Lounge combines business, pleasure

Networking comes second during weekly mixer

Mixing business with pleasure isn't always a bad thing.

That's the mantra of more than 50 people who turned out for the Downtown Cocktail Room's weekly LoPro mixer on a random Thursday in December.

The event is the brainchild of bar owner Michael Cornthwaite, who said he wanted to create an atmosphere where people could mix and mingle without the added pressure of creating a working relationship.

"If that happens, then that's great," Cornthwaite said. "But this isn't the sort of event where you come in, meet someone, shake their hand and give out business cards."

The mixers are held at 5 p.m. every Thursday and are designed to appeal to local professionals.

"We work very hard here to provide a warming ambience where people will be encouraged to interact," Cornthwaite said. "We have complimentary food. So far, the response has been great."

According to Cornthwaite, the event is called LoPro for two reasons.

"I wanted this to be an event for local professionals, and I wanted it to be low profile, very laid back," Cornthwaite said. "To many, business mixers have this intense pressure to make contacts and build relationships before you really know someone. Here, that's a side effect of friendships that are being built. I can't tell you how many stories of I've heard about people who now have projects together as a result of meeting here."

The club's Bohemian chic and elegantly intimate atmosphere is a favorite among residents such as Shawni Coleman, who said she began attending the events four months ago and has been a regular ever since.

"It's a good time," Coleman said. "It's very chill, and you can sit back, do business or get to know people that you work with, but it's on another level."

Downtown Cocktail Room is located at 111 Las Vegas Blvd. For more information, call 808-3696.