We had the good fortune of connecting with Andy & Sammi Pantoja and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andy & Sammi, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My husband and I grew up in hospitality, and we actually met working at our family restaurant. We spent over 10 years working together behind the bar, so we already knew we worked really well as a team. When that restaurant burned down, it was a big loss, but it also gave us the push to think about what was next.

That’s when we realized there was a real gap in our area for mobile bar services. We knew we had the experience, we knew we could do it together, and we wanted to bring that same sense of hospitality we grew up with to events in a fresh, modern way.

What should our readers know about your business?
Building Drinks On Me has been equal parts risk and reward. We started with nothing more than an idea and a trailer, knowing it wouldn’t be the easy route but believing in what we could create. From navigating permits and insurance to physically building our bars, every step took a leap of faith. My husband hand-built all of our bars himself. Everything is custom and made with intention. That craftsmanship and the fact that we built this from the ground up, with no outside help, is what truly sets us apart.

We’re most proud that not only are we building this business together from scratch, but our clients consistently describe our service as seamless, stylish, and stress-free. We take the worry and guesswork off their plate so they can actually enjoy their event, confident that we’ll handle everything behind the bar.

Getting here definitely wasn’t easy, there were countless hurdles and a steep learning curve, but we leaned into risk-taking, problem solving, and trusting our hospitality experience to push through. The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. What we want people to know is that Drinks On Me is more than bartending, it’s about celebrating boldly, creating unforgettable moments, and turning every toast into a lasting memory.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Before our family restaurant burned down, the first place I would’ve taken anyone visiting would’ve been La Siesta, because it was truly the heart of San Clemente for us. It was more than just food, it was where everyone felt like family.

If my best friend came to visit for a week, I’d make sure they experienced the best of our beach town. We’d spend a day at Linda Lane Beach soaking up the sun and ocean views, then wander down Del Mar for coffee and shopping. Dinner at Nick’s is always a must, and I’d also take them to The Cellar for wine and a cheese plate. Fisherman’s at the pier is another stop I’d never skip, the perfect place for cocktails and appetizers with an ocean view. And if we were in the mood to keep the night going, we’d head over to Ole’s Tavern for a lively night out. We’d also spend a day at Dana Point Harbor for paddle boarding and maybe a dolphin cruise, plus a sunset walk down the pier to round it all out.

By the end of the trip, I’d want them to feel like they didn’t just visit San Clemente, but actually lived it. The beaches, the food, the people, and those little hidden gems that make this town feel like home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We’d like to shoutout La Siesta Restaurant, our family’s restaurant where my husband and I first met and worked side by side for years. That experience gave us the foundation, work ethic, and love for hospitality that shaped everything we’re doing now. And of course, a huge shoutout to our two beautiful daughters. Our reason to keep pushing forward and building a legacy for them.

Website: https://www.drinksonmebar.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinksonmebar/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573552176198&mibextid=wwXIfr

Other: https://share.google/5n61AN95PrpLLKMQu

https://www.tiktok.com/@drinksonmebar

Image Credits
Drinks On Me

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSoCal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.