The questions we get asked most. If yours is not here, call or text us and ask.
How much does a bartender cost in New Jersey?
Our bartending service is priced per guest, with a 20-guest minimum, and covers a standard four-hour bar. Additional hours are billed hourly. Use the quote builder for an exact figure — it prices in under two minutes with no obligation.
Do you provide the alcohol?
No, and that saves you money. You buy your own bottles at retail and keep whatever stays sealed. New Jersey licensing makes it far more economical this way. We can supply everything else — mixers, garnishes, ice, cups, coolers and the bar itself.
How much alcohol should I buy?
Roughly five drinks per guest for a four-hour bar: two in the first hour, one an hour after that. Our free alcohol calculator turns that into an exact shopping list of bottles, cases and glasses for your headcount, plus an estimated cost at the store.
How many bartenders do I need?
One per 50 drinking guests is the rule we work to. Below that one is plenty; above it a second bartender is what stops a queue forming during cocktail hour. The quote builder recommends a number automatically from your headcount.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We carry liquor liability and general liability insurance, and our bartenders are trained in responsible service and ID checks. We can name your venue as additional insured on a certificate of insurance if they require it.
How far in advance should I book?
Peak season Saturdays in New Jersey — May through October — go early, often six months or more out for weddings. We need at least seven days for any booking. If your date is sooner than that, call us and we will see what we can do.
What areas do you serve?
All of New Jersey. We work regularly in Jersey City, Hoboken, Montclair, Princeton, Asbury Park, Morristown, Red Bank, Cherry Hill, Long Beach Island, and across Bergen and Hunterdon counties.
Do you set up and clean up?
Both, at no extra charge. Bartenders arrive 60 to 90 minutes before service to build the bar, and stay after to break it down and bag the trash. Setup and teardown time is never billed as service hours.
Can you make a signature cocktail for us?
Yes, and we love doing it. Tell us the story — favourite spirits, where you got engaged, your brand personality — and our bartenders develop a few versions with tasting notes so you choose the final one. It comes with a printed menu card and its own name.
What if my guest count changes?
Tell us as soon as you know. Pricing is based on drinking guests, so a change moves the number. We would much rather adjust a week out than have you under-staffed on the night.
For the full step-by-step process, see How It Works. For the legal basics behind these answers, see New Jersey Dry-Hire Law, Explained.