Minibar Delivery

Minibar Delivery operates as a mobile-first, on-demand alcohol delivery marketplace. The company was founded in New York in 2014 by Lara Crystal and Lindsey Andrews, who conceived the idea when they realized a convenient alcohol delivery service was missing from the market. The founders, both alumnae of the Wharton School, leveraged their significant e-commerce backgrounds to build the company; Crystal was part of the founding team at Rent the Runway, while Andrews had marketing roles at FreshDirect and various Amazon subsidiaries like Soap.com and Wag.com.

The business functions as a three-tier compliant platform, connecting consumers with local liquor stores and vineyards through its website and mobile apps. Minibar Delivery does not hold its own inventory but rather serves as the technology and marketing layer, creating the shopping experience for customers. Revenue is generated by taking a small marketing fee from its partner stores for each order processed through the platform. This model presented a win-win situation for local stores, offering them an online presence and additional sales with no upfront cost. The service promises delivery in under 60 minutes in its on-demand markets and also offers direct shipping from vineyards to a wider geographic area. Beyond beverages, the platform has expanded to include mixers, bar accessories, and even the ability to book a bartender.

The company experienced significant growth, raising $6.8 million in funding over two rounds and expanding its on-demand delivery service to over 1,000 cities in the U.S. A key milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by ReserveBar in November 2021. This strategic merger combined Minibar Delivery's focus on on-demand, everyday beverage needs with ReserveBar's specialization in premium and luxury spirits. The acquisition aimed to create a comprehensive e-commerce solution, expanding the retailer network to over 5,000 locations and enhancing delivery capabilities to include both on-demand and scheduled options. Following the acquisition, Lindsey Andrews continued in her role as CEO of Minibar Delivery.

Keywords: alcohol delivery, on-demand delivery, wine delivery, beer delivery, liquor marketplace, e-commerce, local liquor stores, beverage delivery service, mobile ordering, spirits delivery, vineyard shipping, online alcohol sales, Lara Crystal, Lindsey Andrews, ReserveBar, convenience economy, alcohol tech, beverage e-commerce, last-mile delivery, digital marketplace