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!