Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah DePasquale.
Sarah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
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.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a business is never smooth, I am 100% sure every entrepreneur struggles with something.
Bartending came easy to me because I have done it for so long! The rest was a learning curve. I struggle with putting myself out in front of strangers and having to sell my business to them. The wedding business can be pretty competitive so I was extremely intimidated when I first set out.
Also accounting and staying organized… That’s my constant struggle.
Bartending when I was younger was not looked at as a “career” unless that was your only option. Every day I would be asked “when will you get a real job?” by bar patrons for years. Add that to the fact that men dominate the bar world it can be hard for a woman to be taken seriously behind the pine. It’s a struggle to do something that you love when the world around you is telling you this career path you have chosen isn’t a good one. Hospitality has taught me so many lessons. How to treat people, to think quickly on my feet, how to multitask, to perform well under stressful situations, to get along with all types of personalities and how to defuse some crazy situations. I would not be the business owner I am today without the struggles and lessons I learned behind a bar.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Divine Spirits Bartending & The Unbridled Bars?
Divine Spirits is a mobile bartending service based out of Jacksonville, Florida. We specialize in amazing hospitality and innovative cocktails created with fresh ingredients. We are also proud owners of The Unbridled Bar, a vintage horse trailer turned mobile bar. Our goal is to provide you and your guests with an entertaining, welcoming experience that will have them talking long after the party ends
We introduced The Unbridled Bar to Jacksonville at the end of 2018 and we have since added one more horse trailer bar into our fleet. The Unbridled bar is more than just a mobile bartending service. It’s a one-of-a-kind space for your guests, a unique vibe that brings a whole new experience for your guests. Our bars are the perfect addition to weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and cooperative events
Our bartenders treat your friends just like our own- with a big smile and a cold drink. We bring something unique to your event with refreshing beverages and a healthy dose of southern hospitality.
What was you like growing up?
Growing up, I was an outgoing kid. My dad used to joke that I would just walk away with any new family I liked in a restaurant. I was obsessed with horses and dance classes. I was always an entertainer. Putting on shows for my family, roping my friends into learning dance moves. In college, I fell into bartending to pay the bills, but found my passion. I enjoyed the craziness of a busy night and the fact that not one shift is the same as another. Here I am 20+ years later still loving every minute
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.divinespiritsbartending.com/
- Instagram: @TheUnbridledBar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinespiritsbartending
Image Credits
Miranda Danielle Photography and Tanya Bondarenko photography
