I recently connected with Nina of The Mixology Masters and she was more than happy to open up and answer a few questions. I couldn’t wait to share more about this duo with you. Nina and Lisa are locals to the Harrisburg area. Nina has been in the service industry for 24 years, having been a hostess, a server, a bartender and even event coordinator. Nina started working in the service industry at 16 years old and has worked in all types of restaurants from pizza shops to fine dining. The two connected when they both worked the events at The Firehouse Restaurant in Harrisburg, PA. In 2023, Nina was asked to bartend two weddings and needed a second bartender. She brought Lisa with her and the rest was history. They had such a great time planning and working together again, they decided to start their own event bartending business. And that is how The Mixology Masters Event Bartending was born.
What locations do you work in/travel to for weddings?
We serve all of central PA including York, Lancaster, Hershey, Gettysburg, Palmyra, Dillsburg. We also don’t mind traveling!
What should a couple expect when they have The Mixology Masters at their wedding?
When a couple contacts us to express interest in our services, I always send them our pricing and packages, explain how we operate, and ask if they have any questions. Once we are hired for an event, I like to set up a phone call to formally introduce myself, get to know the couple, and get all the details! I help with beer, wine, and cocktail suggestions based on their guests preferences. I also make suggestions on how much alcohol they will need based on the number of guests. As it gets closer to the event I like to set up another call to finalize all the details and make sure everything is in order for the big day! When we arrive on site, we will set up the bar and get ready to serve the guests. At the conclusion of the event, we clean up the bar area, pack up any left over alcohol, and check in with the event coordinator/bride/groom to let them know we are leaving.
What are some wedding trends you are seeing and loving (specifically in the bartending/mixology space)?
We have been seeing a lot of His & Hers signature cocktails and I’m loving it! The bride and groom each pick their favorite drink to feature for their guests. We have also seen a lot of mocktails for guests who don’t drink. It still gives them the option to have something fun! Espresso martinis have also been a HUGE hit and have been the most requested drink lately!
Do you have a favorite wedding you’ve worked or any unique or interesting weddings you’ve experienced?
Yes! There have been two weddings that have been very memorable. The first was a Serbian wedding. They had a small Serbian band and all the guests danced in a circle for hours! They also served a Serbian liquor over ice.
The second was a wedding for a Spanish couple. They had authentic Mexican food (rice, beans, tacos, homemade salsas-the best wedding meal I’ve ever had!) and they had a signature drink made with Modelo Chelada (watermelon Modelo) with a Tajin rim! I love bartending weddings and seeing different traditions and how different cultures celebrate.
Do you have a signature drink? Or will you help couples come up with a signature drink for their wedding?
We do not have a signature drink but we love helping couples come up with cocktails for their wedding! That’s actually one of my favorite parts of bartending. I love coming up with all different types of drinks!
What is your drink of choice?
My favorite drink is a Malibu Bay Breeze. I like fruity drinks!
Who should hire The Mixology Masters? What makes you stand out?
Anyone who is planning a wedding and is in need of bartending services! Once the couple hires us, they may contact us at any time with any questions or concerns they run into along the way. An open line of communication is key to ensure your bartending needs exceed your expectations! We also have affordable pricing options to fit every budget. And of course our customized drink menus!
Give three fun/random facts about you!
1. I have a 17 year old son and we collect sports autographs! My son has been doing it since he was 4 and we have over 2,000 autographs!
2. I have a beauty business called Naturals by Nina that I opened last year where I do lash, brow, and nail services.
3. Lisa is a graduate of Penn State and loves Penn State Football! She has season tickets and enjoys going to games with her daughters and grandson!
Do you work closely with any Central Pennsylvania vendors that you’d like to give a shoutout to?
We do a lot of weddings and events at The Linglestown Historic Venue. They remodeled the entire room and it’s beautiful!
Anything else you would like potential clients to know about you or your business?
We love meeting new people and working closely with them to make sure the bar/drinks are taken care of for their special day! I always look forward to meeting the bride and groom on their wedding day after being in constant communication for several months before the wedding. It’s always nice to put a face to a name/voice!
We pride ourselves on providing affordable and excellent bartending services in Central PA!
