What’s Included in Our Bartending Package? Here's the Full Breakdown
If you’re planning an event and thinking about hiring a bartender, you might be wondering: what exactly is included in a bartending package?
Even it’s a wedding, birthday, corporate party, or backyard gathering, having a bartender makes things easier, more professional, and a lot more fun.
But before you book, it’s important to know what you’re paying for and what’s included in a standard bartending service.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about bartending packages, what they usually include, what’s optional, and how to get the most out of your booking.
This guide is based on how our service, By the Hour Bartending, operates, so you’ll have a clear and honest breakdown of what to expect.
Also Read: Our Bartending Packages
Professional Bartenders at an Hourly Rate
At By the HoOurur Bartending, we like to keep things simple and straightforward. We offer certified bartenders at a fixed hourly rate. No confusing contracts or hidden fees.
Bartender Hourly Fee: $59/hour
Barback Hourly Fee: $50/hour
Server Hourly Fee: $40/hour
What’s a barback? A barback is someone who supports the bartender by keeping the bar clean, stocked, and organized.
They make sure the bartender has everything they need during the event, helping everything run smoothly.
Also Read: Wedding Bartender in Riverside and Los Angeles County
Bartending Kit Included
Each bartender comes with a standard bartending kit. This includes all the basic tools needed to mix and serve drinks properly. These tools usually include:
Shaker
Muddler
Knife
Jigger (for measuring)
Strainer
Bar spoon
Bottle opener
Pour spouts
These are the essential tools that allow bartenders to prepare most classic and modern cocktails efficiently.
Custom Shopping List – Free!
One of the best perks of booking with us is the custom event-specific shopping list that we provide with every package. Once you book and tell us your event details, we create a personalized list for you. This list includes:
Alcohol suggestions (based on your preferred cocktails)
Mixers (like soda, juice, tonic, etc.)
Garnishes (lemons, limes, herbs)
Ice and quantities
Cups or glassware if needed
This saves you time and stress. Just take the list, shop (or have it delivered), and you’re good to go.
We Partner With Total Wine for Delivery
To make things even easier, we’ve partnered with Total Wine & More. You can choose to have your alcohol, mixers, and garnishes delivered straight to your event. This is optional, but many of our clients love it because it saves them a trip and ensures everything arrives on time.
Cocktail Menu Customization
We don’t limit you to a set drink menu. When you hire one of our bartenders, they can make any drink you like—as long as you provide the ingredients. Just tell us your favorite drinks or a theme you’re going for, and we’ll help guide you on what to buy.
Want margaritas, mojitos, and vodka lemonades? No problem. Prefer classics like Old Fashioneds or Whiskey Sours? We got you covered. We’ll also suggest popular cocktails based on the time of year or event type.
No Full Bar Setup (Only Bartender + Kit)
It’s important to note that we do not bring full bar setups like portable bars, ice bins, tables, or coolers. We only provide the bartender and the essential bartending tools. Clients are responsible for providing the workspace, table, or bar area.
This is one of the reasons our rates are so affordable. You only pay for the service you need, and we don’t charge extra for large setups unless you request additional staff.
Experienced, Certified Bartenders
All our bartenders are certified through programs like TIPS, ABC, or ServSafe. They are trained in:
Alcohol safety
Checking IDs
Preventing over-serving
Handling guests with care and professionalism
Most of our bartenders have worked over 50 events, ranging from small home parties to large-scale weddings and corporate functions. They know how to handle all kinds of guests, drink requests, and event situations.
Dress Code and Presentation
Yes, our bartenders dress professionally and can even match your event’s theme if requested. Whether it’s a formal wedding or a casual beach party, our staff comes prepared to blend in and elevate the atmosphere.
Just let us know ahead of time what kind of attire is expected—black shirt and pants, cocktail attire, or something festive—and we’ll take care of it.
Add-On Services: Barbacks and Servers
If you’re hosting a larger event or want everything to run extra smoothly, we offer more than just bartenders. You can add:
Barbacks to keep the bar stocked, cleaned, and prepped during the event
Servers to help pass out drinks, clean up, or assist with other duties around your event
These roles are billed at their own hourly rates but can make a huge difference for medium or large events.
Liquor Liability Insurance Included
All our bartending packages come with liquor liability insurance (up to $2 million in coverage). This gives you peace of mind in case of any alcohol-related accidents. It’s one more reason why hiring certified professionals is better than asking a friend or relative to manage your bar.
Booking Is Simple and Online
We’ve made the booking process as fast and easy as possible. Here’s how it works:
Visit our website
Click Book Now
Fill out your event details
Enter your payment info
Click submit—you’re all done!
The full amount is paid upfront to confirm your spot. We prefer at least 72 hours notice, but we’ve handled last-minute bookings as well. Just reach out, and we’ll do our best to help.
Also Read: How to Book a Bartender Online in Minutes
Cancellations and Refunds
Our cancellation policy is fair and flexible:
Cancel within 48 hours of booking and get 100% refund (if event is more than 14 days away)
Cancel more than 14 days before the event, and you get a 50% refund
Cancellations closer to the event may not be eligible for a refund due to staffing commitments
Need to Make Changes? No Problem
Plans change—we get it. If your event details change after booking (such as the time, location, or number of guests), just email us, and we’ll adjust things for you.
We stay in touch with our clients leading up to the event and make sure everything is organized.
Consultation Before the Event
Need help deciding what drinks to serve? Want to run your cocktail menu by someone? We offer free consultations with every booking. Our experienced team will help you finalize your drink list, make suggestions, and ensure your bar service is set up for success.
Post-Event Cleanup
Yes, our bartenders clean up the bar area before leaving. All we ask is that you allow enough time in your booking to let them do this properly. Just add a little extra time to your total hours if needed.
Summary of What’s Included
To sum it all up, here’s what a typical bartending package includes:
Certified bartender with 50+ events of experience
Professional bartending kit (shaker, muddler, jigger, etc.)
Free custom shopping list for alcohol, mixers, and garnishes
Optional alcohol delivery through our Total Wine partner
Custom cocktail menu (based on your request)
Professional dress and friendly service
Liquor liability insurance included
Optional add-ons: barbacks and servers
Post-event bar area cleanup
Easy online booking and full support
Hiring a bartender should be easy, affordable, and stress-free. That’s exactly what we aim to offer with By the Hour Bartending. We focus on simplicity, professionalism, and great service—all at a fair price. Whether it’s your wedding, birthday, or corporate celebration, we’ve got your bar covered.
Ready to get started? Visit our website and book your bartender today. We can’t wait to help you pour an unforgettable night.
