Wedding Planning Tools – Questions to Ask Your Bartending Service

Updated – 3/25/2024

When planning a wedding, there are numerous vendors to consider hiring. If you plan to serve alcoholic beverages at your reception, it’s important to hire the best bartending service to ensure that your guests are well taken care of and that all regulations are followed. To assist you in selecting the right service, we have compiled a list of questions to ask potential bartending services.

1. Do you have my date available?
2. Are you a people person? (aka have an actual convo before booking, if they don’t engage in conversation, they may not be the one).
3. Have you worked at my venue before?
4. Do you have your ABC License?
5. Does your company have a business license?
6. Does your bartending company have liquor liability and general liability?
7. Do you ask for ID’s from guests who you think might be underage?
8. Can we provide our own alcohol?
9. What is included in your service? (i.e., bartenders, number of hours, clean-up, bar, etc.)
10. How many bartenders will be needed to serve our number of guests?
11. Do you offer Flair Bartending?
12. Can we do a cash bar?
13. Will you set up a tip jar?
14. Do you have a travel fee for my venue?
15. Is more than one bar needed in order to avoid lines?
16. What equipment do you provide? (i.e. bar, glassware, etc.)
17. How much set up and clean up time do you need?
18. What uniforms do the bartenders wear?
19. What will happen to leftover alcohol?
20. Who is providing the mixers, garnishes, ice, and cups?
21. How will drinks be chilled, and who is responsible for doing so
22. Do you provide the coolers for the ice?
23. How much ice will be needed? Who is providing the ice?
24. Can you tell me how much alcohol & non-alcoholic beverages to purchase?
25. Can you give recommendations for what drinks and beer to serve?

Besides asking questions, make sure to Always Read Reviews!!! And if you hire someone you love, be sure to leave them one!

We have a printable version with space for you to make notes. Download your Free copy here. Be sure to check out the amazing bartenders and other vendors on Happily Connected!