What’s in a name? WTF is a Waystone? And what’s it got to do with our mobile bar?

A waystone is a large mythological stone that is said to often be found roadside, at a crossroad, or off the beaten path as a landmark. These visually striking and physically imposing stones are said to be markers of safe passage and good fortune. Thus making them attractive destinations for troupers, travelers, wanderers, and the like to make camp, trade goods, exchange stories, and imbibe with one another. 

Now when you think of the best bars around, what characteristics do they have? They are safe places where you feel welcome. They attract like-minded individuals as well as bring together new and interesting folks from different cultures and walks of life that you might not have met otherwise. In addition to serving top notch drinks, they provide the backdrop for laughing, dancing, celebrating, connecting, and making memories. I'm sure you see where we're going with this. 

Yes it is true that when you book an event with us you can expect expertly crafted cocktails and beverage service from some of the most highly qualified bartenders in town, but that is not what we hang our hats on. We're not just there to pour drinks at your event. We're there to be a waystone at your event. A lightning rod for conversation and connection. A haven for the introvert seeking refuge from the crowd or a moment of banter with the extrovert who has never met a stranger. A warm smile for the out-of-towner who just wants to feel welcome. And most importantly, we do this all while keeping the drinks flowing and the line moving. 

But enough about that. Let’s get back to how it all started. Where did the idea for Waystone Traveling Bar come from? Well aside from the aforementioned similarities between what a waystone is and the service we provide, we need to give credit where credit is due. You see, we’re a bunch of big ol’ nerds over here and as such, we wear our inspiration on our sleeves. In Patrick Rothfuss’s fantasy novel “The Name of the Wind,” which is one of the most brilliant and important works of fantasy literature since Tolkien (and my personal favorite book of all time) the protagonist owns and operates a local bar / tavern called “The Waystone Inn.”  

It also just so happens to be that my lovely wife and co-owner of the business, Deb, is a massive fan of the book and it was something that we bonded over when we first met. So in creating Waystone Traveling Bar Co., we were not just paying homage to one of our favorite authors / books, we were able to pay homage to a special and deeply meaningful chapter in our lives while tying it all together using the waystone as a metaphor that represents our core values as a mobile bar. 

So there you have it. A candid peek behind the curtains of our minds and how we came to be. Those of you who know us personally or those of you who came out for our nerdy themed pop-up bar at Boxwood Social for Marietta the Gathering likely won’t be surprised by this story. And those of you who did come out to our pop-up will have already witnessed (and hopefully tasted) another nod to our favorite author’s work in the form of our signature old fashioned cocktail for the day called “The Wise Man’s Fear,” which is the title of book 2 in Rothfuss’s King Killer Chronicle series and, lets be honest, a truly badass name for a cocktail. 

We believe that “the greatest adventures are the ones shared with your people.” So consider this a call to action for anyone out there who would like to collaborate with us for a themed pop-up bar or themed cocktail class. Or in other words, a call to action to find “our people.” I’m looking at you: bookworms, authors, hobbyists, gamers, movie lovers, nerds, fanatics, cocktail lovers, mocktail lovers, and the like. Whether you’re an event venue, a small business owner, or just hosting a private event, we can dream up something special with you. 

Cheers

PS 

If you’d like to check out the book that inspired it all, check out patrothfuss.com and we highly recommend checking out some of our favorite local, independent book shops: The Reading Attic or Crazy Book Lady. And if you’d like to find a local indie book shop near you, find them here using bookshop.org