Makenzie said the last one she hosted was in such a venue and it went very well.
Do you prefer to attend mixers held in hotels over private residences or other locations? What are the pros and cons of each? And are there other great choices- like a restaurant with a private room or an event room at a hotel?
The ones at either someone's (large) apartment, or a very large hotel suite were much better than the few I've been to at a bar or restaurant.
They had a quieter atmosphere, more comfortable furniture, and in general just seemed very comfortable.
However one of the bars had a pool table, and that was a lot of fun.
would be a great thing to have! It's fun for lots of people.
Good points on the comfort level of the people in terms of being in a restaurant or bar vs being at an apartment or suite. I'd think people would feel more relaxed too in a private venue as far as not having to watch what you say to each other lest a civilian be listening in.
And I'm sure your imagination can figure out why . . . lol
The M&G's at private homes have more points in their favor. Especially if the neighbors are far enough away.
I've been to parties at private residences, hotel suites and bars in a roped off area. All were good but the private homes offered a little more comfort
The last one, two weeks ago hosted by Sexy Toni was in a nice loft in lower Manhattan. And another one, a year ago last summer, was in a really nice rooftop space with a terrace. All worked really well.
Some friends in Las Vegas have rented a house for a Halloween party the last few years and I know they were happy with that space. The only issue there is if things get too wild and the neighbors complain.
would be to happen. Do you know of any parties where the cops were called? Might be good to have a lawyer at the party. Lol!!
Some friends in Las Vegas have rented a house for a Halloween party the last few years and I know they were happy with that space. The only issue there is if things get too wild and the neighbors complain.
where LE showed up. I believe one of the hosts was a lawyer.
The host said "no." But he's a controversial guy to say the least, so it's sort of a "he said, she said" situation.There have been no parties over there for a while.
Out of the dozen plus M and G's I have hosted in LA, the best venue I have found for my parties is the venue I currently use. It is decent size, we have the entire venue to ourselves, bartenders, and food service (other than the food I supply as part of the party). There are plenty of places to sit, a dance floor, and a DJ. Good parking is available also for a nominal fee. All in all, a very good place for a party.
I have done a couple in hotel suites and quite frankly, things just get too loud and people complain.
I have attended many parties held at a private home in the LA area. They are small and intimate. So, if that's what u want, then great.
My parties are quite large. 150-200 in attendance. I would love to rent a large home for a party. But the expense is huge. I would have to charge double to triple the entry fee that is charged now.
People love my parties as evidenced by the attendance. At this point, I don't think I would change anything
Thanks for that! Good to know. What kind of venue exactly do you have? Is it a restaurant or clubhouse? Sounds like you've got a great gig going! 
I'm not sure how likely a central Florida party is to garner 100 or more attendees, but we'll see. Lol!! The last two I went to were pretty intimate by comparison.
Thanks again!
Its a bar next to a restaurant in a very good area. The place has been used many times for film parties. We have the entire venue to ourselves.
Sarah, great post. I have been to a few, all were at hotels. I liked the ones at a hotel where there was a private meeting room. The hotels usually had a bar for those that wanted to continue the greeting part.
Nice to be in a semi private environment to talk, nice to have room access, nice to have bar access.
But not all a requirement to have fun. If you havent booked yet perhaps look just west of Orlando it may inrease the draw for more guys/dolls from Tampa/St Pete area. ty borneo
A private meeting room in a restaurant or hotel is not really private...there always seems to be a LOT of concern about being extra discree in those venues.
Parties held in rented houses are often problematic because of so many cars that parking becomes an issue and can disturb the neighbors who may then call LEO.
Some hotels cater more than others to private parties...a multi-room corner suite with one or more balconies in a large hotel seems to provide the best all around venue.
suites in a hotel is that attention might be drawn when a plethora of beautiful scantily clad young women followed by (generally) more mature men wander through a hotel lobby. Is this ever an issue?
With a private home, I wonder if it would be easier to just connect with the neighbors ahead of time to do a little pre-event diplomacy regarding parking and potential problems...
Parties held in rented houses are often problematic because of so many cars that parking becomes an issue and can disturb the neighbors who may then call LEO.
Some hotels cater more than others to private parties...a multi-room corner suite with one or more balconies in a large hotel seems to provide the best all around venue.
that action didn't raise some suspicion with a neighbor. Actually, if the hotel is busy enough and the guests don't all arrive at around the same time, there should be no problem with the hotel location. And the ladies have to be sensible enough to wear something over the scantily-clad outfits they will wear at the party.
I remember one Central Florida M&G from a year ago or so when I arrived at the same time as a beautiful young blonde lady that was entering the hotel by herself. I wondered if she might be going to the same room I was. Well, I stopped in the men's room as she proceeded to the elevator. When I got up to the party suite, sure enough, she was inside removing her jacket and revealing a very sexy and hot outfit.
Noise and parking are easily the biggest issues to faces with a private home. If those two factors can be overcome, the plusses of the private home can outweigh the plusses of a hotel.
But ITP made some very good points. He and I have discussed this same topic over a beverage of two at a few M&Gs, some in homes and some in hotels. lol! Of course, we also talked about and compared some other "hot" topics, as well . . . ;-
The women at most of the mixers I've attended were wearing cocktail dresses and heels. Very sexy but also very appropriate for a hotel lobby.
PW has it right...in a large upscale hotel the comings and goings of some well dressed ladies is not really a big issue.
Re: private houses, think about it this way ...what would YOU or your neighbors think if you knew the house next door or across the street was vacant and all of a sudden on a Thursday nite 50 cars showed up and all parked in front of YOUR house as the music and laughter wafted loudly throughout the neighborhood
Yes, perhaps, but do you think that the neighbors might be amenable to a little chat ahead of the event, especially taking into consideration the fact that they might be used to such gatherings at a rental property? And My (perhaps erroneous) presumption would be that neighbors in a hotel on a floor where there are suites might be less amenable to noise. I've hosted non-hobby related parties in both types of places, and in the hotels and apartments there were always problems (they were pretty wild parties), but in private homes there were never issues.
Re: private houses, think about it this way ...what would YOU or your neighbors think if you knew the house next door or across the street was vacant and all of a sudden on a Thursday nite 50 cars showed up and all parked in front of YOUR house as the music and laughter wafted loudly throughout the neighborhood ?
I've hosted a few M&G's in my hay day and we always had them at a bar in the city. We'd often rent a room that was open/accessible to the public portion of the bar. Being able to go in and out (smokers) and to be able to catch your breath for a minute between handshakes and hellos is way to keep people at the party longer as well. Keeping the group in an enclosed space works just like air - it starts to get stale after a while and so - people seek a different source or form of stimulation. You can usually trust your group to dress and behave within a certain expected level of decorum. My last point is - (and I'm only making it because we as party hosts after the Elliot Spitzer scandal had to research it and know for a fact that we wouldn't be putting anyone in danger by hosting a M&G) - that it's not illegal for people to gather in a public place. As long as there's no soliciting or illegal activity present people can party in groups wherever they like. Hope this helps and good luck!!!
Love Laney
That's a good perspective to know- about the differing levels of energy for a change of pace. Something to definitely keep in mind!
I have only been to one M&G and it was in a larger banquet room of a nice upscale hotel. Everything went very well and was very low key without anyone from the outside having a clue what the meeting was about.
I had a very enjoyable time and was happy to meet some new friends as well as old friends. I' looking forward to going to my next M&G......when ever that is.
Makenzie said the last one she hosted was in such a venue and it went very well.