Bartenders for Hire Near Me

A professional event bartender typically costs between $200-$300 for four hours. Pricing may vary depending on your location, the number of guests, and whether the bartending service is priced per hour or by a flat rate with a minimum time requirement. If your event requires a bar back as well, this can increase the total. Those with special skills, such as a flair bartender, might also come at a higher cost.

What exactly is provided with the bartending services depends on the company you choose. Some bartending companies are full service, meaning they provide the bartenders as well as the mixing equipment, glassware, ice, coolers, and mixers. Alcohol is available for purchase at an additional cost. Other businesses offer only their bartending services, and you would cover all alcohol and bar supply needs. Discuss these details before you hire a bartender for a party or special event.

Mixologists are known for creating well-crafted concoctions with sophisticated ingredients. Flair bartenders are more like entertainers, performing close-up juggling and bottle-flipping for a lively pour.

While tipping vendors and event staff is expected, it’s up to you to decide how that looks. Bartenders always appreciate tips from their patrons, but if you’d rather take care of the tip yourself, you can offer gratuity after your event has ended. If you are concerned about a tip jar looking tacky, you may try negotiating a reasonable gratuity based on time, type of alcohol, and the number of guests in attendance.

If you know how to tend bar or want to learn, then you can absolutely become a private bartender for special events!

First and foremost, you need to familiarize yourself with a variety of drinks that are commonly ordered. Buy recipe books or research online and practice making mixed drinks and cocktails. There are also bartending classes you can take to learn new skills. But as with any career, experience is a great way to learn the trade quickly so get out there and serve wherever you can. Start with friends and family events, and then work toward building connections in the event industry to meet people who might hire a bartender in the future.

If you’re just hiring out your services as labor, then all of the alcohol and glassware should be provided for you. However, there are some essentials you will likely need at the event such as a trash bin, cutting board and knife, coolers and ice, mixing equipment, and napkins. If you want to provide a full bartending service, you might consider investing in a portable bar as well as mixing equipment, glassware, and coolers.

Pricing your services should be figured out after you’ve outlined the costs of starting your business. You also want to look at your local competitors’ pricing to provide a comparable rate for your own clients. On average, mobile private bartenders make between $200-$300 for a 4-hour gig.