To know Downtown Lafayette is to know there’s no place quite like it. And this week you will have an opportunity to show the people and businesses in the Downtown district how much you appreciate their contributions to our cultural hub by toasting the winners of this year's Downtown Awards.
Over the last couple of months, Downtown Lafayette Unlimited solicited nominations and subsequent voting for favorite places, faces and things to do Downtown, and on Sunday DLU announced this year’s winners. On Wednesday at Gordon Square (100 E. Vermilion St.) from 5:30-8 p.m., DLU is throwing a party to celebrate and recognize the people making Downtown the place we all love.
The Downtown Stories & Awards Party will have limited admission and promises to offer a night of Downtown’s trademark whimsy paired with elegant libations. Tickets are $40 and include food, drinks and entertainment. Get your tickets here.
The event will look back on Downtown’s history, with local officials discussing and celebrating initiatives that aim to make it an better place to live, work and visit.
2015 DOWNTOWN AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS:
Eat. Where is your favorite Downtown Chef? French Press - winner Pamplona Pop’s Poboys Dwyer’s
Eat. Where is the best Downtown place to take Paw Paw for a plate lunch? Dwyer’s - winner Pop’s Poboys Johnson’s Boucaniere
Eat. What’s your favorite Downtown menu item? Banh Banh Shrimp at Pop’s Poboys - winner Burger at Jefferson Street Pub Gumbo at Dwyer’s
Eat. Where’s the best place to eat outside and enjoy the Downtown air?
The Filling Station - winner Dwyer’s Johnson’s Boucaniere
Sip. Where is your favorite Downtown barista or coffee master?** Carpe Diem! - winner** Black Cafe Reve Coffee Roasters
Sip. Who’s your favorite Downtown bartender? James Wise at Pamplona - winner Marshall Kemp at Tsunami Michael Dunn at The Studio Downtown
Sip. What is the best Downtown cocktail? Old Fashioned at Don’s Downtown - winner Wasabi Bloody Mary at Tsunami French 75 at Pamplona
Sip. Where is the best Downtown Happy Hour? Don’s Downtown - winner Tsunami Pamplona
Sip. What is the sexiest bar Downtown? Pamplona - winner Tsunami The Studio Downtown
Sip. What bar or restaurant hosts the most successful single mingle environment? Artmosphere - winner Tsunami Jefferson Street Pub
Be. Who is your Downtown hero? Anya Burgess, SOLA VIolins - winner Michael Dwyer, Dwyer’s Megan Arceneaux, Hub City Cycles Jillian Johnson, Parish Ink
Be. What is your favorite new Downtown business? Pop’s Poboys - winner SOLA Violins Reve Coffee Roasters
Be. Who is a champion for the creative class and a cultural catalyst for Downtown? Jillian Johnson, Parish Ink - winner Acadiana Center for the Arts Anya Burgess, SOLA Violins Mark Falgout, Blue Moon Saloon & Warehouse 535
Be. What is the coolest place to live Downtown? Freetown - winner Apartments above Teche Buchanan Lofts
Be. Where are the best Downtown accommodations? Juliet Hotel - winner Blue Moon Saloon and Guesthouse Buchanan Lofts
Be. Who has the best Downtown storefront? SOLA Violins - winner Genterie Supply Co. Creations by Fire
Do. What is your favorite Downtown cheap thrill? Lafayette Public Library - winner Downtown Alive! ArtWalk
Do. What’s Downtown’s best kept secret? Cite des Arts - winner Dwyer’s Lafayette Public Library
Do. Who is the best new band to play Downtown? Zydeco Radio - winner Cedryl Ballou Soul Creole
Do. What is your favorite new event Downtown? Mid-Week Farmers’ Market - winner ArtStomp Uncle Sam’s Jam
Do. Where is your favorite spot to experience the performing arts? Cite des Arts - winner Theatre 810 Acadiana Center for the Arts
Do. Where is the best place to shop?
Parish Ink - winner Sans Souci Gallery Genterie Supply Co.
Do. What is your favorite art gallery? Sans Souci Gallery - winner Acadiana Center for the Arts Kelli Kaufman Gallery
Do. Where do you go for live music? Blue Moon Saloon and Guesthouse - winner Artmosphere Downtown Alive!