How much do bartending services cost in Los Angeles?

Professional bartending services in Los Angeles start around $70 per hour per bartender for a standard event, with final pricing based on guest count, event length, bar setup, and add-on services like cocktail design or full event production. Contact us for a custom quote tailored to your event.

How many bartenders do I need for my event?

As a general rule, plan for one bartender per 50 guests for standard service, or one per 35 guests for cocktail-heavy events. We help you confirm the right staffing ratio based on your guest count, bar style, and timeline.

Are your bartenders licensed and insured?

Yes. All Platinum bartenders are licensed and insured, and we operate in full compliance with California ABC regulations. When required, we obtain an event-specific ABC permit before your event date. Host liquor liability and general liability insurance are available, and additional insured status for your host or venue can be added for a fee.

What areas do you serve?

We serve Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas, with other locations available upon request.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance to secure your preferred staff and date, though we can often accommodate shorter timelines. Peak dates and large events should be booked as early as possible.

Do you provide the alcohol and handle the ABC permit?

We provide full bar setup, mixers, glassware, and bar rentals; clients typically supply the alcohol, and we secure the event-specific ABC permit where required. Let us know your needs and we'll handle the compliance details.

Bartending Services for Anniversary Celebrations in LA

Aug 21

Written By Jesse Owens

Bartender and server working a seated dinner in Los Angeles

An anniversary party is usually smaller and more often seated, so the staffing looks different from a birthday. One bartender at $70 per hour and one server at $70 per hour, both on a 4 hour minimum with a $100 service charge each, covers a party of 20 to 30: 2 x 4 x $70 = $560 plus $200 in service charges, or $760 for the staff.

Why a server changes the night

At a standing party guests walk to the bar. At an anniversary dinner they should not have to. A server at $70 per hour takes drinks to the table, clears glasses, pours wine through the meal and keeps the bar from becoming the place everyone stands. The bartender builds the drinks; the server moves them.

Other roles are priced the same way if the evening needs them: a host at $70 per hour to greet guests at the door, a banquet captain at $90 per hour to run the floor for a larger seated dinner, a barback at $70 per hour. Everything carries the same 4 hour minimum and the same $100 per staff member service charge.

A quieter bar

Seated dinners suit a smaller drinks offer rather than a bar with forty bottles on it. A craft cocktail bar is $25 per guest at light consumption and gives you three cocktails built for the event, plus beer, wine, sodas, mixers, ice, garnishes, cups and a printed menu. One of the three can be built around the couple, which is the part guests remember. A themed cocktail menu design is $375.

A full bar is $19 per guest at light consumption if you would rather have everything available. For 24 guests, 24 x $19 = $456. Compare the two at book.platinumbartender.com.

Catering and the 50 guest minimum

On-site chefs and catering are billed per guest with a 50 guest billing minimum. That matters for anniversaries because most of them are smaller than 50. A party of 20 booking family style is still billed at 50 guests: 50 x $250 = $12,500, with 3 chefs on site. A five-course plated dinner at that band is $350 per guest, so the same billing minimum puts it at 50 x $350 = $17,500 with 5 chefs.

For a party of 20 the smaller private chef format is usually the better fit. Chef experiences start at $250 per guest with a 10 guest minimum, so 20 guests starts at 20 x $250 = $5,000 and is billed on the guests you actually have. Catering prices include the kitchen brigade, a dishwasher, plates, cutlery, linen, delivery, setup, removal and gratuity.

Common questions

How many staff for a 20 guest anniversary dinner?

One bartender and one server is the usual pairing. One bartender covers up to 50 guests, so the second person is there for table service rather than for the bar.

Can I book catering for fewer than 50 guests?

The catering menus are billed at a 50 guest minimum whatever your real count is. Below 50, look at the private chef format, which starts at $250 per guest with a 10 guest minimum.

How much does travel add?

Travel is charged per staff member: $15 covers the first 15 miles, then $5 for each additional 5 miles. An address 25 miles out is $15 for the first 15 miles plus $10 for the next 10, so $25 per staff member. On the bartender and server pairing above that is 2 x $25 = $50 on top of the $760.

Put your guest count and date into book.platinumbartender.com for an exact figure, call 310-985-3014, or email info@platinumbartender.com.

Jesse Owens