented meetups like hack nights.