Hire a bartender for your party or event
To hire a bartender, post the date, the hours, your city and the number of guests. Plan one bartender for every 50 to 75 guests. Private event bartenders typically charge $25 to $50 an hour, and GigList ranks local bartenders who are free that night.
Typical rate for private event bartenders
$25 to $50
per hour, US market range
One per 50 to 75 guests
A simple rule to plan how many bartenders you need.
Local and free that night
Ranked by distance and availability on your date.
Certified when you need it
Ask about alcohol server training in your screening questions.
How much it costs to hire a bartender
Typical market ranges in the US. Your budget depends on city, date, experience and scope.
Typical rate for private event bartenders
$25 to $50
per hour, US market range
All Hospitality gigs on GigList: $22 to $45 per hour.
Private party bartender
$25 to $50 per hour
Most events book 4 to 5 hours
Mixologist for cocktails
$40 to $75 per hour
Custom menus and premium drinks
Corporate or launch event
$35 to $60 per hour
Often with a 4 hour minimum
Setup and cleanup time
Usually 1 extra hour
Agree it in the gig up front
Typical market ranges, not quotes. Set your own budget in the gig builder and see the suggested range for your city.
The shift sheet to put in your gig
Everything a bartender needs to say yes to the shift, on one card.
Paste it into the gig builder. Matching uses the date, the hours and the city to rank who is free and close.
Shift sheet
Bartender- 01 Event date, start and end time
- 02 Guest count and type of event
- 03 Drinks served: beer and wine, full bar or signature cocktails
- 04 Who brings alcohol, ice, mixers, cups and tools
- 05 Dress code and arrival time for setup
- 06 Whether you need alcohol server certification
How to hire a bartender on GigList
From post to confirmed bartender in four steps.
-
1
Post the date and the hours
Add the start time, the end time and the address area. Mention indoor or outdoor.
-
2
Say who supplies what
Drinks, ice, cups and the bar itself. Bartenders price their time differently if they bring supplies.
-
3
Pick from a ranked shortlist
See local bartenders ranked by experience, distance and availability on your date.
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4
Confirm and share the plan
Agree the rate, the dress code and the drink menu in messages before the night.
Screening questions to ask
Add these to your gig. Every applicant answers before you talk.
- Q1 How many events of this size did you work this year?
- Q2 Do you hold a current alcohol server certificate?
- Q3 Which bar tools do you bring with you?
- Q4 How do you handle a guest who has had too much to drink?
Planning the rest of the event
Bigger events need more than drinks. Add servers and setup crew when you hire event staff, or browse all hospitality gigs to see what other hosts post.
Want the full cost breakdown? Read our guide on the cost to hire a bartender for a party.
How many bartenders do I need?
How much should I pay a bartender for a party?
Can I hire a bartender for the same week?
Are there fees when I hire a bartender on GigList?
Ready when you are
Post your gig and meet your shortlist today
Describe the job, set a budget and see ranked people who can start this week. One flat plan, no fees per gig.