dlanc community mixer to become monthly affair
If you couldn’t make it to the neighborhood community mixer at the Hotel Figueroa last night, you missed two things: friendly company and a laid-back, casual atmosphere.
Residents, business owners, bloggers and community advocates crowded into the rear bar lounge area of the hotel while discussing life in Downtown and exchanging business cards over cocktails and appetizers.
The support of 200 attendees over the course of several hours made the event a huge success, justifying the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC)’s plans to organize the function on a monthly basis.
We’re told J Restaurant & Lounge will host next month’s event, with a new local venue chosen each go-round.
Everyone is encouraged to come out and meet those who live down the block or own that neighborhood boutique that makes life here so convenient. We want to see more familiar faces in March!
-meet your neighbors: south park block party
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25 comments
It would be great if the neighborhood council would take a step forward and hold at least some of these mixers in an alcohol-free setting. Not everyone downtown drinks and many people prefer to socialize in a sober, alcohol-free setting.
Socialize while sober? I don’t get it…
I second Joe’s suggestion.
Better idea. How about bringing back Prohibition so that no one who likes socializing in alcoholic settings need ever worry again?
Better idea. How about bringing back Prohibition so that no one who likes socializing in non-alcoholic settings need ever worry again?
i think joe’s is a very legitimate concern, and he’s certainly not calling for prohibition. i was fairly disappointed with the event. it seemed like little more than a way for the downtown social club to get dlanc to spend $800 on appetizers for one of their outings.
but i think it’s only fair to give these events a few more tries before anyone expects it to find its footing, and get people involved in dlanc as a whole. south park and city west have been under-represented on the neighborhood council, and maybe these events will help to turn that around, whether like this last one or something else. it will probably be easier to get more creative once the weather is nicer.
but i hope nobody seriously expects the neighborhood council to keep funding events where the most notable outcome is people stumbling out of the bar drunk.
Sorry I could not make it but I was not even aware of it until the day before. To have 200 people attend is amazing. It sounds like too many people got really drunk, eh? Oh well, it happens at the best of parties. Just make sure there are non alcoholic beverages and plenty of food at at each event…some people are more responsible than others but I enjoy a beer or a glass of wine after work and I believe it is best to support the local establishments who have yet to experience the great downtown revival.
How about Tranquility Base in the near future? I wish some of these establishments had a “locals night” once a week so people could get better aquainted on a regular basis.
Interesting take. I saw a couple seriously drunk people there around 10:30, but it definitely wasn’t the norm. Personally, if I have more than one glass of wine or a margarita, I start to fall asleep.
So I had a great time networking with Downtown entrepreneurs, which is what I expected the event to be. As a first-time thing, it went really well in that respect.
Highlighting the business networking opportunities aspect next time may be something to look into, Jim, and angelenic will be happy to help in any way we can.
There’s got to be a reason other than “Let’s get together and drink” to hold these events. Driving up DLANC participation and getting the business community involved is a sure-fire way to ensure success.
it’s great to see your take on it — i was definitely more of a passive observer than an active participant at the event, and i was also out on the patio, where it seemed like there was less of that networking happening, besides a throng of the usual dlanc crowd near the door.
but like i said, even if i was underwhelmed by this first event, i think it is a worthwhile thing for dlanc to experiment with, and warmer weather should open up the possibilities.
and i guess it is good to keep in mind that whenever you have an event like this that even tangentially involves alcohol, you’re going to have people there just to get their drunk on. artwalk is the poster child for that.
I’m curious. Was the Neighborhood Council responsible for setting up a full bar on the grounds of the new Catholic Cathedral during Dog Day Afternoon? Yes, this “family event” featured a fully stocked bar.
Rich, I’m sure you know that one does not have to be “seriously drunk” in order to be under the influence to some extent of alcohol when drinking.
Some people in some types of recovery problems for alcohol addiction are not supposed to be around bars and people drinking alcohol. A DLANC event with alcohol excludes these people.
An event in a bar also excludes any community members under the age of 21.
Other people (like me) just do not like to be around alcohol consumption and will not attend when alcohol is served.
If people do not come to the events because of the absence of alcohol, then it is clear why they are interested in coming at all.
…..and James, go ahead and carry around a pocket flask if you really can’t be without your liquor. We’ll try to understand. If y0u pass out, I’ll be glad to remove your wallet from your pocket and hold it in a safe place for you until you sober up.
My philosophy is “everything in moderation.” I think alcohol is a perfectly acceptable accompaniment to a social gathering — families or solely grown-ups alike. My parents were fond of having a margarita with dinner, and I turned out just fine. I hope.
Let me ask, would you skip an event at Pete’s Cafe if most people were buying a cocktail in addition to dinner?
Yes, Rich, I would if the people at my table were drinking. If DLANC held an event there, I would skip it. I turned down an invitation to a Christmas Eve dinner because alcohol was to be served.
Am I the first person you’ve met who doesn’t need, want or accept alcohol in his life? If so, you need to get out more—-in sober settings, of course.
Also, you did read what I wrote about people in recovery and people under the age of 21 years old, didn’t you?
Don’t you agree that these people should be included too? I know several USC students in my building under the age of 21 who cannot go into bars.
Should they be discriminated against?
My parents are alcoholics and I turned out just fine. Still, I will not go to events that feature alcohol—-and I don’t agree that alcohol is is an acceptable accompaniment to a family social gathering. I certainly would not want my children to grow up thinking drinking is normal and healthy.
Does your philosophy “everything in moderation” include crack and heroin and crystal too?
Actually, Joe, I work with two guys who choose not to drink, but it doesn’t prevent them from going out and socializing. They simply get water, soda or juice instead.
Personally, I think you’re being extreme on the issue. But to each his own.
Joe, you’re blowing this way out of proportion. I have many friends who don’t drink alcohol, and if we’re in a situation where alcohol is served, they understand that I may wish to have a drink with dinner.
Alcohol is a part of life. What’s so bad about just saying “no” to a drink if you personally don’t want one?
If you don’t want your children to think alcohol is fine, then that’s your choice as a parent. I think most adults will explain to their children that alcohol is fine in moderation — being an alcohol is not.
As far as the under-21 crowd, last I checked J Restaurant and Pete’s Cafe allowed anyone in. I just don’t know what the answer is as far as people in recovery goes. But something tells me they have to expect alcohol at a “social mixer.”
And you know exactly what I meant about the “everything in moderation” comment. Don’t put up that drugs argument.
One last thing… I think you just volunteered to organize a Sober DTLA Mixer. Believe me, I’ll be the first to RSVP if you choose to do so.
Wake up, Rich. Alcohol is a drug. Did you sleep through Health & Safety in high school?
I’m not blowing anything out of proportion. I’m simply stating how I feel. Aren’t you doing the same thing?
Alcohol may be a part of YOUR life, but it is not a part of mine. Speak for yourself.
Chill, Stephen. You’re just feeling threatened. Go ahead and drink if you want. I don’t care. Just don’t drink around me.
Gee, thanks, Rich, but you do realize that you’ll have to do without “a part of life” if you do show up?
UH-OH
the “dog day afternoon” event was not a dlanc event, and i don’t know that dlanc even sponsored it in any way.
and to be clear, no dlanc money was spent on alcohol at community mixer event.
Joe, they serve wine at the Cathedral at every Mass during communion…yet not everyone participates.
I attend social functions when there is a lot of high fat food there…..and since I have a history of heart disease in my family…I choose to abstain and eat veggies instead.
RC, are you comparing communion to a bar? Some artist could have a field day with this concept!
although it was great to see so many downtown residents attend the event, i was very disappointed when it was announced that residents of the arts district and little tokyo were not “supported” by dlanc. however this may be true, it definitely alienates a whole population of residents who take great pride in the development and growth of downtown. i can’t tell you how upsetting it is to be told that the arts district and little tokyo isn’t considered downtown.
when did the topic of a DT social turn into a friend’s of bill’s bitch fest.
There’s way too many bars/eateries that want to show off and there spaces, many of them serve BOOZE, maybe get use to it or bring bottle water. Horrible take on the issue???……….don’t think so , brother’s a friend of bill’s for 15 years and he would laugh at many of these posts. You want a sober setting get off your ass and do it yourrelf!
the arts district and little tokyo are represented by the historic cultural neighborhood council.
it was a pleasure meeting the event organizers and local business owners.
the turnout was great, considering the weather. can’t wait ‘till the next one!
-vanessa
ad executive
l.a. downtown news
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