Updated September 25, 2023
A bartending contract is used by individuals or companies that provide bartending services for events such as weddings, birthdays, performances, and parties. The contract details the services, supplies, and products the bartender(s) will provide for the event and a breakdown of how much they will charge.
Table of Contents |
Why Use a Bartending Contract?
A bartending contract outlines and sets the expectations before an event. Executing a formal contract also serves as a guide for each party if a dispute arises and defines what services or tasks the bartender and the client will each be responsible for and who will provide supplies and beverages.
What to Include (5 Terms)
The contract should include enough information to clearly define the bartender’s and client’s roles and responsibilities. At a minimum, parties should include the following items:
1. Contract Issue Date
Always include the contract issue date. This notation allows both parties to track the date the contract process began to the date the parties executed it (signature dates).
2. Contractual Parties’ Information
The contract has to contain identifying information about the parties involved. At the very least, include the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the Client and the Bartender or Bartending Company.
3. Scope of Work
The scope of work includes the service(s) provided, event details, and special requests:
- Service(s) Provided: This section needs to specify which supplies and beverages the bartender is responsible for bringing and which ones the client or venue will provide.
- Number of bartenders;
- Bar Supplies: a physical bar, bottle openers, cocktail napkins, glassware, pour spouts, shakers, toothpicks, zesters, etc.; and
- Beverages: alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, spirits, mixers, garnishes, ice, etc.
- Event Details:
- Type;
- Date;
- Location;
- Start and End Times; and
- Number of Attendees (and if there will be minors).
- Special Requests:
- Custom drink menu;
- Requests for specific staff members; and
- Specific beverage brand requests.
4. Payment Terms
The payment terms must always include:
- The base cost as a flat or hourly rate;
- The deposit (if required and refundable);
- Associated fees for cancellations, clean-up, transportation, etc.;
- A cancellation policy or structure (specifically, whether there are deadlines for full and partial refunds);
- A list of permitted payment methods; and
- A deadline for collecting the final payment.
5. Other Terms and Conditions
- Insurance/Licensing/Permitting: Establishes if the client or bartending company is responsible for obtaining any required insurance, licenses, or permits to serve alcoholic beverages at the event.
- Photo/Video Release: The client and bartending company mutually agree or disagree with releasing the use of photo or video content taken at the event for marketing or other purposes.
- Special Request Limitations: Outlines limits to aforementioned special requests.
- Tipping Policy: Establishes a tipping policy for the event. Is gratuity included? Is the client responsible for tipping, or is it up to the guests?
- Travel and Lodging Expenses (if applicable): Breaks down client-incurred expenses for bartending staff’s travel and lodging.
Bartending Rates
Rates to hire private bartenders vary widely. A bartender with less experience may charge as low as $15 per hour, while an upscale bartender with expertise could charge as much as $300 per hour.
Other Prices
Pricing may be Affected by:
- Event type;
- Location;
- Requests for special skills or training;
- Season (i.e., holidays, summer, etc.);
- Number of guests in attendance; and
- Whether the final cost includes gratuity or tipping is permitted.
Licensing Requirements (By State)
This table reflects state laws only (counties, municipalities, and private employers can require bartenders to obtain licenses or certifications regardless of state law).
| STATE | LICENSE/CERTIFICATION | MANDATORY/OPTIONAL | MINIMUM AGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Responsible Vendor Program | Optional |
or 19 years old with an RVP license. |
| Alaska | Mandatory Alcohol Server Training | Mandatory | 21 years old |
| Arizona | Title 4 Training Providers | Optional | 18 years old |
| Arkansas | ABC Educational Seminar | Optional |
or 19 years old at restaurants, private clubs, hotels, and motels with a permit; or 18 years old at grocery stores (beer and wine only), wholesalers, and wineries with written parental consent |
| California | Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training | Mandatory |
or 18 years old in a public eating place |
| Colorado | Responsible Vendors Training |
Mandatory for servers at liquor stores that offer tastings and establishments with a prior alcohol violation; Optional for all others |
or 18 years old with a direct supervisor who is 21+ (liquor stores, 3.2% outlets, and establishments that offer full-service meals) |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Responsible Serving® of Alcohol | Optional | 18 years old |
| Delaware | Trained Alcoholic Beverage Server Program | Mandatory |
or 18 years old if the bartender isn’t preparing alcoholic liquor for patrons of a tavern or taproom |
| Florida | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional | 18 years old |
| Georgia | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional |
Or no minimum age to sell/handle sealed alcoholic beverages for consumption off-premises (supermarkets, convenience stores, breweries, drugstores) |
| Hawaii | Honolulu Certificate of Registration (County of Honolulu only) |
Required in Honolulu county Optional in Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui counties |
21 years old (Maui)
18 years old (Honolulu, Hawaii, and Kauai) |
| Idaho | Alcohol Awareness Training | Optional | 19 years old |
| Illinois | Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training (BASSET) | Optional | 18 years old |
| Indiana | Alcohol & Tobacco Commission Employee Permit | Mandatory | 21 years old (unrestricted permit);
or 19 years old (restricted permit) |
| Iowa | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional | 18 years old |
| Kansas | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional | 21 years old;
or 18 years old if the bartender is not preparing drinks (mixing or dispensing) |
| Kentucky | Server Training in Alcohol Regulations (STAR) | Optional | 20 years old;
or 18 years old under the supervision of someone else at least 20 years of age |
| Louisiana | Responsible Vendor | Mandatory | 18 years old |
| Maine | Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages Certified Training Programs | Optional | 17 years old under the supervision of someone else at least 21 years of age |
| Maryland | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional | 21 years old;
or 18 years old for beer and wine only |
| Massachusetts | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional | 18 years old |
| Michigan | Server Training Program (Employer Sponsored) | Mandatory | 18 years old (off-premises);
or 17 years old (on-premises) |
| Minnesota | Regional Alcohol Awareness Trainers | Optional | 18 years old |
| Mississippi | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional | 21 years old;
or 18 years old for waitstaff that serves alcohol but doesn’t bartend |
| Missouri | State of Missouri Alcohol Responsibility Training (SMART) Online Server Training Program | Optional | 21 years old;
or 18 years old for restaurant wait-staff |
| Montana | Alcohol Education: State Certified Trainers | Mandatory | 18 years old |
| Nebraska | Certified Alcohol Server Training Programs | Optional | 19 years old |
| Nevada | Approved Alcohol Beverage Training Providers | Mandatory | 21 years old |
| New Hampshire | Total Education in Alcohol Management (T.E.A.M.) | Optional | 18 years old |
| New Jersey | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional | 18 years old |
| New Mexico | Alcohol Server Permit | Mandatory | 21 years old |
| New York | Certified ATAP Schools | Optional | 18 years old |
| North Carolina | Responsible Alcohol Seller/Server Program (RASP) | Optional | 21 years old (liquor;
or 18 years old (beer and wine) |
| North Dakota | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional | 21years old;
or 18 years old if the server isn’t mixing or dispensing alcohol |
| Ohio | Alcohol Server Knowledge Program (ASK) | Optional | 21 years old;
or 19 years old if the server is wait-staff (not tending bar); or 18 years old if the alcoholic beverage is in a sealed container |
| Oklahoma | Approved Server Training Programs | Optional | 18 years old |
| Oregon | Alcohol Service Permit | Mandatory | 21 years old |
| Pennsylvania | RAMP Certification | Mandatory | 18 years old |
| Rhode Island | Certified Alcohol Server Training Programs | Mandatory | 18 years old |
| South Carolina | Recognized Training Programs | Optional | 21 years old;
or 18 years old if the server is wait-staff; or no minimum age to serve beer or wine in sealed containers |
| South Dakota | SD Department of Revenue Approved Alcohol Training Programs | Optional | 21 years old;
or 18 years old if less than 50% of transactions are attributed to alcohol sales |
| Tennessee | Server Permit | Mandatory | 18 years old |
| Texas | TABC Certification | Optional | 18 years old |
| Utah | Alcohol Server Training | Mandatory | 21 years old |
| Vermont | Division of Liquor and Control Education | Mandatory | 18 years old |
| Virginia | Responsible Sellers & Servers: Virginia’s Program (RSVP) | Optional | 21 years old |
| Washington | Responsible Vendor Program (RVP) | Mandatory | 21 years old |
| Washington D.C. | Alcohol License | Mandatory |
or 18 years old if the employee is a server but not a bartender |
| West Virginia | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional | 18 years old |
| Wisconsin | Alcohol Seller/Server Training Course | Mandatory | 18 years old |
| Wyoming | No state-endorsed license or certification | Optional | 21 years old
or 18 years old if serving as waitstaff in a restaurant |
Sample
BARTENDING AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made this day [DATE], by and between: “Service Provider” and “Client”:
“Service Provider”
[BARTENDER NAME]
[BARTENDER ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]
[BARTENDER PHONE]
“Client”
[CLIENT NAME]
[CLIENT ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]
[CLIENT PHONE]
Service Provider and Client may herein be referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.
WHEREAS Service Provider seeks to provide, for compensation, bartending services for gatherings and events and Client seeks to obtain the provision of same,
NOW THEREFORE the Parties agree to the following:
- EVENT DETAILS: The event (“Event”) shall be defined by the following:
Event Date: [EVENT DATE]
Location: [LOCATION]
Start Time: [START TIME]
End Time: [END TIME]
Type of Event: [TYPE OF EVENT]
Number of Guests: [NUMBER OF GUESTS]
- SERVICES PROVIDED: For this Event, the Service Provider will provide the following bartending services (check one):
☐ Bartending services only. The Service Provider will provide staff only.
☐ Bartending services and standard drinks. The service Provider will provide staff, bar supplies, and inventory.
☐ Cocktails
☐ Wine
☐ Beer
☐ Soft Drinks
☐ Choice of spirits and beverage brands, and types of mixed drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, and soft drinks shall be determined by Service Provider except that the Client has made special requests if specified here: [LIST SPECIAL REQUESTS]
☐ Bartending services and a custom drink menu. Service Provider will provide staff, bar supplies, and inventory sufficient to prepare and serve the following beverages: [LIST SPECIAL REQUESTS]
- COST: Client will be charged (check one):
☐ The flat rate of $[FLAT RATE] USD.
☐ The hourly rate of $[HOURLY RATE] USD.
☐ Other (please specify here): [OTHER]
- DEPOSIT: To reserve the above Event Date, a deposit (check one):
☐ is not required.
☐ of $[DEPOSIT] USD is due upon execution of this Agreement and will be applied, as a credit, on the final invoice.
This deposit is (check one):
☐ non-refundable.
☐ refundable under the following conditions: [CONDITIONS]
- CANCELLATION: Service Provider shall have the right to cancel this Agreement for any reason and without penalty by giving Client written notice a minimum of [NUMBER] days prior to the Event (calculated as calendar days, including Event Date) and shall immediately return to Client any monies, deposits, or goods held by Service Provider under this Agreement.
Client shall have the right to cancel this Agreement for any reason and without penalty by giving Service Provider written notice a minimum of [NUMBER] days prior to the Event (calculated as calendar days, including Event Date) except that Client shall forfeit any deposit held by Service Provider.
- TIMING: Service Provider will begin to set up [NUMBER] hours before Start Time and will commence takedown starting at End Time. Client may request that Bartenders continue serving and Service Provider may decline without penalty.
- TRAVEL AND LODGING EXPENSES: Travel and lodging expenses (check one):
☐ will not be charged to Client for this Event.
☐ will be charged to Client for this Event.
- TIPPING POLICY: Service Provider is (check one):
☐ permitted to use a tip jar at the Event.
☐ not permitted to use a tip jar at the Event and (check one):
☐ Client will not be charged an additional fee.
☐ Client will be charged an additional fee of $[INCLUDED GRATUITY] USD.
- LICENSING: Licensing (check one):
☐ is not required for this Event.
☐ is required for this Event, and (if licensing is required, check one of the following):
☐ Client shall be responsible for obtaining any and all licensing necessary to serve alcoholic beverages at this Event and Service Provider shall not be at fault if service is interrupted due to a lack of proper licensing.
☐ Service Provider shall be responsible for obtaining any and all licensing necessary to serve alcoholic beverages at this Event.
- INSURANCE: The Service Provider, prior to the commencement of any bartending activity at the Event, shall have in place and in full effect, all necessary insurance coverage sufficient to satisfy the law.
- PHOTO RELEASE: Client hereby grants Service Provider a universe-wide, non-exclusive license (“License”) to make photographic images or video at this Event for use in their marketing material.
- GOVERNING LAW: This Agreement shall be governed under the laws in the state of [STATE].
- SEVERABILITY: This Agreement shall remain in effect in the event a section or provision is unenforceable or invalid.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first written above.
______________________________
Service Provider Signature
______________________________
Printed Name and Date
______________________________
Title
______________________________
Client Signature
______________________________
Printed Name and Date
______________________________
Title