Sip Happens bartender at work

Our Story

We Started Sip Happens Because Every Party Deserves a Great Bar.

Born in the DMV. Built on fresh mixes, responsible service, and a genuine love for making celebrations unforgettable.

Courtney and Simon, founders of Sip Happens

Est. 2021

DMV Area

How It Started

The Idea Was Simple. The Execution Had to Be Better.

Sip Happens is a husband-and-wife team built on a shared love of craft cocktails and unforgettable celebrations. Simon has been behind the bar since 2017, and Courtney joined the craft in 2019 — together, they bring years of experience, creativity, and genuine passion to every event they serve.

In 2021, they turned that passion into Sip Happens with one goal: bring a real bar experience to private events — not a folding table with a cooler, but a proper, professional setup with fresh cocktails and the kind of service that makes your guests feel taken care of. Drink creation isn't just a job for them — it's what they love, and it shows in every pour.

From birthdays and baby showers to graduations and corporate events across Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia — Courtney and Simon make a great team, and your event is in the best hands.

Responsible Service

TIPS Certified. Every Bartender.

TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) is the gold standard for responsible alcohol service. Every member of the Sip Happens team is certified — not just the lead bartender, but everyone who pours at your event.

That means we're trained to recognize signs of intoxication, handle difficult situations professionally, and keep your guests safe without killing the vibe. You can relax knowing your event is in responsible hands.

Trained to recognize over-service situations
Certified in responsible alcohol service
Professionally handles guest safety
Venue liability protection for hosts
TIPS certified bartender serving responsibly

TIPS Certified

Every Team Member

What We Stand For

Our Values

These aren't just words on a page — they're the standards we hold ourselves to at every single event.

Responsibility First

Every bartender on our team is TIPS certified — meaning we're trained to serve alcohol responsibly, read the room, and keep your guests safe all night long.

Fresh, Always

We don't cut corners with pre-bottled mixes. Every drink is made from scratch, on-site, with fresh ingredients. Your guests can taste the difference.

Your Event, Our Priority

We treat every event like it's the most important one we've ever worked. Because for you, it is. We show up prepared, professional, and ready to make it special.

Flexible for Any Size

Whether you're hosting 6 close friends or 200+ guests, we scale our team and setup to match your event perfectly — no upselling, no shortcuts.

Spotless Service

We set up, we serve, we break down — and we leave your venue exactly as we found it. Zero mess, zero stress for you or your venue coordinator.

Transparent Pricing

No hidden fees, no surprise charges. Every quote is custom-built for your event so you know exactly what you're getting and what you're paying for.

Our Journey

How We Got Here

2021

Founded

Sip Happens was born out of a love for great cocktails and even better celebrations.

2022

TIPS Certified

Our entire team completed TIPS certification — responsible service became our standard.

2023

100+ Events

We crossed 100 events served across the DMV, from backyard birthdays to corporate galas.

2024

Expanded Team

Grew our bartender roster to handle larger events and more simultaneous bookings.

2025+

Still Pouring

Continuing to bring fresh mixes and great vibes to every celebration in DC, MD & VA.

Let's Work Together

Ready to bring Sip Happens to your event?

Tell us about your celebration and we'll put together a custom quote — no commitment needed.