To be clear, tipping is customary and bartenders rely heavily on the generosity of guests during their shift. The tips they earn generally make up 50% or more of the pay from an event. It’s important to remember that we as bartenders are working hard for the people we serve. From setup to teardown, the hours can be long and with very little time for a break. Moreover, the venues we serve may expose us to extreme weather conditions or challenging situations. It’s our priority to make sure guests are taken care of, despite our own discomfort at times. We may encounter an occasional difficult or unpleasant circumstance but we take them in stride to ensure everything behind the bar is functioning seamlessly.

We understand that guests usually have the best intentions to show their appreciation, but they are sometimes caught off-guard by seeing our tip jar displayed on the bar. Since our events are cash-free (open bar), people may not think to bring tip money along with them. Even if they want to, they will not find an ATM at any of the venues we serve. This is unfortunate for the bartenders who would have otherwise received cash from those well-meaning guests.

The solution? As a guest, be mindful of bringing a few dollars along for the staff. If you’re the one planning an event, consider tipping the bartenders at the end of the night to make up for any shortfalls during the event. Or, if your budget allows, you can choose to cover the entire tip for the night to ensure our staff is properly compensated. We’ll then remove tip jars from the bar entirely. This will eliminate any expectations or awkward moments from guests who arrive empty-handed. The standard rate for a Host tip is $2/guest which will be added to your Event Service fee. If you feel the staff went above and beyond, feel free to be as generous as you wish!

It’s important first to have a budget in mind, while also being realistic. Every event is different but guests generally have more of a “party” mentality at weddings vs. business-oriented events. Thus, they tend to drink a lot more. When you factor in that guests are not paying for their drinks under these “open-bar” arrangements, you’ll need to plan accordingly. The rule of thumb is two drinks per hour during the “cocktail hour” (which can actually last up to 2.5 hrs.) and one drink for every hour after that. However, this is a very general estimate. A weekend wedding reception full of party-minded 20-somethings will consume more alcohol than a Tuesday night networking event at an office. Consider the day of the week, the age and expected number of attendees, and the purpose of the event to help narrow down the quantities you’ll need to stock. Remember also the length of service. Most people don’t attend an event for the full duration, and there will always be some teetotalers in the group as well.

Are you offering a featured drink? The novelty of an “exclusive” signature cocktail, for example, will most definitely attract way more consumption than the standard fare. You can generally expect cocktails to be the most in-demand when the other options are beer and wine, with beer (especially local/craft) coming in second. Wine tends to be favored more highly among women and at professional-level networking style functions.

There are definitely a lot of considerations. Working with a professional bar service is a great resource as you plan your event. They have experience with all sorts of functions and can offer you valuable insight into drinking habits and expectations. They can formulate some specific guidelines for your shopping list. Keep in mind though that your hired bar provider doesn’t have a crystal ball. We can’t predict how your particular group will drink or what specific beverages they’ll drink more of.