Questions, answered straight.

bartendersNow™ is a Bay Area bartending marketplace connecting event hosts with professional, independent bartenders. Two proprietary algorithms — the Stock List and the Smart Staffing Calculator — handle the planning math. The platform runs as a progressive web app, so there is nothing to download.

Hosts create an event, get a bartender-count recommendation and an ingredient-level Stock List, browse bartender profiles, and send a request. Bartenders build a profile, set their rates, browse local events, and request the ones that fit. Hosts can also post an event publicly and accept a bartender's request to work it. Stripe handles every transaction.

Government-ID identity verification through Stripe Identity is required to work on the platform. We do not run background checks. Profile photos are uploaded by the bartender and are not checked against their ID. Payments are processed by Stripe with PCI compliance, and disputes and safety incidents go through a documented support process.

The San Francisco Bay Area is our launch market, including Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, North Bay wine country, and extending into the Central Coast.

Email help@bartendersnow.com or use the Help & Support section in the PWA. Support is the same across desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Create your event, run the Smart Staffing Calculator and the Stock List, then browse bartenders by rate, distance, and rating and send a request to the one you want. You can request a specific bartender, or post your event publicly and accept a bartender who requests to work it.

Total cost is the bartender's hourly rate, plus any optional add-ons you choose (equipment, per-guest fees, travel), plus the 12% platform fee. The full breakdown is shown before you confirm.

Hosts pay 12% of the total bartender cost. Bartenders pay 12% of their gross earnings. Both fees are disclosed line-item before the transaction.

Your card is saved at booking but not charged up front. For events more than 48 hours away, the card is charged at the 48-hour lock or at cancellation, whichever comes first. For short-notice bookings (less than 48 hours), the card is charged when you commit to a specific bartender.

Yes. For events less than 48 hours away, your card is charged at the moment you commit — either by requesting a specific bartender or accepting a bartender's request to work your posted event. The bartender is only notified of confirmation after payment clears.

You are not charged if the bartender declines or does not respond within the request window. You can then request another bartender or cancel the event.

RBS is not required to create a profile. It is generally required to serve at ABC-licensed premises, so bartenders who hold it can add it to their profile and become eligible for those bookings. We do not verify certifications.

Captain Service is an optional coordination tier for larger events. A designated lead bartender manages communication with the host and the rest of the bar team, all within the platform. Captain fees are disclosed upfront and pay the bartender fairly for coordination work.

No. The Stock List calculator is free and works without an account. You only need an account to book a bartender.

Hosts who cancel 14+ days before bartender arrival receive a 100% refund. Cancellations 7–14 days out receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable. Captain Service coordination fees are non-refundable regardless of timing.

Tips left in the PWA after the event go 100% to the bartender — the platform absorbs processing fees. Cash tips on the night are welcome too.

bartendersNow™ does not provide insurance and does not verify a bartender's coverage. Bartenders work as independent contractors and are responsible for their own insurance. If coverage matters for your event, ask your bartender directly before you book.

Sign up as a bartender and complete your profile: your service area, hourly rate, skills, experience, any certifications, and a photo. To start requesting work you will also need Stripe Identity verification and a Stripe payout account.

You control your hourly rate, per-guest fees, travel, and any add-on services you offer. The app shows an earnings preview as you set them, so you can see what a sample event would pay before you publish.

After the event, complete your post-service tasks. Your event service total minus the 12% platform fee is sent to your linked bank account through Stripe. Tips are paid to you separately at 100%, and no taxes are withheld.

Your payout is initiated once you complete your post-event survey, or within 7 days of the event ending, whichever comes first. Transfer times to your bank are set by Stripe.

Captain Service lets you lead larger events as the coordinator for additional compensation. Set your captain fee as a flat rate or percentage of the total bartender cost.

You receive 0% if the host cancels 14+ days before arrival (time to find replacement work), 50% if the host cancels 7–14 days out, and 100% if the host cancels within 7 days of arrival.

If your earnings exceed IRS thresholds, you'll receive a 1099-K. Keep income and expense records. The Tax Preparation Tips guide (Options → Resources → Business Operations) includes gig-economy tax resources.

No. bartendersNow™ is a progressive web app — it runs in your browser with full app-like functionality. No app store download, no install, no manual updates.

Recently viewed bookings and profile data stay available if you lose connection, and changes sync when you reconnect.

Yes. The PWA works across desktop, tablet, and mobile, with cross-device sync.