Tag: 35th birthday party

Birthday Party Bartender, Uncategorized

Lomita 35th Birthday Party

shakennotstirredinla
tito1
More bang for your buck and made in the USA!

On Saturday, Shaken Not Stirred traveled to Lomita to bartend a 35th birthday party. I have done many 40th, 50th, 21st, 60th, and even 80th birthday parties, but this was my first time bartending while the host celebrated the big 35. It is an important milestone, and I think it is when men start realizing they better step it up a notch – time starts moving fast. The party was held at a very nice backyard at a Lomita home in the South Bay. I set up my portable bar in the gazebo, and if I could open my own bar there, I would.

The hosts created and chose the specialty drinks. I made one cocktail with vodka, hibiscus syrup, St. Germaine, and club soda. I garnished that with a hibiscus flower. Another drink was created by the birthday boy himself, and it had scotch whiskey, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur, and bitters. It was kind of a scotch based Manhattan. I also made classic bourbon Manhattans.

lomita2
Hisbiscus Fiz

35th Birthday Party Ideas

  • Hire a bartender
  • Invite people from all walks of life
  • Choose a theme
  • Serve great food
  • Make it memorable

    lomita1b
    Shots!

The hosts were of Sri Lanka heritage and the food served was classic Sri Lanka style. I must admit, when I looked at the food I assumed it would be dry and bland. That could not have been further from the truth. The food was excellent and I cleaned my plate completely.

Another great experience bartending a private event for Shaken Not Stirred. Nice people, good food, and great atmosphere. I always like returning to the South Bay, my old stomping grounds where there is natural air conditioning from the ocean almost all the time.  

Birthday Party Bartender, Wedding Bartender

Altadena Surprise Party and Bakersfield Wedding

shakennotstirredinla
Getting "surprised"
Getting “surprised”

Friday started the weekend in Altadena for Shaken Not Stirred, where I traveled to bartend for a surprise party. The father hired me for his son’s 35th birthday surprise birthday, and it was martini themed party.  Friends and family gathered in the backyard, while the one of the birthday boy’s friends took him out to distract him long enough for us to get ready. I think he was truly surprised and overwhelmed when he did arrive.

I made Manhattans, dirty vodka martinis, gin martinis, and Lemon Drops. I brought my own martini glasses and they had several. It is always a pleasure for me to make martinis and serve them in real glassware. The presentation is just so much nicer. The birthday boy’s father manned the barbeque and made some killer trip tip.

Guests enjoying martinis in Altadena
Guests enjoying martinis in Altadena

For this job, I did all the shopping . It is a service I offer for a fee. I will buy everything you need, including all the alcohol, mixers, cups, straws, napkins and ice. I require an up front deposit for this, plus the service charge. People have trusted me with hundreds of dollars for this and I have never done them wrong. I have an excellent reputation and don’t want to jeopardize it one bit.

Saturday, I traveled to Bakersfield for my second wedding in Kern County. I also did the shopping for this wedding, and spent most of my day Saturday getting all the supplies together for a 100 person wedding. The wedding was held at the Junior League of Bakersfield. It is a historic building in downtown Bakersfield. I set up my portable bar in the corner of the dining room.

I served Mojitos, Margaritas, and various vodka drinks to the guests.  When serving Mojitos to a large crowd like this, I make a large batch, and serve them that way. I also get several drinks ready as the ceremony is taking place, so that when everybody rushes in afterward, I can make the line go fast. It is ideal to have a barback, but I handled the 100 person  Bakersfield wedding by myself just fine.

Junior League of Bakersfield wedding
Junior League of Bakersfield wedding

Everything went pretty well until the last five minutes, when friends and family were cleaning up the dining room. Some drama broke out among some of the guests outside. The bride looked at me and rolled her eyes, “We almost made it without something like that happening. We almost made it,” she said.  It seems that machismo and alcohol don’t always mix. Believe me, nobody knows that better than me. Kevin Rush was the DJ and he helped to diffuse the situation. I can see that he is a true pro and dealing with situations like that, and also did a very good job of DJing and running the wedding program for the night.

This weekend I have an engagement party in Porter Ranch, and then a Fourth of July party coming up in Orange County.  I still have a few dates open in July, so book your parties now.

Shots!
Shots!