Anyone running your own bar?

sweetiepie2012

We're thinking about supplying our own beer, wine, juice, water, ice, and cups, and asking a few friends of friends to bartend.

The only issue is that we have to provide a liquor license to our venue.

Anyone else going this route?

calindi

It's nearly impossible, and you'd want to get liability insurance in case someone got hurt or something was damaged as a result of serving alcohol (think car accident, drunken person stumbling through a window, etc.).  We looked into it, and ended up paying our caterer $5/person to staff the bar & give us their insurance coverage.  We're bringing our own wine/beer and they'll serve it.

Also, bartenders usually have to have passed TIPS certification and such to ensure they aren't serving underage people, overserved people, etc.  So in order for your insurance policy to work, you'd have to hire real bartenders.  So you'd end up paying a lot anyway.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!  I know near us there are a few groups that do bartending-only, but it's not super cheap.  At least you don't end up paying a ridiculously high mark-up on bottles or for alcohol people don't drink.

santana9505

We're doing our own bar because our Venue will allow it, and IMO, it's the best way to save money in our area. Providing the venue with a liquor license shouldn't be a big deal if you can hire someone that has taken bartending classes and has received their certificate/license, etc.

For 200 guests, we're doing keg beer, and buying bottles of liquor from local Wine &Spirit shops.

i2012do

I agree with PP.

My friend is getting married and is having her brothers roomates bartend

i feel like its a huge issue and everyone else has said it.

YOU are the one liable for people. So you'd need an insurance policy of 100,000 minimum. I know you can get it online- but it seems like a hassle.

random4180

We're providing the alcohol but having hired professionals serve it- seemed the easiest AND cheapest option for us.

sweetiepie2012

Thanks for all your feedback!!

So tough to figure out...

The caterers in this area don't let you supply your own drinks, so we have to pay normal bar prices for everything! We're thinking of doing a Limited Bar where beer and wine are free all night, but cocktails are only free during cocktail hour.

I bartend part-time and am hoping that somehow the bar I work at can help me secure the correct license. Just waiting to hear from my venue about whether I'll be able to skirt the rules a bit!