Today we’d like to introduce you to Rusty Lewter.
Hi Rusty, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a North Carolina native — raised in Apex and based in Charlotte since I was 18 — with more than 25 years behind the bar. My career took an unexpected turn when a regular customer invited me to a Carolina Panthers game and happened to be the stadium’s Food & Beverage director. That led to a role in the stadium’s hospitality department and eventually eight years as a personal stadium butler for the Richardson family. I later served as head mixologist at Carmel Country Club while building a private-events clientele on the side. When COVID closed the club in 2020, I used the downtime to turn that side hustle into a full-time business: I launched Your Charlotte Bartender—forming an LLC, building a website and logo, and scaling our team. Today we’re a growing craft-cocktail catering company with 20 bartenders and 6 servers. We cater weddings, birthdays and corporate events, and offer in-person and virtual mixology classes.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges in this industry is managing the natural ebb and flow of business throughout the year. Certain seasons — like May with graduations and weddings, October with fall events and Halloween parties, and of course the holiday season in December — are incredibly busy, while other times of year can be much slower. As the company has grown, that’s become even more important because I have a large staff and I want to make sure I’m consistently able to provide opportunities and work for my team.
Another challenge has been the rapid growth of the mobile bartending industry. When I started, there were far fewer companies doing what we do. Now there’s a lot more competition, which means it’s even more important to stand out by providing exceptional service, professionalism, creativity, and reliability. I’ve always focused on maintaining a high standard — from the quality of our cocktails to the experience we create for clients — because reputation and word-of-mouth are everything in this business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in craft cocktail catering and creating elevated bar experiences for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and interactive cocktail classes. At Your Charlotte Bartender, we focus on more than just serving drinks — we create an experience for our clients and their guests through thoughtful presentation, high-quality ingredients, creative recipes, and exceptional service.
I think what we’re most known for is our level of hospitality and our custom cocktail creations. Every event is different, and we work hard to make each one feel personalized and memorable. Whether it’s a wedding signature cocktail menu or a hands-on mixology class, I want people to walk away feeling like they had something unique and special.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the long-term relationships we’ve built with our clients over the last six years. We’ve bartended graduations, bridal showers, weddings, birthdays, and holiday parties for the same families year after year. To me, repeat clients are the biggest compliment because it means people trust us and value the experience we provide.
I’m also incredibly proud of the cocktail classes I’ve developed, the amazing team we’ve built, and the fact that six years in, we’re still growing and evolving. What sets us apart is our consistency, professionalism, and genuine passion for hospitality. We truly care about the details, and I think people can feel that when they work with us.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Absolutely. I’ve been very fortunate to have incredible supporters, mentors, clients, and team members who have played a huge role in the success of both myself and Your Charlotte Bartender.
A Carmel Country Club member who I’m still very close with today was one of the first people to truly see my potential before I fully saw it in myself. She knew I was a talented bartender, but more importantly, she believed I could turn that talent into a real business.
I’m also deeply thankful for many of my longtime clients. Some of the very first people who hired me six years ago are still some of my biggest supporters today. Over the years, those relationships have grown far beyond business — many have become genuine friends, mentors, and cheerleaders along the way. In fact, some were even invited to my wedding. That level of trust and continued support means the world to me and is a huge part of why I love what I do.
My team at Your Charlotte Bartender also deserves enormous credit. We’ve built a group of incredibly talented bartenders and servers who truly care about hospitality and creating a great experience for our clients. They consistently show up with professionalism, energy, creativity, and heart, and they push me to continue growing as both a business owner and leader. I genuinely believe we have some of the best people in the industry, and the company would not be what it is without them.
And of course, my wife deserves credit as well. She has been my biggest cheerleader through every stage of this journey
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cltbartender.com/
- Instagram: @your_charlotte_bartender
