Elite Event @ Twin Liquors

I have been to three Unilocal events and at two of them, asses have been touched by strangers. Hawt. (Had to do it)
Date got felt up at the first one and its true, the kindly old lady behind the bar gave me a spanking so hard I could have sworn she used a paddle. I loved that she kept asking us who was driving. As long as it’s not you lady, cuz you were Wasted.
Thumbs up for creativity on the drinks peeps, thumbs down on the taste. Jennie C. you rock (and I have seen in person how you could kick my ass) but even your bev was a little sweet for my taste. However, you gotta give everyone some slack given that the drinks were being made by the barrel, so perhaps proportions/​ingredients were off.
Cornucopia, I loved you and your chai popcorn. Sadly, this appeared to be the only vegetarian option, but am hoping Unilocal folks can step it up next time. While I am feasting, I keep having to leave these shindigs with a drunk vegetarian who only got to nibble on popped corn or fritos…
Getting goosed by strangers, free food and booze, the venue, the band, Bacardi visors, THE LUNCHBOX (!!!), and you Unilocalers… another home run!

I had a fun time. I would rather we pay for wine so we can go and get a whole glass and sit down and finish a conversation without having to get up again.
Next event there should be a stronger emphasis on people to submit better drinks. The band was awesome! They seemed to be in love with music and it definately showed.
Overall:
I had a fun time! Great potential and concept, bad execution.

My second Elite event was awesome! Kevin was at the door greeting everyone, giving us the scoop on how everything works, and I am still amazed he remembered my name! So many names, it’s very impressive.
The wine was flowing fairly freely, although having to get those TABC regulated taste-​portions of win was a tad bit tedious, it didn’t stop many of us from taking advantage of the free libations. The cocktail tasters in the back were great, and really surprising ( Unilocaly, if you will). The raffle had some sweet prizes, none of which I was lucky enough to snag, but i was impressed by what kevin and company provided for us. I discovered some new drink ingredients I really love, and some cocktail combinations that I, well, ehm, didn’t like so much. So, that’s all good and well, now the grand finale of the night.
As you know if you made it out last night, we got Lunchboxes. I’m not talking about those chic Patagonia Subzero Thermal Insulated rocket powered coolers you see people toting around, I’m talking Lunch. Box. Old school. Metal, with a clip that doesn’t really work every time (I have a blurry memory of playing with the box over and over again before falling asleep with it at my feet), the shiny clean inside that won’t remain so for long, and will shock and awe those who get to see it.
All in all, a really good time, excellent band that may have been better served another 20 feet away from the seating area, the bartenders deserved some sort of tipping system, but, rules are rules, as it turns out. Can’t wait until the next event, and hopefully I’ll see some of you kids before that one comes around.

I broke the number one rule last night as an elite Unilocaler, don’t be late! Arriving late definitely doesn’t pay as I missed out on one of the kick ass lunch boxes. I heart free Unilocal trademark goodies!
The chardonnay was really light and smooth but only had 5 little glasses. Yet, I managed to wake up with this dull long lingering wine headache this morning which makes me wonder about the quality. Hmmm?
Most of the appetizers were gone as well except for the kabobs which were pretty average.
Cocktail tasting was pretty fun with our little Unilocal stickers, However, I didn’t get to try the winning drink as it was all gone by 7:45. Unilocalers know a good thing when they taste it. Teaches me once again not to be late or I miss out on the goods.
Music from the band was great. Might have been a little too loud because of the acoustics of the building, making it harder to hear people in a conversation. No biggie, easily remedied by stepping further away, but just something to keep in mind for another event. Spec’s wine tastings usually have a couple of people playing acoustic guitars for background noise but still allows you to hear those you wish to engage in a conversation.
Super pumped that Cornucopia was there as I’m totally an addict. Their corn is like crack, and last night was no exception with their signature pickle popcorn. The pesto and chi were pretty rocking too.
And no event would be complete without chatting it up with Kevin for a few minutes as he’s always super busy. So getting to interact with him is always a bonus! Thanks for all your hard work on this event Kevin!

I fell asleep spooning my new lunchbox last night. Ok, maybe that’s not true. Or is it?
I LOVE my new lunchbox and I loved last night’s event. I’m not exactly loving the headache I have this morning, but beggars can’t always be choosers.
Thank you so much for another great event. I’ve never been so proud to be an elite as I am now.

Twin Liquors Marketplace is a beautiful thing… it’s got everything, plus more worth exploring. Plenty of those good Twin deals abound and stylish acoutrements for cocktailing and wining.
Picked up a nifty Binocular Flask… which will come in very handy come ACL.
Was glad to get there … albeit WAY late… in time to enjoy the jazz band… very nice. A little jazz to go with your raindrops and cocktails, wine tasting? An excellent pairing.
Antoinette, barista extraordinairre and Twins familia was there serving up the wine offerings to Unilocalers… She is an awesome Austin woman… a living legend!
Congrats to all the winners of the contest… who all picked up SWEET gift baskets for the effort.
I will be back to Twins you bet… and on time for the next Unilocal… no dilly dallying.

No offense to my fellow Elites who submitted drink recipes – I give you props for being creative enough to come up with something unlike my lazy self – but I thought the cocktails were a wee bit on the gross side. By the time I hit the fifth, I felt like I was back in college, when we’d pour anything in the fridge resembling liquid into a pitcher, add various kinds of alcohol, give it some clever name like Jen’s Ingrown Belly Button Hair, and force our friends to partake. I will say the Beer Margarita definitely deserved its «Most Surprising» prize because I fully expected it to be the nastiest drink ever, but it was just as tolerable as the rest. Thank goodness for the dribbles of wine.
Even if the drinks weren’t my style (and a lot of people liked them), this was another five-​star event. I think it’s great when we get to show our creative sides. Also, the dill pickle popcorn made up for a lot.
And those lunchboxes! I will forsake my usual Amy’s Mattar Paneer frozen meal and pack a sandwich and carrots this week just so I can show it off. No cocktails in the thermos, though.

Ya know i kinda got to say that it was almost not even fair to hold the Cocktail contest at that huge Twin Liquor Store. I mean honestly… i was just like a kid in a candy store. I patiently and observantly strolled up and down the various aisles admiring this… wanting some of that.
It made me very enthusiastic to try our Unilocal concoctions.
Initially i had a glass of wine at the wine tasting bar and that was enjoyable as i looked over the forming line for folks i knew and folks i would be meeting. I also slyly scarfed up a few Unilocal trinkets including buttons, cards, stickers and the surprisingly tasty Unilocal chap stick which my daughter later decided would be better for her to have. I hate when that happens.
Then my older son arrived and we headed to the back for some tasting. The orderves being served were really awesome i thought. And Jennie C. worked her magic like only she can do. I have come to the conclusion that she is indeed… Superwoman. Thanks to all the finalists… i really enjoyed them all.
This event was right up my alley as i love trying new drinks. Combined with a Unilocal event and it was a great time. Kevin’s surprise gift for us at the end was really cool and i dont want to leave out my appreciation of the band. They were great and probably deserved more attention paid to them.
Oh yeah… Guess who ended up with my surprise lunchbox gift… Yup !

That lunch box is freakin’ AWESOME. I can’t wait to sport it at work this week.
And while it’s true that I had to make about 80 trips to the wine bar to come up with a glass full o’ wine, I got my exercise in and was in fine condition to drive after the event (but not after the after party… that’s another story).
Jennie C. knows her lychee, that’s for sure. I swear there’s nothing that girl can’t do, and even the Chronicle knows it!

So now I have the coolest lunchbox EVER, and will be the envy of The Faculty Lounge (I’ve always wanted to open a bar with that name). I also had a wee bit of a hangover this morning after a major sampling of competing cocktails, coupled with TABC-​regulated teensy bits of wine, poured by the fun Twin folks. And the jazz band? Super, super cool (I know, that’s not a cool saying anymore). I, um, forgot to eat, so can’t comment on the cuisine. oh, wait, I had some popcorn, which was yummy. The store itself is gorgeous, especially the tasting bar. Like Nick H, I was one happy kid in the candy store.
Jack, great photos! Kevin, great time, as usual!

Is there anything Jennie C can’t make? Her cocktail was clearly the crowd favorite and I discovered that I like lychee. About halfway through the night, Nick H suggested that the cocktail contest should be an annual event and I would agree with him, mostly because I want an excuse to start acting like a mad scientist with liquor.
Jeff Lofton and his band were amazing. They really set the tone for a relaxed evening hanging out with friends. The only thing I loved more than the French Toast popcorn was the bad ass lunchbox that I ended up with!

Between the lunchboxes (how rad is that? I will be forgoing my usual plastic bag and making sure to pimp my box this week at work) and one of our +1s winning the fun fun fun fest VIP package and some new awesome Unilocaly buttons I hadn’t seen before (I’m trying to collect them all to adorn my bag), AND the bacardi visors, it was a schwagalicious night! Yay!
The awesome: make her a mojito (I was really sad it didn’t win anything), the winning drink (lychee + anything = yum), the schwag (lunchbox wheeee!), the band, and the chai and dill pickle popcorn.
I could be picky and list the not-​as-​awesome stuff, or I could just be thankful for a fun and unique Unilocal event, so I think I’m going to do that. It was the starting point to an awesome night! Thanks again Kevin!

So, the «cocktails» were pretty gross. Beer margarita? And that Basil mess? I too almost had a technicolor yawn after trying those. But whatever, it was free alcohol.
What’s a man gotta do to get his buzz on? Apparently make ten trips to the wine bar because those tiny shots of wine were umm… tiny?
The older barista was hysterical. I’m fairly certain she was drunk as she spilled a glass of wine on me and my date and later that night she slapped my date’s ass preeeeettty hard. awesome.
I didn’t dare try the little apps with the grey mystery substance because apparently no one at the party knew what was in them or what they were.
I too cannot wait to bust out my Unilocal lunchbox on Monday. I’m gonna make some bitches jealous!
All-​in-​all:
Great band with crazy intense drummer
Free booze
Ass slapping
and a lunchbox
Pretty successful night. Thanks for setting it up Kevin!

Lunchbox? There were lunchboxes given out?! @#($&!(#*!
That’s what I get for leaving early. I so suck!
The good:
1. Jazz band was awesome — I especially loved the be-​dreadlocked teddy bear-​ish trumpet player.
2. Bees Knees! Nom!
3. I haven’t been out to a Unilocal even in a while so it was nice to see everyone again.
4. This Twins is so nice to peruse. They even had my favorite Fume Blanc! Woohoo!
5. Cinnamon Toast popcorn
The bad:
1. Beer Margarita — Sorry, it had to be said.
The ugly:
1. You know who you are.
Kidding.

I guess having to be a good wifey and get home «early» means I am wide awake at 8:00 this morning to write this review. Still didn’t beat Dej. Oh well. I thought the concept of this event was very creative and fun. Logistically speaking, it probly was difficult to pull off in a retail environment, what with the TABC laws and those other people, the Non-​Yelpers, in and out the business. There were some hitches but I had a blast. I think we’ve been spoiled to the fountains of free booze and heaps of free food, but I try to look at each event as an adventure and more of a chance to meet some cool peeps. In fact I was so busy chattin up some UFC Unilocalers, I didn’t even get to the food and had very little wine. Don’t care. It was still great!
Even tho she was lawfully stingy with the wine, I thought the lady behind the bar was super sweet and a character in her own right. She laughed at everything I said and then said it was so great to be there to meet all of us. Also for us to be careful driving, as if four 2oz samples of wine would impair me. Ha! Lady, I am a wine-​ho! So, yeah, love her.
The lunchboxes, as stated, are super rad. I plan to beat my husband up with mine to relive my elementary school days. Yes, I AM boy crazy :)
Thanks Kevin for thinkin outside the box on this one!

Once again I had a blast at an Elite event. Of course, I had a «job» to do last night, being the annoying guy with the camera, but in a weird way I like having something to do.
The lunchbox was a funny surprise, I keep looking at it this morning and smiling. I thought the food was perfect, but then again, I’m a fan of the cured meats.
The folks at Twin Liquors did a great job considering they got descended upon by about 70 people expecting free food and booze all night. I had several people comment on how I was getting larger pours than they were at the wine bar — so I tried to share the wealth a bit.
I really liked the band, too, and gave them a tip to show the love. Their mellow sound was perfect in that space.
Thanks Kevin, once again, for a fun and interesting event. Congrats to all the winners, and the photos should be up on the Unilocal Flickr page soon.

The evening started off pretty well when I accidentally locked one of my guest’s in my car… she called my mobile to ask me to open the door with my remote. and so the party started. Long story, that’s just the Readers Digest version.
I am glad to hear that someone else got busted by the Twin Liquor rules. She was so very pleasant about it. After I poured the 7^th Bees Knees into my empty wine glass and began to drink it. she politely pointed out that the TABC bad boys would probably have their neck. when I looked at her all freaked out. (I mean HUGE party foul on my part). I asked. «should I throw it out?» She just told me to chug half and I would be fine. NICE SAVE!
Jaye J and Allison P. I am totally going to blow you away at the italian pot luck at the casa. let’s get busy with the date.
Geoff… always good to see you for a chat about footie. and Man U still suck.
Jefe. good to see you up and about sir. and your description of the Beer Margarita was spot on.
Jennie C. really. REALLY isn’t there anything you can’t do?
Jack. your no Annie Lebowitz. but you sure would look cute in a dress.
Twin Liquor staff… all of you were incredibly nice. and I totally want my ass slapping next time I’m in.
Apart from the throat injury I received while trying to eat a kabob thingy, I left remarkably unscathed from the event. Oh and the lunch box… way to cool. By the way a Fosters fits perfectly in place of the thermos… Just saying.
Thanks Kevmo!

5 stars for the BADASS lunchbox! I think I’m gonna knock up the wife just so I can have my kids take them to school. Seriously, hours later I still don’t think we’ve come to grips with just how awesome they are.
Overall though, I’m sad to say that the execution of this event couldn’t live up to the awesome potential of the concept. I blame the TABC mostly, those wettest of blankets and killers of buzzes. Tasters of wine and plastic shooters for the drink competitors, under glaring fluorescent lights, just doesn’t do them justice or get the party going.
I understand that the law won’t allow more than a taste, but given that, I wish the wine selection were more interesting and promoted. I like Sangre de Toro, but it’s kinda like the Lone Star of wine, cheap and ubiquitous. The merlot was disappointing and too sweet, the chardonnay okay but unremarkable. Standing near such an unfathomable selection of fine wines, I wish I had gotten to know a few of them better.
2.5 stars for the hors d’oeuvres. (Maybe 3 if they were warm? Cold mushrooms are kinda slimy.) I hate to be the one to say it, but when free fancy food sticks around that long, it’s obviously not a crowd pleaser. It’s probably lucky for the caterer that I don’t remember their name.
Still, the event was a great concept, and I hope we can do it again sometime. Next time though, it would be nice to vote on the recipe, rather than just the name. Ixnay on the Akersmay Arksmay Intmay Ulepjay.

I got a flipping Unilocal LUNCHBOX. Imagine how many hos I can quiet at work when I whip out my thermos of tea, eject my pinky, and proceed to tell them how much better than them I am on account of my fancy digs. Remarkable.
Funny story: when I went up to get wine, the barista allowed me to taste it to see if I liked it. I said I did and could I please have more. She allowed two more drops in my glass and sent me on my way. I was sad, but recognized I’d just have to exercise a little harder to go back and refill my «tasting» glass. That’s okay.
I knew Jennie was going to win. Just saying. It was nice to see some Unilocal favorites. Unilocalers are such a rad crowd. This review would be longer if I didn’t have so many «tastes.» I heart lychee. Mmmm olives. First to review! Thanks Kevin :)

OOOPS sorry, I didn’t know I couldn’t take two shots and pour them into my wine glass. But the twin liquors gal let me know in the nicest of ways. After that I warned some others that were following my lead (maybe).
Jennie’s drink was pretty amazing.
But hey, mine was too!!! Although, it wasn’t the true recipe. If you want it I will pass it along. It is all about fresh squeezed orange and lime.
I love my Unilocal lunch box and I love my prize. Thanks!
I think the wine ladies hated us and I figured out why. Because we weren’t tipping, or that tipping wasn’t allowed. TABC.
Great band!
I missed out on the ass slapping.