Bartenders for Hire in Los Angeles
$79 an hour with a four hour minimum. One bartender for every 50 guests. Every bartender is a W-2 employee of Platinum Bartenders, RBS-certified and insured, and many are working actors and models.
Price your bartenders online in two minutes, or call 310 985 3014
What it costs to hire a bartender
| Bartender | Per hour |
|---|---|
| Platinum Bartender | $79 |
| Mixologist | $89 |
| Shirtless or bikini bartenderPrivate parties and bachelorettes | $99 |
| Shirtless or bikini mixologistPrivate parties and bachelorettes | $149 |
| Barback | $79 |
- Four hour minimum.
- Bartenders are billed for setup and breakdown: 30 minutes before and 30 after for a bartender-only private event, longer for corporate events and when we supply the bar.
- Optional $100 gratuity per staff member, paid in full to your team so guests never need to tip. Included on corporate events.
- 3.6% processing fee on card payments.
- No travel fee in central Los Angeles.
Every rate and fee: bartender cost in Los Angeles.
Two typical bookings
50 guests, one bartender, four hours
| Bartender, $79 x 5 hours | $395.00 |
| Optional gratuity, not included | $0.00 |
| Processing fee 3.6% | $14.22 |
| Total | $409.22 |
100 guests, two bartenders, four hours
| Bartenders, 2 x $79 x 5 hours | $790.00 |
| Optional gratuity, not included | $0.00 |
| Processing fee 3.6% | $28.44 |
| Total | $818.44 |
Private events, bartenders only, central Los Angeles: you supply the drinks, ice and glassware. Five billable hours covers 30 minutes of setup and 30 of breakdown.
How many bartenders you need
| Guests | Bartenders |
|---|---|
| Up to 50 | 1 |
| 51 to 100 | 2 |
| 101 to 150 | 3 |
| 151 to 200 | 4 |
| 201 to 250 | 5 |
| 251 to 300 | 6 |
We staff one bartender for every 50 guests. Add one more if guests will drink three or more each, or if you want the line kept short when the bar opens.
A barback restocks ice, glassware and bottles so the bartenders keep pouring.
Who turns up behind your bar
Every bartender we send is a W-2 employee of Platinum Bartenders LLC. We hire them, train them, schedule them and pay them. Many are working actors and models, so they are comfortable in front of a room.
- California RBS certified.
- Covered by our general liability, liquor liability and workers' compensation insurance: $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate.
- Certificate of insurance free on request. Venue named as additional insured: $250 under 100 guests, $350 for 100 or more.
- Will sign your NDA before the event.
- Arrive with their own shakers and bar tools.
Bring your own, or we bring the bar
Bartenders only
You buy the spirits, mixers, ice and glassware. We bring the bartenders and their tools. This is the lowest cost option and works well at venues with a bar.
Bartenders and a bar package
We bring the drinks too, priced per guest: a full bar from $19, a craft cocktail bar with three cocktails and a printed menu from $25. See cocktail catering and bar packages, or add a mobile bar rental for $1,195.
Bartenders for your kind of event
Questions about hiring a bartender
How much does it cost to hire a bartender in Los Angeles?
Our bartenders are $79 an hour and mixologists $89, with a four hour minimum. Setup and breakdown are billed on top, a $100 gratuity per staff member is optional, and card payments carry a 3.6% processing fee. One bartender for a four hour, 50 guest party comes to $409.22.
How many bartenders do I need?
One for every 50 guests. Add one more if guests will drink three or more each.
Are your bartenders employees or contractors?
Employees. Every bartender is a W-2 employee of Platinum Bartenders LLC, covered by our general liability, liquor liability and workers' compensation insurance.
Are your bartenders licensed and insured?
Our bartenders hold California RBS certification and are covered by our insurance. Your venue can have a certificate of insurance on request, free of charge.
Do your bartenders bring the alcohol?
Only if you add a bar package. With bartenders only, you supply the drinks, ice and glassware. Bar packages start at $19 a guest and include spirits, beer, wine, mixers, ice, garnishes and cups.
Why am I billed for more hours than my event?
Bartenders arrive before doors to set up and stay 30 minutes after to break down. For a bartender-only private event, setup is 30 minutes, so a four hour event bills five hours. Setup is one hour when we supply the bar or you book a mixologist, and two hours for craft cocktail bars and corporate events.
Do you travel outside Los Angeles?
Yes. Central Los Angeles has no travel fee. Elsewhere a flat fee applies per staff member: $20 for Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City and Burbank, up to $90 for Orange County and $200 for Palm Springs.
How far ahead should I book?
As soon as you have a date. We can staff short-notice events; bookings made within 48 hours carry a 20% rush surcharge.
Price your bartenders
Enter the date, the guest count and the hours, and see the full price in two minutes.
Or call 310 985 3014, 9am to 10pm.