Birthday Party Bartender, Uncategorized

10 Person 50th Birthday Party at Northridge Women’s Club

Banquet Hall before the party

Last Saturday Shaken Not Stirred provided bartending service for a multi-person 50th birthday party at the Northridge Women’s Club. Ten guys who went to high school together teamed up to have a big celebration of their mid century milestone, and invited 300 guests. My son helped me and we were busy the entire time. I didn’t get many good photos for that reason.

Portable Bar outside

Some of the guys who put on the party met with me months in advance to plan the event. I helped them make a shopping list and I guess I missed the mark, because we ran out of booze two hours before the party was over (we still had beer). The hosts went out and bought more vodka and tequila. Vodka is what usually runs out first if anything does.

50th Birthday Party in progress

Lorraine’s Catering of Sylmar did the food and it was excellent. I met Lorraine and her husband Joe at an event years ago and I have done many events for them, and they have referred me to many, as they did this one. I hope to return the favor. Lorraine and Joe and some of their kids showed up at 5pm, set up in the kitchen, served 200 people and were cleaned up and out of there by 8pm. That’s how efficient they are. The Northridge Women’s club has a large, well equipped kitchen, which makes it easy.

50th Birthday Party Ideas

  • Plan a multi person birthday party
  • Hire a bartender
  • Invite a diverse mix of people
  • Serve great food
  • Rent a hall

My son and I set up out portable bar outside, but it got cold and dark out there, so after the caterer left we moved into the kitchen, which also easily serves as a bar. We went through at least 15 cases of beer, and many handles of vodka and tequila. The security guard from the Northridge Women’s Club came and told us at 11pm that we would have to stop serving at 11:45pm sharp. Some kind of fight broke out outside at 11:15, so that ended the party prematurely. Unfortunately, there are usually one or two troublemakers at every event.
This week I will be bartending at a Residential center in Huntington Beach on Thursday, and then doing a cocktail party in Redondo Beach the next day. So far I am still open for Saturday night. Later this month I will be doing a wedding in Desert Hot Springs, and a pool party in Palm Springs. I’m hoping I will get to see the wildflower bloom in the desert. Please follow us on Instagram.

Mobile Bartenders, Party Bartenders, Uncategorized

Acton Labor Day Weekend Party

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Wild flowers in Acton

On Sunday, after doing a big wedding in New Cuyama, I drove back to LA and then to Acton to bartend a Labor Day weekend party. In many parts of the country, Labor Day weekend signifies the end of summer; in Southern California, we usually have a few more weeks to go. This summer in Los Angeles it has not been that hot, and it even got a little chilly on Sunday after the sun went down.

This particular party in Acton was a family pool party, and family members had come in from all over the country to attend. As I talked to some of the guests from other parts of the country, I felt very grateful to be living in Southern California because of the opportunities we have here and of course the weather. There are many benefits to living here, but of course there are many cons as well. I obviously think the benefits outweigh the cons, at least for now.

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A “guest” relaxes on the lawn at Acton Labor Day Party

I made blended margaritas, Bay Breeze, and a few other drinks. One of the guests was a former bartender and he invented a drink while I was there he called the “Nicky.” The Nicky has rum, banana liqueur, cranberry juice, splash of pineapple, and a splash of triple sec. A drink like that is too sweet for my tastes, but many of the guests liked it. The Banana liqueur, 99 Bananas, is 99 proof by the way, so don’t let its sweet taste fool you.  

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Family and friends enjoy Labor Day Weekend in Acton

Labor Day Weekend Party Ideas

  • Hire a bartender
  • Invite a wide range of people
  • Music makes the party
  • Serve great food

Lorraine’s Catering (818) 233-4647 provided the food and they made some great meat quesadillas and tacos. I know many of the taco vendors make cheese quesadillas, but most have know meat in them. Lorraine’s pork quesadilla was a real treat and I saw many people going back for seconds. Lorraine actually hired me to bartend a party for her in October and paid me a deposit on the spot. Always love when I book other parties while doing a party.

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Shots!

This coming weekend I will be traveling to Altadena on Friday night to bartend a 25th birthday party, and I will be making 90’s themed cocktails, and then on Saturday I will be returning to Acton to provide bartending services at a backyard wedding. I have to promote my social media better, so please like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.