You’ve got a party coming up. Maybe it’s a birthday, an engagement, a summer garden party, or a corporate event where you want people to actually enjoy themselves and not just drink warm wine from plastic cups.
At some point, you realise:
“Okay, we need a real bar – and a real bartender.”
But then the questions start:
- Where do I even find a bartender for party?
- What should I ask them?
- How do I know if they’re professional?
- And what if I also want cocktail and mocktail catering?
This guide walks you through everything step by step – in normal language – so you can make a confident choice and avoid last-minute chaos.
1. Decide What You Actually Want: Simple Bar or Full Experience?
Before you start sending messages on Google or Instagram, get clear on what kind of bar experience you want.
Ask yourself:
- Is this a private party (birthday, house party, wedding, garden party)?
- Is this a corporate event (office party, client event, product launch)?
- Do I want just basic drinks (beer, wine, simple gin & tonic)?
- Or do I want signature cocktails, mocktails, and a “wow” bar experience?
If you just need someone to pour beer and wine for a small group, your needs are different from someone planning a 150-person company Christmas party with a full cocktail bar.
Being clear about this makes it much easier to choose the right service and get accurate quotes.
2. Choosing Between a Solo Bartender and a Full Service
There are usually two main options:
Option A: Hiring a bartender for the party
Here you’re mainly paying for:
- The bartender’s time and skills
- Professional service behind the bar
- Sometimes basic tools (shakers, strainers, jiggers, etc.)
You usually handle:
- Buying the alcohol
- Buying mixers, garnishes, ice (unless agreed otherwise)
- Providing a table or bar area (or renting one)
This option is great if:
- You already know what you want to serve
- You’re comfortable shopping for drinks yourself
- You’re hosting a small–medium private event
Option B: Booking cocktail and mocktail catering
Here you get a more complete experience. Depending on the company, this can include:
- Full cocktail menu (classic + signature drinks)
- Beautiful bar setup and glassware
- Alcohol, mixers, syrups, garnishes
- Professional bartenders and sometimes barbacks
- Non-alcoholic options that look and feel just as special
This is ideal when:
- You want the bar to be a central experience, not just a side table
- You’re hosting a corporate event and want it to feel polished
- You don’t want to think about anything bar-related – just enjoy your own event
3. Important Things to Check Before You Say “Yes”
No matter which option you choose, there are a few non-negotiables you should check.
✅ Licensing and Responsible Serving
Ask directly:
- “Do you have the required license/certification for serving alcohol here?”
- “Are you trained in responsible serving and handling guests who’ve had too much?”
A professional bartender or catering service should be able to answer this clearly.
If they sound unsure or dismissive, that’s a warning sign.
✅ Insurance
For both private and corporate events, you should ask:
- “Do you have liability insurance, and can you send proof?”
This helps protect you if something goes wrong related to the bar service.
✅ Experience with Your Type of Event
Not every bartender is right for every event. Ask:
- “What kind of events do you usually work?”
- “Have you done corporate events / weddings / home parties like this before?”
For a corporate event, you might want a more polished, discreet style.
For a birthday or house party, you might prefer someone more relaxed and chatty.
4. How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bartender?
Prices vary a lot depending on your city, the date, and the level of service.
But generally, you’ll see two structures:
Hourly Rate
Many bartenders charge an hourly fee, for example:
- X per hour for a minimum of 3–4 hours
You might see extra fees for:
- Extra hours
- Travel outside the city
- Late-night events
Package Price
For cocktail and mocktail catering or more complete bar setups, you’ll often get packages like:
- 3–4 hours of service
- Fixed number of cocktails per guest
- All ingredients and equipment included
When you get a quote, ask for a clear breakdown:
- What exactly is included?
- Is glassware included?
- Are there any hidden or “from” prices that can increase later?
5. Questions You Should Always Ask Before Booking
Here’s a simple list you can literally copy and paste when you message them:
- Availability & Date
- Are you available on [date] at [time]?
- Are you available on [date] at [time]?
- What’s Included?
- Do you provide only the bartender, or also alcohol, mixers, and glassware?
- Do you bring your own bar tools and setup?
- Do you provide only the bartender, or also alcohol, mixers, and glassware?
- Menu and Customisation
- Do you have a standard cocktail menu?
- Can you create 2–3 signature drinks that match our theme or brand?
- Do you have a standard cocktail menu?
- Staffing
- For [X] guests, how many bartenders do you recommend?
- Do we also need a barback for larger groups?
- For [X] guests, how many bartenders do you recommend?
- Setup and Cleanup
- When will you arrive to set up?
- How long does setup and breakdown usually take?
- Do you handle bar cleanup (bottles, bar trash, wiping surfaces)?
- When will you arrive to set up?
- Responsible Serving
- How do you handle guests who have had too much to drink?
If they answer these clearly and confidently, it’s usually a good sign.
6. How to Make Sure the Bar Fits Your Event
For Private Parties
If you’re hiring a bartender for party at home, in a garden, or in a rented space:
- Check if they’ve worked in small or informal locations before
- Ask what they need from you: table, water access, electricity, fridge space
- Ask for suggestions on how much alcohol to buy for your guest count
A good bartender will happily help you plan quantities so you don’t massively overbuy (or run out in the first hour).
For Corporate Events
For corporate or branded events, you might care more about:
- Presentation and branding (uniform, clean setup, maybe branded menus)
- A balance between fun and professionalism
- Mocktail options for colleagues or clients who don’t drink
This is where cocktail and mocktail catering really shines – you can have beautiful drinks that match your brand colours or theme, without making alcohol the only focus.
7. Red Flags to Watch Out For
You might want to think twice if:
- They refuse to talk about licenses or insurance
- They reply very late or inconsistently to messages
- Their prices are much lower than everyone else with no clear explanation
- Reviews mention no-shows, late arrivals, or bad attitude
A slightly higher price is often worth it for someone reliable, especially when your whole event depends on them showing up and doing a good job.
8. Quick Checklist Before You Confirm
Here’s a simple checklist you can use:
- ✅ I know what kind of event I’m hosting (private/corporate)
- ✅ I decided whether I want a bartender for a party or full cocktail and mocktail catering
- ✅ I checked licenses and insurance
- ✅ I understand the price and what’s included
- ✅ We talked about the menu and the number of guests
- ✅ I know when they arrive, set up, and finish
- ✅ All key details are confirmed in writing (email or contract)
If you can tick these boxes, you’re in a perfect place.
