Bartenders

View Quoted Comment I've been to weddings and events in many states, rural and urban communities, rich and poor, where people properly host their guests. The few times I've been to events where their was a cash bar, guests were surprised, annoyed, and unable to pay for drinks since they didn't have cash. I could swing a drink for myself and my husband since I usually have a $20 in my purse, but that's it

Depending on your area bartenders make WAY more than $100 for 4 hours especially on a Fri or Sat night. If you ask someone to work you should pay them for that time. $25 an hour is a really good deal and tips are never guaranteed.

View Quoted Comment That is very understandable and I am from Charlotte but having the wedding in statesville. I asked the person before they agreed would that be enough and also said whatever tips you get you can keep. Nothing is set in stone we just going over some things and my father law has offered to bartend for free and I told him no because he needs to relax not bartend and I don’t wanna cheap anybody that’s why I am asking what do people normally pay to have someone that they know and work with to do an event and we also offered to pay more and he said that would be enough we didn’t have to pay him no more than that because we offered and he declined. Until now you know about the set up and clean up things but we don’t mind paying we just want to know how much would be the same as the 25 an hour. Cuz the bar will be set up all he has to do is serve and as far as clean up that will be an easy clean as well.

If you are planning on paying your bartender an hourly rate, then that rate would be for the entire time they are there, set-up and break-down included.

View Quoted Comment Yes that what I was thinking as well but I wasn’t sure and it was for 4 hours 25 and hour and that didn’t include the set up nor the break down fee so I didn’t know how much because he was coming in early to set up cuz he said the set up would take 2 hours but I wouldn’t know what is included in the set up at all.

A nonprofessional bartender? You'll need to look into liability insurance for the event because the "bartender" won't already have it in place.

View Quoted Comment I would ask him what exactly he needs two hours to set up for. I work in a restaurant and it never takes more than an hour to set up the bar. I think the most fair thing to do would be to pay him for 6 hours, including an hour set-up and an hour break down. That being said, the only reason you need a "licensed" bartender is for liability reasons. If something were to happen, you would be covered. But a "licensed" bartender doesn't mean anything really. The best and most experienced bartenders I know don't have any type of professional licensure. I personally would rather have a bartender that can properly stir a cocktail rather than a bartender that has zero experience but has taken a 45 minute online course to get a certificate.

Hey wanted it for cutting up the fruit and some other stuff he said. But we discussing it Monday so hopefully we figure something out.

I think you would need to pay someone for the entire time they are actually working (including set up/clean up).

I think $25 an hour is a good deal. Maybe talk to them about set up and say you only have an hour pay available (if money is tight) I don't see anything wrong with a cash bar. We are doing it because most our family and guest coming don't drink.

View Quoted Comment Thank you Danielle I thought it was too but apparently it is not enough but I talked to a couple bartenders since I posted this and they said that it is a good price But for it not to come with them setting up as well as break down they said I might have to do just do a flat rate.

Have you gotten quotes from other bartenders? I would do that, and see what the going rate is. I'm pretty confident other bartenders would charge for set up and clean up.

View Quoted Comment Hello FutureMrsD I did do that and I found a bartender that is charging 15 and hour and set up and breakdown is within the price as well as the travel fee. I asked them all the questions and told what was said about the other person and we talked it out even reviewed the contract and it stated everything that would be included as well as garnish. Which was something that I was buying as well as the cups alcohol and stirs and napkins.