In a city that celebrates delicious eats and a nice cocktail…or two, or three…Yelp Dallas knows how to throw a good party (consider that a humblebrag).
We wrapped up 2016 with our biggest bashes of the year: Yelp Dallas Presents Cocktails for Charity and a Yelp Dallas Holiday Affair. The events were filled with complimentary drinks, eats and entertainment from top local businesses, creating two very memorable nights in the city.
First up, Dallasites threw on their finest cocktail attire and partied for three deserving causes (USA Film Festival, St. Philip’s School & Community Center, and Mi Escuelita Preschool) at the whimsical 7 for Parties (imagine modern chic meets Alice in Wonderland). According to Kyle W., “What a perfect venue to host the event. Beautiful, eclectic yet classy decor and plenty of space to hang out in.”
Guests “flipped out” when they saw Max and Liz Acro busting out acro yoga in the crowd while Sara of Lone Star Circus showed attendees how to really “hang out” at a Yelp party and Cold Fusion Ice Sculptures proved just how “cool” Yelp can be. Meanwhile, attendees like Linda A. even got to enjoy the VIP experience, “The VIP room with bonuses like a massage, makeup and psychic booth were nice touches and the photo booth was a fun experience that made me feel like a teenager again in a good way.”
Whether it was doing ‘The Wobble’ and ‘Cupid Shuffle’ with Muzixity DJ, enjoying Kelsey Lewis music in our VIP room or jamming to The Boombachs organized by SoFar Sounds DFW, guests were impressed with the ah-mazing variety of music. “I loved the casino games and the live music. The band really had everyone dancing and the drinks were flowing all night.” -Amanda S.
It couldn’t be a cocktail event without some creative and tasty libations. Espiritus Group stepped in to satisfy our thirsty guests with Dallas Dark Cherry Mules featuring Purus Vodka, Yelp’s Rum Refresh featuring Six Saints Rum and Design District Blood Oranges featuring Blue Nectar Tequila.
And, what great party DOESN’T end with a pizza food truck?! Olivella’s Neo Pizza Napoletano’s pizza truck pulled up to greet exiting guests and satisfy their late night needs. Luna R. summed up the night perfectly: “It was great to meet all the local businesses. I will definitely be going back to most of the restaurants. Best of all it was all for a great cause.”
Between suggested door donations and a raffle booth featuring prizes from Green Lotus Spa, Breadwinners Cafe and Bakery, Moscow Nutcracker Ballet, Alamo Drafthouse, Pinot’s Palette, Escape This, Food Tours of America and the ATT Performing Arts Center, the Yelp Dallas community raised over $8,000 in one night! We’d say Cocktails for Charity was a success! Check the reviews here and the incredible pictures captured by Double You Photography here.
Next up, Yelp Elites rung in the holiday season at the hip Deep Ellum venue, The Space Dallas. Gorgeous chandeliers, holiday décor and Bad Santa madlibs set the mood for the night’s festivities.
Attendees were feeling extra “spirited” thanks to Wine Fusion Winery, BeatBox Beverages, Social Ice wine infused popsicles, Lost Oak Winery, Small Town Brewery, Mesh and Bone, and Independence Brewing (clearly there was no shortage of adult-friendly drinks). Meanwhile, Holy Kombucha, High Brew Coffee and Sparkling ICE kept the crowd hydrated with their thirst-quenching bottled beverages.
As our Yelp Elites roamed the room with their plus-ones, guitarist Seth Falkner covered everything from holiday favorites to Britney Spears and Dolly Parton. Midway through the fun, a special holiday treat came in the form of the Friendship West Baptist Church choir who shared their incredible vocals with the crowd. “The solo singer/guitarist and gospel performance kept the party going with wonderful music and spirit-lifting voices.” -Jodi G.
From Kabuki’s made to order hand rolls and Catering by Chef Richard’s creamy shrimp and grits to Pollo Campero’s crispy fried chicken and Spin Pizza’s gelato variety – it was a full house filled with some very full tummies. Guests were also crushing on CrushCraft Thai cuisine and tender steak bites from Downtown Dallas’ newest hot spot, Tortaco. “A lot of new businesses I had not heard of (and will definitely visit) were there. I love trying new places out before committing to an entire meal!” -Lindy C.
And, best part of all, guests get to relive the event anytime they want thanks to the memories captured by Gamepad M.V.P.s’ “cute and convenient ‘fotobooth’ to immortalize your best/worst moments.” -Jim S.
Thank you to the 200+ guests who came out to ring in the holidays together, while raising door donations to benefit the Friendship West Baptist Choir and donating over 100 books to benefit Mi Escuelita Preschool’s Valentine’s Day book exchange! Check the reviews here and the photo album here.
Cheers to 2017!
A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS:
COCKTAILS FOR CHARITY
7 for Parties/ St. Philip’s School & Community Center/ USA Film Festival/ Mi Escuelita Preschool/ High Brew Coffee/ Holy Kombucha/ Sparkling ICE/ Oak Highlands Brewery/ Espiritus Group/ Purus Organic Vodka/ Six Saints Rum/ Blue Nectar Tequila/ Trailercakes/ CrushCraft/ Fly Joy Bars/ Pollo Campero/ Desta Ethiopian Restaurant/ Social Ice/ The Latin Pig/ Luna Grill/ Olivella’s Neo Pizza Napoletano/ Ace’s Wild Casino/ Gamepad M.V.P.s (virtual reality & photo booth)/ Garland Psychic/ Salon Boutique Academy/ Cold Fusion Ice Sculptures/ Green Lotus Spa/ Double You Photography/ Pinot’s Palette/ SoFar Sounds DFW/ Lone Star Circus/ DryBar/ Muzixity DJ/ Amsterdam Falafel Shop/ Moscow Nutcracker Ballet/ Alamo Drafthouse/ Escape This/ Food Tours of America/ ATT Performing Arts Center/ The Boombachs/ Kelsey Lewis music/ Max and Liz Acro/ Breadwinners Cafe and Bakery
YELP DALLAS HOLIDAY AFFAIR
The Space Dallas/ Sparkling ICE/ Lost Oak Winery /Holy Kombucha/ Kabuki/ BeatBox Beverages/ Mesh & Bone/ Wine Fusion Winery/ Independence Brewing/ Small Town Brewery/ Spin Pizza/ CrushCraft/ Pollo Campero/ Social Ice/ Amsterdam Falafel Shop/ Tortaco/ Seth Falkner (live music/ guitarist)/ Salon Boutique Academy/ Friendship West Baptist Church/ Fly Joy Bars/ State & Allen/ Norma’s Cafe/ Lost Oak Winery/ Trailercakes/ LazyDog/ Gamepad M.V.P.s (virtual reality & photo booth)/ Verts Mediterranean Grill
