What people ask before hiring a bartender in Houston — pricing, what we bring, the alcohol, the paperwork, and how to book.
How much does a bartender cost for a party in Houston?
Full Bar Service is one flat price set by your guest count and how long the bar is open, starting at $495. Bartender Only, where you bring the bar and the drinks yourself, starts at $250. You get your exact number from the instant quote in a few clicks.
Is the price per guest or a flat rate?
Flat. Full Bar Service is a single number based on which guest-count range you fall in and how many hours, not a per-head rate. A 40-guest and a 60-guest reception of the same length can cost the same.
What makes the price go up?
More hours, a larger guest count, and each bartender past the first, which is a flat $250. A certificate of insurance for your venue is a $200 add-on, and events more than 25 miles outside Houston add a flat $50 travel charge.
Is there a service charge or automatic gratuity?
No. Setup and cleanup are built into the price, not billed on top, and gratuity is always up to you and your guests.
What is included in Full Bar Service?
A TABC-certified bartender, a skirted bar table with all the tools, ice, cups, the full mixer lineup, fresh-cut garnishes, three signature drinks you choose with a drink menu, and complete setup and breakdown. You supply the alcohol.
What is the difference between Full Bar Service and Bartender Only?
With Bartender Only you provide everything except the bartender and the bar table — alcohol, ice, cups, mixers, and garnishes. It starts at $250 and suits an event that has already bought its supplies. Full Bar Service means we bring all of that except the alcohol.
Do you bring glassware?
Standard service uses disposable cups, which are included. Real glass rental is available as an add-on and we price it on a quick call.
Which mixers do you provide?
With Full Bar Service: Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Tonic, Club Soda, Cranberry Juice, Margarita Mix, Sweet and Sour Mix, and water.
Do you provide the alcohol?
No. Texas law lets us run the bar without a liquor permit as long as you provide the alcohol, and it keeps you in control of that part of the budget.
How much alcohol should I buy?
Start with our free alcohol calculator. Put in your guest count, the hours, and what you're serving, and it builds a shopping list for your event. We fine-tune it with you when you book.
Can you help with the alcohol order?
Yes. You're always the buyer, which keeps it dry-hire and keeps you in control of the cost. If you'd rather not deal with it, we work out exactly what and how much to get, order it, and coordinate the delivery to your venue. Just check the box on the questionnaire or bring it up when we talk.
Can you sell drinks or run a cash bar?
No. Because you provide the alcohol under Texas dry-hire rules, the bar is host-provided and guests are never charged. A tip jar is fine if you want one.
Are you licensed to bartend in Texas?
Yes. Every Bartender Services bartender is TABC certified.
Are you insured, and can my venue get a certificate?
Yes. We carry a $2 million general liability policy, and a certificate of insurance for your venue's vendor file is a $200 add-on that we send straight to your coordinator.
1,000+ events · 100+ five-star reviews · TABC certified · fully insured
How many bartenders do I need?
One bartender covers most events up to about 75 guests. Past that, a second keeps the line moving. Each bartender past the first is a flat $250, and the instant quote suggests a count you can change.
Do you provide waitstaff or servers?
Yes. Tell us in the questionnaire and we include servers in your quote.
Can you make signature or custom cocktails?
Yes. With Full Bar Service you pick three specialty drinks for the event and we bring the ingredients, custom garnishes, and a drink menu. Browse ideas on our cocktail menu or bring your own recipes.
What do you offer for guests who are not drinking?
Teas, flavored lemonades, cold brew coffee, and mocktails. They are on the cocktail menu under zero-proof.
How do I get a price and book?
Answer a few questions about your event on the site and your price shows on the next screen. Send it over and we follow up to confirm the details.
Do you require a deposit?
A $50 deposit holds your date. It is non-refundable if you cancel and fully refunded if we cannot take your date. The balance is due 7 days before the event.
How far ahead should I book?
As soon as you have a date and a venue. Booking early gives you the best pick of dates and time to plan the drinks.
What areas do you serve?
Houston and the suburbs around it, including Katy, Cypress, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Tomball, the Heights, the Galleria, the Museum District, the Medical Center, and Downtown. Events more than 25 miles outside Houston add a flat $50 travel charge.
Still have a question?
Call or text 832-378-0148.