Last modified: Saturday, March 11, 2006 12:41 AM EST Lowdown on the afterparty By Lauren Carter/Sun Chronicle staff LOS ANGELES -- Even in the wake of an unhap py ending for Ayla Brown, the show must go on. Here's the lowdown on the afterparty `` American Idol'' threw for the Top 12 contestants, which Brown attended after Thursday night's elimination episode was taped: The Place `` American Idol's'' Top 12 party was held at the Pacific Design Cen ter on Melrose Avenue in West Hol lywood, which reportedly has also been home to Grammy Award par ties and bashes thrown by Elton John. There was even a star next to it on our map of the area, which meant it was a Hollywood landmark. When we arrived, I could see why. Let's just say the building seems geometrically impossible. There were two build ings, actually -- one was large, bright green and oddly shaped, the other was gigantic, bright blue and oddly shaped. Both were made of glass, separated by a brick courtyard, and connected by a skywalk. Like many thing in Hollywood, it was visually spectacular. The People All of the Top 16 `` American Idol'' contestants were at the party, including Wrentham's Ayla Brown, who was eliminated on Thursday night, though there was a definite separation between those voted off and those still in the running. Contestants still in the running walked the red carpet on their way into the party, smiled for the cameras and talked it up for the TV stations. Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Paris Bennett, Mandisa, and the other eight contestants still going in the competition were obviously enjoying their time in the spotlight. Clearly they've earned it. Some, like Ace Young, stayed on the red carpet for hours to accommodate all of the interested media outlets. Meanwhile, the contestants eliminated Thursday night stood on the opposite side of the metal barricade, or simply went inside. Some, like Gedeon McKinney, seemed impossibly happy, snapping pictures and almost living vicariously through the contestants still alive in the competition. There were also several FOX employees in attendance, some contestants from past years, including Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis -- who I think could pass as Ace Young's older brother if pressed into action -- a variety of people I didn't recognize, and some celebrities, including actress and former wife of Tom Cruise, Mimi Rogers. Inside the party, Brown was approached by several people, all of them congratulating and complimenting the 17-year-old on her impressive run. But there were no TV cameras, no photo ops in front of an `` American Idol'' logo-dotted background. The Atmosphere The party started at the red carpet, which was rolled out under a tent between the design center's two oddly shaped buildings. Inside the design center, the main party area (it seemed too expansive to just be called a room) was something like an upscale bordering on trendy restaurant-bar, dimly lit with white marble countertops, unpredictable seating arrangements, various caverns, and a roped-off area for the Top 12 contestants. Bathrooms were an experience. A hallway leading to the restroom left me staring at a giant `` M'' and a giant `` W.'' Once I deciphered that cryptography, getting into the stalls themselves was a feat not to be underestimated. Full-length wooden doors appeared to be a wall at first glance. I had to wonder where the toilets were. The sinks were actually circular wash basins, each with their own individual soap pumps (a nice touch, I thought) but with no counter to rest anything on. It seemed to be designed for looks, not function. But it's the Pacific Design Center, I reminded myself. It's supposed to be artsy. Behind the bar there was some more interesting art -- the FOX logo perched in a glass case among plates of oranges, blades of grass in glass containers and stand alone glasses the bartenders sometimes took out to pour drinks. Random? I'd say so. Flat screen TVs were posted all around -- all of them playing `` American Idol.'' Brown, along with several of the other contestants, watched the episode they'd just taped play out in front of them. As Brown re-experienced the sting of elimination, she leaned in toward her father, state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, for support. The Music It was great. Excellent, actually. Michael Jackson and Men at Work to Kanye West, and everything in between. I'd like to give my compliments to the DJ, or at least the pre-recorded mix of songs. I couldn't tell which it was. But either way, my compliments. The Food A full dinner menu which included grilled chicken, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, Caesar salad, an exotic dish with a mixture of vegetables and chicken that seemed Asian in flavor, all served buffet-style. Dessert was ice cream sandwiches, mini-strawberry shortcakes and blueberry cheesecake cones. Tidbits All of the `` American Idol'' contestants have bodyguards that escort them everywhere they go, even the unusual bathrooms. All of the napkins at the party were bright blue with the FOX logo imprinted in silver. Leave no stone unturned, they say. KIIS 102.7 FM -- home of `` American Idol'' host Ryan Seacrest's morning show -- was on hand to interview contestants. Paula Abdul made an appearance on the speakers with her 1992 hit `` Straight Up,'' but other than that, the judges were a no-show, at least from my vantage point. I figured they didn't want to steal the contestant's thunder. (Later, a publicist for FOX told me the trio did make a quick appearance about 8:30 p.m. I didn't get a chance to see them). All of the waiters and bartenders wore `` I (Heart) American Idol'' T-shirts. Each judge, plus host Ryan Seacrest, had their own alcoholic drink proudly advertised at the bar. There was Paula's Kitty Pound, Randy's Dawg Pound, Seacrest's Seabreeze, and the Simon Sour, made with Citron vodka, Midori, Sour Apple Pucker and apple juice. The Point The point of the affair, I figured, was one giant accomplishment celebration -- for the Top 12 contestants moving on, for the four contestants from the Top 16 who would be going home, as well as those FOX employees who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the show work. Kind of like a group hug. Except in a really big building, with not that many people actually hugging. Ayla Brown and her father left the party around 9 p.m., though it continued until 11. Before she left, Brown was exactly as you'd probably imagine her. Poised, graceful, accommodating, grateful, and underneath it all, unbelievably disappointed. From an outsider's perspective, there is not much more that can be said.