10–30 guests
Intimate gathering
- One bartender
- Compact setup for a living room or backyard
- Beer, wine, and 1–2 cocktails
- 2–3 hour service
- Cleanup included
Events · Private parties
Private party bartenders & mobile bartending.
Professional bartenders, a portable bar where your bartender lists one, and Stock List-sized ingredient planning for engagement parties, dinner parties, anniversaries, and intimate celebrations at home or at a venue that allows outside bartenders.
Packages
One package per event shape.
31–75 guests
Dinner party / anniversary
- One or two bartenders plus optional barback
- Portable bar where your bartender lists one
- Wine pairing through dinner
- Coordinated cocktail-to-toast timing
- Stock List sizes everything to the headcount
76+ guests
Backyard celebration
- Bartender count sized to your guest count and menu
- Outdoor bar plan, with ice from you or Ice Service
- Spirits-forward menu or wine-led service
- Late-night service tiers
- Optional Captain Service coordination
Run of show
Service paced to the program, not the headcount.
- Arrival
- Welcome cocktail or sparkling pour ready before the doorbell rings.
- Dinner
- Wine service paced to courses; cocktails available without leaving the table.
- Toasts
- Glasses charged and timed to the speaker — not the speech to the bar.
- After-dinner
- Digestifs, dessert pairings, and a flexible service tail.
FAQ
Common private parties questions.
Do you provide the alcohol?
Hosts purchase the alcohol; the Stock List generates an ingredient-level shopping list sized to your event. Your bartender brings their own professional tools; glassware and ice are the host's to provide unless you book Ice Service or agree otherwise with your bartender.
Will the bartender bring a bar?
It depends on the bartender. Some list a portable bar on their profile that you add to the booking; skip it if your space already has a counter or bar to work from. What's included is confirmed when you book.
Can I host in my apartment or condo?
Yes. Bartenders routinely set up in apartments, condos, rooftop decks, and HOA common rooms. Check building rules on alcohol service in shared spaces ahead of time.
What about cleanup?
Setup, breakdown, and bar-area cleanup are included. Your sink is left the way it was found.
How far in advance should I book?
2–6 weeks is comfortable. Smaller parties can sometimes come together on shorter notice, depending on the bartender's schedule.
How many bartenders do I need for a private 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.
What's the difference between booking through bartendersNow and a caterer's bar package?
A caterer's bar package usually bundles bartenders into a fixed food-and-drink price. Booking through bartendersNow is à la carte — you plan the bar on its own, independent of catering. Many hosts use both: a caterer for food, a bartender booked separately for the bar.
Is there a minimum number of guests to book?
No fixed minimum — the packages above are guidance, not a cutoff, and a small dinner party under 10 guests is planned the same way, with your real headcount.
What do I need to buy besides the alcohol?
It varies by bartender and is confirmed when you book. Your bartender brings their own professional tools and handles setup and breakdown of the bar; some list a portable bar on their profile that you add to the booking. Glassware and ice are the host's to provide unless you book Ice Service or agree otherwise with your bartender. You supply the alcohol via the Stock List's shopping list, plus any mixers you want beyond what's listed.
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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.