20–60 guests
Team holiday lunch
- One bartender, midday service
- Holiday-themed signature cocktail
- Beer / wine alongside
- 2-hour window matched to the meal
- Itemized receipt for expensing
Events · Holiday parties
Holiday party bartenders for companies and homes.
Professional bartenders for December holiday parties, end-of-year company celebrations, and seasonal at-home gatherings across the Bay Area. November and December book out early, so plan ahead.
Packages
One package per event shape.
61–250 guests
Company holiday party
- Multi-bartender team
- Seasonal menu (mulled wine, holiday old-fashioned, hot toddy, NA spritz)
- Coat-check-friendly bar placement
- Coordination with caterer / venue
- After-party service tiers
20–80 guests
At-home holiday gathering
- Bartender, plus a portable bar where your bartender lists one
- Family-friendly NA options
- Festive garnish, sized by the Stock List
- Toast-timed service
- Setup and cleanup included
Run of show
Service paced to the program, not the headcount.
- Arrival
- Hot cocktail or mulled-wine pour to thaw guests as they walk in.
- Toasts & remarks
- Glasses of sparkling wine charged and timed; bar pauses on cue.
- Dinner / dessert
- Pour pacing slows so the room stays seated; coffee-based cocktails available.
- After-party
- Service tiers down at a defined hour — perfect for a clean midnight wrap.
FAQ
Common holiday parties questions.
When should we book our December holiday party?
August through early October. November and December fill up, so it pays to plan early.
Do you have a seasonal cocktail menu?
Yes. Holiday-spec menus include hot cocktails (mulled wine, hot toddy, spiked cider), spirit-forward classics with a winter spin (smoked old-fashioned, white negroni), and seasonal NA pours (alcohol-free spritz, cranberry shrub).
Can you do dry / NA-friendly holiday parties?
Yes. Bartenders can build full alcohol-free menus with the same craft as a cocktail list. Talk with your bartender about pacing, too — lower-proof and alcohol-free options help guests who want to taper through the evening.
Will you coordinate with our caterer and venue?
Captain Service is an optional add-on for larger events: a lead bartender coordinates the bar team and the caterer, venue, and AV teams, so your day-of contact is one person.
What about New Year's Eve?
Yes. New Year's Eve dates go early, so start planning by mid-November to be safe.
How many bartenders do we need for a holiday party?
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.
Can you do a daytime holiday lunch instead of an evening party?
Yes — the Team holiday lunch package is built for a midday, 2-hour window matched to the meal, with the same seasonal menu options as an evening party.
Do you provide anything for a midnight Champagne toast?
Bartenders coordinate Champagne or sparkling service timed to the toast — you supply the bottles (the Stock List sizes how many), and the bartender pours and times it to your countdown.
Can bartenders dress for a holiday theme?
Yes — bartenders can coordinate festive attire with your theme; mention it ahead of the day.
Find holiday party bartenders near you
Browse Holiday party bartenders by Bay Area city.
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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.