Better Know A Blogger: Vixen's LA Happy Hours
I definitely don’t see myself as a critic. I say what I like and what I don’t… but it doesn’t mean others will feel the same.
Everyone loves a cocktail and Victoria Chandler takes readers of her blog on a whirlwind tour of the best happy hours spots in Los Angeles. Enjoying martinis, cosmopolitans and whiskey sours in various neighborhoods, Chandler gives honest reviews and clues her followers in on where to enjoy their next libation. Voted Best L.A. Blogger by L.A. Hotlist, here she shares with SP what is means to be Vixen's LA Happy Hours.
How did the name of your site come about?
Vixen is my nickname, and I've have had it for about 15 years. I actually have tons of friends that only call me Vixen. I think the name Victoria is just too formal for them. I originally called my blog L.A. Happy Hours but soon realized that wasn't unique enough, so I added Vixen's.
What does your site focus on?
Well, obviously my site is about happy hours, but I focus on providing my readers with what food and drinks are exactly offered at different establishments. I almost think of it more as a picture-blog than a written-blog. I think my writing is actually pretty cheesy 'cause I'm kind of a goofball. And I definitely don't see myself as a critic. I say what I like and what I don't... but it doesn't mean others will feel the same. I rarely talk about service or the crowd because that could be different every time you go in.
What do readers get from your site they can't get on other sites?
Pictures, pictures, pictures!!! When someone reads one of my happy hour reviews, they will know exactly what to expect food and drink-wise. Not only do I show the food and drinks, but also the menus and the actual bar or restaurant.
Which of your posts are you most proud of and why?
I'm not really proud of any posts, but here are some of my favorite happy hours which are also in the attached file with more detail and pics:
Loews Beach Hotel in Santa Monica: A beach-side happy hour with great food and your own fire pit.
Kravings in Tarzana: You can get amazing food (like lobster and filet mignon entrees) for amazingly low prices.
Edison in DTLA: Not only is the atmosphere spectacular but you can get all of their hand-crafted cocktails for around $8.
Have there been any benefits to blogging, either professionally or personally?
Unfortunately, I haven't seen much cash benefit from it yet but hopefully that will change in the next year or two. But I have made some great new friends along the way and that's definitely made it worthwhile. One thing that had really been a treat was that I was asked to be a judge in Table20.com's 2010 L.A. Best Bartender Contest. I got to try a bevvy of fabulous cocktails by L.A.'s best bartenders and became friends with them. Definitely a treat!
What's the best part of being Vixen's LA Happy Hours?
I have great readers! I get a lot of emails telling me how much they love my blog and I just love getting those. You know, here are some days I don't feel like writing but when I get a cool email from a reader, it helps me get motivated again. And thankfully no readers ever my criticize my writing... they actually even say they like my style. It's crazy to me because I think I'm the only LA blogger that says things like "woo-hoo" or "that drink was uh-maze-ng." My tagline on the blog is "I'm not a fancy writer... I'm just a girl that likes a good drink." Well, I'm sure my readers would probably agree I'm not a fancy writer.
Any other anecdotes/thoughts you would like to add?
Being that the blog has become popular, I sometimes have restaurants ask if I'd like to host a happy hour event at their place. Each place has offered free food or drinks. Our last event was at The Misfit in Santa Monica, and they offered both free food and drinks! It was great. The food, drinks and service was amazing, and we had about 200 people show up. That was one hell of a happy hour! My favorite thing about my events is that I get to talk to my readers. Knowing how much they like my blog is such a great feeling. I'm definitely very proud of it.
