In what’s sure to go down in history as the event of 2012, Vancouver Yelpers imbibed in Yelp’s Night At The Museum on Wednesday, February 22. This cultural curation was a true local's collection that celebrated all that is Vancouver – and, really, what a better way than in TOMS shoes with ten local restaurants, two food trucks, two wineries, two breweries, two DJs, one Thai massage station, one burlesque dancer, one East Van and a whole lot of Whistler Water?
As the doors to the Museum of Vancouver opened at 7pm, over 500 Yelpers entered one of city’s most iconic spaces and “were blown away by all of the food and drink options.” After checking their coats at FrogBox, guests discovered plenty o’ swiggin' libations on exhibit to unlock their inner artist. Vincci L exclaims, “On the Rocks ice spheres in a Havana rum punch, courtesy of Clough Club? I'm in! Maker's Mark & rhubarb Dry Sodas were such a great combination!” Yelpers sipped on Shot in the Dark and Barefoot wines and quaffed a couple frosty ones from local favourites, Whistler Beer and R & B Brewing. If all of that weren’t enough, the Whistler Water guys “were some pretty cute tall glasses of water themselves.” Keep it together, Yelpers.
If all of that drinking has you seeing in high-def neon, don't worry – some of Vancity’s best restaurants showed off with a seriously fine selection of edibles. The soft tacos from La Taqueria had David L’s “mouth dancing and taste buds happy;” while Zero One offered up “a perfectly sweet, crunchy, savory, filling sushi salad;” Hapa Izakaya enticed guests with negitoro crostinis; Notturno was “a special treat in the back room,” offering Black Truffle and Goat Cheese canapés; while the scotch and deviled eggs from Bitter had folks going back until they were “all egged out.” Atithi’s “chana dal lentil cakes kept celiacs, vegetarians, vegans, and even meat eaters happy,” while “the sounded-like-it-was-free-of-everything-must-be-made-by-wizards banana bread” from Quejo’s was a clear winner. Emma L claims, “I ate my weight in French Made Baking macarons. And the guys from Scoop made me more than one caramel apple with chocolate chips.” And finally, mobile Vancouver was well repped by two of the city’s finest food trucks: Roaming Dragon’s Tuna Sliders were such a hit that they’ve added them to their regular menu, and The Juice Truck’s “avocado pineapple smoothie was a perfect drink to end the night.” Success!
But this wasn’t all about food and drink. DJs Dustin Bromley and Neil Hillbrandt rocked the museum, while The East Van brought more than just t-shirts and condoms to the party – “give these kind, funny dudes a call if you're moving.” Steph M discovered local artists creating custom-designed TOMS “where a $40 donation got you a pair of shoes PLUS donated a pair to a child in need!” And the traditional “Thai massages from Smile was much needed. Talk about the most relaxing night ever!” But “who can forget the sex-ilicious burlesque show” from Little Miss Risk? Not us! And “who gets a sneak peak private tour of the upcoming Art Deco exhibit? Yelpers do! The venue was amazing. The Neon Vancouver | Ugly Vancouver exhibit really added to the ambiance!” And “Pixelbooth were ever-patient with the goofy antics of hyperactive people drooling over a table of props and looking for a chance to ham it up.” Phew!
A new Yelper said it best, “I had an AMAZING time. I felt special, got things for free, laughed up a storm, and even flirted with real life actual boys. Best. First Impression. Ever. Yelp (Robin)… you dun good, real good.” We couldn’t have done it without Amanda and the fabulous staff at the MOV; Lon Hamada and Concord keeping us secure; Londsdale Event Rentals for the ultra high quality linens and ice bins; Crystal H, Misti Y, Peter S, Brent F, and Maghan C, our crazy hard working crew; “the absolutely adorable photographer for the evening,” Tyler McGowan; and of course the Vancouver Yelp community – the absolute best group of people a Community Manager could ever hope for.
Read the glowing reviews here (and add your review of the event, too!) and check out the photos as they roll in here!
Until next time, I’ll SYOY! (busting 'Humpty Dance' on the mic nowhere near as well as Aaron S does)
/ robin m
Yelp Vancouver "I'm with the DJ" Community Manager
