Bartender for private parties and weddings

Hosts of weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and house parties.

A fixed fee or hourly rate for your time, often with a minimum booking, plus a charge for travel, kit hire or drinks supplied.

• Making classic cocktails and pouring drinks
• Friendly, calm customer service
• Organising stock and kit for each event

• Alcohol licensing: check whether the host's venue already has a licence, or whether a Temporary Event Notice is needed from the council
• If you sell alcohol yourself you may need a personal licence and premises licence, so check with your local council
• Public liability insurance, and check if clients or venues ask for proof
• Never serve people who are underage or clearly drunk, as this carries legal risk
• Late nights and weekend work can be tiring

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on the bar tools, glassware and drinks menu you put together. Some clients supply the alcohol, while others ask you to source it, which can affect your costs.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,800, depending on how many weddings, birthdays and parties you book. These are estimates of sales rather than profit, and you could start from around 6 hours a week.

Check whether the host's venue already has a licence, or whether a Temporary Event Notice is needed from the council. If you sell alcohol yourself, ask the council about a personal licence and premises licence. Also check public liability insurance.