Super Bowl – Shaken Not Stirred in LA

steveson2 — My barback at Stevenson Ranch, Maya

Last weekend Shaken Not stirred, the Los Angeles based mobile bartender service traveled to Stevenson Ranch and the city of La Verne to bartend. The month of January is traditionally slow as people are recovering from all the holiday parties, and then in February people get back into the swing of things when it comes to partying. I provided bartending services in Stevenson Ranch for a wake of sorts, and then on Sunday went to La Verne to bartend a Super Bowl Party.

The party in Stevenson Ranch was a home of a repeat customer. I bartended a birthday party for her boyfriend last year and then she called me back to bartend a party she was having as a remembrance for her father who recently passed. Her father was only 54, which is the age I will be next month. It made me feel extremely grateful that I am in excellent health and that is something I should never take for granted.

The Stevenson Ranch party got started late as many of the guests work in the car business. I have worked in the car business myself and that means late weekends and long hours. Car business people work hard and a lot of of them play hard too. I know that from experience. I set up my portable bar in the backyard and served jalapeno margaritas and a lot of Crowne Royal until nearly 2am.

laverne1 — Mobile bartender service in La Verne

Why Hire a Mobile Bartender?

Gives the host more time to enjoy guests
Bartender will help you with shopping list
Consistent, professional quality drinks
Guests are impressed
Bartender brings portable bar

For the past two years I was the bartender at a huge Glendora Super Bowl party, but for some reason they decided not to have it this year. I thought another good client of mine was going to have a Super Bowl party this year and I turned down other offers. Well, a week before the Super Bowl, I still did not have a party. I finally picked one up last minute in the city of La Verne.

I had never been to La Verne but it is pretty close to Glendora. The client’s home was in a very nice gated community right next to the Mountains. I set up my portable bar next to the swimming pool. They also hired a taco cart to do the food. I had a view of the game from where I was standing, but barely had a minute to spare I made so many drinks. I made a lot of shots too and went through five or six handles of Tito’s.

This coming weekend I have three parties starting on Friday in San Diego, back to Sherman Oaks on Saturday to bartend a birthday party and then on Sunday I have a party in the city of Long Beach. It will be a busy weekend for the mobile bartender. Please follow me on Facebook if you haven’t done so already.

Birthday Party Bartender, Mobile Bartenders

Palm Springs 50th Birthday Party

February 8, 2016 shakennotstirredinla

Nice weather at the Charles Farrell Estate

Saturday Shaken Not Stirred traveled to Palm Springs to bartend a 50^th birthday party at the fabulous Charles Farrell Estate. This was the second or third 50^th birthday party I have served alcohol at in the Palm Springs area, and I must say – when a man turns 50 he pulls out all of the stops. Saturday’s party was a marathon event that last over 12 hours, and featured pools, hot tubs, taco carts, BIG SCREEN TV’s, a Sushi Chef, and fresh squeezed grapefruit drinks.

The weather couldn’t have been better and was in the eighties daytime, and cooled down nicely when the sun went down. It is a hard to plan parties in SoCal in February with El Nino looming, but that wild child made no appearance last weekend. People were walking around in swim suits no problemo. I had my bar set up in a nice shady spot just off to the side of the patio and didn’t have to fight the sun all day.

Now, that's a BIG SCREEN — Now, that’s a BIG SCREEN

The best surprise find of the day was the grapefruit trees on the property. There were several grapefruit trees just loaded with fresh grapefruits. I squeezed one of them and it was just perfect – not bitter and so sweet even. I drank mine with club soda and it was fantastic. It mixed well with vodka, tequila, and rum. Just add a splash of soda. Excellente!

Fresh grapefruits make for great drinks!

The Charles Farrell Estate

Pool and Hot tub
Barbecue
Executive kitchen
Formal dining room
7 bedrooms
Sleeps 16 plus

The Charles Farrell Estate is one of the several great properties available to rent in Palm Springs. I have bartended at several of the famous houses in the area, including the Cree estate in Cathedral City, and the Henry Mancini Estate in Palm Springs. The prices are surprising affordable compared to many other types of venues.

The guest of honor was certainly honored, and his wonderful wife did her best to make it a memorable and special day for him. He was also surrounded by some of his oldest friends, and many family members. The kids had a blast too. Goodfellas Tacos provided the taco cart. Fantastic sushi was done by Fresh Sushi Catering.

Sunday I had to get up early to rush over to Glendora to bartend a blowout Super Bowl Party.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Baby Shower bartenders, Uncategorized

Fullerton Baby Shower

January 24, 2016 shakennotstirredinla

ns3 — Ladies gather for baby shower inside tent

Saturday, Shaken Not Stirred traveled to Fullerton in Orange County to bartend a January baby shower. The host had a tent set up in the front driveway as there was a chance of rain. These tents are available from event rental companies and people can have a very nice party on their own properties that don’t cost a fortune. It didn’t rain, but the tent also provided privacy and a cozy setting for the baby shower.

I set up my portable bar and table in the back of the tent. I served Mojitos, Margaritas, Madras, and Mimosas – the four M’s. The host had a plenty of supplies, and the 60 ladies in attendance drank more than I thought they would. With all the tables in the tent, it was a bit difficult to move around, so I went and took drink orders from the ladies and delivered them with my tray, like a male cocktail waiter.

I have done a few baby showers and champagne and Mimosas are always popular. At this baby shower they served food buffet style with disposable plates and silver wear. I helped keep the tables clear, and I always do that when I am not busy making drinks, because it makes the time go faster for me, and my hosts always appreciate it. I am not one of those bartenders who just stands behind the bar waiting for guests to come order drinks.

I am starting to book more weddings and parties in the spring. I have booked several jobs in the Palm Springs area where the competition is not as tough. It seems that everybody in Los Angeles is now a mobile bartender. I had a great month in December doing all my jobs in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, but now I have to venture out because everyone in Los Angeles is hungry. Sometimes people go for the cheapest bid, and then realize they get what they pay for. As it is, I think my prices are fair, and maybe even a bit low. Next week I have three events in downtown Los Angeles at the Reef merchandise mart. I have done several events there in the past and am always glad when they call me back.

Next month I have a Super Bowl party lined up and have received inquiries about doing an Academy Awards party. I am still available for the Academy Awards, so please call me if you need a bartender for your Oscar’s Night party.

Fundraisers, Mobile Bartenders, Uncategorized

Greek Night at Huffington Center

January 19, 2016 shakennotstirredinla

huff1 — The Huffington Center in Los Angeles

Shaken Not Stirred bartending service was on hand for the second annual Greek Night at the Huffington Center in Los Angeles hosted by the Sons of Pericles. I bartended the event last year and was very pleased that they called me back again. The event was held at the Huffington Center, which is connected to the St. Sofia Cathedral near downtown Los Angeles.

I panicked a little when I showed up, because the parking lot was full and people were overflowing from a party already in progress in the banquet room where last year’s event was held. I walked inside and there was another bartending company with two bartenders busy making drinks for the party. I wondered if I had the date wrong and immediately called my contact. He informed me that we would be doing the party in a different room. They were having a wedding in the large banquet room. The Huffington Center is World Class facility and has basketball courts, a theatre donated by Tom Hanks and his wife, banquet facilities, and a professional kitchen.

They were using the facility’s only portable bar for the wedding, so luckily I had my portable bar in the car. I always carry it for that reason. I can set up my portable bar in a matter of minutes and be ready to go. The host was worried that they would run out of booze, but I assured them that they had plenty for 100 guests. The event was a fundraiser, and the guests had to buy tickets for drinks.

I made standard mixed drinks for the party, including screwdrivers, Cuba Libres, Jack and Coke, and Cape Cods. Last year we had Ouzo which was quite popular. The Sons of Pericles is a fraternal organization connected to the Greek Orthodox church, and this event was represented by chapters all over the United States and even Canada. I talked to guests from Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, and Canada. A very nice group of people and they keep up their cultural traditions with traditional Greek music and dancing.

This weekend I will travel to Fullerton in Orange County to bartend a baby shower. I have done a few of these and usually serve a lot of champagne. I have received many inquiries for weddings in the spring, and have booked a few of them as far away as August. Next month I will travel to Palm Springs to bartend a birthday party and then am bartending a repeat super Bowl party in Glendora.

Mobile Bartenders

Mobile Bartender Services Super Bowl Party in Glendora

February 2, 2015 shakennotstirredinla

Airplane fuel, AKA "Fireball" — Airplane fuel, AKA “Fireball”

Shaken Not Stirred, the Los Angeles mobile bartender, traveled to Glendora to bartend at a Super Bowl party on Sunday. As, you know, the super bowl is pretty much a national holiday in the United States, and a big day for partying. Only, the Fourth of July may be a bigger drinking holiday, than Super bowl Sunday. The weather in Glendora could not have been nicer for the poolside Super Bowl Party, and the back yard was decked out with two bars, tents with projection televisions, and televisions at the bar.

I do all kinds of events and parties and work behind all kinds of portable and fixed bars. The bar in Glendora could seat at least twenty people and so it reminded me of working behind a real bar, when I did that. Often a bar that long will have two bartenders behind it to keep on top of things. There were around seventy people at the party, so I kept busy.

Why Hire a Mobile Bartender?

You can mingle and enjoy your own party
Impress your guests
Avoid losses from theft and breakage
Let a pro help you with a shopping list
Avoid overserving

I made some of my specialty drinks, and then I made many others. The host had a pretty wide range of liquors and mixers, so I could fulfill almost all requests. I made more Bloody Marys than anything else. The bloody Mary mixes that they put out are pretty good, and I like to add Worchestershire sauce, Tabasco, fresh lime juice, and olive juice. The bar had a tap and we went through one whole keg of Coors Light and I tapped another one.

The game was very good and kept people’s attention right up until the last minutes. I have seen many Super Bowls that were blow outs, where people lost interest in the game before half time and this wasn’t one of those for sure. Towards the end I served many Fireball shots and shots of Tres Generationes tequila. It was a fun crowd, and I think the host and his guests were very happy. I know I was.

On Saturday, I travel to Glendora again, to bartend a birthday party. This makes two events in one week in the San Gabriel Valley for the mobile bartender. It is unbelievable the number of weddings that are coming up and a bit overwhelming. I have been talking to so many brides and helping them plan their beverage service for their weddings. I have also been helping people plan their birthday parties. This is one area where I am very experienced, and can help you save money and time on your shopping list.

Birthday Party Bartender

International Valley Glen 40th Birthday Party

January 25, 2015 shakennotstirredinla

Last night, Shaken Not Stirred once again traveled one whole mile to bartend an international 40^th birthday party in my own hood, they call Valley Glen. I say it was an international birthday party because there were guests in attendance from Argentina, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Chile, and probably a few other countries. I have links to South America myself, and love the way they party.

I had booked this party months ago, and I think the reason the host booked me, was because I was in the neighborhood. Yesterday, all day before the party I was suffering anxiety and was feeling that somehow I was going to screw the party up. I arrived 1.5 hours early to set up for this reason. Of course, I forgot my tupperwear for garnishes, simple syrup, camera, and knife. So, I drove back home and got those items, minus the camera. A friend of mine keeps telling me I should make a check list. I think it it is time I finally do that. I always either forget to bring something, or I leave something behind.

The party went very well. I think it is almost impossible to screw a party up as a bartender if you arrive early to prepare. I served Old Fashioneds, Mojitos, Cuba Libres, and Cape Cods. The old Fashioned and the Mojito are labor intensive drinks to make, but the more I make them, the quicker I am. The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail and fantastic drink. Those were definitely the hit of the night. I served Peroni beer, Lagonitas IPA, and lots of red wine.

As I mentioned, I forgot my camera and only took a couple lousy pictures with my camera before it died. It’s a shame because there were many attractive people in attendance, dancing, and fantastic food. The host’s father in law made the food and it was incredible. They had many amazing appetizers, and then a very healthy main course selection, Argentine style. In the end, I think the party was a great success, and I think the birthday boy was very happy. Any man who has a 40^th birthday party thrown for him, is indeed a lucky man.

Next weekend I don’t have anything yet scheduled, and it is Super Bowl weekend. I’m hoping to pick up a couple of parties. I have some birthday parties and weddings scheduled in February, and March is going to be very busy. I will be driving all over southern California bartending weddings in Santa Inez, Palm Springs, and the Inland Empire.

Tag: Super Bowl

Mobile Bartender Does Two February Parties