Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Hopkins.
Hi Erika, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Before joining Liquor Lab, I spent nine years working as a flight attendant while also owning my own wedding business in California. I moved to Nashville in 2017 and I realized by 2020 that my true passion was in events and hospitality. While I loved life in the sky, starting a family made the transition into the event industry and staying local an easy and exciting decision.
Hospitality and event planning have always felt like a natural fit for me because I genuinely enjoy creating memorable experiences and building relationships with people.
I started with Liquor Lab in 2020, initially working in the warehouse packaging cocktail kits and fulfilling orders for thousands of corporate virtual events happening across the country during the pandemic. It was incredible to see how many companies were turning to virtual team-building experiences at the time, and our team stayed extremely busy keeping up with demand.
In 2022, I transitioned into the Event Sales role and our brick and mortar returned to 2nd Ave downtown. I have been fully devoted to the company ever since. I have an extensive background working with destination management companies, which has allowed me to bring together valuable industry connections and experiences throughout my career. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to watch the business grow and evolve in so many exciting ways. I love the concept behind what we do and truly enjoy being part of the Nashville hospitality community.
The industry is filled with supportive, hardworking people who genuinely root for one another’s success, and that sense of community is something I value deeply.
Liquor Lab is an alternative to the average bar scene — a venue centered around creativity, conversation, and exceptional cocktails. We create all of our syrups and juices in-house and develop new menus each month to keep the experience exciting, fresh, and unique for our guests.
While I may not be the one crafting the delicious cocktail menus or developing the flavor profiles behind each drink, I truly love being able to sell the experience and share our concept with others. It is rewarding to introduce guests and clients to something different — an interactive experience that brings people together in a fun and memorable way.
Being able to create unique events while connecting with people every day has made this such a fulfilling career path. I look forward to continuing to grow alongside Liquor Lab.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Liquor Lab has faced many challenges over the years — from the COVID shutdown and management transitions to staffing changes, marketing shifts, and the slower seasons that naturally come with the industry.
Through every obstacle, we have continued to push forward with resilience and determination.
I have a genuine love for this business, and one of the biggest reasons is the team I get to work alongside every day. My immediate team is incredibly supportive, and we always step in to help one another whenever challenges arise.
There is a strong sense of teamwork and commitment that makes even the toughest days manageable.
It is a daily challenge to keep business consistently flowing, especially in a rapidly growing city like Nashville where competition continues to increase and prices are constantly rising.
Even with those challenges, we remain focused on creating unique experiences, building strong relationships, and finding new ways to bring people through our doors. Our passion for what we do and the connections we create with guests are what continue to drive us forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As the Event Sales Coordinator, I am always looking for new ways to grow business and create lasting connections with clients. I strongly believe that successful bookings are built on genuine relationships. Every guest should feel more like a friend than just another transaction.
My goal is not only for clients to enjoy the experience they book, but also to enjoy the process of working with me. When people feel valued and connected to the person they are doing business with, they are much more likely to return for future events and recommend that experience to others.
I strive to create memorable, fun, and unique experiences while providing personalized service every step of the way. I want to be the first person that comes to mind whenever someone is looking to host an unforgettable event.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I am always looking for opportunities to collaborate with other local businesses and create exciting experiences within the community. At Liquor Lab, we host monthly pop-up events featuring local bars and restaurants. Each event brings in a different partner to showcase cocktails inspired by their menu and share their unique style and expertise with our guests.
We love keeping things fresh by rotating collaborations and introducing our guests to a variety of local concepts, flavors, and personalities. These partnerships not only create memorable experiences for attendees but also help strengthen relationships within the local hospitality community.
Our goal is to provide fun, interactive events that support fellow local businesses while giving guests a chance to discover new favorite spots and cocktails in an engaging environment.
Pricing:
- $85 Per Person for Private Events
- $75 pp Public class tickets
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.liquorlab.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/103858627622285/liquor-lab-nashville/
