Cool Millennials hit Presidio party
A bubble machine and flashing disco lights were placed at the entrance of the Presidio Officers’ Club on Thursday night as a welcoming beacon for young San Franciscans in search of a good and inexpensive time. Presidio After Hours, a quarterly free event at the historic Presidio Officers’ Club, was under way — and I was not on the guest list.
Anyone can sign up to be on the guest list. I’d clearly done it wrong and it’s likely because, at barely 40 years old, I was the second-oldest person to attend last week’s Presidio After Hours. The visibly oldest guest in attendance was a man who had one of those canes that turns into a stool. And he managed to sign up for an event described as “millennial meets museum” with greater success that I had.
Presidio Trust Program Producer Brad Rosenstein let me in anyway. Rosenstein was out in front of the Officers’ Club himself, cheerily checking folks in on an iPad.
“These programs began when we renovated the Officers’ Club in 2014,” he said. “We really wanted to make this the living room of the Presidio.”
Rosenstein and his team at the Presidio Trust have partnered with all sorts of organizations based in and around the Presidio, hosting film events with the likes of SFFILM, Walt Disney Family Museum, Lucasfilm, and food-focused events with Presidio Trust chef-partner Traci Des Jardins. These “Presidio Live” events are wildly popular but they weren’t drawing the coveted 25- to 35-year-old Millennial crowd. Everyone wants the cool Millennials at their party.
And so, “Presidio After Hours: Nights at the O Club” was born. Last Thursday’s theme was “craft,” a theme that took many forms, including craft cocktails to craft-making. I’d arrived just after the 7 p.m. start time, and only 50 or so people had shown up by then. Most appeared to be on third dates that were going well.
I began my night in the wonderful Presidio Museum at the back of the club. Near the museum entrance, a knowledgeable and glove-wearing employee showed off archaeological finds left behind by soldiers stationed on the former Army base. Her table featured a centuries-old brandy bottle, vintage playing cards and a rather fabulous sign that read, “You do NOT have the consent to touch our archaeological objects. NO MEANS NO.”
Down the hall, a classroom space offered a station where attendees could create their own wine glass charms. A perfectly appointed reading lounge featured “adult coloring.” In the main hall — a historic San Francisco space that resembles a mini-version of the great (and since renamed) Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite — beer and cocktail vendors had set up sample stations on either side of a fireplace. An author signed copies of her craft cocktail book along one wall, while someone else gave periodic speeches on the finer points of whiskey drinking.
Millennials in all of their fresh-faced glory collapsed into plush couches and leather armchairs. They chatted and giggled beneath rustic chandeliers. Des Jardins’ adjoining restaurant Arguello was open for full-size cocktails and bites of designer Mexican food. Presidio After Hours, it was clear, was a very cool, very free event for smart young people who know where to find such happenings.
“Eventbrite is really good,” said 33-year-old Montara resident Elizabeth Juarez. She and her brother Frank were hard at work in the adult coloring station, nursing bottles of craft beer and coloring-in outlines of beer mugs. The siblings regularly use the event’s registration website to find cheap stuff to do. Also, the newly engaged Elizabeth wanted to check out the Presidio as a wedding venue.
“We’re teasing the idea,” said brotherof-the-bride Frank.
My quick conversation with the adorable Juarez siblings reminded me that I’m definitely not young anymore, and I’m certainly no Millennial. After all, I got married in the Presidio. I found myself offering Elizabeth sage experienced wisdom, not receiving it. I am no longer the young one at the party, I’m no longer the target demographic for cool soirees. I’m the old lady with advice on how to negotiate major event rentals. Where is my cane and how to I get it to transform into a stool?
For all of our complaining about young tech Millennials ruining the culture of San Francisco, let’s at least acknowledge that last Thursday night, about 100 of them hung out on a 250year-old Army base and educated themselves about local booze and city history. Hell, I’d want them at my parties, too.
After Hours, it was clear, was a very cool, very free event for smart young people who know where to find such happenings.