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.

Tipping Your Bartender at Private Events in Los Angeles

Aug 21

Written By Jesse Owens

Bartender handing a drink to a guest at a Los Angeles event

Bartenders at private events in Los Angeles are paid an hourly rate, $70 per hour for a bartender with a 4 hour minimum, so a tip is optional rather than the way the staff get paid. The $100 per staff member service charge on your quote is a separate line and is not a gratuity. Catering is the exception: those menus already include gratuity.

What the service charge is

The service charge is $100 for each service staff member on the job, added once per person rather than as a percentage of the bill. Two bartenders and a barback carry three service charges, $300. It sits alongside the hourly rate on the quote and is not passed on as a tip, so treat it as part of the cost of the booking.

A short example, one bartender for 4 hours, before travel:

Bartender: 4 x $70 = $280
Service charge: $100
Booking floor: $380

Where catering is different

Catering menus include gratuity in the per guest price, along with the kitchen brigade, a dishwasher, plates, cutlery, linen, delivery, setup and removal. Buffet dinner at 50 to 99 guests is $210 per guest with all of that inside the number. If your event is catered, gratuity for the catering team is handled and you are only deciding about bar and service staff.

Tip jar or no tip jar

At a hosted bar, where you are paying for the drinks and guests are not, a tip jar is a choice with arguments either way. Some hosts put one out because guests reach for a wallet at a bar out of habit and like having somewhere to put it. Other hosts leave it off because a jar signals that guests are expected to pay for something at a party where nothing is for sale.

Decide before the event and tell us, so the bar is set the way you want it from the first drink. If you do not want a jar out, the alternative is to settle anything extra yourself at the end of the night.

How hosts usually handle it

Common practice at private events runs a few ways. Some hosts hand cash to each staff member as they finish. Some ask to add an amount to the final bill instead of dealing with cash on the night. Some do nothing beyond the invoice, which is a normal outcome when staff are on an hourly rate. The amount is your call, and it usually reflects how hard the night ran and how much the staff took on beyond pouring drinks.

If you want to add something to the bill rather than carry cash, say so when you book at book.platinumbartender.com or ask on the phone.

Common questions

Is the $100 service charge a tip?

No. It is a per staff member charge on the booking, separate from the hourly rate, and separate from anything you choose to give the staff directly.

Am I expected to tip if I already paid for a bar package?

No. The bar package covers the drinks and the staff rate covers the people. Anything on top is your decision.

Should I put a tip jar out at my own party?

That depends on the event. A jar is normal at a casual house party and reads oddly at a formal seated dinner. Tell us either way before the bar is set up.

For a quote showing the staff rate and the service charge as separate lines, go to book.platinumbartender.com, call 310-985-3014, or email info@platinumbartender.com.

Jesse Owens