Member Spotlight: The Thirsty Shepherdess

In this Member Spotlight, Shelley and Martine share how a shared vision grew into a thriving business, the milestones that have shaped their journey, and what it really takes to run a successful mobile bar and catering service. From unforgettable weddings and signature cocktails to supporting the agricultural community they love, discover the story behind the business that’s proving great hospitality is about far more than what’s in the glass.

What inspired you both to start The Thirsty Shepherdess together?

It really came from a shared passion for great hospitality and our love for the countryside. We noticed a gap for a mobile bar that didn’t just serve drinks, but brought genuine charm, character, and high-quality service to local events. Combining our rustic background with our love for a good party, it just made sense and The Thirsty Shepherdess was born!

What has been your biggest milestone since launching in 2023?

Expanding our offering to include The Hungry Farmer. Going from a standalone mobile bar to offering a complete, food and drink experience was a massive leap. Reaching our one-year anniversary with a fully booked summer season was also a huge “pinch-me” moment.

Was there a particular event that made you realise the business was going to succeed?

It was during our first big wedding. The weather was awful and yet the queue stayed steady from the minute we opened until the last call, and the energy around the bar was incredible. Seeing a crowd of people genuinely loving the drinks, coming back for second rounds, and complimenting our setup made us step back during a brief pause, look at each other, and realise; this isn’t just a fun idea anymore, it’s a real, thriving business. That wedding virtually drank us dry and was an absolute blast to attend.

How do you tailor your service for different events, from weddings to festivals?

Adaptability is key!

Weddings: It’s all about personalisation – so think custom cocktail menus named after the couple, elegant glassware, and seamless coordination with the venue.

Festivals & Public Events: It’s about speed, high energy, popular crowd-pleasers, and keeping the queue moving while maintaining top quality.

How did The Hungry Farmer come about?

It was a natural evolution. At events, people drinking great cocktails and craft pints kept asking, “what’s for dinner?” We wanted to offer rustic, delicious, locally sourced food that paired perfectly with our bar menu, so creating The Hungry Farmer allowed us to bring the ultimate full-catering package under one roof.

Which menu items are customer favourites?

On the bar side, it has to be our signature ⁠cocktail ‘The Shepherdess Showstopper’ is always a favourite plus it’s great fun to say after you’ve had one or two. A sweet and fruity blend on gin, elderflower, apple & mint makes it the perfect summer drink.

For food, our Chinese menu is always the most popular. Our Beef chow mein & crispy shredded chilli chicken is to die for!

Do the food and bar services often get booked together?

Absolutely. Clients love having a single point of contact for both food and drink. It takes a huge amount of stress off the event host, keeps the aesthetic consistent across the venue, and ensures the menu and drink pairings complement each other perfectly.

What does a typical event day look like from setup to pack down?

Early morning revolves around cleaning lines, packing the vehicles, checking stock, loading ice, and double-checking prep.

Then when we arrive it’s all about set-up: Positioning the bar, setting up decor, stacking shelves and loading fridges, prepping fresh garnishes and testing everything.

Once the event kicks off it’s non-stop energy – pouring, shaking, serving, and making sure guests have a blast.

During pack down it’s all about cleaning down, securing equipment, packing away, and usually grabbing a well-deserved debrief drink on the drive home!

What are some of the biggest challenges of running a mobile bar business?

Logistical puzzles. Managing power sources, ensuring draft beer stays ice-cold on scorching summer days, and navigating tiny, muddy country lanes with a heavy bar attached to the back of a truck.

How do you prepare for outdoor events with unpredictable weather?

You learn to be an amateur meteorologist. We always bring heavy-duty gazebo setups, storm straps, non-slip matting, and plenty of tarps. If it rains, we pivot to cozy warm drinks; if it’s a heatwave, we double up on ice and refreshing spritzes!

What’s something people don’t realise about running a mobile bar?

How much heavy lifting and prep happens before the first drink is ever poured. People see the fun 6 hours of serving cocktails, but forget the 10 hours of slicing fruit, washing hundreds of glasses, hauling heavy kegs, and deep-cleaning afterwards.

Is there an event you’ll never forget, and why?

There was an intimate wedding where we tailored the entire drink menu around the couple’s backstory, including creating personalised cocktails named after their favourite horses. Watching the bride and groom take their first sip, absolutely light up, and bring their family over to try them was so special.

Being such a personal part of someone’s biggest milestone is something you just don’t forget.

Would you consider expanding beyond your current coverage area?

Definitely! While we love supporting local events, we’re always up for a road trip if the event is right. As the fleet grows, taking the shepherdess further afield is definitely in the grand plan.

Favourite cocktail?

Other than our signature shepherdess showstopper we do love a classic espresso martini. It looks classy & sophisticated as well as tasting divine!

Dream event to cater at?

We’d love to be able to get into the Royal Welsh Show. A local agricultural event to us that is always a fantastic four days of all things farming. As farmers wives and shepherdesses in our own right we strive to support farming and agricultural events. The farming industry is a tough place to be and if we can support it in any way, we try to.

One word that sums up The Thirsty Shepherdess?

Banter.

Whatever ever the event we bring our full lively selves to the party and always have banter with our clients. A little of bit of innocent cheekiness goes down a treat!

If your business had a theme song, what would it be?

Shaboozey- A Bar song – a country style song all about getting tipsy!

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