Coachella – Shaken Not Stirred in LA

The Southern California event business is really taking off as the economy heats up. There are actually more events than there are bartenders. When I first started doing this as my own business – the competition was fierce. I had to scrap for every event that I got. Now, it seems there are way more events coming up than there are bartenders to do them.

I used to write a blog post about every event that I did. Now, I do so many events that it is hard to keep up with the blog posts. Shaken Not Stirred has provided bartending service recently at corporate events in West Hollywood recently, a fundraiser in Mid City LA, a huge Halloween party in San Bernardino, and a very nice wedding in Coachella. I will recap the bigger events here.

San Bernardino Halloween Party

Saturday, October 28th was probably the biggest party night of the whole year in Southern California. I had so many requests for Halloween parties, but this one I booked months in advance. The hosts of this party do it up big. They literally spend months decorating their workshop into a Halloween extravaganza. Guests come in from all over the country to attend.

This was the first year that the host hired professional bartenders, and I think he was quite pleased with us. We served all kinds of drinks and shots and managed the liquor inventory. Guests self served themselves beer and frozen margaritas, but we kept busy from 9pm until 4:30 am. Great party and I hope we are asked to return next year.

Mid City LA Fundraiser

I was referred to the hosts of this event from another client, which is always nice. They wanted me to purchase all of the alcohol, and that is a service I provide in some cases. They were expecting 125 guests, so I recommended they have two bartenders, and I made a list of alcohol and supplies they would need.

The event was held at Gallery 38 on West Adams Boulevard, mid city. Gallery 38 is a somewhat small space and will not really accommodate 125 people. So, only about 75 showed up and that was just right. I felt bad that there was so much alcohol left over, but they can use that at another event.

The fundraiser was to benefit Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit that helps former gang members transition back into society after serving time in prison. Artists donated art works to the cause and they were on display on the walls of Gallery 38. They also had poetry readings and live music. It was a fantastic event and I was happy to be present for it.

Coachella Wedding

This was my third wedding at the Corona Yacht Club in Coachella. It is a great venue on a secluded ranch just south of the ten freeway. This venue has everything a couple could want for a private wedding. The photo opportunities alone at the venue make it worthwhile.

For this wedding, they had us set up a bar on the lawn near the ceremony for the cocktail hour. We served beer and wine to the guests for an hour or so, and then moved it to the main bar where we served cocktails for the rest of the night. I hired a bartender local to the area, and he worked out great helping me, and I will be sure to use him again.

This weekend so far I have an eighties themed party in Studio City, and a birthday party in Porter Ranch scheduled. Please follow us on Instagram.

Uncategorized, Wedding Bartender

Newport Beach Post Wedding Reception

October 25, 2017October 25, 2017 shakennotstirredinla

npb2 — View from Newport Beach Clubhouse

Last Saturday Shaken Not Stirred traveled to Newport Beach to bartend a post wedding reception at a condo association club house. The couple was married earlier in Hawaii and most of their family and friends couldn’t be there, so they held a reception in Newport Beach for that reason.

Many of these condo communities and apartment complexes have club houses where the residents can hold parties. This particular club house was very nice and it overlooked Newport Beach with an ocean view. It had a kitchen and a built in bar. The reception was Hawaiian themed and I served Pina Coladas and Mai Tais. They catered in Hawaiian food.

Like any wedding reception, family member and friends made speeches. One of the groom’s sons made a memorable speech when he said something to the effect that “his dad seems much happier since he met his new wife.” I talked to the groom and he said he had been single for 15 years since his last divorce, and never thought he would be married again. I guess there is hope for me too. I think everyone had fun at the reception and I served a bunch of shots.

Corporate Events

I have done a bunch of corporate events recently. I did a grand opening at a warehouse in Santa Fe Springs where they demonstrated new new products. I served beer and they hired a caterer to grill steaks. I talked quite a bit to the caterer and hope to work with him again. He has lived and worked all over the world and is a master at many different cuisines. I hope to work with him again. He is Christopher at First Place Cuisine.

Tomorrow I will be doing two corporate events at retail stores on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, and then again on Friday. On Saturday I will be bartending an all night Halloween party in San Bernardino. Next week I have events scheduled in mid city Los Angeles, Westlake Village, and Coachella. Follow us on Instagram.

Mobile Bartenders, Uncategorized

Shaken Not Stirred Teams With Goodfella’s Tacos for Two October Events

October 18, 2017 shakennotstirredinla

jt1 — Tables set up for dinner at Sacred Sands

Last weekend Shaken Not Stirred and Goodfella’s Tacos killed it at two wedding events in two fantastic Southern California locations. On Friday we combined our services for a rehearsal dinner at a beautiful San Marino home, and then on Saturday we traveled all the way to Joshua Tree for a memorable wedding. The clients at both events were extremely happy.

I have done several events with Goodfella’s Tacos and I highly recommend them. They have an extensive menu of options that goes way beyond just tacos. Scott is highly professional and has a great crew. I am happy to be associated with him. I only hope I can help him get more business as he has done for me.

The Friday event in San Marino was one part of a three event wedding weekend. The groom was from Holland and many of his friends and relatives flew in from Holland and other global locations. I served pomegranate and citrus margaritas as mariachis performed for approximately 60 guests. I enjoyed talked to the European guests and told them about my friend from Holland, who is a very popular emerging musician there, Big Pete. He fronts a band called the Red Devils, and they toured across Europe last summer with ZZ Top. I was sorry that I was not able to bartend the wedding that was happening on Saturday night, and they had contracted another catering company and bartender.

Goodfella’s Tacos Catering Options

Tacos
Kabobs
Burgers
Breakfast
Taco Cart

The Joshua Tree event was at an incredible venue just a short distance from the Joshua Tree National Park, called Sacred Sands. It sits atop a hill overlooking the valley and you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful location. If the wedding would have been held in September it probably would have been scorching hot, but in mid October, the weather was just perfect. It even was a bit cold after the sun went down. I served standard mixed drinks to over 100 guests and I had a helper provided by the Goodfellas. The hosts and the venue owners were very happy with our service.

As the holidays approach I have been inundated with calls for corporate events. I have booked several events in November and a few in December. I am doing a corporate event in Woodland Hills today, and have three in West Hollywood next week. I also have an event in Newport Beach this weekend, a Halloween Party in San Bernardino next weekend, and a wedding in Coachella the weekend after that. Please follow us on Instagram.

Special Event Bartenders, Uncategorized, Wedding Bartender

Two Coachella Valley Events

February 28, 2016February 28, 2016 shakennotstirredinla

feb1 — Beautiful Day in the Coachella Valley

This weekend, Shaken not Stirred provided bartending services at two Coachella Valley events. On Friday night, I traveled to Indio to bartend a wedding rehearsal dinner, and then on Saturday I bartended a backyard wedding in Palm Springs. I really like doing these parties in the Palm Springs area, because many of these rental houses have very nice backyard bars, and that was the case at both of these events.

The house in Indio was just blocks away from where the annual music festival at Coachella is held. It had a very nice backyard bar. I was serving to 150 people by myself. The way that was done is that I made a big batch of margaritas and set it out in a beverage dispenser, along with ice, limes, cups and oranges, and the guests self served. They also self served beer. I made a few other cocktails and it worked out great. I will remember that, when somebody wants one bartender for a large group like that.

The future groom was from Maine, and many of his family members had traveled all the way across the country to attend the wedding. For them, the weather in Palm Springs was a treat. It is always nice meeting people from different parts of the world and country. Everyone has their different tradtions when it comes to cocktails. In this case – the Maine Margarita featured tequila, margarita mix, fresh oranges, and Coors Light.

Coachella Valley Events

Palm Springs
Indio
Palm Desert
La Quinta
Indian Wells
Coachella
Cathedral City
Rancho Mirage

On Saturday, I went to a house in Palm Springs to bartend the backyard wedding. Many of these guests had either traveled from Phoenix or Oregon to attend. This was a smaller group of 60 people , which is the perfect size for one bartender. I made Moscow Mules, and Old Fashioneds. Goodfella’s Tacos provided catering, and that was the second time in a month I ran in top them. I must say, their fish tacos are out of this world. I have a new Palm Springs Yelp page and I need to get some reviews on there from my Coachella Valley events.

feb7 — Goodfella’s Tacos doing their thing

feb4 — The bride displays food and drink

Today the Academy Awards take place in Hollywood. I have bartended Oscar parties before, but have nothing booked for today. If something comes up last minute, I will do it. Next weekend I am going to Santa Clarita to bartend a 60^th birthday party with a James Bond them, and then the following weekend will be doing two events in Santa Barbara.

Mexican Wedding, Wedding Bartender

Torrance and Coachella Wedding Parties

October 26, 2015 shakennotstirredinla

Last weekend Shaken Not Stirred was on hand to bartend to great wedding parties, in Torrance and Coachella. The Torrance party was held at a zumba studio on Carson Street, but it converted to an event venue quite nicely, and I even had a bar to work behind. The Coachella wedding party was held at the Corona Yacht Club, and that was second time I have worked that venue in two months.

I booked the Friday night party on Thursday night. Everything worked out fine on short notice. Most people book their wedding parties months in advance, but it doesn’t have to be doesn’t have to be done that was. I provided the host with a shopping list of what he needed to buy based on the number of people. He did that, and everything came off fine. The danger of booking last minute is that there won’t be anybody available. Fortunately, I was available, so it was a great deal for me, and the host.

The Coachella event was booked months in advance. It was actually booked by my associate bartender, Mia Martini, and it was the fifth of six events we have booked to together in the past two months. We will be doing another wedding party together on Halloween night in Northridge. At the Coachella event we served Mojitos, Moscow Mules, and Margaritas – the three M’s. Another successful party went down.

I finally booked a Halloween party for Friday in Marina Del Rey, and will be once again dressing as Loyd the bartender (from the Shining). It is not a big stretch for me. Then on Saturday, Halloween, I will be bartending the wedding party in Northridge, and then on Sunday, I will be bartending a birthday party in Los Angeles. November is shaping up to be one of my busiest months every, and I already have many weekdays and Sundays booked, as well as all but one Saturday.

Baptism Party, Wedding Bartender

Culver City Wedding and Tarzana Baptism Celebration

October 19, 2015 shakennotstirredinla

Outside bar at Big Daddy's Antiques — Outside bar at Big Daddy’s Antiques

Shaken Not Stirred stayed close to home this weekend and worked a wedding party in Culver City Saturday night, and then on Sunday bartended a baptism party in Tarzana. Both events went very well, and that was due to planning and preparation. Once again, I was reminded that all kinds of problems can be avoided when I show up plenty early.

The wedding party in Culver City was held at Big Daddy’s Antiques. It is a real antique store that is full of all kinds of cool stuff. I bartended another event in Santa Barbara at a similar type of place. There are so many cool things there, but most of the items at Big Daddy’s are the huge and made of stone, so not easily breakable. I had a crew with me – one more bartender and two bar backs. I’m sorry that I didn’t get many pictures I was so busy.

Nikki and Pia working the inside bar at Big Daddy's — Nikki and Pia working the inside bar at Big Daddy’s

When I arrived at Big Daddy’s I found out we would be working with two separate bars, which I was not previously aware of. That was not a problem, because I arrived early enough to call my other bartender to pick up some extra supplies that we needed. I brought 8 20 lb bags of ice, which we discovered as the party went on, that we needed more. I sent one of the barbacks out for 4 more bags, which was enough.

The bride and I had conversed several times planning the event. We made a specialty cocktail that was a hit. It is called the Flamingo, and it is made with muddled cucumber and mint, watermelon juice and vodka. My crew, Nikki, Pia, and Maria all did an excellent job and was proud of all of them. I think the bride and groom were very happy also.

On Sunday I traveled to the hills of Tarzana to bartend a baptism party. This is a second such party I have done recently. One very cool thing happened – I saw a photographer, Mark Cano, working the party who I had seen at another party. It turns out he was hired because I had linked him to this blog. I link caterers, Dj’s and all kinds of vendors to this blog, and this was the first time I heard about somebody being actually hired. Very cool.

I served Moscow Mules, which have become very popular lately, Mojitos, and variation of drinks. I poured a lot of shots, and the shot of choice was Pineapple Ciroc. They served traditional Filipino food that was excellent. It was a perfect day for a party as the weather has finally cooled down in the San Fernando Valley.

Next weekend I will travel back to Coachella to the Corona Yacht Club to bartend another wedding with my associate Mia Martini. I have already booked a New Year’s Eve party in Los Angeles, and have booked a few other holiday parties, but still have many dates available in December.

Party Bartenders, Wedding Bartender

Two Weddings and a Labor Day Party

September 8, 2015 shakennotstirredinla

Labor Day Weekend was a big weekend for Shaken Not Stirred, as I bartended two big weddings and a very nice Labor Day party. The first wedding was Saturday night all the way in Coachella, 145 miles from Los Angeles. Then I returned to the San Fernando Valley to bartend a Sunday backyard wedding in Northridge. Finally, on Labor Day, I bartended a back yard pool party in Sherman Oaks, just a couple miles from my house.

The Coachella wedding was held at the Corona Yacht Club. I was wondering how there is a yacht club in the middle of the desert. As you drive up to entrance of the yacht club you realize it is a kind of desert oasis. It is situated on a 20 acre property and has a large lagoon in the middle of the property. When I arrived I was surprised that it wasn’t too hot for the desert in September. That changed as the day went on. It was blazing hot, even in the shade.

A couple of people even got sick and almost passed out from the heat. We served drinks to 120 guests and were plenty busy the entire night. We went through 400 pounds of ice, it was melting so fast in the extreme heat. CV BBQ of Cathedral City provided the catering. They had some of the best macaroni and cheese I have ever had, not to mention their excellent potato salad, and tri tip. I will be bartending another wedding at the Corona Yacht Club in October with my associate bartending service, Mia Martini.

On Sunday, I drove back to the San Fernando Valley to bartend a backyard wedding. I had booked the even so many months prior, I had forgotten it was a wedding, so I was surprised and felt foolish when I arrived and saw the whole wedding set up in the back yard. They had it set up very nice and the whole backyard looked as good as many expensive wedding venues I’ve worked.

I served about eighty guests and I served completely out of whiskey and vodka. I was serving a whiskey Arnold Palmer, which I deemed the John Daly. The drink was a big hit and contains equal parts bourbon, ice tea, and lemonade. Some of the guests had flown all the way from Korea to attend. Rib Ranch Barbecue of Woodland Hills provided catering, and once again I got to sample some excellent viddles, including ribs.

The last event of the weekend was a Labor Day pool party at a large estate in Sherman Oaks. A live 80’s cover band performed many great hits from the 80’s, including “Mustang Sally,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” and many others. This was the band’s debut in front of a live audience. I served Moscow Mules, Pina Colladas, and Mai Tais to the guests. It was a great was to round out the weekend. This coming weekend I have nothing scheduled, but am booked solid through October after that.

Baptism Party, Fiesta Bartender, Mobile Bartenders

Mobile Bartender Stands by at Eagle Rock Baptism Fiesta

August 30, 2015 shakennotstirredinla

Saturday night, Shaken Not Stirred, the mobile bartender was on hand to mix drinks in Eagle Rock for a baptism celebration. The proud parents baptized two of their children the same day and thus the occasion for a celebration. The party was held at a hilltop home in that funky neighborhood of Los Angeles known as Eagle Rock.

It was a hot day with temperatures reaching into the 100’s. When I arrived the DJ told me, “Sorry bro, you’re going to be up there in that hot box,” and he pointed to a deck that was directly in the blazing sun. They did have a small tent set up for me, and I set up my portable bar underneath the tent. This was the third party in a row where I was in the sun until it went down. It could be worse, because I often see caterers working in direct sunlight over a hot grill. That just goes with the territory. The guests get the shade, and that’s the way it should be.

Lety’s Catering Service provided the tacos. She had some of the best salsa I have ever tasted. I have worked with many taco caterers and it seems that each one of them have something unique to offer. The DJ was the host’s brother and he did a great job – he no longer does it professionally, but used to DJ at clubs like Florentine Gardens in Hollywood.

About 80 guests arrived to celebrate the baptism. I served many Mojitos, Long Island Ice Teas, Gin and Tonics, and Bay Breezes. I used to muddle the mint leaves for Mojitos and I would basically crush them. A veteran bartender told me not to do that, and to gently tap the mint leaves with a bar spoon to get the best flavor and essence of the mint. I think he was right, and the Mojitos were a hit. I told the host to get five cases of beers, and I think there were like nine beers left when I left.

Mobile Bartender Service

Portable bar and table available
Consultation about drink menu and shopping list
Theme party friendly
Weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries
Fundraisers, corporate events, openings
Guests mixing it up on the dance floor

Today, I will put on my mobile bartender clothes and travel to West Hollywood to bartend a baby shower. This week I have managed to stay close to home and it has been all about the kids. Next weekend is Labor Day Weekend and I have three big events scheduled. Saturday, I will travel to Coachella to bartend a wedding, then on Sunday I will return to the San Fernando Valley for a birthday party in Northridge, and then on Labor Day, I will bartend a pool party in Sherman Oaks. Summer is slipping away quickly and I have already booked my first holiday party. If you have a party coming up and need a mobile bartender, please call me at (310) 280-6103.

Birthday Party Bartender, Private Bartender

Newport Beach 50th Birthday Party

August 23, 2015 shakennotstirredinla

Saturday night, Shaken Not Stirred traveled to Newport Beach to bartend a 50^th birthday party. This was my third party I have done in Newport Beach, and I am becoming familiar with the area. The birthday boy’s wife hired me and arranged the party. She wanted real glassware and I supplied white and red wine glasses, and beer glasses. I can provide most glassware rentals for $1 a glass.

I have done several 50^th birthday parties. It is obviously an important milestone. I have said this before, any man or woman who has family throw a birthday party for them is truly blessed. This particular gentleman was very blessed and had a large nice group of friends and family surrounding him, and he was fortunate enough to have a great Orange County home to throw the party at.

I arrived early and set up my portable bar and table in the backyard. The host was serving Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Heineken, Blue moon, and Corona. They didn’t have much for soft drinks, and I was only serving iced tea and water. Many of the kids were upset that there was no soda. I understand that many people believe soda is a horrible thing, but I usually stress to people when I consult with them to have more non alcoholic drink choices. Some lemonade, cranberry juice, or something. They had nine different choices of alcoholic drinks available, and only 2 choices for non alcoholic drinks.

It is nice working with real glassware, but there is always breakage. I dropped one wine glass, and then had to stop service and clean that up. This is also why I don’t recommend anyone use real glassware in a pool area. If a glass breaks and broken glass gets into the pool it becomes a real problem. Especially now, while the drought is going on. People cannot drain their pools and refill them, even if they want to. Also, when using real glassware, it is important to have some disposable cups on hand to use when we run out of real glasses.

I got this job at the last minute; otherwise I would have had no event this weekend. I have two bartending events next weekend – one in downtown Los Angeles, and one in West Hollywood. Then I have events coming up in Desert Hot Springs, Temecula, Northridge, Coachella, and close to home in Sherman Oaks. I will be aggressively seeking to fill any open slots in the coming months. I had some very good news this week – I was notified by Thumbtack that I had been chosen as the #1 Bar Caterer in Los Angeles for 2015. I credit that to my habit of showing up early and trying to be of maximum service at all events I do. Also, I quickly respond to all correspondence from my clients. Being a good bar caterer is not brain surgery, but requires common sense.

Tag: Coachella

Southern California Event Business is Booming