Photo: Chris Emeott
The vows are exchanged, the kiss has sealed the marriage—and now it’s time to celebrate in style. Add a memorable touch to your cocktail hour and reception with a mobile bar that brings charm to the big day. Whether it’s a vintage camper or a chic tap trailer, these bars add an unforgettable (and Instagrammable!) twist to wedding festivities.
Based in River Falls, Wisconsin, The Bar Cart is in the business of crafting experiences. Owners Brian and Sarah Smith have been mixing up custom cocktails and mocktails on both sides of the Valley from a vintage 1972 Play-Mor camper for five years. “We tailor each event to our customers’ needs,” Brian says. “We have our clients over for a tasting about six weeks ahead of their event … that personal touch is something we pride ourselves on.” The sky is the limit regarding signature cocktails and other offerings, Brian says. Lavender has been a wildly popular flavor choice, and the Smiths source lavender for syrups and garnishes from a local farm. Handcrafted cocktails and mocktails are often complemented by beer and wine service, made easy by taps built into the camper. “Whatever they want is what we do!” Brian says. Facebook: The Bar Cart
From the bartenders and staff to its three mobile bars, Lakeland-based Give Us A Shot Bartending offers several concepts. Serve four on-tap alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages with the 4 Tap Mobile Bar. (No bartender or electricity required.) Enjoy a pre- or post-ceremony drink with the Champagne Cart. The fun continues with the Tap Cart, a compact cart on wheels that has all the basics. Plus, equipment rentals (and all concepts as mentioned earlier) are available via its sister business, Bars and Bubbly. “I like being face-to-face with people. To me, that’s exciting,” co-owner Ron Hilpish says. “[The mobile bars] give the event an upscale feel and give people something to talk about.” giveusashot.com and barsandbubbly.com
Tipsi ’Tini Events brings a luxury take to the mobile bar concept in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Lindstrom-based company’s Tapper Trailer is a self-serve solution for private events, offering four customizable taps that can pour a variety of beer, cocktails, mocktails, soda and wine. The trailer achieves a modern, elevated look with pine boards and black hardware with a stunning marble hexagonal backsplash. The trailer doesn’t require any electrical hookup or generator; it’s run off of ice. Tipsi ’Tini works with clients to build a shopping list, using client-purchased ingredients to fill kegs. The team will stay nearby to refill kegs if needed, and clients have the option to add a bartender to their package to mix drinks for guests. thetipsytini.com
The Tapper Trailer, a mobile bar by Tipsi ’Tini Events, has
a chic, elevated look and is run off of ice, so it doesn’t require any electrical hookup. Photo: The Tipsi ’Tini Events
Wanderlust MN Mobile Bar was created by North St. Paul resident Candice Mich. The business specializes in custom cocktail menus, nonalcoholic options, signature cocktails and more.“What I love most about Wanderlust is the ability to be personable with clients,” Mich says. “I take the time to get to know who [clients] are and what they like, so I can customize their menu … Every event becomes an opportunity to create something unique and memorable.” wanderlustmnmobilebar.com
Area mobile bars operate as a dry-hire service in compliance with Minnesota and Wisconsin state liquor laws that require a business to operate in a brick-and-mortar to obtain a liquor license. This means that clients or event hosts are responsible for supplying and purchasing any alcoholic products, while the mobile bar provides a range of bartending services, as well as bar set-ups, garnishes and mixers.
An Expert’s Take on Signature Cocktails
Katie Olson, bar manager at The Alchemist, is a master mixologist with a penchant for creating bespoke cocktails. Olson’s top piece of advice for finding and choosing signature cocktails for a wedding is to keep an open mind. “Meet your mixologist, sit down with them, tell them what you enjoy [and] tell them what you don’t like,” Olson says. “Give them the freedom to surprise you.”
Olson encourages couples to choose something they love—and stop worrying about the masses. “Your cocktail is an expression of yourself … [your guests] are here for you, and I think that you should choose something that shows a little bit about who you are,” Olson says.
We asked Olson to dream up inventive cocktails for weddings through the seasons.
For spring nuptials with an artful focus, Olson’s mind immediately goes to glassware. “I would have some really nice antique, thrifted glasses, and every glass is different,” she says. Flavors would be out-of-the-box, a Japanese vodka or gin-based beverage with coconut cream syrup with hints of pandan or lychee. “Maybe some boba jellies in there,” Olson says. “Taro [powder] would make it purple!”
The perfect cocktail for a summer garden party? “I’m thinking pink,” Olson says without hesitation. Vodka would be the ideal base for a cocktail that features refreshing, seasonal ingredients like cucumber-strawberry or kiwi and is topped with cava, a Spanish sparkling wine. “Definitely a vintage flute for that one,” Olson adds.
For an autumn wedding in a more rustic, rural setting, “I would definitely choose a dark spirit,” Olson says. She dreams up a cozy, spiced cocktail that features mulled bitters and 2XO American Oak Bourbon, a brand with a small-town feel. “You want to taste your experience,” Olson says.
For a classic, black-tie winter celebration, Olson is drawn to cocktails that evoke that late-night feeling, with a darker spirit like Ardbeg Heavy Vapors and chocolate bitters. An elegant alternative would revolve around Grey Whale gin, finished with lavender bitters, honey and lemon. “Maybe even infusing the gin with butterfly pea [or] adding some ginger to give it a bit of spice,” Olson says, adding that she’d finish this cocktail with a hint of glitter.
The Alchemist
Instagram: @thealchemistwbl
