We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Martinez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.
David , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep creativity alive by thinking like a guest first. After years of going to bars, I always ask myself: What would I love to experience as a customer? That mindset pushes us to try new ideas and bring something fresh to every event.
We love building our bars and cocktails around the theme of the celebration — not just serving drinks, but creating an atmosphere. The presentation, the setup, the details… we want people to walk up to our bar and instantly feel excited. We know our cocktails will taste great, but the creative twist is what makes the experience memorable.
We’ve worked with all kinds of themes, and we always look forward to new ones. Recently, we did a Beatles “Hey Jude” theme for a first birthday. We decorated the bar with replica Beatles memorabilia, used old-school vinyl discs as coasters, and added Beatles-themed cards to the drinks. Guests loved it — the bar became part cocktail station, part mini-museum. Moments like that keep us inspired and remind us that creativity is about storytelling, not just ingredients.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is David, and I’m the founder of Tequila Papi — a bartending company that creates elevated cocktail experiences for weddings, private events, brand activations, and much more. We love bringing innovation to life, constantly pushing ourselves to raise the bar and explore what’s possible in our craft.
I’ve always believed that a great drink is more than ingredients — it’s an experience. Before I ever stepped behind the bar professionally, I spent years going to bars as a curious guest, paying attention to what made certain places feel special. That curiosity eventually grew into a passion for hospitality, storytelling, and the art of tequila and mezcal.
What makes Tequila Papi unique is our culture-driven, design-forward approach. We don’t just show up and pour drinks — we create a customized atmosphere that matches the theme and energy of every event. Whether it’s custom menus, bar styling, or interactive elements, we want guests to walk up and instantly feel excited. Our cocktails are crafted with fresh ingredients, house-made syrups, and bold flavors inspired by Mexican heritage.
This year has been incredible — full of amazing clients, exciting events, and new creative challenges. We’re proud of the growth we’ve experienced, not only as a company, but as a team. We’re fortunate to have talented bartenders who inspire and push each other, and we’re excited to finish the year strong and see what we can create next.
At the end of the day, Tequila Papi is about celebrating people, culture, and creativity — one beautiful drink at a time.
also we are excited on finishing this year strong this has been such amazing year working on pretty cool events and ready to finish and see what we can do next year. as well growing with my Team we have such talented bartender and see how we can help each other grow.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three qualities that have impacted my journey the most are hospitality & people skills, adaptability & problem solving, and passion.
1) Hospitality & People Skills
At the end of the day, bartending is about people. You can make the best drinks in the world, but if you don’t know how to connect with guests — create a welcoming atmosphere — you’re missing the heart of the job. I’ve learned that listening, staying present, and treating every guest like they’re in your home will always elevate an experience.
2) Adaptability & Problem Solving
No two events are ever the same. One day you’re at a luxury wedding, the next you’re in someone’s backyard. Weather changes, equipment fails, plans shift — and you still need to deliver a great experience. The ability to adapt, stay calm, and find a solution in the moment is one of the most valuable skills. Instead of panicking, I always ask, “How do we make this work?” Flexibility turns challenges into creativity.
3) Passion & Intention
Passion is everything. Doing this with real heart — not cutting corners, not cheaping out — is what builds long-term success. Guests can feel when you care. When your intentions are good and you put love into the details, it always pays off. Passion is what keeps you learning, growing, and pushing yourself to be better.
Advice for others:
For anyone early in their journey, don’t rush the process. Take time to learn, stay humble, and never forget why you started. Skills can be taught — but passion and curiosity are what will carry you forward.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
The biggest area of growth for me this past year has been learning to trust my team and step into more of a leadership role. When Tequila Papi first started, I tried to do everything myself — from the creative to the operations. But as we began taking on bigger events and more clients, I realized that real growth requires collaboration. Our team has been the heart of that evolution. Bringing on people like Memo, Jessica, Edwin, and other teammates has been crucial in leveling up every part of the business. Together, we’ve elevated our drink offerings, built new bar setups, experimented with fresh ideas, and pushed ourselves to think outside the box. Whether it’s a 10-person gathering or a 350-guest Event. Having a dedicated team that shares the same Tequila Papi values has made all the difference.
Another major area of growth has been refining our systems — from cocktail prep to client communication. Improving our organization has made our events smoother, more consistent, and more enjoyable for both our team and our clients.
Lastly, I’ve grown in my confidence — trusting that we can take on bigger challenges and more ambitious creative concepts. This year taught me that when you surround yourself with great people, stay organized, and lead with passion, the possibilities keep expanding.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tequilapapillc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tequilapapillc
- Other: Email: [email protected]
