Contracted bartenders

So today I met a planner who contracts independent licensed bartenders- they charge 20 an hour- for pouring drinks- this is really all we want since we already picked up the liability coverage and plan to buy the alcohol-as well as everything from swizzle sticks to fruit slices etc...

Does this's sound off? I don't mind paying this per hour- I think it's a good deal- we'd tip them as well---

Thoughts? Anything I should ask?

ETA words

Are you using the vendor tab? Can you get a few quotes to figure out the pricing structure?

Edit-spelling

20$ an hour is all we are paying our one bartender. 1300$ sounds like the biggest rip off, also they aren't even supplying the alcohol? No way.

Cool. Thank you both. :-)

Yeah $1300 is way too much. And why do they need 2 hours to set up? That seems excessive. I would go with the $20 per hour. If you know their names I would look up reviews on them if possible.

$20/ hr sounds correct. As a former bartender, you are making sure that drinks are poured correctly, fridges are stocked, garnishes are cut and stocked, and everyone is served in a timely manner. You also have to set up the bar to your own specifications (every bartender will do this) and tear down at the end of the night. They will also be on the lookout for any problematic guests, and deal with any issues carefully and subtly. All while being chipper and cheerful throughout the day.

I would venture around the vendor tab. That's ridiculous. Ours is $350 for 6 hours and that includes non-alcoholic drinks and mixers

I'm going with my instinct on this one- 1300 seemed way excessive- I have read positive reviews on this individual-

I'll likely spend around a 1k for all of the bar drinks/garnishes so 20 an hour plus tips feels right-

I have 75-100 guests- do you think 2 bartenders would be good?

Thanks for the feedback!

@Karen-for 100 guests, yes please have two bartenders. I have bartended a wedding by myself for 100 people, and it's not fun serving everyone at the beginning when the reception starts and everyone heads to the bar.

Maybe I need to bartend on my own! $1300 seems excessive. Granted, I work at a venue where everything is supplied. Normally in the end when the gratuity comes in our paycheck we average $25 per hour........but that is also servers too. $20-25 seems to be a good range. There is a bartending set up fee for each bar that is set up....... but that is wrapped in total for the venue. As far as set up time for our venue, bartenders come in 2 1/2 hours prior to event, servers 2 hours.

We're having two bartenders for 100 people. Our caterer recommended 2, especially with a full bar. For the service of two bartenders it's $500 (plus tips) for the night.

When I was still catering (and this is now about 10 years ago) the BT's got 22.00 per hour, plus guest tips (which pretty much always happens). We figured an hour and a half of set up and an hour to clean up

For 100 guests, I'd do two along with pre poured wine and sparkling water for the beginning, presented on a couple of tables NOT where the bar is (to cut down on traffic) or passed by waiters who will not be passing hors; yet.

I am paying $300 for 2 bartenders ~150 guests. Set up is one hour prior to cocktail hour. I am also paying $3.50/guest for all the mixers, garnishes, drink ware.

I also am having a backyard wedding and am supplying my own alcohol.

Ok- should I let them put out a tip basket or jar? I really don't want to have my guests pay anything but I also want my bartenders happy with the job on a Saturday night (I would plan to tip in addition to their pay)-

@Karen-if you are providing a tip, do not put out a jar. You do not want your guests pulling out their wallets for any reason. I will tell you though that as a wedding bartender, I did have guests slip me 5s and 10s. I accepted graciously but never put out a jar.

I'm paying 125 (plus tip) for just the bartender, and bottle/wine openers for 6 hours. We're responsible for everything else from ice to alcohol.

I couldn't imagine spending a few hundred dollars let alone over 1,000.