We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alexander Fletcher. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Alexander , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Well, since it’s summer, I have been fortunate enough to Hang out with my kiddo quite a bit. He’s really obsessed with fishing right now and golf!
I am a terrible golfer, but a decent fisherman, so we have been passing knowledge back and forth, developing a lot of core memories for sure.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, world – I’m Alex Fletcher, founder of Shaken and Stirred Hospitality.
With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, I’ve had the privilege of working in some of Dallas’ most iconic bars and restaurants. Shaken and Stirred was born from that experience — a hospitality consulting company rooted in passion, precision, and purpose.
We specialize in helping bars and restaurants bring their visions to life. From crafting efficient, high-impact menus to developing full-scale venue concepts, we focus on systems that boost profitability without sacrificing creativity. Education is a cornerstone of our approach, offering training in everything from sustainable practices to advanced mixology — because great hospitality starts with a knowledgeable team.
AND….
We’ve got some big news to share. For the first time, we’re building out a spot of our own. Right here in East Dallas, we’re taking over The Royal Pour and flipping it into our first brick-and-mortar concept: Rising Tides, A Cocktail Dive.
We’re keeping the heart of the bar alive but giving it a serious refresh — remodels, new menus, new events, new music, and of course, new drinks. Think of it as the same neighborhood bar you love, but leveled up.
The goal? A laid-back, positive, safe hangout where you can grab simple, killer drinks, great food, and catch some seriously good vibes. It’s gonna be a blast.
risingtidesbar.com
Rising Tides Lift All Ships….
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
When people ask how I got into hospitality, I usually smile and say, “I took a thousand wrong turns to end up exactly where I’m supposed to be.” And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
In my twenties, I was fully immersed in two very different worlds: studying philosophy by day and chasing a dream of becoming a professional musician by night. My band, Darby, gained a bit of traction — enough to give me some of the best (and hardest) years of my life. We had moments of real success, and those experiences shaped who I am today. But as anyone who’s tried to make a living through music knows, passion doesn’t always pay the bills.
To make ends meet, I picked up shifts bartending. What started as a side hustle became something much bigger. I’ve always had a relentless work ethic — the same intensity I brought to music, I brought behind the bar. And I was fortunate. I landed in venues that didn’t just train me, but believed in me.
I still think about my early days barbacking at The Quarter Bar in Dallas. My manager, Stacy Taylor, played a huge role in my journey. She didn’t just give me a job — she gave me room to chase my dream. On more than one occasion, she let me leave mid-shift to rush downtown, play a show, and then return to clean the bar. Without that kind of support, I don’t know if I could have made music work at all.
That mix of hustle, passion, and people who cared — that’s what built the foundation for everything I do today. Now, through Shaken and Stirred Hospitality, I’m paying it forward: helping others in the industry find their rhythm, refine their vision, and build something lasting.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
The Grind. Nothing changes over night, And the climb up hill is incredibly more challenge than the fall down hill. There was times where I didn’t know how I was gonna pay the bills and it took a lot for me to dig my self out of a few holes.
If everything was easy I would never understand that taking even the smallest steps in the right directions can build momentum.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
For a long time, I believed you had to live in the party to throw a good one. In this industry, it felt like part of the job — staying out late, having a few es drinks, being seen, being social. I thought if I didn’t show up like that, I wouldn’t be taken seriously. That I’d be seen as less committed, less connected, less… fun.
But over time — and through a lot of hard lessons, soul-searching, therapy, and ultimately, sobriety — I learned something that changed everything: you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first.
For years, I tried to live up to what I thought people expected of me. But the truth is, if you’re constantly trying to be what everyone else wants, you lose who you really are.
Now, I know that showing up as your true self — healthy, grounded, and whole — is more powerful than any performance. And ironically, that’s what allows me to throw a better party than ever before.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Putting up personal road blocks. I’ve always wanted to travel the world with my wife and experience every culture and learn from every civilization. Remove societies expectations and just be free, to travel, to write, to make music, to create, and eat… just experience life as a whole.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shakenandstirredhospitality.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alecks_fletcher
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderbryanfletcher?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.fletcher.944?
Image Credits
All Photos are credited to Austin Graf
Instagram @grafikstyle
