Industry Spotlight: Angela Quattrucci of Quality Social

We attend event after event each weekend, and all too often see the same faces making the San Diego scene what we know it as. But there are some who we never see, because they’re working tirelessly to pull off occasions and nightlife without a hitch. Behind the scenes of San Diego are a mass of dedicated workhorses making our lifestyle the never-ending party that it is.

Contributing to the success of the sophisticated dive bar Quality Social is an astute event coordinator and all-around power woman making the wheels churn day in and day out. Angela Quattrucci has been with Quality Social since the doors opened in March of 2010, contributing over 10 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Her work has helped realize dozens of events come to life in the restaurant’s welcoming capacity, creating a reputation as a woman on the move.

Now with the holiday season quickly approaching and our plans just starting to get solidified, Quality Social is opening its doors for corporate parties and large groups to buy out the facilities and host holiday parties in style. While the Viper Room can hold up to 50 people, making it a perfect match for private gatherings, the two full bars located in the central areas gives Quality Social the ability to accommodate semi-private events for up to 150 people. Lucky for us, Angela is a rock star at what she does and makes the planning process as easy as it is rewarding.

 Angela hooks San Diego up with hosting their holiday events, as well as spilling her favorite aspects of life and work at Quality Social in this week’s Industry Spotlight.

DiscoverSD: What exactly do you do for Quality Social?

Angela Quattrucci:  Event Coordination.  I also contribute to the venue’s marketing and oversee daily administration tasks.

DSD: What’s it like behind the scenes of one of our favorite downtown hang outs?

AQ:  Always crazy, always busy, and never a dull moment to say the least!

DSD: Are you a native San Diegan? How did you end up here?

AQ:  No, and I could not have moved any further across the country!  I was born and raised in Maine, and graduated from the University of Maine.  I first came to San Diego over spring break during my junior year of college with 3 girlfriends.  By the end of our vacation, we were all convinced we would move out here after graduation.  Of course that’s not what really happened.  Instead I drove 3,200 miles across country not knowing a single person.  That was 7 years ago.

DSD: We know you’re in charge of buy outs around this time of year. What is Quality Social promoting for the holiday season? What does buying out entail?

AQ:  For the upcoming season, our Executive Chef Jared Van Camp along with new Chef de Cuisine, Dustin Beckner have created new pre-fixe and family style menus to accommodate parties wanting a more formal sit down meal, yet are looking for the approachability that QS has to offer. In terms of buyouts, a full buyout guarantees your event is private and closed to the public. 

DSD:  What sorts of people/groups do you look to buy out during the holidays?

AQ:  Companies with a few hundred employees would be looking for a full buy out.  Corporations, law firms and medical groups are good examples of our targeted demographic for this type of event.

DSD: When Adult Swim bought out Quality Social during Comic-Con this year, what was that experience like for you?

AQ: The Comic-Con party with Adult Swim is hands down the highlight of my career thus far.  Events of that magnitude don’t come around all that often, if ever.  I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of it. Both the Adult Swim and Superfly team became a part of the QS family for those 3 days.  It was the most challenging and, at times, difficult event I’ve ever done. QS spent 9 full months ironing out the details, but it was all worth it.  It was a flawless 3 day event thanks to a collective effort from each and everyone involved.  Girl Talk’s performance was one of the best nights of my life, we were finding confetti at QS for weeks after, and all you could do was smile thinking of how amazing that night was.

DSD: What makes Quality Social an ideal venue to host holiday parties?

AQ:  9,600 sq ft gives us a lot of room to play with.  The Viper Room holds up to 50 people.  It makes the perfect match for private gatherings.  With 2 full bars located in the central areas of the restaurant, QS is able to offer semi private events for up to 150 people.  Most everyone can be accommodated in one way or another.

DSD: What are three things you love about your job?

AQ: 1.  I truly love helping people, and this position allows me to do just that.

2.  Dull moments don’t exist here, and that’s a good thing—dull is boring! 

3.  Our staff.  Every restaurant/bar I’ve worked at felt like a family, and QS is no exception.

DSD: What are three things you love about San Diego lifestyle?

AQ: 1. I would be lying if I didn’t say the weather is the first thing that comes to mind. 

2. I love how each community has its own identity and offers something different from the next.  Banker’s Hill has the most beautiful Victorian mansions and the OB Farmers Market is a favorite of mine.

3. It took me a few years, but I’ve really come to appreciate and (sometimes) embrace this laid back lifestyle. 

DSD: When you’re not working, where can we find you?

AQ:  Taking photos with my new holga camera, on North county beaches, and at the dog park with my sidekick, Dae Dae.

DSD: What gives Quality Social an irresistible vibe that keeps us coming back for more?

AQ:  We don’t tell you what to wear or where you can’t sit.  You never know who you’ll run into or meet.  It’s like one of those nights where you go out for one drink and end up having the most fun you’ve had in ages.  I think that is what QS is all about -- just come as you are and go with it.

Love Angela? So do we! Get on board with Quality Social this season, whether looking for a party spot or just a bite to eat. Contact them at 866.535.0929.

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