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.

What's Included in Professional Bartending Services in LA?

Aug 21

Written By Jesse Owens

A fully set up event bar with staff, glassware and garnishes

Professional bartending in Los Angeles is three separate charges, not one. Staff are billed per person per hour, $70 for a bartender with a 4 hour minimum and a $100 service charge. Drinks are billed per guest through a bar package, from $19 per guest. Equipment such as the bar is a flat rental at $1,195.

Charge	Priced by	Covers
Staff	Per person, per hour, 4 hour minimum	The people working your bar
Bar package	Per guest, scales with consumption	Everything poured
Rentals and add-ons	Flat, per item	Bar, glassware, heaters, permits

What the staff rate covers

It covers the person and nothing else. Every bartender is a W-2 employee of Platinum Bartenders LLC, RBS certified, covered by general liability, liquor liability and workers' compensation, and arrives with their own bar tools. A 4 hour minimum applies to all staff, plus a $100 service charge per staff member.

Bartender, barback, server, host, ambience model: $70 per hour
Mixologist, banquet captain, kitchen assistant: $90 per hour
Security: $85 per hour
Shirtless or bikini bartender $100 per hour, mixologist $150 per hour

Bartender only means this rate and no per guest charge: you supply the spirits, mixers, ice and glassware. Price either way at book.platinumbartender.com.

What the bar package covers

The package is the drinks. It does not include staff, which is why a quote shows both. Prices move with consumption: light is 1 to 2 drinks per guest, medium 3 to 4, heavy 6 plus.

Full bar, $19 per guest light, $38 medium, $57 heavy: top-shelf spirits, beer, wine, mixers, sodas, ice, garnishes, plastic cups
Craft cocktail bar, $25 light, $50 medium, $75 heavy: three craft cocktails built for the event, beer, wine, sodas, mixers, ice, garnishes, cups, printed menu
Craft cocktails and full bar, $37 light, $74 medium, $111 heavy: both together
Wellness bar, flat per guest, added on top of another package: Classic $18, Premium $26, Platinum Vitality $38

What is a separate rental

Anything physical that gets delivered is its own line. Bar rental is $1,195 and brings a 5ft white wood bar, 4 ice tubs, a trash can, delivery and pick up included. A back bar is $365, a high top table $95, linen $40, a space heater $275. Glassware is $1.95 per unit plus $195 delivery each way. A themed cocktail menu is $375. An ABC one-day permit handled by Platinum is $1,950; whether your event needs one depends on the venue and whether alcohol is sold, so confirm with California ABC or your venue.

All three together

One hundred guests, medium consumption, full bar, no bar on site.

Staff: 2 bartenders x 4 hours x $70 = $560, plus $100 each = $760
Package: 100 x $38 = $3,800
Rental: bar, $1,195
Total: $5,755

Common questions

Does the per guest price include the bartender?

No. The per guest package covers the drinks. Staff are billed separately by the hour, with the 4 hour minimum and the $100 service charge per staff member.

Is glassware included?

Plastic cups come with the full bar and craft cocktail packages. Real glassware is a rental at $1.95 per unit plus $195 delivery each way.

What else lands on the final bill?

Travel per staff member, $15 for the first 15 miles and $5 for every additional 5 miles. Recognised holidays add 50 percent to staff cost. Booking inside 48 hours adds 20 percent. Card payment adds 3.6 percent. Booking takes a 100 percent deposit, and the date is held once payment is made in full.

See all three against your guest count at book.platinumbartender.com, call 310-985-3014, or email info@platinumbartender.com.

Jesse Owens