In The Mix

The Service: Only one server… she has to take care all the customers except at the bar. Food is served in less than 10 minutes.
The Food:
CHICKEN EMPANADITAS with Ancho chill dip — I don’t like the dip at all… doesn’t taste fresh at all. The chicken inside the empanaditas, super dry! Maybe that is why they need the dip to make it easier to swallow the food.
CUJO’S BEEF SHORT RIBS SLIDERS with Caramelized onions on toasted buns — didn’t really taste the caramelized onions. The beef short ribs is quite salty.
The Parking: Hotel parking lot… PRICEY!!!

There is something shady about hotel lobby bars. To me, I equate them with a meeting place for creepy men to connect with women they are having affairs with before they proceed up to their hotel rooms. Or, it is the spot where crooked business men try to «wow» potential clients. Honestly, I’ve never personally been to a hotel lobby so I guess these images are the product of Hollywood films. Well, after my experience at bar in the Sheraton-​Universal hotel; I can safely say I won’t return again.
The «Eh» factor sunk in upon immediate arrival as the bar is located smack amongst a crazy hubbub of tourists checking in at several counters, people walking in and out of the event in the banquet room directly adjacent to the bar (there was a débutante ball— I didn’t even know people still do that or in California, none the less), plus elderly people buying «I love LA» t-​shirts at a gift shop. Basically, the layout and blueprint of the lobby and bar is uncomfortable and lowers the potential for any class or privacy.
On the other hand, there are various seating arrangements at the bar, small couches, curtained VIP areas, and booths which encourage conversations and gatherings of various sorts. Everything is black, white, and cream-​colored which therefore has somewhat of a classy Hollywood essence. Esthetically, In The Mix isn’t that bad on the eyes.
What IS bad though, is the service. We had to wait for what felt like 20 minutes before a cocktail waitress came to help us during which time, several servers walked by us, completely acting like we didn’t exist. For the record, they weren’t busy (it was 5pm) so it wasn’t a matter of not having enough staff. The waitress was sort of aloof and wasn’t that confident about the wine list but I proceeded to order a glass of Malbec wine ($ 11). The waitress returned rather quickly but my Malbec was terrible. Why? It was warm. I don’t mean warm in the sense that some wines are supposed to be drank at room temperature; but warm like it was sitting in the sun. I wanted to spit it out and complain but I didn’t want to cause a scene. Definitely not worth $ 11. If this is how men woo women into their rooms; then it would NEVER work at this bar.
The only highlight was the valet outside. The younger early-​20s employees were friendly, kind, asked if we needed bottled water or directions, and the car was returned in rocket-​speed time. Sad though that the valet was the best part.
In The Mix is a poor representation of a hotel lobby bar and doesn’t alter the already negative persona it carries. This one, in particular, is sort of «ghetto» and has terrible service. Bottom line: avoid this bar unless you like hot Malbec soup.

So you might be reading this and going «how is there this bar I’ve never even heard of in Universal City?!» Well, it’s the new lobby bar at the Universal Sheraton hotel. As someone whose company puts up basically all of our out-​of-​town employees and business guests in the Sheraton, I’ve grown quite tired of the few places nearby that are suitable to take guests out to drinks at. I mean I love me some Fox and Hounds and Match but when it comes to courting clients and wowing out of towners, these places aren’t quite what I need.
In The Mix is a newly renovated, modern, plush lounge in the lobby of the Sheraton. Mostly white with splashes of black, this place is classy and hip. Small flatscreens placed all around the center bar allow you to keep up with your favorite teams or news without feeling overwhelmed. The beer selection is unique and provided me with a delicious yet dangerous IPA and the bartenders are skilled and pour strong. I wouldn’t make a specific trip to In The Mix, but, if you’re in the area, want to try something new or need to have some business cocktails in stumbling distance of your clients’ room then in The Mix is definitely your place.