Meet Emily Blumberg Mary Schmidlein

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Blumberg Mary Schmidlein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily Blumberg, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
At The Booze Babes, our team comprises two passionate bartenders: Mary Schmidlein and Emily Blumberg. Our journey began in 2015 when we met at a bar where Emily trained Mary to bartend. Little did we know that our working relationship would flourish into a beautiful friendship and exciting business partnership, transforming our shared dream into reality.

Emily, a native of Southern California, grew up in the valley where her parents still reside. Her love for hosting and gathering friends was nurtured from a young age, as her parents regularly threw large annual parties at their home. These gatherings, filled with laughter, food, and the joy of watching children grow, instilled a deep sense of community and connection that continues to guide her life.

Emily’s path to the service industry began at 18 and stuck like glue. Over the years, working in restaurants and bars became a central theme in her career. Even when she ventured into corporate roles, she always found her way back to the bar whenever burnout set in. She even tried her hand at production coordinating, but when strikes hit, she joyfully returned to her beloved regulars. There’s something magical about caring for others, whether dining or celebrating, and tending to every detail to create memorable experiences.

Mary, on the other hand, is an East Coast girl, born and raised in New Hampshire. However, the allure of California called to her from a young age. At the tender age of 20, she packed up her Volvo station wagon and drove across the country to pursue her Equestrian Vaulting dreams.

What started as a way to finance an expensive hobby quickly became much more than just a job. Mary has seen it all, from bartending at a bustling LA bar to working at a craft mixology bar in Costa Mesa. She eventually found her place behind the busiest bar in Orange County, where the high-volume service well made her feel right at home.

When we first envisioned “The Booze Babes,” it was before COVID-19 disrupted our lives. We wanted to combine our customer service expertise, bartending skills, and mixology knowledge to create something special. Our goal was to share this magic with others and add a touch of flair to their events. And so, The Booze Babes was born. When the pandemic hit, we quickly adapted by offering remote corporate cocktail classes, posting informative videos on Instagram, and doing everything we could to keep our brand alive.

Emerging from the pandemic brought many changes, and we realized it was time for a major push and rebrand. In November 2023, we rebranded, built our beloved bar by hand, and decided to take our venture to new heights. Now, here we are, with a budding business that we cherish and believe in with all our hearts.

What should our readers know about your business?
At The Booze Babes, we create unforgettable experiences through personalized cocktails and mocktails. What sets us apart is our commitment to transparency and collaboration. We work closely with our clients to design custom menus that truly reflect their vision, using carefully selected local ingredients and innovative infusions to craft visually stunning drinks.

We’re most proud of how we blend creativity with quality to deliver exceptional service. Building our business has been a journey filled with challenges, but our dedication to excellence has been our guiding light. Overcoming obstacles has taught us the value of resilience and adaptability, from navigating the industry’s ups and downs to pivoting during the pandemic.

Our story is one of passion and perseverance, driven by a love for what we do and a commitment to making every event special. We want the world to know that The Booze Babes is more than just a bartending service; it’s a labor of love, where every detail is crafted with care to ensure an unforgettable experience for our clients and their guests.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So many places to choose from! A few of our must-dine + drinks are below:

Breakfast
1. The Factory Kitchen – Downtown LA
2. The Griddle Café – Hollywood
3. Rose Café – Venice Beach

Lunch
1. The Misfit Restaurant + Bar – Santa Monica
2. Gjelina – Venice Beach
3. Lark Cake Shop – Silver Lake

Dinner
1. Bestia – Downtown LA
2. Musso & Frank Grill – Hollywood
3. Spago Beverly Hills – Beverly Hills

Cocktail Spots
1. The Bazaar by José Andrés – Downtown LA
2. The Bungalow – Santa Monica
3. Harvard + Stone – Hollywood
4. The Venice Whaler – Venice Beach

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We would be absolutely nothing without the unwavering love and support of our partners, Coby and Jason. Whether we need help building a new bar, an extra set of hands at an event, or simply a hug and some words of encouragement, they are always there, ready to support us in every way possible.

Building a business from the ground up is undeniably challenging, and we wouldn’t have made it this far without the steadfast support of our amazing friends and family.

Website: www.theboozebabes.com

Instagram: theboozebabes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Booze-Babes/61558207906321/?sk=reviews 

Other: The Knot: https://www.theknot.com/review-wedding-vendors/2084587 Tiktok: theboozebabes

Image Credits
Julian Stephens