Happiness at the Hudson Loft
Recently, thanks to DoLA.com we found out and were able to RSVP for a local pop-up event from Brightside that was sponsored by Mike's Hard Lemonade and DTLA film festival. It was located in a trendy spot in downtown Los Angeles, a block away from the Staples Center, on the second floor loft known as the Hudson Loft.
As mentioned we RSVP'd for this event, which noted it did not guarantee our admission and that it would require a minimum donation of just $1. That's quite a deal anywhere, not to mention in Los Angeles. We arrived very early, at 3:00PM, 2 hours prior to the event start time. We were the first ones there and were told to form a queue outside but that we shouldn't need to worry; "everyone will get in" was her direct quote. This was great news and she was correct, we ended up buying time around the corner at a coffee shop and returning at 4:00PM and still being first in line.
The party started immediately upon exiting the elevator with bright white painted walls accompanied by decorations of yellow Mike's Hard Lemonade charms and balloons. Music was playing and it was well air conditioned. When entering the main room, we were welcomed by more decorations, the smell of hot food and a bar which was serving several drinks all made with Mike's Hard Lemonade which were redeemable from the tickets we were given with our admission.
There were several area's of interest beginning with the food. They were serving finger foods of steak quesadilla, macaroni and cheese, bacon wrapped mini hot dogs, a pork sandwich square and a mini chicken and waffle. All of the food was complimentary and was all pretty good. You were able to get back in line and get more food and they seemed to be keeping it stocked the entire time.
After the food was a giant ball pit for adults. Pretty self explanatory but also amazing in its simplicity. Even those with kids, when was the last time you were jumping in a ball pit? I that alone made it a great idea because almost everyone could relate to their childhood with this and all who took part, us included, seemed to really enjoy it because it was a trip down memory lane.
Among other stations were an area where you could fraternize with puppy dogs! They also had a slightly larger dog which they rotated through a picture station. They had another room with a table tennis and shuffle board set up to play. This room also hosted an infinity room, which was a large box lined with mirrors inside which you had 60 seconds to take pictures and film inside.
There was a Mini Cooper parked inside, which was setup as a karaoke booth. Up to four people could get inside, they had a list of songs which you could choose. The lyrics showed up on a screen on the dash of the car, but the audio that played was only instrumental; so slightly more challenging that normal karaoke. Marzz and her sister Maribel participated and they both really enjoyed it.
Other stations included a dark throwing game which if you popped a balloon you got to choose a piece pf paper from a bowl which either told you what price you won or just told you some nice quote or saying. Lastly there was a small stage setup where people could get up and try their hand at some stand up comedy. We didn't see anyone do this but it was fun that it was there.
Overall this was a fun event and it only cost us $5.00 for the three us (because we didn't have change) but we felt it was an excellent deal. We spent about 2 hours there wondering around. We tried a few drinks from the bar, which were all free thanks to the two tickets we were given each upon entry. Plus free food to boot?! Again, an amazing deal, fun to hang out in this environment and it was easy to get to and get into. There are always so many things in Los Angeles on a daily basis but these pop-up style events I find to be extremely successful and are not only a hit for the patrons but also for the sponsors since people are getting that opportunity to try their products and, just like we did are tagging them on social media to give them additional exposure.
