We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Depasquale recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?
I fell in love with Bartending from the moment I walked behind the bar. The chaos of a busy shift, the people, the stories, the hustle, all had me hooked from day one. I have learned so many lessons behind a bar that its hard to pin down one. Did bartending teach me how to do a million things at one time? Yes, I can multitask like second nature and often times am bored if I have just one thing going on at a time. Did bartending teach me to pay attention to details, listen with intention and be accurate with information I am receiving. Yes, without these skills I would never have survived the hospitality business for 22 plus years (and counting). Bartending has taught me a ton. Handling stress under pressure, working as part of a team, time management, self management, the list goes on and on.
The biggest lesson I have learned from any past job as a bartender is the ability to interact with so many different people from so many walks of life. Bartenders can sometimes be the only friendly face in someone’s life, maybe the only ear they can talk to. Guests can go to a bar and not know anyone but leave and feel like they may have found a friend and a safe place to come and grab a drink. I have waited on celebrities’, guests who can afford to spend big every night, and guests who may have saved for this night out. All of which I have been confident and warm enough to take care of with ease. Bartending has taught me that people are not that different from other people, no matter what their income is or what type of car they drive or how much they spend on a drink tab.
Sarah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Sarah DePasquale, and I am the owner of Divine Spirits Bartending and The Unbridled Bars. I reside in Jacksonville FL with my husband and our furry kids. You can find us on off days searching for mid century finds, eating vegan food, and of course sampling craft cocktails from everywhere we go! I am also a photographer. When I am not behind the bar I am likely to be found with a camera in my hand.
Bartending is something I have loved since the moment I walked behind the bar for my first shift. I was always a “talker” in class, a performer and color guard in high school and someone who just loved people so the hospitality industry was the perfect fit when I found it. Its never the same day twice, I LOVE the chaos of a busy bar shift, and y’all, THE PEOPLE!! Its what I love about all of this the most. Connecting with so many different humans learning their stories, celebrating their triumphs and losses. Bartending has made me who I am.
After 22 years of bartending across the country and working in all aspects of hospitality I was ready for a change. I was already running my own small photography business and was involved in the wedding industry here in Jacksonville. I was still working part time at a busy bar and just wasn’t happy. I was ready to work on my own terms, set my own schedule and be my own boss. I needed to figure out what I could do with all this experience…
I started Divine Spirits Bartending with the goal of bringing innovative craft cocktails to private parties and weddings. Two months in I started developing the idea of a horse trailer bar. The Unbridled Bar was quickly born, handcrafted by a skilled friend, with hand touches from my dad and us. We hit the ground running with the Unbridled Bar and have continued to grow and add to our fleet of bar products. Unbridled Bar #2 joined us in late 2020. Both Unbridled Bars are vintage horse trailers converted into a mobile bars. They were handcrafted and designed with love in Jacksonville, Fl. Free-spirited bars, they create a lovely and unique setting to wow your guests. Some would say we bring all the “vibes” to any party.
We don’t just pour drinks, we are passionate about mixing cocktails that are delicious and unique. We craft cocktails that are seasonal, with locally sourced produce and herbs, while making our own simple syrups and mixers.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I started Divine Spirits Bartending & The Unbridled Bars in 2019. We all know that 2020 came and brought with it a pandemic no one could have ever predicted. The entire wedding/private event industry was shut down abruptly. Our couples were forced to cancel or postpone their weddings overnight. I went from having 20+ weddings on the books in the first 6 months of 2020 to nothing. To watch everything you had worked so hard for disappear in 48 hours was a feeling I cant even describe. While most of my couples did reschedule their weddings, many of them were a year, sometimes two in the future. I knew I had to find a way to stay in front of people, to somehow promote a business that was quite literally completely shut down and unable to operate. Gatherings were not allowed, let alone weddings which are 90% of my mobile bar clients. Pivoting became the only way to survive.
I had an idea to make my signature cocktail mixes for people to just add their favorite spirits to at home. A pivot that made sense for my company. Born were the Cocktail Kits of 2020. I would pair the mixes with appropriate glassware and garnishes, a recipe card, and some other little bar related items and my husband and I would drip them off contactless at your door. We went all out for Cinco de Mayo and Mothers day we teamed up with an amazing florist to deliver mixes and fresh flowers. They were a hit and they exposed my brand new business to more and more people every week. This allowed me to continue to book future events.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I have prided myself from the beginning of Divine Spirits & The Unbridled Bars on southern hospitality and quality craft cocktails. I staff my bars with experienced bartenders. Bartenders that are warm and friendly armed with bad jokes and a great cocktail. Having 22 years of bartending in different restaurants across the country I have learned a lot about what goes into a crowd pleasing cocktail. My craft cocktail list changes with the seasons to keep up with local produce and the current bar trends. The Unbridled Bar creates a whole atmosphere, one that I want guests to feel at ease and comfortable in. We are not just a bar service. We curate a bar experience that is unique to every client.
I try very hard to have nothing but positive relationships with venue owners, wedding planners and fellow vendors. Once a year I try to give back to the people that recommend me the most. Taking care of the people that take care of you is something you should never skip over.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.divinespiritsbartending.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunbridledbar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinespiritsbartending
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/divine-spirits-bartending-and-the-unbridled-bar-jacksonville-fl-2022125
Image Credits
Shelbi Ann Imagery Tanya Bondarenko Photography Nikki Golden Photography Elly Maria Photos