By Vlad Kaly on August 11, 2025
If you’ve ever had a cocktail at a backyard wedding in Albuquerque and thought, “This feels different… in a good way,” there’s a good chance it came from Black Pearl. And the woman behind that experience? Simone Crum-Muckle. She’s the founder, the heart, and the steady hand guiding it all.
Simone’s not just running a mobile bartending company. She’s building something more personal. Black Pearl offers custom bar setups that help folks celebrate with style, without the stress of surprise bills or cookie-cutter service.
“We’re a dry hire service,” she says. “Clients bring the alcohol. We give them a full shopping list based on how many guests they have and what kinds of drinks they like. It’s still professional, but it’s more personal.”
Her husband plays a big role too. He’s been bartending for more than ten years, so he knows his stuff. He helps design the drink menus and makes sure every cocktail is just right. “He won’t batch drinks,” Simone says with a laugh. “Even when I tell him we could save time, he says no. He wants each one made fresh, just for that person.”
Black Pearl handles weddings, private events, and even hands-on mixology classes. Every couple gets their own signature drinks, plus mocktails and drink picks that actually match their crowd. Whether it’s an outdoor garden ceremony or a big family birthday, the team shows up ready to make it special.
And it doesn’t stop there. They also run interactive Mixology Party Experiences and a family-friendly Lemonade Pop-Up. From birthdays and school events to corporate mixers, Black Pearl keeps things creative and fun.
Simone grew up in Albuquerque and went to college at New Mexico State. With ties to both cities, she feels a strong connection to the whole state. “We’ve done events all over,” she says. “Taos, Santa Fe, Las Cruces. I don’t mind traveling for my people.”
Even the name Black Pearl tells a story. Simone, a proud Black woman with a love for pearls, wanted a name that honored both elegance and identity. “People see my skin first,” she says. “So it’s kind of a play on that. Pearls are known for beauty and refinement. Why can’t a Black pearl be just as beautiful?”
The idea for Black Pearl came after Simone’s own wedding. Everything went great… until the end of the night. The bar bill landed like a gut punch. “That feeling stuck with me,” she says. “We couldn’t even take the bottles home. I thought, there’s got to be a better way to do this.”
Simone’s no stranger to hard work. She studied anthropology and women’s studies, picked up a minor in biology, and later earned her MBA in finance. She worked in banking, supported nonprofits, and grew up helping out in her dad’s small businesses. “I’ve done the corporate thing,” she says. “This feels different. It feels like mine.”
But her biggest lessons didn’t come from school or the office.
In 2018, Simone’s younger brother died in a motorcycle accident. About a year later, her mom passed away unexpectedly. “It flipped everything,” she says. “Losing people like that makes you rethink your whole life. I knew I had to build something that really mattered.”
These days, Simone and her husband pour heart, hustle, and hospitality into every event. “We treat every event like it’s family,” she says. “We laugh, we dance, and we make sure everyone gets home safe.”
The road hasn’t been easy. There have been setbacks, plenty of no’s, and hard days. But Simone keeps going.
“I’ve lost a lot, but I’m still here,” she says. “If I can live through that kind of pain and still show up with love, then I know I can face whatever comes next.”
And you can feel that in every pour.
Based in Albuquerque, NM
Website: blackpearlmobilebar.com
Follow on Facebook, Instagram & Tiktok @blackpearlmobilebar505
Services: Book weddings, private events, & mixology parties
Email: contactus@blackpearlmobilebar.com
Phone: 505-627-1300
By Steve Packer Oct 22, 2024
Revolutionize strength training Marc Simon, an entrepreneur and former semi-professional athlete, has revolutionized the fitness world with his flagship product, the Flat Bar Fit. Designed to replace the traditional lat pull-down bar, the Flat Bar Fit offers a more dynamic and comprehensive workout experience. With a focus on enhancing muscle growth and tendon strength, Simon’s […]
By Brian Pouch May 14, 2024
Seattle, WA – What sets Jonathan Tung Photography apart is a focus on people. Specializing in weddings, engagements, and portraits, Jonathan Tung aims to capture the essence of his subjects in their most genuine forms. “It’s all about connecting with the people and telling their stories through my lens,” Jonathan explains. This people-first approach has […]