‘Just invite the team out!’
For as easy as it sounds, there are so many micro-decisions to consider when you throw out a client entertaining invite.
When are you sending the invite? Are you sending it to the whole team or the person you’ve been in closest touch with? Are you suggesting ideas, or asking them to suggest ideas? If you’re suggesting ideas, are you putting in the extra effort to frame the ideas and make it seem worth everyone’s time? What do you do if they say yes, but it gets stuck in planning purgatory trying to lock down a date? On and on…
Like deciphering a totem pole of conflicting Santa Monica street parking signs, it all seems simple until you dig into the details. But it’s important to consider since it can impact the likelihood of a team saying yes.
I've always leaned on whoever I've been in closest contact with, suggested a range of ideas, and given them an out to ignore all of them if they already have something in mind.
I usually pitch 3 ideas: 2 are more familiar and one is more unique. It’s often something food-related, something timely (show, concert, game, etc.), and something experiential.
Here’s an actual screenshot of one I sent recently that worked (Mamma Mia won!):
Like anything in sales (and life), there’s a million ways to get the job done. But remember, don’t put a ton of time and care into researching the ideas only to flub it at the proposal.
In the spirit of strategy and sharing, if you have any tips or things that have worked well for you when proposing client entertainment, I’d love to hear it.
— Robbie
Save the World with Your Clients Through a Virtual Reality Experience
Sandbox VR operates premium VR experiences for groups in their Culver City, Woodland Hills, and Cerritos locations.
You’ll do everyday VR things like fight zombies or save the Earth from an alien invasion, and can even play in the world of Squid Game or Stranger Things through a fun partnership with Netflix.
Games take about 40 minutes and six players play at a time. Teams will often swap in and out per game session while the rest of the group gets food and drinks.
Each venue has its own menu, which consists of your classic party food. Here’s the 2026 Culver City menu. You can also bring in your own catering if you opt for the Ultimate Play Bundle or book by the hour (details below).
Game Flow (trailer of the experience):
Pre-game: Short overview while you put on your gear (vest, motion trackers, and VR headset).
Active gameplay: ~30 minutes including a brief in-game tutorial.
Post-game: ~10 minutes to take off your gear and watch a video highlight reel.
Reservations: Inquire about a reservation here (this is the Culver City location). You can also contact [email protected] on the Events team with questions.
Ultimate Play Bundle - $650 (Monday-Thursday price)
Up to 18 players
2-hour event, which is enough time for 3 VR sessions (six players at a time, swapping every 40 minutes)
Catering permitted
18 non-alcoholic drinks provided
The Gold Package - $550 (Monday-Thursday price)
Up to 6 guests
80-minute event, which is enough time for 2 VR sessions
6 non-alcoholic drinks provided
Catering is not permitted, but you can order food at the bar before/after (menu).
Book by the Hour - $300 per hour Monday-Thursday (2-hour min)
Up to 18 players
2-hour event, which is enough time for 3 VR sessions (six players at a time, swapping every 40 minutes)
Catering permitted ($50 clean-up fee)
Note: You’d really only consider this option if you wanted to go for more than 2 hours or want to offer alcohol (see below).
Notes on Food/Catering:
If you plan to bring in food, note that eating and drinking is part of the reserved time.
Culver City location does not have a private party room, so food setup will be at a table in the lobby area.
You can also reserve space at the bar before/after your experience for catering. Partial bar rental is $25 for 30 minutes, or full bar rental is $250 for 1 hour. ($50 clean-up fee also applies).
Alcohol is tricky. It’s only allowed when booking by the hour. They require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from either your catering provider or your company. The COI must specifically name Sandbox VR as an additionally insured party for your event.
Added Value: Nothing brings a team together quite like blasting away bad guys after a long day at the office. It’s also legitimately fun, doesn’t revolve around alcohol, and gets everyone back home before curfew. Plus it’s beloved across Google/Yelp reviews.
Take Your Clients to the Magic of Mariachi
Casa Sanchez is an elegant dining and mariachi performance option in the Mar Vista area.
The whole place has a swanky, Rat Pack vibe and feels like one of the premier places to see live mariachi music in LA (I even saw the band playing at a Rams at SoFi!).
You’ll start with a tasty higher-end Mexican dinner and drinks (menu) and then enjoy the show.
Schedule your reservation 1 to 1.5 hours before the performance so you have time for a normal dinner with your client. Once the music starts and the theatrics begin (and there are some hilarious theatrics), it’s definitely harder to hold a conversation.
Great option if you need something fresh and memorable for clients in the Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, or Mar Vista area. Casa Sanchez is located at 4500 S. Centinela Ave, 90026.
Midweek Showtimes:
Two shows per night: 7-8pm and again 8:30-9:30pm (I’ve always eaten before the show).
Tuesday/Wednesday have a smaller 3-person band.
Thursday has the full band (recommend that!).
Make a reservation here.
Cost:
~$50-100 per person. Performance is baked into the cost of the meal (like any great media plan). Menu link.
Added Value: This is a restaurant I drove past for years before someone invited me to check it out for their birthday. I was blown away by the experience. It felt classy, fun, easy, and the music was unbelievably impressive. I even ran it back and took my skeptical British Dad for his birthday, and it crushed once again.
Check Out J. Cole on The Fall-Off Tour
For the hip-hop fans in your client orbit, J. Cole will be playing his first headlining shows in LA since 2021 this September.
His midweek performances are on Tuesday 9/1 at Crypto.com Arena and Thursday 9/3 at Intuit Dome.
If you’re not familiar with J. Cole, he’s a unique personality in the hip hop world. In addition to billions of Spotify plays, he’s developed a whole brand around authenticity and substance over image. In between songs, he’ll regularly speak to the crowd about deeper topics like purpose, self-worth, and mental health.
Tickets:
Tuesday 9/1 (Crypto): Tickets on Ticketmaster are $125-$900 with good seats in the $300-400 range.
Thursday 9/3 (Intuit Dome): Tickets on Ticketmaster (similar ticket price range).
For Intuit Dome, contact Mateo Duflot for premium seating such as Suites, Bungalows, and Cabanas ([email protected]).
Added Value: As a bona fide oversharer myself, I love a media personality that opens up and shows more realness and depth. Given that, as far as arena performances go, I think a J. Cole show has the potential to be a uniquely memorable evening.
The Oasis 🏝
Ever been hanging with a client and conversation just runs dry? Whether it’s recent and topical, or general and evergreen, the Oasis is about giving you one idea for helping you in that moment.
The Wonders of Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a modern marvel and a trove of incredible characters and conversation fodder. It’s universally relatable as almost everyone has experienced it in some way, or at the very least, seen this incredible viral clip from an Australian comedian about ‘selling’ a free bed frame on Marketplace.
I recently had the joy of helping my parents sell some furniture on Facebook Marketplace. My favorite was a guy who was picking up a full refrigerator and showed up in a tiny, super beat-looking 2005 Ford Escort.
When I asked him if he was going to park here while he goes to get a truck, he informed me he was just going to put it in the back of his car on top of a small ladder he’d attached to his car seat.
Simultaneously astounded and terrified, I helped him lift it about 8 inches into his trunk and watched as he precariously bounced down the road on his merry way. A picture says a thousand words here.
Run for your life if you see this thing on the road!
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