Ask George: How many companies in St. Louis offer mobile bar services for private events?

How many companies in St. Louis offer mobile bar services for private events? —Mike M., Maplewood

‘Tis a season filled with celebrations: birthdays and anniversaries, showers and weddings, block parties, backyard get-togethers, corporate events… So it’s the perfect time to answer a question about offsite bartending services.

It turns out there’s no shortage of options, beginning with the local food caterers who will often staff a bar-only affair. Sometimes, a cocktail-focused bar, such as Good Company and Off Elm, can also accommodate. Some companies are one-person operations; some supply their own alcohol, while others don’t; some are national franchise operations; some arrive in a cute mobile truck, while others arrive armed only with a smile and a pair of fast hands.

Below is a list of options—but alas, I’m not familiar with all of them, so do some additional research. (I can recommend talking to Pat Gioia of STL Barkeep, one of the local OGs on the cocktail scene, who knows his way around a bar, from back to front and around the side.)

• Bubbles & Brews: The Piaggio Ape mobile bar, nicknamed Izzy, comes equipped with seven taps, capable of dispensing beer, cocktails, or mocktails.

Courtesy of Buzz'd Bee

Courtesy of Buzz'd Bee

• The Buzz’d Bee St. Louis: The boutique dry-bar-for-hire service has several cute-as-a-button dispensing vehicles at its disposal.
• Cocktails Are Go: Matt and Beth Sorrell both legends in the industry tend to focus more on smaller events and more personalized gatherings. 
• Decoding Cocktails: Chris Lebeau and his team teach bartending classes, consult with restaurants, and can staff private events large and small.
• Embrace the Grape Beverage Catering: The liquor-licensed, beverage-only caterer has served the Kansas City metro since 2009 and the St. Louis metro since 2021.
• Lush Libations: Certified and insured mobile mixologist Terri Campbell and her team specialize in signature cocktails and mocktails.

Courtesy of Brennan's

Courtesy of Brennan's

• Mini Brennan’s: Part of Kevin Brennan’s ever-creative entertainment empire, the Mini Brennan’s truck has everything needed for a party, including records on vinyl, beer on tap, and premium hand-rolled cigars. 
• Mixed by Eddie:  Rising Star Eddie Hsia, bar manager and mixologist at Saigon Cafe, crafts drinks that he says “are not just tasty but memorable.”
• Pour Decisions STL: Along with a mobile bar and a bubbly cart (“Pour Vous”), Kaje Sanford and Javia Gilliam-Sanford operate The Passport Cocktail Bar and Bottle Shop downtown.
• STL Barkeep: The locally owned cocktail catering and event company provides professional bar services and beverage strategies for gatherings large and small. The tagline: “Elevating events + tantalizing tastebuds since 2017.”
• STL Bartenders To Go: Established in 2012, this licensed and insured private event bartending business provides full bar packages, rental bar equipment, and staffing.

Courtesy of Tipsy Pony Bar

Courtesy of Tipsy Pony Bar

• Sip Mobile Bar Co.: Billing itself as “St. Louis’ premium mobile cocktail lounge,” it operates out of a stationary bar indoors and a converted horse trailer outdoors.
• Sip Social Co.: The largest mobile bar rental service in the U.S. and Canada operates mobile bars from converted Piaggio Ape mini trucks.
• Tipsy Pony Party Bar: The full-service mobile bar service operates out of two converted horse trailers, nicknamed Little Pony and the larger Stallion.
• The Wandering Side Car Bar Co.: In business for nearly 10 years, the company’s mobile equipment includes Ruthie, a restored vintage 1960 Avalon camper, and Birdie, a 1967 2-horse box trailer.

Courtesy of Wandering Sidecar Bar Co.

Courtesy of Wandering Sidecar Bar Co.

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