10 años de Yelp @ El Jardín Secreto de Salvador Bachiller

I'm relatively new to Yelp events, and the standard is being set pretty high! Not being familiar with Salvador Bachiller I was slightly surprised to be standing in front of, seemingly, a womens' shoe shop. Two things were out of place, though; firstly, something like fifty other excited Yelpers were waiting too, and secondly, men and women dressed like cabin crew from the fifties were greeting us. Very cool!

After a short wait we were given wrist bands (and as a very good last minute thought, plastic macs for the impending rainstorm). Up the stairs we all went to enter the secret garden. It's a nice little space on about the fourth floor that opens up to the sky, and despite being only a little bit above the busy Madrid streets it's surprisingly tranquil. They have cute little patio tables, plants and a swing seat up there, and it look alike a great place to escape the hustle and bustle.

The slightly off-the-wall feeling was enjoyable... we were well looked after by the cabin crew, who brought around trays of sandwiches, cava and other little snacks. On top of this, the bar was knocking out plenty of free beers and wine, plus some neat looking cocktails with LED ice cubes in them!

As ever, I can't help but enjoy a party full of Yelpers. It's always an eclectic mix of backgrounds, nationalities and languages, with the common theme being everyone is super friendly. We all bounced around chatting, greeting old faces and meeting new ones, and at the end of the evening I learnt how to sing Happy Birthday in Spanish!

My compliments to Lolo, Cris and the team: you found another quirky, interesting spot for a party, and clearly a lot of effort went in to making it a great evening!

We had a great time at the event! From the beginning we felt welcomed (Extremeños make the best hosts!), with Lolo greeting us and making sure we got our champagne flutes. Immediately we met some great people (an Andalu' and an Extremeña) so we felt even more at home. Seriously, Extremadura has the best people on the planet.

Was a bit weird being ask to spread out (essentially sit down) due to load-bearing concerns voiced by the architect. That, I feel, shouldn't happen. It doesn't have anything to do with the event, but having to thwart mingling on a account of limit-pushing architectural decisions (cost-cutting measures?), well, the venue failed on that front. At parties, people mingle. Asking them not to could damage the quality of the party for many, not necessarily at this event, but at future events.

On a positive point, however, the venue has a domed retractable roof. Very sweet. Rain threatened and the staff were able to close the roof over the guests before anyone got too much of a shower.

Open bar was a huge plus, little candies and snacks on the tables were a really nice touch, and let me tell you: we weren't ready to leave when leaving time came! Big props to Lolo for organizing. Thanks! :)