Hey everybody!
I’m currently in the process of starting up an event bartending business. My plan is to provide bartending services for weddings, birthdays, and private parties of 50-150 people, as this seems like a size my girlfriend and I can handle without having to hire employees.
So far I’ve formed an LLC, almost finished my website, and have a business card design ready to print. I’m looking to purchase a mobile bar set-up next (looking at this one to start https://www.eventstable.com/8-bar-set.html) plus I have about $250 worth of supplies in my Amazon cart. This would bring my total money spent so far to around $1000.
One of my big questions is how much is too much to charge? I read somewhere that a good price point for weddings is $4 per person per hour. So a 100 person event for 4 hours would cost $1600 plus possibly a fee for the mobile bar + supplies provided, does this sound reasonable?
I’m also curious about the best way to advertise my services. I currently work as a bartender and am going to mention it to some of my close regulars. I plan on starting an instagram and Tik Tok but I’m not sure how much business that will bring in. Other than that are paid ads/Craigslist going to be enough?
Any and all advice/tips/warnings welcome and if you currently own or have owned a business like this please DM me!
Thank you all!
I’ve bartended several events under my friend’s company. Actually just got covid from my last gig on Saturday, fun stuff. :/ anyway…
Referral was honestly 100% of their business after the first year. Every wedding you are basically meeting 50-100 people. Make a great impression, and someone will know someone getting married.
Also your website seo and a couple local wedding websites should get you started. Though your first job might be through someone you know personally.
Perhaps we had the wrong pricing model, ours was certainly different. We charged hourly for wages, and everything else was quoted based on requirements. If you can make $1600 for 4 hours then go for it!
One job I did was 300 people, 3 bartenders, and we charged $20 an hour (10 hours) and made a little over $600 in tips each (though that’s a rarity in successful tips). We did little to no setup and brought almost no gear. Bartender who set it up pocketed a small fee (under $200) for consultation and getting the crew.
Another job we had 2 of us for 140 people. Same wage, made closer to $300 in tips each. The company though did all of the liquor ordering, mobile bar stand, equipment, plastic cups, setup in the morning, even rented two kegs… basically everything had a cost and a small margin on top of it depending on the workload. The owners didn’t bartend that gig at all, just setup.
If the job was token/tickets or open bar, we charged double hourly wages.
Have a detailed contract for starters. Be very clear about what you do and don’t do. We are not being paid to clear tables and that needs to be specified. If you are not supplying glasswear, have it in the contract.
Jobs over 45 minutes away had a travel charge (depends where you live)
Always ask if you are being fed. I’ve yet to not be fed at a wedding.
If event/family is ordering alcohol, discourage having large varieties of beers/cooler/etc. It is a pain to keep cold, stock, and tell guests all night. Anything over 8 unique items basically sucks imo.
It takes experience knowing what amount to order. (Laws vary all over I presume). It’s better to order too much of everything. Anything unopened can be returned (law depending). Sometimes you make a delicious drink (paloma for example), and people start asking and wanting that drink they saw go by. Next thing you know a quarter of the event is drinking them. Family figured there weren’t any tequila drinkers at the event, yet by 9pm you run out. Not cool. (Fine if it’s near the nights end)
Cans are better than 2L. Something to note if family is bringing in the pop.
Finally, say no if need be. You’ll start noticing the cheap clients. They’ll want to take advantage of your service (contracts are key). It’s stereotypically one of the mother’s, and she’ll say “well at this wedding they did this”. Stick to your pricing, and pass on shitty jobs.
Ultimately the company shutdown after 6 or so years. It was a great side business, booked solid, but they decided it just wasn’t scalable. Money was great, but slow in winter and owners wanted their weekends back.
Hopefully that helps. I wasn’t an owner so take my knowledge with a grain of salt.