Everything you need to know before you book

Hiring a professional bartender costs $69 per hour with By The Hour Bartending. This flat rate includes a TIPS & RBS-certified bartender, all bar tools and equipment, and a free custom alcohol shopping list — no hidden fees, no travel charges, no markup on alcohol. Most events run 4-6 hours, putting your total between $276 and $414 for a single bartender.

A wedding bartender costs $69 per hour, with most weddings requiring 6-8 hours of service. For a typical 100-guest wedding, you will need 2 bartenders, bringing your total to approximately $828-$1,104. Unlike package-based services that charge $2,000-$5,000+, our hourly model means you only pay for the time you actually need.

The general rule is 1 bartender per 50 guests for cocktail events, or 1 per 75 guests for beer-and-wine only events. For example: 50 guests = 1 bartender, 100 guests = 2 bartenders, 150+ guests = 3 bartenders. Adding a barback (helper) is recommended for events over 100 guests to keep service fast and your bar stocked.

No travel fees — flat $69/hour everywhere in our service zones. Setup and cleanup are optional add-ons (charged at the standard hourly rate per bartender) so you only pay for them if you want them. Most clients add setup & cleanup for stress-free events. You see the full breakdown in your custom quote before booking — zero surprises.

Standard tipping for event bartenders is 15-20% of the total service cost, or $50-$100 per bartender for a typical event. Tipping is never required and is always optional. Some hosts prefer a "tip jar" for guests, while others include gratuity in their final payment directly. Do whatever fits your event style.

Our minimum booking is 3 hours of service. This ensures bartenders have proper time to set up, serve, and clean up your event without rushing. For special situations or off-peak times, contact us directly — we may be able to accommodate shorter requests.

Your $69/hour rate includes a TIPS & RBS-certified bartender, all professional bar tools and equipment (minus a bar), and a free custom alcohol shopping list tailored to your guest count. Add-ons like setup & cleanup, servers, barbacks, champagne service, and shot service are available as optional extras.

You buy the alcohol — we do not sell or mark up alcohol. Instead, we provide a free custom shopping list based on your guest count, drink preferences, and event type, telling you exactly what to buy and how much. This approach saves most hosts $300-$800 compared to bartending companies that include alcohol in their packages.

Cups, ice, mixers, and garnishes are not included by default — you will purchase these based on our free shopping list recommendations. This keeps your costs transparent and lets you control quality and quantity. We bring all professional bar tools and equipment needed to actually serve the drinks.

We offer bartending at a flat rate of $69/hour per bartender, including all bar tools minus a bar. A bar is not necessary — our bartenders are accustomed to working behind anything and everything, which saves you a large expense. We also include a free shopping list made specifically for your event for all your alcohol and supplies. This allows you to hold on to all the savings. Add-ons like servers, barbacks, and special services are available.

Absolutely — custom cocktail menus and signature drinks are included free with every booking. Whether it is a wedding-themed cocktail, your favorite recipe, or a creative bartender choice, we will build a 3-5 drink menu tailored to your event. Share your preferences during the quote process or with your bartender before the event.

Yes — every bartender is TIPS and RBS certified (responsible alcohol service), and we carry $2 million in liability insurance on every event. A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is available upon request after booking, which most venues require. This protects you, your guests, and your event location.

Every bartender on our roster has a minimum of 2 years of professional event experience, with many having 5-10+ years. They are background-checked, trained in our service standards, and handle 100+ events per year. We have successfully served at over 4,500 events ranging from intimate dinners to 500-guest weddings.

While direct bartender selection is not standard, you will receive an automated check-in email 7 days before your event with your assigned bartender name and professional background. If you have specific requests (gender preference, language, experience level), share these during booking and we will match the best fit.

In over 4,500 events, we have had zero cancellations — but if anything ever happens, we immediately send a fully-vetted backup bartender at no extra cost. If we somehow fail to show up, you receive a 100% refund guarantee. Our on-call backup system ensures your event is never left without service.

Booking takes 3 simple steps: (1) Fill out our free online quote form with your event details, (2) Receive your custom quote via email within 5 minutes with two payment options, (3) Pay a 25% deposit to lock your date or 100% upfront. Your event is fully confirmed once payment is received — no phone calls required.

Book at least 2-4 weeks in advance for the best availability, especially for weekends and peak season (May-October, December). Weddings and large events should be booked 2-3 months ahead. We sometimes accommodate last-minute bookings within 7 days based on bartender availability — contact us directly for rush requests.

You choose: pay a 25% deposit to secure your date (with the 75% balance due 14 days before your event), or pay 100% upfront in one transaction. Both options are presented in your quote email with secure Stripe payment links. We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Our refund policy depends on what you have paid: If you have paid only the 25% deposit, the deposit is non-refundable (it secures your date and our bartender schedule). If you have paid 100% upfront, you are eligible for a 75% refund if you cancel. Date changes are usually accommodated free of charge based on availability — contact us anytime to reschedule.

Last-minute bookings (within 7 days) are accommodated based on bartender availability and may include a rush fee. For same-day requests, call us directly at +1 (760) 899-2036. While we cannot always guarantee last-minute service, our backup roster gives us flexibility that most bartending companies cannot match.

We bartend for weddings, corporate events, private parties, birthdays, anniversaries, holiday parties, baby showers, graduation parties, retirement celebrations, fundraisers, brand activations, and more. From intimate 20-guest gatherings to 500+ guest weddings, our hourly model adapts to events of any size or formality.

We currently serve 58 cities across 31 US states, covering major metros and surrounding counties. There are no travel fees for events within our service zones. Check our Locations page for a full list, or submit a quote request — we will confirm coverage for your specific city within hours.

Bartenders arrive at your scheduled service start time, fully equipped and ready to serve. If you have added the optional setup & cleanup package, they will arrive 45 minutes early to prep the bar and stay 15 minutes after to clean up. Without setup/cleanup added, arrival is exactly at start time.

Have your alcohol, mixers, ice, cups, and garnishes ready at the bar area (per our free shopping list). Provide a 4-6 foot table or counter for the bar station, plus access to running water if possible. That is it — your bartender brings all professional tools and handles everything else.

Yes — all our bartenders are trained and certified to check IDs, monitor guest intoxication levels, and responsibly refuse service when necessary. This is part of our TIPS/RBS certification and protects both your guests and your event. We prioritize safety while keeping the celebration enjoyable for everyone.

A general rule is 1 drink per guest per hour for the duration of your event. For 50 guests at a 4-hour event = 200 drinks total. We make this easy with our free custom alcohol shopping list that calculates exact bottles, mixers, ice, and garnishes based on your specific guest count, event length, and drink preferences.

We recommend a curated menu of 3-5 cocktails (plus beer, wine, and soft drinks) for the best service speed and guest experience. Bartenders can make custom drinks if guests request them and ingredients are available, but a limited menu keeps lines short and quality high. Custom menus are designed during your booking process.

Absolutely — our bartenders are skilled at crafting creative mocktails, sodas, sparkling waters, and non-alcoholic cocktails for guests who prefer them. Including 1-2 signature mocktails on your menu is highly recommended for inclusive events. Just provide the non-alcoholic ingredients in your shopping list and we will handle the rest.