Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Meet Me At The Bar of New Orleans, LA

We recently had the chance to connect with Meet Me At The Bar and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Meet Me At The Bar, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Ce McDonald: Mornings are my reset and strategy time. I start with water, a made bed, and a quick skincare routine. It’s part ritual, part mindset. Coffee in hand, I check my calendar, scan my inbox, and catch up on any missed calls or texts. I carve out a few quiet minutes to read a chapter or two from whatever book I am reading before things get busy, then outline my priorities for the day (it’s how I turn calm into productivity).

CeCe Coleman: The first 90 minutes of my day are all about grounding before the grind. I start with gratitude and prayer. It’s my way of checking in with myself and God. Then it’s movement time: either a HIIT workout or a 4-mile walk in the park with my favorite playlist. When I get home, I reward myself with a really good cup of coffee and a few peaceful minutes on my porch before the world starts calling.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re Chantè McDonald and Ciara Coleman, co-founders of MMATB, a brand we started in 2020 to connect people over cocktails through curated experiences. At its core, MMATB is about community, bringing people together through authentic, elevated moments that spark conversation and connection.

Outside of MMATB, Chantè works as a Clinical Research Associate, and Ciara is a Program Officer in the philanthropic space. We both bring unique perspectives from our professional worlds, blending structure, creativity, and purpose into everything we create.

Our signature events captures what MMATB stands for: energy, connection, and intention wrapped in an unforgettable experience. What makes us unique is our balance: two women curating co-ed spaces that feel both social and meaningful. Whether it’s over a cocktail or a shared moment, MMATB is all about creating experiences that bring people together in a real way.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Ce McDonald: Bonds break when people stop feeling seen or heard. They’re restored through presence, attention, and shared moments. That’s why MMATB exists…to create experiences where people can slow down, connect, and remember what real connection feels like.

CeCe Coleman: I think a lot of broken bonds come from losing a sense of shared purpose and connection. We’re all moving so fast that it’s easy to forget how much we need each other. What restores those bonds for me are real conversations, a little grace, and strong boundaries. That mix makes room for honesty and repair.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Ce McDonald: It happened when I started being honest with myself and others about the struggles I faced. Instead of masking my pain, I used it to fuel my creativity and build community that helps others feel seen and heard.

CeCe Coleman: The turning point was realizing my struggles weren’t unique to me. For a long time, I thought keeping things to myself made me strong, but it really just made me feel alone. Isolation can be a breeding ground for negative thoughts, so I started choosing vulnerability instead and sharing what I was going through instead of holding it in. That shift brought me relief, healing, and ultimately, power.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Ce McDonald: Yes and no. The public version of me is real, but it’s not the whole me. It’s the confident, collected version that shows up for the world. The private me is still evolving, still learning, and that balance keeps me grounded.

CeCe Coleman: A wise woman once said, “keep a little for yourself,” and I felt that. I think it’s important to hold space for your private life. Whether I’m at an event, out in community, or posting on social, that’s really me. No filters on the energy. What you see is what you get.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
Ce McDonald: I feel most at peace when I’m doing things that energize me: being with family, traveling, shopping, or enjoying a game of pickleball/learning golf. Those moments of bonding, play, and exploration help me reset and feel grounded.

CeCe Coleman: Peace finds me at home. I’ll have music on the record player, something delicious simmering on the stove, and no phone in sight. I also love long walks that clear my head, those steamy “everything” showers that feel like a reset, and family time that fills my cup. That’s my calm.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Ashley Lorraine: @iamashleylorraine or @sheshoots on Instagram.

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