Our Story

Real estate agent turned bartender, Madeline Ridgway has started Publick Benefits as a passion project, sharing proper craft cocktails with the people of West Texas. She has been bartending since 2015 and delving into the art of craft bartending since 2016. Publick Benefits is a craft bartending service with the aim to produce an exceptional experience for any type of event you are putting on. We are able to do anything from intimate cocktail classes to large parties with custom cocktails.

Madeline’s background and accolades in the service industry include:

Head-Bartender at Midnight Cowboy, Austin, TX

Bar Program Director at Gin Bar, Austin, TX

Punch Kings regional competition winner for El Tesoro Tequila

Competitor in Cocktail Fights for Espolon Tequila (she and her partner were beaten by the team that went on to win the national competition 🎉)

Featured in Austin Woman Magazine

A mention in Forbes, Tribeza, and Thrillist for her work at Gin Bar

Featured on the Austin Laundry Podcast speaking about the Austin service industry and craft cocktail scene

And participated in the Austin Women in Culinary event at the Eberly

She attributes most of her success in the industry to many of the wonderful people she’s gotten to work for and with. (As well has her killer work ethic)