40–150 guests
Cocktail-hour benefit
- Bartender count sized to your guest count and menu
- Signature cocktail tied to the mission or theme
- Tip jar or bucket ready
- Wine and beer alongside
- Discreet badge-friendly bar placement
Events · Fundraisers
Fundraiser & non-profit event bartenders.
Professional bartenders for galas, silent-auction nights, golf tournaments, and benefit dinners. Tip-jar-friendly setup and a Captain Service coordinator for multi-vendor events.
Packages
One package per event shape.
151–500 guests
Gala / silent auction
- Multi-bartender team
- Two-station bar layout for room flow
- Captain Service coordination across caterer, AV, and auction staff
- Branded cocktail or wine list per the night's theme
- Late-night dessert/digestif tier
Course-side stations
Golf tournament / outdoor
- Bar stations across the grounds, where the course allows them
- Heat-managed bar plan, with ice from you or Ice Service
- Sponsor cocktail branding
Run of show
Service paced to the program, not the headcount.
- Cocktail hour
- Bar ready before doors — guests aren't trapped in a slow line during silent-auction browsing.
- Program
- Bar dims and pauses on cue so the executive director's remarks aren't fighting a shaker.
- Auction closing
- Quick-pour service so guests stay in the room and keep bidding instead of crowding the bar.
- After-party
- Service tiers down at a defined hour to keep your spend in budget.
FAQ
Common fundraisers questions.
Can guests tip the bartenders?
Yes. Your bartender can keep a discreet tip jar on the bar for guests who want to tip in cash, and tips go to the bartender in full, separate from the booking total.
Will bartenders work with our auction or AV team?
Yes — Captain Service coordinates with auction staff, AV, caterer, and venue so service pauses and program cues are handled without on-the-fly negotiation.
Can we do a branded cocktail tied to our mission?
Yes. Bartenders develop a custom drink named for your campaign or honoree. Recipe cards on the bar work well as a take-home keepsake.
What documentation do we get for our non-profit's accounting?
Your card is charged when the booking locks, and you'll get an itemized receipt for your records. We don't provide a W-9 or net-30 billing.
How many bartenders do we need for a gala or fundraiser?
It depends on your guest count, hours, and menu — not a fixed ratio. As planning guidance for about 3 hours: up to 50 guests, 1 bartender; 51–75 guests, 1–2. From there, the ranges split by menu. For beer, wine, ready-to-drink, and basic mixed drinks: 76–100 guests, 1–2; 101–150 guests, 1–3. When the menu includes cocktails or mocktails: 76–100 guests, 2; 101–150 guests, 2–4. The Smart Staffing Calculator recommends a bartender count from your guest count, service hours, beverage menu, and event type. It recommends at least two above 60 guests when the menu includes cocktails or mocktails, and above 125 guests on any menu.
How does bartendersNow's fee work for a non-profit's budget?
Every quote reflects a 12% platform fee for hosts and a 12% fee on bartender earnings, both shown before you commit. It's built into the total you see before you commit, and the itemized receipt makes it easy to account for.
Can bartenders serve a non-alcoholic option for a dry fundraiser?
Yes. Bartenders build a full non-alcoholic menu with the same craft as a cocktail list — not just a soda station.
Can we run a cash bar to raise extra funds?
Only with a license covering the sales. In California, a drink sold for cash, a ticket, or a suggested donation is a sale of alcohol, so a nonprofit generally needs a daily license from the ABC, filed at least 10 days before the event, unless a licensed venue or caterer runs the sales under its own license. bartendersNow™ doesn't sell alcohol or provide a license for your event, so settle how sales will be licensed before you plan a cash bar. Rules differ in other states.
Do you work outdoor fundraisers like golf tournaments?
Yes — course-side and outdoor fundraisers are a common format; bartenders plan for heat-managed service and multiple stations across the grounds. Confirm the course's own outside-bartender and alcohol policy first.
Find fundraiser bartenders near you
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Other event types
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California's Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) rules apply to alcohol servers at ABC-licensed premises, and certification is valid for three years. Private events at unlicensed locations are generally outside that requirement, but your venue or caterer may have its own rules — check with them. RBS is not required to join bartendersNow™. Bartenders upload their own certification details to their profile, and you can filter for it. We do not verify certifications. Bartenders are independently responsible for complying with California law on serving minors and visibly intoxicated guests.