The Grand Lady, a historic wedding venue just outside Austin, is known for its thoughtful approach to hospitality. Every detail matters—including the bar. When their previous bartending solution began to fall short of expectations, the team set out to find a partner who could deliver a refined guest experience without creating added complexity behind the scenes.
That search led to Peak Beverage. What began as a simple staffing inquiry quickly evolved into a deeper collaboration—one that redefined how The Grand Lady delivers beverage service to its clients.
The Challenge
Initially working with another bartending provider, The Grand Lady soon found that the partnership wasn’t meeting the standards they aimed to uphold. As Venue Manager Christy Clay explains:
“We were still new to navigating that side of the business and spent the better part of a year identifying what was working, what wasn’t, and how we could enhance our clients’ overall experience. Unfortunately, our goals and standards weren’t being met, and ultimately, it was our clients who were impacted.”
The internal team was left managing a disproportionate share of bar-related logistics—from fielding guest questions to sourcing alcohol and coordinating subcontractors. The result: a misalignment between their operational flow and the elevated service they envisioned.
The Solution
The Grand Lady reached out to Peak Beverage for staffing support—but quickly found a broader opportunity. The Peak team proposed a fully integrated bar solution tailored to the venue’s unique needs. The goal: enhance the guest experience, streamline operations, and maintain financial sustainability.
Together, they developed a collaborative model that offered custom bar packages, operational alignment, and a seamless experience for clients and staff alike—laying the foundation for a long-term partnership built on shared values and hospitality excellence.
Key Elements of the solution
- Custom bar packages matching current pricing, while expanding options with Peak’s robust inventory and experience.
- Operational integration with The Grand Lady’s existing client workflows, timelines, and sales process.
- White-labeled collateral tailored to reflect the venue’s voice and branding, while transparently crediting Peak as the bar provider.
Live dashboards for seamless visibility into guest counts, package selections, and event updates—cutting down on back-and-forth communication and last-minute surprises.
“From day one, it felt as though the Peak team seamlessly stepped in and took complete ownership of our clients’ bar experience. The transition was effortless. Clients felt a renewed sense of ease, confidence, and excitement.”
“Now, the bar experience has become an expected and highly anticipated part of the event. It’s no longer something we have to justify—it’s something our couples are eager to incorporate.”
Results at a glance
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- 85+ events immediately transitioned to Peak Beverage at the start of 2025
- Guest experience significantly elevated, with expanded wine lists and full-service options
- Venue team bandwidth increased, freeing staff to focus on other event elements
- Client excitement and confidence rose, making the bar program a natural part of the sales process
- Efficient operational handoff, thanks to synced systems and direct team communication
WHy it works
The Grand Lady’s success with this model stems from two key factors:
- Business Alignment: The venue’s owners were focused on running a client-first, profitable, well-oiled operation—not just outsourcing logistics. “They weren’t interested in change unless it meant happier clients, strong financial outcomes, better service, and less internal work. That’s what we delivered.”
- Hospitality Ethos: Christy adds, “The Peak team’s professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine care for both our clients and their guests continues to elevate the overall guest experience at our venue.”
Opportunities for growth
While the partnership has already transformed bar service at weddings, The Grand Lady is now looking ahead.
“We’re hoping to expand next year to include more public gatherings, weekday corporate events, and creative community-driven experiences. Our goal is to create more ways people can experience and enjoy our space—and showcase the incredible vendors we’re fortunate to work with.”
Takeaways for Other Venues:
If you’re a high-end venue seeking to improve bar service without losing control of your brand…
If your team is stretched thin managing alcohol logistics…
If you want a partner who understands Texas alcohol laws, client psychology, and luxury expectations…
A Peak Beverage partnership may be exactly the scalable, guest-first solution your venue needs.
“Yes, we’d absolutely recommend this to other venues,” says Christy. “It’s made a world of difference.”