Event bar company with a small bartender team
Run a bartending company that staffs weddings and corporate events with a few trained bartenders and a full bar setup.
- $2.5k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
13,222 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.4% in a year
NAICS 722320 “Caterers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small company that books events, sends trained bartenders and brings the bar setup, with packages that can include drinks where your state and licensing allow it. You handle sales, scheduling and quality, and may serve some events yourself.
Your first three steps
- Check with your state alcohol control agency and city or county what licenses or permits a bartending company needs, and whether your model requires you to supply the alcohol
- Form an LLC, get an EIN, and get general liability and liquor liability quotes before booking events
- Build a simple website with packages, then ask local venues, planners and caterers to add you to their preferred vendor lists
Who pays
Engaged couples, event planners, venues, caterers and companies hosting holiday parties or client events.
How it makes money
Per-event packages or per-bartender hourly fees, charging more than you pay your staff. Extra income can come from bar rentals, mixers and garnish packages, or drink menus.
Skills that help
- Bartending experience
- Scheduling and managing staff
- Selling and quoting events
- Clear client communication
Watch out for
- Alcohol licensing: selling or supplying drinks usually has stricter rules than staffing only, so check with your state agency
- Liquor liability and general liability insurance, plus workers' compensation if you hire employees
- Whether bartenders count as employees or contractors under IRS and state rules
- Staff cancellations on event days, so keep a backup list of bartenders
- Venues may require insurance certificates or have their own approved vendor rules
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: event bar company with a small bartender team
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an event bartending company?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,500 to $12,000, depending on the size of your bar setup, insurance and how many bartenders you plan to staff. Your own bartending and sales time are part of the work too.
What licenses and rules apply to an event bar company?
Check with your state agency on alcohol licensing, since selling or supplying drinks usually has stricter rules than staffing only. Also check liquor and general liability insurance, workers' compensation if you hire, and whether bartenders count as employees or contractors under IRS and state rules.
How much can an event bartending company make?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many events you book, your packages and team size. Estimates start from roughly 15 hours a week for sales, scheduling and quality control.
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