Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Owens.
Hi Jesse, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
How We Started
I began my bartending journey at the Ritz-Carlton / JW Marriott in Downtown Los Angeles, working across all departments from: WP24 and the pool bar to the lobby lounge and the hotel’s 100,000 square feet of event space. During my three years there, I also worked for over ten catering and event staffing companies similar to Platinum Bartenders. While doing so, I observed what made each company great & what could be done better. Those lessons inspired me to create Platinum Bartenders during a class project at UCLA.
How We Got Here
Our success comes from an obsession with customer satisfaction, a value rooted in the five-star service standards I learned at the Ritz-Carlton. We go above and beyond to meet every event request and ensure our clients and their guests are thrilled. Our tight-knit team of Platinum Bartenders consistently delivers exceptional performances at every event. With Jesse overseeing bar planning, logistics, and staff selection, Platinum Bartenders has evolved into a refined, reliable, and in-demand event team trusted by celebrities, high-end planners, wedding planners and corporate clients
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
From our launch in 2014, Platinum Bartenders doubled its event volume every year — until May 2020, when the pandemic brought the entire events industry to a standstill. Like many in hospitality, we faced enormous challenges, but we adapted, streamlined, and stayed connected with our clients.
Despite the setbacks, Platinum Bartenders not only survived COVID — we came back stronger. Today, our bookings are on track to double again year over year, and our roster includes some of the most talented, outgoing, and professional bartenders in Los Angeles.
Over the last few months, we’ve had the privilege of serving high-profile clients such as LeBron James and Snapchat, and we continue to raise the bar for private and corporate events across Los Angeles.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What should we know?
Every bartender & event staff on our team is carefully handpicked and trained to deliver exceptional service. We don’t just send bartenders — we send professionals who understand timing, guest engagement, and presentation. Our staff are trained to anticipate needs before they’re asked, ensuring every event runs seamlessly.
We also handle full bar planning, logistics, and setup, taking the stress off our clients so they can actually enjoy their own event. From custom cocktail design to sourcing premium ingredients and equipment, we handle every detail with precision and care.
What we do?
We provide bartenders, barbacks, servers, hosts, DJ’s and full bar setups for events across Los Angeles and beyond. Our team works closely with event planners, venues, and production companies to deliver smooth, professional, and stylish bar experiences.
We also offer bar consulting and menu design for high-end venues and private residences, helping clients craft unique cocktail experiences that reflect their taste and brand.
What do you specialize in / what are you known for?
We’re known for our luxury-level service and hospitality-trained bartenders who bring energy, professionalism, and charisma to every event. Our bartenders aren’t just skilled mixologists, they’re experienced in working high-profile, fast-paced environments and know how to create a memorable experience for guests.
Clients often mention that our bartenders are “the highlight of the night,” and we take great pride in that. We’ve become a trusted partner for celebrity events, red carpet parties, and premium corporate activations.
What sets you apart from others?
Our biggest difference is our background in five-star hospitality and our obsession with customer satisfaction. Every system, checklist, and service standard we use is inspired by luxury hotel training and refined through years of hands-on event experience.
We don’t cut corners, we customize. From staffing personalities to cocktail menus, everything is curated for the client and event style. Our staff show up on time, stay engaged, and always represent our brand with professionalism and confidence.
What are you most proud of, brand-wise?
We’re most proud of building a company that attracts the highest calibre of bartenders and event staff Los Angeles has to offer. The staff consist of excellence, trust, and style, creating opportunities for hospitality professionals to shine outside of traditional venues. Seeing our bartenders thrive at high-end events, getting compliments from celebrity clients, and watching our team grow stronger each year is incredibly rewarding.
Since 2014, we’ve doubled our event volume nearly every year — except during the pandemic, when our industry came to a halt. Despite that, we survived COVID and came back stronger, with an even tighter team and more streamlined systems. Today, we’re proud to say we’re on track to double again this year.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, and services?
At its core, Platinum Bartenders isn’t just a staffing company, it’s a hospitality experience.
We bring together premium staff, beautiful bar setups, and seamless logistics to create unforgettable events. Whether you’re hosting a private dinner for 20 or a luxury brand launch for 5000, our team ensures your guests are impressed and your night runs effortlessly.
We want readers to know that when they hire Platinum Bartenders, they’re not just hiring staff, they’re hiring a partner in creating memories.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What do you like best about our city?
What I love most about Los Angeles is the energy and diversity of the people. There’s no other city where you can bartend a celebrity birthday one night, a music video launch the next, and a charity gala the following weekend, all within a few miles of each other. LA is full of creativity, ambition, and personality, and that reflects in every event we do.
I also love how every neighbourhood has its own vibe: from Hollywood rooftops to Malibu estates to downtown lofts, each event feels completely unique. It keeps our work exciting and inspires us to keep raising our standards.
What do you like least about our city?
What I like least is probably how difficult logistics can be for event professionals in LA, from traffic to parking to navigating last-minute venue restrictions. Sometimes the hardest part of an event isn’t the setup or the service, it’s just getting there on time with all the gear.
That said, those challenges have made us sharper and more adaptable as a team. We’ve learned to plan for every possible curveball, which is probably one of the reasons clients trust us so much.
Pricing:
- Bartender: $70 p/h
- Server: $70 p/h
- Host: $70 p/h
- Security: $75 p/h
- Bar Planning: $100 p/h
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.platinumbartender.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platinumbartenders
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/platinumbartenders
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@platinumbartenders5749
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/platinum-bartenders-los-angeles-5
