Holiday – Shaken Not Stirred in LA

Last night Shaken Not Stirred traveled to Orange County to bartend a surprise 40^th birthday party in Corona. The party also doubled as an ugly sweater party/holiday party. The birthday boy was told they were going to an ugly sweater party and had no idea that it was actually a surprise birthday party for him. It is always nice to see someone’s face when they are surprised with something like this. Whoever get a surprise birthday party thrown for them, is indeed a blessed person, because not everybody gets one.

There were about 50 people in attendance, and many of them were active or former members of the military, particularly Marines. I used to drink with Marines, and they can drink. I served Long Island Ice Teas, Mai tais, Cadillac margaritas, and Bay Breezes. I served countless Fireball, tequila shots, and Caramel Apple shots. Caramel Apple shots are made with Butterscotch Schnapps and Apple Pucker. Bud Light, Tecate, Modelo, and Coors light were the beers of choice.

The ugly sweater contest was fun and there were many great creations. Had I known, I would have worn an ugly sweater myself. The thrift stores must make a killing on old sweaters this time of year. The winner with the tackiest sweater was voted on by all of the guests in attendance and he won a gift certificate to Outback Steak House.

I put in a bid for a holiday party in Beverly Hills for tonight. It was a last minute request. I might as well do as many holiday parties as I can. One of the guests last night inquired about my services for a party next month, and I hope that she calls me. I have literally made hundreds of drinks this week, and can probably make a couple hundred more to close the week out.

Christmas Party Bar tenders

Busy Holiday Party Season for Los Angeles Mobile Bartender

December 15, 2014December 15, 2014 shakennotstirredinla

The Los Angeles mobile bartender service, Shaken Not Stirred provided mixology for two parties last weekend. Saturday night, I traveled a full five minutes from my house to bartend a holiday party in Valley Village. Then, on Sunday, I traveled to Downey do bartend a holiday/company party. I love doing back to back parties and wish it was like this every weekend.

I have spoken with different hosts about holiday drinks and I must admit, I didn’t have many ideas. The holiday cocktails I saw online didn’t inspire me for one reason or another. Either the drinks seemed too fancy for their own good, or required too many ingredients for large parties. I wanted to develop something on my own, and I think I have finally found it.

The host of the Downey party wanted something festive. I tried to develop a Candy Kane cocktail using vodka, Crème De Menthe and grenadine, with a Candy Kane garnish. In theory it would be a layered drink with Christmas colors. I tried it at the Saturday night cocktail and the response was less than favorable. I heard people liken it to Nyquil, and Scope. I served it as shots. I set two shots up on the bar and a guest asked me, “What’s this?” “Christmas shots,” I said. “Yeah, but what are they called?” he asked. “Christmas shots,” I said very straight faced. He thought that was hilarious.

Los Angeles Mobile Bartender Invents New Drink

Anyway, so the Nyquil shots were a dud (though people kept drinking them). I had a backup plan and that was homemade ginger syrup. I call it Santa’s Syrup. I mixed well with vodka, whisky, tequila, rum, or gin. People loved it at the party Saturday night, and people loved it at the Sunday party. I was mainly mixing whiskey with Santa’s syrup, bitters, and a club soda. Another great drink was with tequila, fresh lime juice, and club soda. I will bring Santa’s syrup with me to all future holiday parties.

Santa's Syrup with whiskey in Downey — Santa’s Syrup with whiskey in Downey

This coming weekend I have a Christmas party scheduled in the city of Corona. I am working on a big party later this month where I will have to provide servers and a griller and I hope I get it. I sent another bartender to do a wrap party for a client in Studio City and he said it was a huge success. I am still available for New Year’s Eve, and will be working hard this week to get a gig. Stay tuned from more tales of the Los Angeles Mobile bartender.

Christmas Party Bar tenders

Christmas Party in the City of Orange

December 15, 2013 shakennotstirredinla

Last night I bar tended a Christmas party in the City of Orange – the hills of Orange actually, at a very nice residence in a gated community. As a mobile bartender I have gone all over Southern California and have worked at many nice homes and venues, and have met an interesting cross section of people. Some of my clients are very wealthy and have huge fully stocked marble bars and fire pits outside and restaurant style patio heaters, and fine glassware, and some are working class people who throw backyard parties with a folding table set up for a bar, tubs full of beer, and plastic cups. I like doing all kinds of parties, and meeting all kinds of people.

Last night’s event was a small party of around twenty people. The bar was stocked very well, and had a nice selection of fine vodkas, including Jean Marc XO vodka, which is a French hand-crafted vodka, which is very refined for straight sipping. The host had ice balls that fit right into a cocktail glass and were just right for straight sipping different liquors. That was the first time I had ever seen those. I learn something new each time.

The hostess came up with the specialty drink, which was a Peartini. It was made with Pear infused Grey Goose vodka, a dash of Disaronno, a dash of Sweet and Sour, and topped off with champagne with a pear slice garnish. The drink was a big hit. I came up with a Fireball Martini, which was vodka with a dash of Fireball Whiskey, and a dash of bitters. I don’t know about that one – a couple people said that they liked it, but they didn’t order a second one.

Next weekend I am doing a holiday party in Santa Barbara, and am renting a bunch of glassware for the party. If you need glassware, I can get most of what you need and rentals range from .75 to $1 per glass. I have a New Years Eve party booked in Upland, and have started to book weddings in the spring. Book your event now – don’t wait until the last minute, but if it is the last minute, call me anyway, I may be able to help you. Shaken Not Stirred is a mobile bartending service that covers the entire Southern California region.

Birthday Party Bartender, Wedding Bartender

Chatsworth 30th Birthday Party and Glendora Wedding

October 27, 2013 shakennotstirredinla

Last night I worked a wedding in Glendora and sent another bartender, Jessica, to do a 30^th birthday in Chatsworth. Another successful night for Shaken Not Stirred. As I was setting up for the party in Glendora, someone called me because their bartender cancelled at the last moment. I can’t believe how many calls I get like that. Unfortunately I couldn’t help that person. I have never cancelled or flaked on a gig, and couldn’t imagine doing it. Reliability means a lot to me, but I guess not everybody feels that way.

The wedding in Glendora at the La Fetra Center was a Mexican styled wedding complete with Mariachis. Probably 100 people were in attendance, and another bartender, Mary, helped me. They had keg beer and I want to stress that I don’t recommend that for parties less than 150 people. At this wedding they had two 16 gallon kegs and I would say both were still half full at the end of the party. Keg beer is messy and hard to deal with. When you first tap the kegs you have to deal with foam for probably half an hour. If you have those pump type taps, the beer pours extremely slow. Kegs were cool to me when I was 16, but I’m over them now. We also served vodka, tequila, and rum drinks. Many shots of tequila went down.

I helped the host of the 30^th birthday party in Chatsworth construct a drink menu. She decided on dirty martinis, Cosmos, and Margaritas. I talked her out of keg beer and she served Corona and Stella Artois. Jessica, the bartender said it was a great event. I like helping my clients with drink menus and shopping lists, and I think I can save them a lot of money.

Next weekend I have a costume party scheduled in La Quinta, (I am going as LLoyd the Bartender) and a wedding in Eagle Rock. Don’t forget, book those holiday parties now. If you wait until the last minute you may have a hard time finding a bartender. Shaken Not Stirred serves Southern California, from Santa Barbara to Palm Springs.

Engagement Parties, Mobile Bartenders

Chatsworth Engagement Party

September 22, 2013 shakennotstirredinla

Shaken Not Stirred manned another successful back yard event last night – an engagement party in Chatsworth. Over 100 people attended the party and it seemed a great time was had by all. Although I wasn’t contracted to bring a barback, I brought my son, Willie, to train him. As it turned out I really needed him and he was a big help. I usually recommend having a barback or second bartender for parties over 100 people.

As you see in the pictures, the “bar” was made up of six foot folding tables covered by table cloths and that worked just great. People often ask me if I have a bar for rent, or if they should rent a bar. Bar rentals cost as much as $300 a night, and it really isn’t necessary. In fact, I prefer working with the table set up, because there is more room and the table is usually just the right height. The moral of this story is, unless you think a real bar will make your party look that much better, it really isn’t necessary – a folding table with table cloth works just fine. If you have a home bar already, great!

A friend of the engaged couple donated the beer and it was a big hit. The beer we served was St. Archer Blonde Ale and is brewed at St. Archer Brewery in San Diego. We went through at least four cases over the course of the night. As the weather gets cooler, wine becomes more popular. We served several bottles of various red wines, and several bottles of white, as well as a few bottles of champagne. This was a younger crowd, so they drank quite a bit.

Traditional Persian cuisine was served including lula, chicken, and beef kebobs, saffron rice, and other traditional dishes. I was so busy that I didn’t get a card from the caterer, which I usually try to do. They had a DJ and a dance floor also and the party went on until after midnight.

Holiday season is fast approaching and I have booked one Halloween party so far. I still have a few weddings booked in October and early November and then I imagine the focus will shift to Christmas and New Year’s Eve. parties. It is best to book early. Shaken Not Stirred serves all of Los Angeles County, and we also go to Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties. In fact, we’ll go anywhere for the right price.

Tag: Holiday

Corona 40th Surprise Birthday Party

Busy Holiday Party Season for Los Angeles Mobile Bartender

Christmas Party in the City of Orange

Chatsworth 30th Birthday Party and Glendora Wedding

Chatsworth Engagement Party