Elite Event @ the Curzon

Oh my!
Good times were had by all here… what a super fun night!
Thanks Kat and The Curzon for organizing such a great party. And to my fellow Unilocalers… you’re all so much fun!!!
Until the next one…

Ah! The elite event, hosted so well,
of gin and beer our ruddied cheeks did tell.
And so with the drinks all eagerly drunk,
we showed them how the Curzon can get crunk.
Food might have been scarce, but was divine on arrival,
The Curzon couldn’t foresee our big 60s revival?
Still, props to the barkeeps as boisterous as patrons,
and all of the beauties who dressed up like matrons.
All you Unilocalers know what I’m saying,
the other city CMs had better start praying.
For in spite our manners and all good intentions,
we make their best parties all look like luncheons!

If someone calls me out on this saying how fun I am, how can I not respond. Being a first time elite attender I wasn’t sure what to expect. Now I will probably have to go to the next elite event because I had fun at this one. When Harp flows freely from the tap for 2 hours you can bet my glass will be under it a few times. I will share the same sentiment as everyone else in that I think I had one meatball all night. I’m not going to raise a stink because I did eat before I came. Kat F’s baked treats were good and enough to keep me fueled for the rest of the night.
I am not sure what angle the Curzon is going for. This place is very small and I can’t see how there would be more than only a few tables at this place. Is this place for drinks only or can you eat dinner here?
The barkeeps were trying their best to keep the patrons happy and I think they did a great job.
I met quite a few new people that night. Too bad I couldn’t get many people’s names straight since someone decided to start ripping peoples name tags off and/​or switching them with others. Its all good. Katrina «Foot» L, Jay «You’re The Best» G who later ended up on Alex +1’s lapel who I was calling Joy all night, Keith B, and my wife were all a blast to hang out with.

The Curzon continues to be a great spot.
The 60’s /​mad men theme worked really well and it was great to see some new faces in the crowd.
What else can I say, Elite events are always a good time!

I wore a dress for this event.
If you know me, you know that the shindig has to be good for me to break out the dress. (Once upon a time it would have been The Dress, as in, the one dress I own. Now I own 3.)
Digression. (Sorreh!) A terrific theme, a brilliant venue and a blitzkrieg of rad people as always. You can always tell that an event is organized by someone special when you’ve got bits of flair like: homemade baked goods! A makeshift photobooth! A takeaway gift!
I left happy and full of bramble. My only suggestion is more food — no time to eat beforehand leads to a grumbling bramble belly.

I had so much fun last night! I don’t normally venture into Leslieville unchaperoned, but cocktails and dress-​up are perfect excuses – plus, I had to use my black gloves!
I felt a bit nervous as I was flying solo but it definitely wore off after seeing some friendly and familiar faces. The set up of the place was really cute. I love that it was a medium sized bar that you could probably go to chill, have some great drinks and talk with friends. There aren’t as many places like that near me or downtown so it was a great change. I loved the comfy chairs and look forward to going back and seeing how it is when it’s not a bunch of «suits» and «skirts» occupying it.
I didn’t get to try any of the food and had wished they kind of spaced it out (some at the middle bar, some on the actual bar). Also, I was a bit confused on the featured drink as my Bramble (made by Chocolate Thunder!) and Hana’s Bramble (made by Lola) were very different. Mine was more sour and didn’t have the coveted blackberry in it – not the phone, but the actual fruit! Still, gin is gin and I felt a little glamour sipping it in my black gloves.
All in all, the night was great. I was supposed to leave at 9pm and ended up staying an hour later because I didn’t want the fun to stop. Looking forward to the next event and my next visit to The Curzon – probably minus the gloves.

The best Unilocal Elite Event to date. Here are the reasons:
1. Kudos to Kat for the baked goods.
2. Kudos to Kat for the Event.
3. The staff was friendly and engaging… while smiling and being dynamic.
4. Dresses for some of the ladies were awesome… very glam
5. The Bramble goes down really easy.
6. The feature tap beer is extremely pleasant.
7. The nibbles were good.
8. Music was great… a little Latin beat here and there maybe next time.
9. Just a great vibe.
10. Fantastic swag!!!
11. Nice to reconnect with other Unilocalers.

I had to take away a star for the hunger factor. Otherwise? Fabulous!
I love going to an event solo and with Unilocal,it’s super easy to do. I saw a lot of familiar faces, and even some who I know outside from Unilocal!Everyone is so much fun and the clothes were killer. I really do love guys in hats that aren’t ball caps, and there were a few.
The bartenders were super nice and funny, the drinks came fast and went down easy, and the Unilocal signs on the bathroom doors made me laugh out loud.
AND, props to Kat for the baked goods. You really do do it all! I am copying that recipe for the lemon bars.
And, there was a positive to the lack of food. I got to try Hanoi 3 Seasons, which was amazing.
Can’t forget to mention the AWESOME lunch boxes! On one side, the character that reminded me of Space Ghost Coast to Coast — Really? I haven’t thought of that show in YEARS! The character’s name is Zorak, google him and you’ll see what I mean.
See you at the next one, if I make the cut!

Best. Unilocal.Party. Ever.
The home-​made baked goods were scrumptious, i hogged them and had atleast five. The bartenders were so energetic and fun. The music was great, some really awesome outfits and theme (special props to Susan C, great ensemble). Thanks for Kat and team for organizing. Loved everything about the event, and the Unilocal retro lunchbox was just the cherry on top :)

Super dee duper! I, like Melinda M, am subtracting a star due to my always rumbling belly– other then that? THE BEST!
This Elite event had it all. Cool cat little location that wasn’t impossible to get to. Lovely and funny staff. The best music (mucho props Kat F.) and the best people!
Kat’s tasty treats were yummy as were the appetizers, but just not enough to fill me up. Apparently there were sandwiches? Bah — enough of my complaining. Everything else really was the best!
I can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures everyone took as there were many memorable moments. Last night I learned…
— I’m pretty great at applying temporary Unilocal tats
— Connie enjoys pinching my cheeks and messing up my hair with noogies (but I love her none the less)
— Kelly enjoys baloney and mustard sandwiches A LOT
— Unilocalers have the best dance moves
— Unilocalers also love Lady Gaga
— Boston community manager Leighanne (sp?) is pretty rad and very nice
And last but not least? EVERYONE LOOKED STUNNING! Wowza! Let’s dress up more often shall we?
xoxo

Kat should be feeling pretty good right about now. That Elite event was amazing!
My first elite event and I arrived under slept /​over caffeinated. So yes, I felt like Lindsay Lohan or Gary Busey walking in. But damn if it didn’t feel like a roomful of your best friends! Everyone looked amazing (Susan C… ’nuff said) and Kat just makes you feel like the most important person in the room. Of course, it helps to have your name announced on the loudspeaker.
Pros:
Everything. I arrived later so I wasn’t expecting food. Drinks were plentiful and the environment was perfect. I’d been here previously but I’m sure the staff would agree this must have been the best use of the space they’ve had. The music was amazing. Grandaddy and Animal Collective and some lady ga-​something I’ve never heard.
Meeting Unilocalers for the first time. Abby R, Kat T (Toto fans, unite!) Sorry if I bounced from conversation to conversation but we’ll be back, rights? I also got to FINALLY meet Christine C, Hans B and Kate M (a fellow videogum fan!).
cons:
The only con would be that the music was too loud and my poor fellow Unilocalers had to endure my shouting and vodka breath all night but they took it like pros. But that’s what made it so great. The music, not the spittle.
In my haste, I neglected to mention how amazing this bar is! Set up for optimal social interaction with more of a stand and mingle arrangement, the Curzon has the relaxed vibe of an old Victorian house. The bartenders were superb. Anyone that can keep up with full party Unilocalers is tops in my book. JJ, you take the prize!
Thanks for being persistent Kat and Susan! The threat of a (deserved) lifetime of humiliation got me off my lazy butt and into the Curzon.
How will you top this one, Kat?

Dear Kat: You throw a great party
Dear Curzon: You are a great place to throw a party
Dear Lola: You make a mean Bramble
Dear Chocolate Thunder: You’re very nice to look at ;)
Dear all the people who I stole the name: Sucka!
Dear all the people who I took pictures of: They will be up soon — I took so many!
Dear Kat: You make yummy lemon squares. Can I Unilocal review your lemon squares? 5 stars on the lemon squares
Dear Unilocal Elite Member: Thank you for being so nice! It was great meeting all of you. You make me love Unilocal even more!
It was a great event!

By far and away my most favorite Elite event yet! First off with bartenders like the luscious Lola and Chocolate Thunder, who I dubbed my Bam Man, you can’t go wrong. Loved the Bramble cocktails. What a fantastic spot the Curzon is for an event like this. It was the icing on the theme cake for the evening.
The lovely Hana B. and Danielle P. put the «va» in the va va va voom with the cleavage factor. It was all glamour in Leslieville with evening gloves, fur wraps, satin dresses and some pretty swanky suits & ties. Susan C. raised the bar with her homage not only to the Madmen theme but also an outfit that I thought was very reminiscent of Jacqueline Kennedy. Loved the hat. Great to see so many Unilocal friends. Kate, our resident Check In At The Door Girl… you are just sweet as a cupcake. Promise me that you’ll never grow up! :) Wonderful to finally get to meet the mysterious Greg C.
Thought the picture sitting area was a lovely touch. Of course our resident photog Neil T. I’m sure captured lots of candid moments. Can’t wait to see the pics!
The only thing missing was maybe that a few more nibblies would have been good. I did manage to scarf down one of those chocolaty little tidbits. Kat, aren’t you just a regular little Betty Crocker meets June Cleaver with your home baked goods. :) The upside of that though was our hunger drove us across the street to Hanoi Three Seasons. Loved the Hen and the Cha Ca. :) Kudos to Neil for letting us in on this spot.
I’m gaga for my Retro Lunch box!!! Best swag ever Kat! I don’t know how you are going to top this one girl. Can someone please explain to me how the hell Hans «I haven’t written one review» B. keeps getting invited to the Elite events? :) I’ll be looking for his review of Hanoi Three Seasons.
I had to shampoo my hair twice to get out all the damn hairspray from my up-​do. There was so much hairspray in my hair that when I took out the 183 bobby pins holding it up it still didn’t move.
Can’t wait to see what you’ve got up your sleeve for the next one Kat. Good job on you girl!

Ridiculous amount of fun! Each event gets better and better.
Although the food was scarce and I skipped dinner, the free flowing brambles and beer did more than make up for the void in my belly. The lemon squares and chocolate peanut butter things that Kat made were amazing! I will be asking for that recipe verrryyyyy soon.
The space was perfect and the bartenders did more than charm my pants off. They were energetic, fun, and were in great spirits all night long! Special props go out to Angelica (lola!) and JJ (Chocolate Thunder) for being some of the most entertaining bartenders I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.
Music was a little loud but the choice of tunes were perfect, another great play list Kat! I loved the lunchbox giveaways and am definitely gonna rock it for my lunch. Loved the photo booth with Rannie taking pics. Definitely looking forward to seeing those soon.
It was great seeing familiar faces and some new ones as well. Susan C, Chris P, Danielle P, Kat T, Wendy H, Michelle V and Hana B were rocking some pretty glam outfits and made the experience more memorable.
I will be definitely be going back here after such a fantastic night. Look forward to seeing the copious amount of pics Neil took!

The holiday season has opened, let the parties begin!
First party’s a big one, Unilocal Elite for the win!
The setting was perfect, the drinks have been poured,
The guests were delightfully greeted by Kate M at the door.
At the helm of the party, Kat F rocked the show,
Complete with sweet tunes and tasty treats in tow.
More food might have been nice, to soak up the booze,
But with servers like Lola and Chocolate Thunder, how can we lose?
On Unilocal,there’s never a doubt that you’ll meet great peeps;
Old friends and new ones, they’re here in heaps.
The shutter bugs were upon us, capturing our 60s costume;
Photojunkie worked the booth as Neil T snapped the room.
Speaking of costumes, do we know how to bring the glam?
Thin ties, big hair. All together now… «BAM!»
A bunch of rhyming couplets pretty much make up this review.
How else can I say « Unilocal, I f**king love you!»

Super cool bar.
Super amazing music.
Super wonderful swag.
Friends old and new.
Home baked goods!
LAMB!
Killer mixology.
Stellar costumes.
An amazing host.
The best Unilocal event yet.
A perfect Thursday night.

Another solid Elite event. I like that Kat finds interesting and geographically varied neighborhoods off the beaten path (but not so far off a street car line). The Curzon event was a great example. I understand Leslieville as a place you simply rumble through on the street car on the way to the Beaches or downtown. The high point is looking out the window and seeing the quaint little house that used to be the offices of the Degrassi Junior High production company.
Yet, who knew, until Kat shined a light, that the strip has a real clutch of hip «aspirational» bars. The Curzon is one of Leslieville’s brand of no nonsense watering holes with no pretense. No fake theme. No appeals to the dog-​and-​trophy-​baby pony show that has become the Beaches these days. Heck, the place is just straight up named after the cross street it’s on.
The Curzon makes it simple for you: come, meet like minds, drink, and maybe lust after bartenders named Chocolate Thunder/​Lola.
Thanks Kat for dragging me out of my lifestyle-​safe womb and expanding my horizons on a monthly basis.
(Oh yeah, I liked the dress sub theme and hope Kat tries a few more.)

Yeah, I’ve going to be «that guy» again with this event.
+++PROS+++
1. Loved the vibe in the room
2. Neat space, excellent staff
3. Lots of new faces
4. Some wicked outfits — i.e. Susan C., Chris P. + D, Hana B. (not quite Joan from Mad Men, but equally as *hot*), etc.
5. Was across the street from Hanoi Three Seasons. Wicked.
6. Abby was there!
—CONS—
1. I came, took a couple hundred pictures, will take a couple hours to process them and I didn’t even get a fucking lunchbox. Cruel joke? Nope.
2. Not enough food. Other than the dessert stuff, the other items that came vanished in seconds. Even for finger foods, it was lacking on the savory side of things.
UPDATE: The lunch box debacle has been resolved! All is well in the cosmos.

Gah!!! Abby beat me to the punch.
I arrived late so I missed out on the feature drink, the free food and portraits courtesy of Photojunkie. Regardless of this, I had a grand ol’ time at this event. What a great way to kick start the holiday season!
I loved that many of us (including yours truly though not convincingly) dressed up as the characters of ‘Mad Men’. Michelle V., Susan C. and Mel B., your outfits were great. Bravo!
I danced my heart out to Phoenix and Animal Collective, until hits from the 80s and 90s played over the speakers and the dancefloor began to fill up. I never thought I’d danced to S Club 7 but there you go, only at a Unilocal Elite event.
This was my first time at The Curzon and I’m confident that I’ll be back. The staff were friendly and energetic, and at one point screaming as loud as we were. Reading the reviews about their menu have convinced me to check this place out.
Congrats to Kat F. and her staff for a tremendous job organizing this, it was a great success. Bonus points for the awesome gift too! I had a wonderful time catching up with fellow Unilocalers that I haven’t seen in a while. I will even forgive Elliott «unsure of what his Unilocal name is» for spilling ice on my boob while trying to dance with me. That was priceless.
See you all at the next Elite event!
P. S. My cheeks are swollen!* Connie T., I’m looking straight at you.
===
* Note: my cheeks aren’t *actually* swollen.

FTR bitches!!!
Another fantastic Unilocal elite event hosted by the fabulous Kat! Lots of new elite faces, along with many old faces. Well, not old, but … You know, recognizable (everyone was fresh faced and vibrant, really, especially in the dim lighting). I was especially pleased to catch up with some favourite Unilocalers and get my photo taken by my «favourite» Unilocal frenemy, Neil T. Another highlight was comparing my baby bump to Dale M’s beer bump for the cameras.
Extra points for the dress up theme, everyone looked *adorable*. Special mention goes to Kat T. and her «new» dress, Susan C. and her vintage outfit complete with sweet little church hat, Mike S. who fooled everyone into thinking he was dressed up by donning a hat, and Danielle P. and Chris P. who went all out thanks to their gangsta looks from Halloween.
The drinks were fantastic, as were the staff. Food was scarce (but expected) and evey time apps were served the elite swarmed the trays like a pack of starved hyenas. Hey, we like our food damn-​it!
And — of course — cannot wait to break out my brand new Elite gift — a Unilocal lunch box — complete with thermos! Eat your heart out! (Or, I’ll sell you mine for a mere 50 bucks!)
The only challenge was the volume of the music, I realized that my voice was hoarse from trying to make Unilocal conversation over the beats of Lady Gaga.
Lookig forward to the next one!