When I first moved to Vancouver two and half years ago, I didn’t know any designers working in the City. I suddenly found myself as an independent designer with no network, and I, for one, just can’t work like that! I called on some of my industry sales contacts and asked them about getting a group of designers together for casual drinks. Everyone seemed pretty keen on the idea and so Designer Happy Hour was born.
For the first few months I would book a table of 12 or so at a local restaurant or pub, spread the word amongst my new connections and see who would show up. As the months went by, the group grew to 25, then 30 and so on until it was soon a challenge to find enough space for all of us! Through this, I met Julie Miller of Creative Shift Studio, a fellow independent designer & island girl who had already put down some strong design roots in Vancouver. She offered to help me with organizing DHH which was a godsend. Once Julie was on board we streamlined the RSVP process, started a waiting list each month and got this thing working like a well-oiled machine.
After two years we have nearly 200 designers and industry professionals who have singed up for the monthly events. We get to check out tons of great spaces around the city and best of all, get a chance to connect and blow off some steam with industry friends. Thanks to all of our fabulous regulars who have helped to build DHH with us, and to all the newbies who come out to meet the gang and help it grow. This group has not only helped me feel welcome in this city and this industry but I’ve made some lifelong friends too.
With all of that, I thought it was about time that I started sharing some photos and talking about our DHH adventures.
JULY 31, 2014: Bambudda
This month we booked the patio at Bambudda in Gastown.
The Bar at Bambudda
Photo via bambudda.ca
Yummy cocktails
Photo via bambudda.ca
The back lounge at Bambudda
Photo via bambudda.ca
… and more yummy cocktails!
Photo via bambudda.ca
If you have’t been to Bambudda before; here are three reasons to go see them ASAP:
1. The owner, Ray and his staff are the perfect hosts! They opened early just for us, gave us use of their fantastic patio, and ran separate tabs for everyone without a hitch.
2. The space is beautiful. This is a group of Interior Designers and related industry professionals so to say we’re discerning about space would be a gross understatement. This one checked all the boxes.
3. The cocktails!!! Bambudda has a great list of creative house cocktails ($9-$13) as well as a list of simple mixes for $8, plus a nice wine list. I drank a Rhubarb Gin mix all night and it was refreshing without being too sweet. Perfect for a hot day.
Here’s a look at the evenings festivities …
Nicole, Jenn and Alex let me interrupt their chat for a photo op
Rebecca about to enjoy the colourful Bambudda Bubble Tea
Julie and Alex debate their round with our fabulous server Kylie
Kinley joins us for the first time and James (a DHH vet) shows her the ropes
Krystle, Robin and Julie, looking colourful
The DHH gang taking over the patio
Thanks to everyone who came out and to Ray and the Bambudda team for taking care of us!
a little salad with your old-fashioned, dear?
PS: Is this image not hilarious?! I thought about using it as the header for this post because ‘Hard Day at the Office?’ seemed like a great fit. I changed my mind in the end but I couldn’t resist posting it any way – the wife tossing a Caesar salad at her husband’s feet was just so funny! Feel free to leave your thoughts on this and the Happy Hour festivities below.
Cheers!