With the music production world gearing up for the return to Anaheim for NAMM 2022, it’s a good idea to start thinking about some of the coolest places to entertain clients, partners and colleagues. From chilled, off-the-grid locations to bustling social venues, these ten places will make the return to the Orange County a memorable one for those you value…

With the return of NAMM looming large in the industry’s collective social calendar, all eyes are back on the Anaheim Convention Center. Aside from the day-to-day of roaming the show floor, meeting with clients, colleagues and collaborators at booths – and finding the time to sample some of the music world’s latest wares – the central spine of NAMM has always been in the social side of things.

Those steam-releasing evening meet-ups, multi-company get-togethers, evenings hosting your new most important clients and those epic show-closing shindigs have long been the most memorable facets of the industry’s leading trade show. While socialising should of course be balanced with an equal share of hard work (and boy, can NAMM be draining) entertaining and socialising with the industry is arguably just as important – if not more so.

Socialising and bonding with the industry, your clients and even your own colleagues is vital, particularly in our industry, for reputation-building as well as showing the people you work with that you genuinely value them, beyond the black-and-white transactions of business. A wise man once said “People don’t remember what you say, but how you made them feel“. So, with that in mind, here’s ten of the best nearby venues to wine, dine, beer and thrill the people you value.

1: The Blind Rabbit – Secret Speakeasy/Restaurant

The perfect escape after the hustle and noise of a day on the show floor, The Blind Rabbit is a small 1920s-style speakeasy bar, that has a calming, laid-back vibe, and is aesthetically on-point. Entering the venue via a secret door (sure to wow anyone not in the know) The Blind Rabbit serves a plethora of drinks, including some marvellous cocktails, not to mention a host of meal options. While the bar isn’t enforcing a dress code currently, the idea is that patrons go along with the Prohibition-era smart chic. So, make sure everyone is wearing their finest togs. It’s important to book a few weeks in advance to guarantee a table, but an evening at The Blind Rabbit will be sure to leave a lasting impression on those after some quiet, cool, retro-tinged relief from the intensity of NAMM.

Website: theblindrabbit.com
Address: 440 S Anaheim Blvd #104, Anaheim, CA 92805

2: Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – Tropical Tiki Bar and Restaurant

For those after something a little more colourful, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, located at the Disneyland Hotel, is all about whacky, tropical adventure. While such gimmicks such as bar stools that rise and lower, and animatronic glowing-eyed tiki heads may put some people off, for a certain kind of fun-loving client or colleague, this environment will go down a treat. So too, will the range of drinks available including themed cocktails, beer, wine and a selection of alcohol-free offerings. There’s also a big choice of food available should you want to chow down. While the vibe is centred on Jungle Cruise, Trader Sam’s could be a superb pick for a group outing to mark a birthday, company success, or just to forget the madness of NAMM for a night, and indulge in some Hawaiian-tinged tonics.

Website: Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
Address: 1150 Magic Way, Anaheim, CA 92802

3: The Fifth – Rooftop Restaurant and Bar

It’s likely that after so much time shuffling between air-conditioned halls, or parked at a stand, you’re going to want to breathe some of that fresh Californian air as the sun goes down. Where better than a rooftop bar to take a little R&R with your most valued industry associates. The Fifth offers superb local beer and wine, craft cocktails, scrumptious menu choices and a view to die for. Situated above the Grand Legacy at the Park hotel, directly opposite the Disneyland Resort, the Fifth would be an apposite choice to culminate a successful meeting, sealing the deal with a memorable toast atop Anaheim’s first rooftop bar. The Fifth can also be hired out for private event, should you want to put on a bigger bash.

Website: thefifthoc.com
Address: 1650 S Harbor Blvd. Anaheim, CA 92802

4: La Palma Beer Trail – Craft Beer Trail

Got a day or two to spare either side of the show? Then, the La Palma Beer Trail could be a sure fire winner with craft beer-loving clients, colleagues and industry chums. The La Palma Beer Trail – as illustrated on the visitanaheim.org website – is a walkable six-mile route between Anaheim’s most beloved breweries. Taking in the likes of Brewery X which shines a light on local brewing talent and the Bruery Terreux Tasting Room – widely considered the ‘godfather’ of the area’s craft brewing community, with its exquisite Belgian-style brewskis. While you might want to get an Uber between venues if your legs start to get a little wobbly, an expedition on the La Palma Beer Trail is a memorable way to gear up or wind down either side of the NAMM-whirlwind.

Website: The La Palma Beer Trail
Address: Route map on the above website

5: Pali Wine Co – Winery

If you’re planning to take out more of a wine-loving client or crowd, there’s a multitude of first-rate wineries peppered around the region. Pali Wine Co, located in the Packing District is a splendid choice for a local libation, with some renowned Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that will go down a treat. A cool quirk of Pali Wine Co is the option to drink straight from the tap, which will undoubtedly be entertaining (not to mention environmentally friendly). The outdoor patio is a very tempting haven to ease off the tension of a busy day of meetings, kicking back with the industry, or your colleagues.

Website: paliwineco.com
Address: 500 S. Anaheim Blvd. Anaheim, CA, 92805

6: Huntington Beach – Beach

While you’ll need to hop in a car for a 30 minute ride to get here, an escape to Huntington Beach to watch the sun go down might be just what the post-NAMM doctor ordered, particularly if your clients and industry friends haven’t seen much of California. The history of surfing is obviously a major part of Californian culture, so a trip to the beach to have a stroll on the public pier, jog on the sands or sit down to lunch or dinner, looking out over the sea would certainly be memorable for many. There’s also plenty of Instagramming-scope for the more social media-oriented among you. While the drive out is a bit of pain, it’s definitely worth it to get a flavour of sun-drenched Californian surf culture

Website: surfcityusa.com
Address: 21 miles from Anaheim

7: Anaheim Packing District – Food Court/Social Hub

If you do want to stay close to the action, then a trip to the Anaheim Packing District should satiate a host of desires. With its community of global-taste-serving food emporiums, beer and wine options up the wazoo, ice cream, desserts and treats, teas, coffees, the Packing District is always a bubbling din of laughter, voices and energy. It could be a nice idea to get out for a casual show-toasting roam on the last night before the long flight the next day. Opened in 2014, Anaheim’s Packing District is a regeneration of a former Sunkist citrus packing house, turning one of the last remaining packing houses in the country into revitalised and contemporary social hub.

Website: anaheimpackingdistrict.com
Address: 440 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

8: Angel Stadium – Baseball Stadium

Thinking of giving a client something to brag to their friends about when they get home? Then catching a Baseball game at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium should be a top prospect. While long-distance baseball fans will surely get a kick out of watching a game before their eyes, a visit to Angel Stadium also has appeal for those less sports-obsessed, as it provides an experience of that all-American ritual of big sports-game culture – with hot dogs, kiss cams, beers and take-home baseball souvenirs. An effective way to take minds off the show, and to give your VIPs an unforgettable evening.

Website: theanaheimstadium.com
Address: 2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA, 92806

9: Pearson Park – Public Park

Perhaps an afternoon picnic in one of Anaheim’s’ most chilled pubic parks would be a more organic way to relax with your clients. While Pearson Park has a wide array of activities on offer, there’s also ample green space to unfurl a picnic blanket, crank out some tunes and enjoy the California sun far from the relentless pace of the NAMM show floor. There’s also an Amphitheater out here if you wanted to swing by later in the day to catch some live music.

Website: Pearson Park
Address: 400 N. Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92802

10: City National Grove of Anaheim – Live Music Venue

If your ears aren’t tired enough, then why not take a small group to a show at City National Grove of Anaheim. This popular 40,000 sq ft music venue, opposite the Angel Stadium, has stellar live music experiences running all year-round, from big scale rock shows, smaller, more niche themed-shows as well as globally-renowned instrumentalists. Previously playing host to the likes of Prince, Bob Dylan and B.B. King, getting some clients tickets to a show at the City National Grove will undoubtedly leave them buzzing. And if you want to go deeper into LA, Gwen Stefani, Pusha T and Belle & Sebastian all have shows over NAMM.

Website: citynationalgroveofanaheim.com
Address: 2200 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim CA 92806