How Much Should a Bartender Charge for a Private Party?

Written by Staff Writer

A bartender pours a cocktail at an outdoor bar at an event.

You can staff the same headcount and the same venue and still offer two very different quotes. How much a bartender charges is based on details.

Does the host want beer and wine or a full cocktail menu? How tight is the timeline? How far do you have to travel? Hosts need to set a realistic budget. As a bartender, you need pricing that is competitive but fair.

This guide is here to help. You will learn what drives costs, how different pricing models work and what questions to ask so you don’t face surprise fees or losses. You will also get a simple pricing formula with examples you can tailor to a range of events.

How Bartenders Price Private Events

Most private bartenders price events using either an hourly rate, a flat fee or a per-person package. The best model for each situation depends on the number of guests, add-ons and host flexibility.

Hourly Pricing

Hourly pricing is common for individual operators, especially for smaller events. Charge between $30 and $70 per hour on average, often with a minimum number of hours.

This is a good choice for hosts who want flexibility in the offerings or are planning a small or short party. However, since this just the labor cost, additional fees and add-ons can add up quickly.

Flat-Fee Packages

For mid- to large-scale events, or for a mobile bartending company with staff and equipment, flat-fee packages are a popular option.

Flat fees commonly run from $300 to $700 per event, depending on hours, staffing and included services. This model works well when the host wants a quote with one clear number and the bartender wants a simple guaranteed minimum.

If you want predictable payouts, a flat fee can make revenue planning easier.

Sample Pricing Formulas and Examples

Bartender pricing usually falls into a few common structures. The right fit depends on your event length, service style and whether you are pricing for an individual bartender or a whole mobile bar company.

Hourly Rate Pricing

With an hourly rate, you charge per bartender, per hour, often with a minimum number of hours.

  • Formula: Hourly rate × hours × number of bartenders
  • Example: $50/hour × 5 hours × 2 bartenders = $500

Hourly pricing works best at more casual events with a concrete timeline.

Flat Rate Pricing

A flat rate bundles service into one price, usually for a set time window. It may include setup and breakdown, and it may exclude add-ons like travel or specialty cocktails.

  • Formula: Flat event rate + any add-ons
  • Example: $650 flat rate for up to 4 hours + $75 travel fee = $725

Flat rates are best when you want predictable costs and fewer line items.

Per-Person Packages

Per-person pricing works best with a set headcount. This model is common for larger events and weddings, especially since setup, staffing and service items are easy to calculate in advance.

For larger events, you can expect to charge from $10 to $30 per guest.

No matter what you choose, a good quote states the pricing model, the minimum hours, a clear list of included services and a choice of add-ons that can change the total. As a bartender, that clarity protects your time and your margins while respecting your clients’ budgets.

What’s Included and What Costs Extra

Hiring a bartender is more than paying someone to pour drinks. Your quote often covers the labor and basic services you provide, then adds optional perks based on the menu, the venue and how much setup is needed.

In most cases, the host provides the alcohol. However, you may want to include a liquor package as a separate quote, just in case.

Your basic bartending service should include:

  • Live service during the event.
  • Basic bar tools like a shaker, jigger, bar spoon, bottle opener and wine key.
  • Basic bar management such as keeping the station clean, restocking supplies and pacing service.

If your client only needs you to run a simple bar, this is the core package they usually expect.

Common Add-Ons

Some add-ons are optional, while others may be required inclusions due to the nature of the venue, menu or timeline.

Setup and breakdown time usually adds two to three hours beyond live service for staging, ice runs, garnish prep and cleanup.

  • Alcohol shopping or pickup: You might charge a shopping or service fee if the host wants you to purchase alcohol.
  • Mixers, garnishes and supplies: These costs add up fast, especially for cocktail-heavy menus.
  • Equipment rentals: You may need to rent portable bars, coolers, glassware and specialty tools beyond your usual kit.
  • Travel fees: Add travel fees for venues outside your usual service area, often 30 to 50 miles away. You might charge a flat fee or per mile of travel.
  • Overtime and late end times: If the event runs past the agreed end time, add overtime charges. Starting around 1.5x the regular rate is customary. Confirm when service ends, the overtime rate and whether it is billed in 30- or 60-minute blocks up front.
  • Holiday or peak season charge: Popular event seasons and dates, especially during holidays and weekends, might require an additional fee.
  • Gratuity: Tips often are not included unless your quote lists an automatic service charge.

These add-ons drive most price differences between quotes, so ask about them early.

Drink Offerings

Beyond event size, the biggest driver of staffing and pricing is what you plan to serve. The drink menu directly controls the equipment and labor needed, and the simplest way to lower the total cost is to simplify what you serve.

Beer and Wine Only

If your host wants to keep things simple and save some money, they should stick with beer and wine. There is less to buy since they can skip most mixers and garnishes, and you will not need much specialty bar gear. You will spend less time prepping each glass and drinks will come out faster.

Full Cocktail Service

Full cocktail service takes more time and more hands-on work than beer and wine. You must measure, shake, stir, build garnishes and clean up more often. You also need to stock a wider mix of items, including premium spirits (if you provide them), mixers, garnishes and even specialty glassware.

If you need to manage a complex menu with custom syrups, complex garnishes, smoke or other advanced techniques, charge appropriately. In high-demand markets, experienced mixologists can command a premium rate.

Batch Cocktails

A middle ground between these two services is batch cocktails, which allows you to keep cocktail service while simplifying the menu and reducing staffing needs. A limited menu of batched or rail drinks can be made faster and lower the effort needed compared to full cocktail service.

Event Size and Staffing

Event size shapes price because it drives staffing needs, speed of service and supply volume. To keep lines short and service smooth, larger gatherings demand more staff and a higher budget.

As a general rule of thumb, plan for one bartender for every 50 guests when you serve cocktails and mixed drinks, or one for every 75 guests when serving beer and wine.

Barback vs. Additional Bartender A bartender’s assistant, often called a barback, usually costs less than an additional bartender. A barback can restock ice, refill mixers, clear empties and keep the bar organized while focus on making drinks. Adding a barback to your team often saves money versus adding a second bartender.

Individual Bartender vs. Mobile Bar Company

As an individual bartender, you may be able to charge for labor only. But if you run a mobile bar company, you may bundle staffing, equipment and logistics into one price. Depending on the package, that may include bar setup, ice management, basic mixers, glassware options and liability coverage.

If your client wants a simple service add-on for their party, an individual bartender may cost less. If they want a full bar setup with all-inclusive service, the convenience of a mobile bar company can be worth the higher price.

Get Bartender Basics

Whether you are booking a bartender or quoting a job, clarity matters. Confirm the service style, define what is included and agree on last call and overtime terms before the first drink is poured.

For more bartending basics, consider completing our Alcohol Seller Server course. You will learn responsible service standards, how to check IDs and how to spot intoxication before it becomes a problem, so that every event runs smoothly behind the bar.