Sipping a few drinks is one of the simple joys of a wedding reception. Southern Tapsters takes the experience to the next level with its innovative mobile bars – from a vintage wine barrel bar to an elegant piano bar – that capture the attention of wedding guests.

“Each bar concept creates a unique experience all of its own,” says Jerry Purtle, owner of Southern Tapsters. “Combined with our expert bartending staff and amazing drinks, our bars give family and friends a high-end and memorable attraction.”

Serving San Antonio, the Hill Country, Austin and surrounding areas, Southern Tapsters specializes in building and supplying mobile, portable and vintage bars and provides full bartending services for weddings and special events.

Attractive, Fun and Functional Designs

For rustic character, many couples select Southern Tapsters’ wine barrel bar constructed from vintage New Braunfels wine barrels and an expansive repurposed door.

“A popular choice for Hill Country and garden weddings, the wine barrel bar features a door that gives plenty of space for flowers and decorations, and the drinks are served from the riser,” Purtle describes.

Golf aficionados appreciate “The Tapster,” a four-wheel drive golf cart customized with pull-out bars and a large cooler illuminated with LED lights and trimmed with live edge red cedar.

“The golf bar can be used for a groom’s golf outing or for the wedding itself to serve, beer, wine and champagne, and the bar top is used to prepare mixed drinks,” Purtle says. “The LEDs create a cool effect as the vehicle is moving toward the event.”

A wedding favorite, the Southern Biergarten, features as many as six handles to tap beer kegs hidden behind a stand-alone wood wall.

“The structure is aesthetically attractive, and couples can customize the wood-framed chalkboard sign with their names written in calligraphy, so it’s like hosting their own biergarten,” Purtle says.

An upcoming Southern Tapsters design will fuse a functioning piano with a bar.

“One of our bartenders is a talented pianist, so I had the idea to combine the two services,” Purtle explains. “While he’s playing, one of our bartenders will serve drinks. The piano concept brings an elegant black tie feel to the cocktail hour and reception.”

Hand-Built Concepts, Customized Services

Each bar is hand-built by Purtle or its bar partner, The Pour House, which constructs and supplies vintage car and horse trailer bars.

“Building the bars is a labor of love,” he says. “I enjoy coming up with concepts that no one else has so that the bride and groom can choose from options that make their event stand out.”

In addition to its unique bars, Southern Tapsters can supply beer, wine and liquor and bartending service. Or if the couple would rather purchase their own alcohol, Southern Tapsters can provide bartending service alone.

Adding to its high-profile portfolio of serving at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, in 2020, Southern Tapsters will host three dates for “Guitars under the Texas Stars” at the Gruene Estate. Live bands, food trucks, and of course, a variety of drinks will be on tap at the historic venue near New Braunfels.

“Many of our bartenders have worked in the region’s top hotels, restaurants and music events, so they have the experience and creativity to create awesome drinks and signature cocktails for wedding couples,” Purtle says.

To help brides and grooms select their bar menu, Purtle offers drink tasting samples. Add-on options include a whisky and cigar lounge and a gourmet coffee bar.

“We customize our services to fit a couple’s budget, and we also offer cash bar service if that works better for them,” he says. “We ensure that their bar design and drink menu reflect their preferences and tastes.”