My name is Chris James, and I belong to the BANLB (Bay Area Nightlife Bloggers). We are a new chapter of bloggers who travel from nightclub to nightclub, and interview owners, general managers and people associated with the visiting nightclubs. I have currently visited multiple clubs in the Bay Area, and some I have found to be awesome standouts, as others, not so impressed. This is not just my opinion, but I have taken into account others who have been to these sites as well. If you have any questions, or concerns about nightclubs in the bay area, or interested in being apart of the BANLB, I will leave my email address at the end of this blog.
BANLB started just this year, and we have multiple divisions in CA. I partake in Bay Area division, in hence the name BANLB. We have divisions in central and southern California, as well as plan on expanding out to other states by 2014.
The blog I am writing about today, covers a Nightclub/Lounge called Excess Lounge in Brentwood CA. First, I was actually pretty shocked to hear that there was a club in Brentwood, simply because there is no promotion coming from the place. They apparently have a facebook page, which I will speak on later, but it seems to rarely see any traffic (Facebook page started August 25, 2010, with only 565 likes). The only reason I heard about this place, was from a Facebook Site Called Bay Area Nightclubs. This sites updates daily events in the bay area, making it easy for people to find out what is going on for the night. I wrote to the facebook owner, Chico Mills (very helpful I would like to mention), about particular events. He said to go visit the Excess Lounge in Brentwood. He gave me the full details, and I decided to go.
I arrived there around 10pm, and noticed how small the place was....but, even smaller venues have LARGE potential. The outside was beautiful, the bartenders were great, but it was very slow for a Saturday. I could possibly count the amount of people that were there, and I was guessing around 25. The DJ for the night seemed to be very bored, as he had no real reason to be there (probably because there was nothing really happening). I asked a couple people about who was the owner/general manager, and most of them pointed to this individual name Keith. In the start I had sort of a odd vibe from him, and later through the night it only got worse. I decided to speak with him, and literally it's like he blew me off. Either he didn't see me, or his head was to far up his behind to recognize I was there. Let's just say my stay there was less then satisfactory, and I now know why this place is not being recognized. It's a real pity, because with such a beautiful atmosphere, nothing is being utilized. After staying there for about a hour or two, I realized nothing changed, so I left.
Upon coming home, I contacted Chico (Bay Area Nightclubs Facebook Page), and relayed him the info from the night. I explained to him my displeasure from what I have witnessed. He apologized, and attempted to reassure me. Either way, from this night alone, I made my choice that this place is getting a C-. Great atmosphere, no promotion, no organization, and terrible management! Unless they plan on doing a major overhaul, you will not see me coming back, nor will I make any recommendations.
I visited the Excess Lounge Facebook page the very next day, to see a lousy message posted:
To the Douche Bag who stole another customers cell phone last night at 12:40am... I have you and your douche bag friend on camera! The person just wants her phone back for the personal & sentimental info on it!
Very Unprofessional! And I Will Leave It At That!
You can contact me at
ChrisBANLB@aol.com
Chris James
