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.

Los Angeles Catering With Bartenders and Servers for Weddings

Sep 1

Written By Jesse Owens

A bartender and a server working a seated wedding dinner in Los Angeles

Platinum Bartenders staffs the food, the bar and the floor at the same wedding: on-site chefs, bartenders, servers and a banquet captain, booked together. Buffet dinner runs $155 to $210 per guest depending on guest count, with a 50 guest billing minimum, and bar and floor staff are billed by the hour.

Catering formats and prices

Four formats, priced per guest, with the price falling as the guest count rises.

Format	50 to 99	100 to 149	150 to 199	200 to 249	250+
Tray-passed canapes	$195	$160	$150	$145	$140
Buffet dinner	$210	$175	$165	$160	$155
Family style	$250	$215	$205	$200	$195
Five-course plated	$350	$315	$305	$300	$295

The per guest price already includes the kitchen brigade, a dishwasher, plates, cutlery, linen, delivery, setup, removal and gratuity. Catering gratuity is included. Bar and floor staff gratuity is not, and the $100 service charge per staff member is separate from anything you add for the team.

When the venue has no kitchen

A private estate, a ranch or a garden marquee usually has no working kitchen. A portable kitchen is $2,550 per station, one station per 100 guests: propane ovens, heat lamps, work tables, speed racks, refuse handling and a fire extinguisher. Ask the venue what it has, because a domestic kitchen is not a catering kitchen.

The floor team

Servers, $70 per hour. Canapes at the reception, plates at dinner, clearing, water and wine on the table.
Banquet captain, $90 per hour. Runs the floor, holds the timeline, cues service against the toasts and the first dance.
Bartenders, $70 per hour, one per 50 guests. A mixologist is $90 per hour where the cocktails are the point.
Barbacks, $70 per hour. Ice, restocking and glass collection, so bartenders stay behind the bar.
Hosts, $70 per hour. Arrivals, the seating chart, moving guests from ceremony to reception.

All staff carry a 4 hour minimum and a $100 service charge each, plus travel of $15 per staff member for the first 15 miles then $5 per additional 5 miles.

A 100 guest wedding, worked through

Buffet dinner, two bartenders, four servers and a captain, six hours on site.

Buffet dinner, 100 guests in the 100 to 149 band: 100 x $175 = $17,500
2 bartenders: 2 x 6 x $70 = $840
4 servers: 4 x 6 x $70 = $1,680
1 banquet captain: 1 x 6 x $90 = $540
Service charge, 7 staff x $100 = $700
Staff total: $3,760
Food and staff together: $21,260

Drinks are separate unless you supply them: a full bar at medium consumption for 100 guests is 100 x $38 = $3,800. Add $2,550 if the venue needs a portable kitchen. Package prices are at book.platinumbartender.com.

Why one company for both

A wedding fails at the joins. One company means one timeline, so dinner service does not land in the middle of the toasts. One load-in, so the kitchen and the bar are not fighting over the same door and the same power. One point of contact on the day, and one certificate of insurance for the venue, since all staff are W-2 employees of Platinum Bartenders LLC.

Common questions

Is there a minimum guest count for catering?

Catering is billed for a minimum of 50 guests. A wedding of 30 is charged at 50, at the 50 to 99 band price.

Do we tip the catering staff?

Gratuity is included in the catering price. It is not included for bartenders, servers, barbacks or the captain, so anything you add there is your call.

Do servers replace bartenders?

No. Servers carry and clear, bartenders pour. Keep one bartender per 50 guests whatever the server count, and a second is recommended at medium or heavy consumption.

For an exact figure on your guest count and hours, build a quote at book.platinumbartender.com, call 310-985-3014, or email info@platinumbartender.com.

Jesse Owens