Things to Know Before You Start Shopping for a Bartending Service
How many here have planned a bar service for 150 guests? <cricket sounds>. Yep, unless you happen to also be an event planner, 99% of you haven’t done this before and we know that, so relax. Really, this is what we do and we are happy to hold your hand through every step of planning your bar service.
However, to give you all a head start as you start shopping around for different bar service companies, I would suggest that you think about what it is you’ll be wanting for your big day. It will be easier on both of us if you have answers to these 4 key questions before you fill out our inquiry forms.
What’s most important to you, experience or budget?
What type of beverages do you want to be served?
What will your guest count be?
Do you want to provide the alcohol?
So let’s talk about each of these topics for a minute.
Experience or budget.
When it comes to weddings, the sticker shock is real. So immediately you’re going to need to filter out what’s important and what’s not. If you want some ‘wow factor’ to be a part of your guests’ experience, then splurge on a few unique and charming elements! (Did someone just say “mobile bar?”) A more premium bartending service company with experiential elements is what you are looking for.
If saving money and keeping costs down are more important, then go with lower-cost bar service companies that offer just the basics.
What do you want to be served?
Now you don’t need to have specifics quite yet, but were you thinking beer/wine, beer/wine/basic mixed drinks, signature drinks, or maybe a combination of all of the above? Knowing this ahead can expedite getting a clearer picture of what your budget should be. This can also be helpful in comparing bar service proposals.
Your guest count
The number of guests attending will have the biggest effect on your bar bill. Typically each guest will consume 2 drinks in the first hour of the event and 1 drink each hour after that. Are your guests heavy drinkers? Double that. Is your event happening in a hot month? That means even more beverages, more ice, and more cost.
Supplying the alcohol
Most mobile bar services cannot acquire a liquor license, thus, you will be the one purchasing and supplying the alcohol. This can be a huge saving on your bar bill and you will have full control of what brands and types. However, this does mean that you will be shopping for and bringing the alcohol to the event site. If you’d rather not spend the time or labor, look to a full-service bartending service that has a liquor license.
There are many other details to be discussed, but these 3 questions will definitely get you in the ballpark and help you to decide what direction you’ll want to go when it comes to deciding on your bar service.
