San Diego County – Shaken Not Stirred in LA

Encinitas Pool Party

September 14, 2015 shakennotstirredinla

Saturday, Shaken Not Stirred traveled to Encinitas in San Diego County to bartend a pool party. I don’t normally try to book much work in San Diego because it can be difficult getting in and out of there. Last week I had business in San Marcos, so it made sense to take this pool party in Encinitas. I’m glad I did – it was worth it to me and I hope the clients will call me again. They gave me another 5 star review on Thumbtack, so I guess they were happy as well.

Speaking of Thumbtack, I was chosen the #1 Bar Caterer in Los Angeles by the website, based on my reviews. I’m proud of this accomplishment, and I also realize there are probably more accomplished bartenders than me. I don’t call myself a mixologist, because I believe that bartending is not brain surgery. I make good drinks, and I think the key to good drinks is simplicity. I believe the biggest reason I have gotten all 5 star review is that I show up early every time. That way I have time to prepare properly, which is 90 percent of it. I cannot coast at this point and rest on my laurels – I have to work harder, because the competition in Los Angeles is tough. I think many other people suddenly got the idea that they would start their own bartending business also.

On Saturday, I was making simple drinks. I made blended margaritas and most of the people were drinking those. The client had a very nice blender, the Vita Mix, and it was very simple to use and made excellent blended drinks. I was responsible for bringing the ice and I brought 100 pounds and we used every bit of it. On hot summer days, probably better estimate 2 pounds of ice for each guest.

The client in Encinitas also hired a life guard, which I thought was an excellent idea when there are young children swimming. Rock star, Tommy Lee, had a child drown in his pool at a party a couple of years ago, and I’m sure that will haunt him forever. Taquizas El Unico of Chula Vista provided the catering and excellent tacos.

This weekend I will be bartending a rehearsal dinner in Temecula on Friday night, and then on Saturday I will be bartending a wedding at a clothing optional resort in Desert Hot Springs, which should be interesting. I asked the host what she wanted me to wear and she said, “Wear anything you want.” Decisions, decisions….

Christmas Party Bar tenders, Private Bartender

Los Angeles Bartending Service at San Diego Area Christmas Party

December 3, 2014 shakennotstirredinla

Los Angeles bartending service, Shaken Not Stirred bartended a San Marcos Christmas party in San Diego County on Sunday. Geranium Street Floral of San Marcos had a record year and rewarded employees with a top notch shindig. Employees and their families enjoyed food, drink, and music at the San Marcos home of the company’s owner.

Shaken Not Stirred did a party the night before in San Diego and the timing was perfect for Geranium’s Street’s party. Cadillac Margaritas were the drink of choice, along with Negro Modelos, and Kendal Jackson chardonnay. Guests dined on tamales from Ernesto, while the host provided live music at an impromptu jam session. 50 plus guests enjoyed themselves at the Christmas party.

Geranium Street Floral is an emerging company and has been in business for four years in the San Marcos area. The company imports and sells a variety of artificial plants. Their artificial hedges look fantastic and I have posted a picture of one of them here. These fake hedges and topiaries are being used at many events and I have seen them at weddings.

Los Angeles Bartending Service Exploding in December

When I returned to Los Angeles, one of my best clients called me and needed a bartender for this coming Friday, 12/5. I was already booked, but am sending two of my best bartenders. It is a wrap party for a film and will be held at the rooftop of the W Hotel in Hollywood. I will be bartending a 25^th birthday party that same night in Studio City. I had booked that party first. If I tell somebody I am going to bartend their party, I am not going to pull a switcheroo on them at the last moment because I got a better deal. I don’t do business that way.

I still have some dates available in December, and I’m sure they will fill up. I’m hoping some of my regular clients call me with last minute requests. The holiday season is in full swing for the Los Angeles bartending service, Shaken Not Stirred.

Birthday Party Bartender

San Clemente Surprise Birthday Party

June 29, 2014 shakennotstirredinla

Saturday night I traveled south to Orange County to bartend a surprise birthday party in San Clemente. San Clemente is one of the true gems of Southern California right on the border of Orange/San Diego Counties. You really couldn’t find a nicer place to live anywhere in the country. The host had done extensive planning to pull off this event as a surprise and was quite successful – her husband was totally surprised.

I must say I was very impressed by how much the host had put into this event. She had photo shopped pictures of her husband with various celebrities and it had me fooled. I wondered who is this guy? She had made a surf/Hawaiian theme and the back yard looked incredible. I set up my portable bar on a little section of lawn and it fit just perfectly. They had artificial grass at this house, and I must say it looked very nice and was perfect to set up on.

The host and I did a lot of planning on the drink menu. I served Mojitos, Pom Martinis, Bellinis, Margaritas, blended Strawberry Margaritas, and Coors Light. The birthday boy was Coors Light man and the beer went fast. We ran out of beer before the party was over, but one of the guests came to the rescue and brought more. Every crowd is different and it is hard to gauge what people are going to drink the most of.

SohoTaco

did the catering and they served up some awesome fish tacos and regular tacos. Overall it was a very nice event and a great group of people. I am tired after doing three events this week and only hope I will be this tired every week. Shaken Not Stirred as a business is really taking off and I am grateful. I hope to keep up the momentum.

Next week is Fourth of July weekend and I will be in Newport Beach for a Fourth of July party, and then have a big wedding to do with over 250 people in Santa Ana. Every Saturday is booked in July and I have four weddings in August. As they say where I come from – “make hay while the sun is still shining.”