Meet Christopher Yates | Professional Bartender

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Yates and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I have always been a risk taker. I truly believe in order to grow, you have to take risks. Whether that is growing as a person, a business, in your personal life, or your career path, risk is necessary. It’s what keeps us evolving and prevents us from staying stagnant.

Taking risks has played a major role in my life and character development. It’s allowed me to travel the country and live in several different states. It’s led me to try new things at every turn in life. If it weren’t for risk taking I wouldn’t be where I was today. May of 2023, my wife and I sold our house in Alabama and moved back to her home state of Colorado. We didn’t have jobs, we didn’t have a house, and we didn’t have any family to help us out here. We had no real plan. We took a huge risk of moving here not knowing what to expect and how we were going to make it work, but we knew we would. A year and a half later our risk has paid off. We both love what we do for work. We work at 980 Prime steak house in Cripple Creek. I also started my own Private Bartending company this year as well as revamped my Beard Care Company this year. Life has been good, and we wouldn’t have this life without risking everything we had previously.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have two small businesses, The Crafted Beardsman as well as The Crafted Bartender.

I first started The Crafted Beardsman in 2022 after being laid off from my job. I worked for a mortgage compa y at the tiem and the job was not fun or enjoyable whatsoever but it was paying the bills. Once I got laid off I decided to do something that I really wanted to to do and I took another risk. Instead of looking for work, I created my company The Crafted Beardsman Llc. I was dedicating my time and money towards creating an amazing All Natural Beard Care product that I could be proud of. I started small and took my time with it. In no time I had 3 products and 6 scents under my beard care line. For the next year and a half I was selling at farmer markets, holiday events, vendor booths, etc. I took a pause when we moved to Colorado so we could focus on getting established here. At the end of 2023 I started looking into selling my products at local farmers markets. It was a huge success, people loved the products and I had great feedback! In the beginning of 2024 I really started pushing my products more. I’m selling them online as well as in store fronts. I have my products set up in 4 local shops spanning from Florissant Co down to Colorado Springs Co. Currently I am updating my brands look and revamping the products to add new scents and more products.

While expanding and revamping The Crafted Beardsman I ha e also started my second business, The Crafted Bartender.

The Crafted Bartender is a Premium Private Bartending Service. I bring the bar and set up to you and your get together. I have had several events this year including private parties, a Pride Festival, as well as a Charity event for TCRAS. I have started out slow and testing the waters while focusing on opening 980 and keeping our bar program their elevated. Now that were open and the bar is doing great I plan on opening the books full time in 2025.

I’ve gone through a lot of work to get to where I am today and very proud of how far I’ve come and excited to see where I go in 2025.

A couple things set me apart from the rest. One of those things would be my hospitality. I’ve been in the hospitality world since 14 years old, I’m 31 now. I will always go above and beyond to make sure my customers and clients are happy. I have a very simple rule, just treat everyone with respect and be kind to all. This goes a long way!

The next thing that sets me apart is that im passionate in what i do. You cant teach passion. I absolutely love what i do and the outcome shows that! I always give my all when it comes to creating a product for somebody. Whether thats a beard product or a cocktail. When it comes to private bartending, I will work with the host(s) to ensure we have the perfect cocktail(s) for their event and I won’t stop until we’re satisfied.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friends were coming out then would be traveling all over Colorado.

We’d start out in Denver since I assume I’m picking them up at DIA. I’d definitely take them to MeowWolf and spend half the day there. After MeoWolf were racing to Morrison for a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. It is my favorite venue that I’ve been too, and I was a bartender at a really cool Amphitheater in Alabama!

After that were making our way down south Colorado. We’re going to the Sand Dunes! Before we get to the Samd Dunes we’re stopping by and checking out the Gator farm. Yes, a Gator Farm, in Colorado! Spending the rest of the day at the Dunes, checking out the night sky with the telescope. Leave out in the morning and head back north. We’ll stop and take the Royal Gorge Train ride.

After that let’s get back to the front range. We’re stopping in Colorado Springs and going to the Cheyenne Zoo. It’s my favorite Zoo! While we’re their we’ll visit and hike the Garden of the Gods.

When were done with the Springs were going to Cripple Creek and enjoying the history of the small town and eating at the best Fine Dining Steak House in Coloado, 980 Prime. After that we can enjoy the Chamonix Hotel and casino for the night. They have a spa, gym, pool, and the casino of course. After that were going north again, making our way to get some skiing and snowboarding. Finishing off the trip in Estes Park and visiting the Rocky Mountain National Park.

These are a few of my favorite things in Coloado. Though I ha e not been snowboarding yet, it is on the list of new things to try!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to shout out my wife. She has always been my biggest encouragement as well as my biggest supporter. She’s absolutely my rock in this world. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.

I would also like to thank Yassine and Chef Barry, the owners of 980 Prime. They took a huge risk in opening 980 Prime in the tiny town of Cripple Creek Colorado. Having me as their Bartender has been life changing for me and I will always have gratitude for what they’ve done.

Website: https://www.thecraftedbartender.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecraftedbartender/profilecard/?igsh=MW9mdGd3Zm93MWJweA==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecraftedbeardsman?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
Samantha Saylor – Photographer