Can I Buy You a Drink?

A local father and son duo, Ryan and James Williams, have come up with an ingenious new app.

Known as GYDO, an acronym for Get Your Drink On, one might best describe it as the alcoholic version of Interflora, a network which boasts 58,000 flower shops in 140 countries.

James, 26, a former student at Dos Pueblos High, City College and San Diego State, says that instead of purchasing blooms you can buy a drink for a friend or family anywhere in the world.

“It is like a digital gift card,” enthuses James, a model. “The idea is the gift of giving if you cannot make the occasion – to celebrate friendship or stay connected with the family or social circle.

“The app is free and supports local wineries and breweries. A number of places have signed so far, including the Island Brew Company in Carpinteria, Draughtsman, Aleworks, Brewlab, Willmore and the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Collective. The sky’s the limit.

“Our vision is having the app worldwide. We’ve had really good feedback.”

The service is completely free for venues and there’s a 25 cent transaction fee.

“We are going for volume,” adds James. “It shows people you are still thinking of them halfway across the world.”

The tony twosome have also produced a two-minute YouTube video, which can be accessed on www.gydo.me.

I’ll drink to that!