You’d be forgiven for thinking that someone made unemployed by the devastating effects of a worldwide pandemic might want to stay well away from the events industry.
But mid-way through 2020, with venues slowly reopening, events postponed, weddings rescheduled, and a nation eager for social interaction, Kristine Mannino saw an opportunity to start something special.
What followed has been a whirlwind couple of years; midnight planning sessions with an overseas manufacturer, expanding with the addition of an American classic, and even serving cocktails amongst the animals of the Detroit Zoo.
Along the way there have been plenty of problems to overcome and lessons to learn, but as we move through 2023, Byrdie Bar is set to fly even higher.
Here is Kristine’s story.
"Building out the bar was one of the longest processes of my life.
I literally cleared out my living room and taped dimensions of exactly how I wanted the bar to be in real size."
Hi Kristine, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today! First up, what’s your background and what inspired you to start your own mobile bar business?
"I have been bartending for over a decade while also working in the PR industry and Editorial industry in NYC.
I moved back home to Michigan in 2019 and was bartending again in a popular downtown establishment.
When Covid hit, our bar went bankrupt and it was the first time in my life I was without a job.
A little while later, a girlfriend getting married in Denver brought up that they were looking at renting a mobile bar and it was the first time I had heard of the industry at all.
There were only two other mobile bars in Michigan at the time and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to jump all in and start my own."
Very cool. Once you had decided to take that step, what was the process like buying and building your mobile bar?
"Building out the bar was one of the longest processes of my life.
We had a manufacturer who specialized in food trucks overseas build out our bar, but because of the time difference I was starting those planning calls with them at 10pm.
I literally cleared out my living room and taped dimensions of exactly how I wanted the bar to be in real size.
I wanted to know if I was standing in square 1 taped out, how close the well would be to me in square 2, and so on.
It made all of the dimensions come to life and I was able to be a part of the full conversation in requesting where I wanted every lightbulb, electrical socket, window frame, etc."
"It's so special getting to be creative and bring our clients' vision to life.
I love getting to celebrate special events and be a part of these big days."
By the end of 2022, the Byrdie flock had doubled to include a classic, 1967 Ford Econoline Supervan turned tap truck, christened The Brew Byrd.
Built by the ultra-talented folks at Custom Built USA, this amazing addition to Kristine’s company includes a six-tap draft system than can pour just about anything you require, including beer, wine, Prosecco, cocktails, iced coffee, ciders, seltzers and more!
Deployed inside or out, it’s a mobile bar that looks so good it may end up being photographed more than the bride and groom.
And if you’re in need of something more compact, for an intimate event or as a cocktail hour add-on, the Baby Byrd is just the bar for you.
Totally portable, practical and versatile enough for any setting, the satellite bar rounds out a wonderful mobile bar trio.
Kristine, what have you enjoyed most about running your business? Do you have any favorite milestones or steps of the journey so far?
"We have gotten to do some amazing events!
We were the VIP tent for a Little Big Town and Maren Morris concert.
We've gotten to serve at the Van Gogh opening when it was brought to Detroit.
We have partnered with the Detroit Zoo on some of their local events.
It's so special getting to be creative and bring our clients' vision to life.
I love getting to celebrate special events and be a part of these big days."
"It's going to be awesome to see the Byrdie Bar name all over the Metro-Detroit area"
What has been your biggest challenge in launching and running your mobile bar business?
"There is so much that goes into running a business.
This is the first time in my life where I'm in charge of employees, payroll, business taxes, and everything else.
It was a big learning curve for me, and I wouldn't have gotten this far without my parents who ran an award-winning bakery for over 30 years.
Growing up in that industry has really helped me grow in my own business.
Having parents who understand what it takes to be successful, and the all-day long grind you have to go through, has been such a blessing."
What are your upcoming plans for the business and what are you most looking forward to this year?
"We have a few events that are still under wraps, but those are what I'm most excited about this year.
It's our first season with all of our bars in play too, so it's going to be awesome to see the Byrdie Bar name all over the Metro-Detroit area.
We have very limited availability left for 2023, and bookings are currently open for 2024!"
Awesome, thank you Kristine, we appreciate all of the insight into what it takes to run your epic mobile bar business, and we're looking forward to seeing photos from those secret events!
Well, there we have it.
I told you it was a stunning looking trio of bars didn't I!?
If you're looking to make your next celebration extra special and you can picture The Byrd, The Brew Byrd or The Baby Byrd at your next event, you can reach out to Kristine directly via her Roll To profile here.
Just be quick, because these eye-catching bars are in high demand.
I hear that even the Detroit Zoo chimps are looking to reserve one for their next tea party...