How to Hire a Bartender: Top Traits & Responsibilities
The holidays season brings a lot of business to the hospitality and event industries! Private parties and company “end-of-year” employee appreciation events are among the many occasions going on and NOW is the time to start booking your amazing vendors.
When you’re looking to hire bar service for an event, you want to ensure your potential hires will fit in with your event’s needs, theme and your overall values as a host. Good (mobile) bartenders can be hard to find, especially considering the amount of responsibility involved.
In a restaurant, they are one of the most versatile staff members, as they take on many tasks and responsibilities.
Additionally, if you are looking to host an event with a true “WOW” factor, bar service is essential!
Having an understanding of their responsibilities and these traits to look for will ensure the first stop at your event (the open bar) is a success.
Let’s dive in!
The Importance of Hiring a Good Bartender
When you think about hiring a bar service, do you think about the responsibilities involved?
Bartenders have a lot of responsibilities, behind the bar and beyond – especially at an event.
They are an essential need for your event and should be as versatile as possible. You need to know you’re hiring someone you can rely on to make well-balanced drinks, keep your guests safe and happy as well as have the ability to take on other roles. Such as, bar placement, bar design, specialty crafted drink menus, even day of event coordination with the event planner involved.
People often underestimate the many duties a bartender has but there is a lot more that happens behind the scenes of an event.
Responsibilities of mobile bartenders include:
- Planning, preparation & organization of bar needs and products
- Efficiently setting up all bar equipment and needs onsite
- Handling event changes & sensitive situations
- Ensuring there is enough product throughout the event
- Keeping the bar clean throughout service hours and after.
- Creating a drink menu that will appeal to your guests and theme
- Work efficiently in high-pressure situations and busy environments.
- Managing the bar area and managing bar staff.
- Keeping smiles on faces & safety minded
These responsibilities are one reason why it’s not a cheap service… but it’s 1000% worth it!
Nowadays there are many different mobile bar companies to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. When shopping for a bar service, keep the below 3 traits in mind.
3 Top Traits to look for in a bar service:
1) Reliable – ANSWERS the phone! Shows up on time, delivers and stays in constant communication, has great reviews (look for quality over quantity)
2) Creative – ability to create signature drinks that fit your needs & theme, offer a top notched cocktail menu, impressive & efficient bar design
3) Knowledgeable – can read a room, has the ability to shift and pivot onsite, knows how to make well-balanced drinks and run a mobile bar set up efficiently that keep guests happy and make your event a success!
Now that you have a better understanding of what goes into a service like this and the traits to look for, you’ll have an easier time hiring your vendors!
From Halloween parties to corporate events and other occasions, The Rolling Pour is here to help you make your party the most talked about on the block!
Don’t miss out on making your event the highlight of the season!
Contact us today to book our bar service and get ready to make a GREAT first impression!
Cheers to event season!