Teardrop trailers, also known as teardrop campers, originally became popular in the 1930s as they offered a cheaper, more compact alternative to the regular campervan. Small, agile, lightweight and streamlined, they’re easy to tow for most cars, making them convenient to transport and perfect for quick camping breaks.
Whilst their popularity waned towards the end of the 1960s, teardrop trailers are having somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, coinciding with the rise of tiny homes, van life culture and an upsurge in domestic exploration.
Just as the design, weight and practicality of the teardrop trailer make it a great option for off-grid adventures, friends and budding entrepreneurs, Teresa and Rylee, felt that these same attributes would make the teardrop an excellent choice for a mobile bar business too. So, in 2021, the pair of Cal Poly graduates launched The Tipsy Teardrop.
And looking at the photos included in this feature, I have to say that we here at Roll To agree that the teardrop makes for a beautiful choice for your cocktail bar.
Four pouring taps (able to serve beer, wine, prosecco, kombucha, cold brew and more) are set on a white tile backsplash wall and perfectly framed by the teardrop silhouette for which the trailer gets its name.
Symmetrical lights placed either side of the taps are surrounded by a wooden trim which when illuminated fill the bar with a warm glow, inviting guests over for a tipple.
Not only does the The Tipsy Teardrop look amazing, but it’s super practical too. Only 76 inches wide, it can squeeze into the smallest of venues, indoors or out. But it’s also deceptively roomy. In an ingenious use of space, the top of The Tipsy Teardrop lifts upwards to reveal extra storage and shelving, with space for my drinks, glassware and nibbles.
Charming chalkboards, mini disco balls and pretty flower arrangements provide the finishing touches to a chic, modern look without losing any of that camp ground nostalgia.
We also love the roof rack up top, which can be customized with props to match your event theme.
Playful enough to be deployed at backyard happy hours and less formal events, but stylish and elegant enough to perform as a beautiful backdrop for weddings and intimate gatherings, we love what the ladies behind The Tipsy Teardrop have achieved. It really is a photogenic bar that is fit for all manner of occasions.
So how did this cozy camper turned converted mobile bar come about? We caught up with Teresa and Rylee to find out.
Hey guys, thanks so much for chatting with us today. First of all, how did you get started with running such a unique mobile bar operation?
Our story started as two friends in college sharing a glass of wine and browsing Instagram! We came across a picture of a converted trailer that had been transformed into a mobile bar and thought it was the coolest thing. We both have a passion for the event industry and wanted a way to bring our creativity together to create a fun event experience. One thing led to another and we started Googling "how to start a mobile bar business". Quite quickly our crazy idea to start The Tipsy Teardrop became a reality!
Very cool! Did you take inspiration from anyone out there in particular?
There are so many amazing resources online now for those who are curious about starting their own small business, and we felt really inspired by other young female entrepreneurs who were also taking the leap within the industry!
What have you enjoyed most about running your own mobile bar business?
We enjoy all the different vendors, guests, and hosts we get to meet. We've connected with so many inspiring and creative photographers, florists, event coordinators, and more. Their passion for what they do inspires and excites us!
Totally agree, it's such a creative space to operate in! Has there been a standout event that you’ve worked at so far?
A favorite event that comes to mind was our very first wedding we served at. The event was on New Year's Eve, and the couple we worked with was the absolute best! They made everyone, vendors included, feel like family and it was an overall great experience!
Awesome! What’s next for The Tipsy Teardrop?
We've been pretty busy so far this year, and we're really excited to see what the future has in store for our teardrop trailer! We're planning on being able to offer our clients more variety when it comes to beverages, including mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, and possibly decoration add-ons.
We've learned so much from the events we've worked on in the past, and we're looking forward to being able to expand as we go!
We are currently booking for both 2022 and 2023 and still have availability so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in what we have to offer!
So, there you go. If you’re planning an upcoming event that could do with some added sparkle by way of a unique style of mobile bar, The Tipsy Teardrop may well be the option for you. As the photos in this post show, it is certainly an eye-catcher.
Thanks so much to Teresa and Rylee for speaking with us and we look forward to seeing what's next for The Typsy Teardrop empire!
Based out of Del Mar, California but able to travel throughout Southern California, you can contact The Tipsy Teardrop via Roll To here.
See more photos over on the bar’s Instagram page here.
Photography credits: @zoeisabelphotography
Florals: @sileneandsloanflorals