Recap: Upper Echelon and First Friday's United at Felt Boston

The first week of January is over, but hopefully you are still keeping to those resolutions.

Upper Echelon and First Friday's United hosted the "Appreciation Party" at the Felt Boston (533 Washington St.). An upscale pool hall with modern fair, purple pool tables, plush couches and a snazzy bar on every floor, Felt Boston's third floor was the only acceptable place to be...

The first floor was dedicated to an entirely different party, with music to match. While the music on the 4th floor was an eclectic mix of top 40 and techno.

By 11 pm, the free hor d' oeuvres were gone, but the pool was still free. The crowd was a mix of Black professionals and the ratio of women to men was surprisingly in the women's favor for once.

When people tired from loosing a game of pool, buying drinks or listening to Madonna's "Like a Virgin" for the tenth time, they headed upstairs to the dance floor. But not before they paid the $10 COVER CHARGE....friggin' Boston! Free is never free in this town. Okay so it was only $10 - but it's not the price, it's the principle of the matter.

Pluses: Felt is a great place to hold this type of event with the atmostphere and the crowd. The two levels really gave people the chance to get to know one another before 'bumpin' and grindin'.
Low key + class + pool = a great social atmosphere.

Drawbacks: the music...somebody should have spoken to the DJ or something. Also, where was the coat check?!?! It would have been nice to know your after Christmas sale attire was secure. Lastly, the stairs! From the 1st to the 3rd floor then back to the 2nd to pay your entrance fee to the 4th...it was a bit much!! I guess we all worked off our holiday pounds.

Overall...good job Upper Echelon and United First Fridays - though the party wasn't exactly what I expected, it turned out to be a good time...I'll have to check you out next month.