Cautney Tatiana Nelson is rewriting what it means for people to have a scientific experience. The CEO of The Drunken Laboratory developed the world’s first Science and Sip®, an experiential event where live experiments come together with drinks, games, and merriment. From its debut, more than 10,000 visitors have entered this special world of discovery through hands-on activity. Her love for STEM education extends far beyond entertainment. She created MillennialScnce, a non-profit organization focused on providing mentorship and career exposure to students in underserved communities for careers in science, technology, engineering, and business. With interactive programs, she’s bridging the gap to make STEM more accessible and inspiring the future generation of entrepreneurs.
Cautney is a graduate of Biochemistry from Stony Brook University and has experience in business development, immersive environments, and startup leadership. She also held a fellowship with the STEM Advocacy Institute. In this interview, Cautney discusses her goals, inspirations, vision, and secrets to successful entrepreneurship.
Cautney, your innovative approach with The Drunken Laboratory has seamlessly blended science education with nightlife entertainment. Could you share what inspired you to create this unique fusion, and how your background influenced this endeavor?
The idea for The Drunken Laboratory was born from my passion for making science fun and accessible. It all started as an after-school program designed to introduce disadvantaged students to the incredible world of science. After leaving my job as a patient coordinator in 2019, I founded MillennialScnce, a nonprofit dedicated to providing interactive STEM education to underprivileged students. While teaching these hands-on experiments, I noticed that adults were just as fascinated as the kids. That realization led me to explore a fresh way to engage an older audience.
That realization sparked an idea: Why should all the fun be reserved for children? Science is inherently exciting, and I wanted to create a space where adults could relive that sense of wonder. In October 2019, I launched Science & Sip—an immersive experience where adults could conduct thrilling experiments while sipping cocktails with friends. Without a venue, reviews, or even a social media presence, our first event sold out in just two weeks on Groupon.
The overwhelming response proved there was a demand for an experience that blended science, entertainment, and social connection. That’s how Science & Sip evolved into The Drunken Laboratory—an electrifying mix of interactive experiments, competitive games, a live DJ, and craft cocktails. It’s science, but with a twist—one that keeps people engaged, entertained, and maybe even a little tipsy.
In your interview with Authority Magazine, you mentioned that your passion for science education led you to start an after-school program called MillennialScnce. How did this experience shape your vision for The Drunken Laboratory, and what lessons did you carry over from working with underprivileged students to engaging adult audiences?
My work with MillennialScnce reinforced a core belief: Learning should never feel like a chore. When I was designing STEM programs for students, I focused on making science hands-on, immersive, and, most importantly, fun. I saw firsthand that when people engage with science in an interactive way—whether it’s launching rockets or creating chemical reactions—they naturally become more curious and excited.
That same philosophy is the foundation of The Drunken Laboratory. Science isn’t just something you read about—it’s something you do. I took the engagement techniques that worked for kids and adapted them for adults, adding a social, competitive, and high-energy atmosphere. The experiments at The Drunken Laboratory aren’t just demonstrations; they’re experiences where guests actively participate, strategize, and compete.
One of the biggest lessons I carried over is that people of all ages learn best when they’re having fun. Whether it’s a 10-year-old making slime or a group of adults battling for the title of “Best Scientist of the Night,” the excitement is universal. Science, when presented the right way, brings out the inner child in everyone.
The Drunken Laboratory offers an immersive experience where guests don lab coats and conduct experiments while enjoying themed cocktails. How do you design these experiments to ensure they are both scientifically educational and entertaining for participants?
At The Drunken Laboratory, we take great care in curating each experiment to strike the perfect balance between educational value and entertainment. Our goal is to make science come alive in a way that’s interactive, engaging, and fun. We design experiments with real scientific principles in mind, ensuring that every activity is grounded in solid STEM concepts. However, we also incorporate elements that allow participants to have a blast—whether through interactive games, unexpected results, or challenges that get everyone involved. From the initial reaction to the final product, every step is intended to surprise and delight, making science feel accessible and exciting. The inclusion of themed cocktails and a lively atmosphere further enhances the experience, transforming what could be a formal learning session into an unforgettable night of science and fun.
Your initiative has been described as a cultural movement that makes science accessible and fun. What strategies have you employed to break down the intimidation often associated with STEM fields, and how do you measure the impact of your work on participants’ perceptions of science?
The key to breaking down the intimidation associated with STEM is to present science in a way that’s approachable and engaging. We’ve intentionally designed The Drunken Laboratory to be a welcoming environment where science is not a lecture—it’s an adventure. By combining interactive experiments, socializing with cocktails, and friendly competition, we create an atmosphere that allows participants to experience science in a fun, low-pressure way. It’s all about showing that science isn’t a subject locked away in textbooks or laboratories, but something that can be experienced and enjoyed in everyday life.
To measure the impact, we rely heavily on feedback from participants. Whether through direct comments or reviews, we track how guests feel about the experience. We’ve seen time and time again that people leave with a renewed sense of excitement and curiosity about science, which speaks volumes about the shift in perception we’re aiming for. Additionally, our growing number of sold-out events and expanding locations are clear indicators that the public resonates with this new approach to science.
Balancing the educational aspects of science with the entertainment elements of nightlife can be challenging. How do you ensure that The Drunken Laboratory maintains scientific integrity while providing a fun and engaging atmosphere for guests?
It’s certainly a delicate balance, but one that’s crucial to The Drunken Laboratory’s success. We prioritize scientific integrity by ensuring that every experiment and activity we feature is based on actual STEM concepts. We work with experts to design the experiments, so guests can be assured they are learning authentic science. At the same time, we recognize that this is an entertainment-focused experience, and the key to engagement is to make science fun. By pairing each experiment with themed cocktails, a live DJ, and moments of friendly competition, we keep the energy high and the atmosphere lively. The goal is to create an experience where learning feels spontaneous, fun, and part of the overall celebration. Ultimately, it’s about blending the intellectual with the enjoyable in a way that captivates and educates simultaneously.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for expanding The Drunken Laboratory, and how do you envision its role in promoting science literacy and enthusiasm among broader audiences in the future?
Looking ahead, we have big plans for expansion, with our third brick-and-mortar location opening in Atlanta this Fall 2025 and one more location, which we will announce soon. The Drunken Laboratory has already resonated with guests in New York and Houston, and we’re eager to bring this immersive experience to more cities. As we continue to grow, we aim to reach even more diverse audiences, making science a fun and accessible part of their lives. We also hope to further develop partnerships with schools, universities, and other institutions to make The Drunken Laboratory a go-to destination for both entertainment and educational outreach. Ultimately, our vision is to use the power of fun, hands-on science to inspire curiosity, spark new interests, and make science literacy an exciting and integral part of modern culture. Our expanding footprint is just the beginning of what we hope will become a widespread cultural movement that brings science to the masses in an unforgettable way.