More alcohol related questions...

MissAngel

Okay, so I got the drink calculator and figured the amount of alcohol. Now, the logistics...

I have 250 people (about 200 light drinkers, 50 moderate).  If I plan on serving soft drinks and alcohol at the bar, how many bartenders do I need and how do I go about doing this?

Do I need a separate area for soft drinks then the bartenders do the bar?
I'm having a limited bar, but am now leaning towards signature drinks to make it easier so that everything is pre-mixed and no choices makes it move quicker and not much slow down.

What do you think?

NMac2010

I would say maybe 2 bartenders, if you really think all 250 people will attend. We had about 115 at our wedding, and one bartender was PLENTY.

I would say that yes, the sodas and alcoholic beverages should be served at the same place. I don't see any reason they should be seperated.

You can go through TABC and hire bartenders that way. We used a friend of my dad's, who is a bartender. But, my venue also didn't require that they be TABC licensed either, so it didn't really matter. It depends on what your venue requires and how strict they are.

MsLaura31

It depends on if you're ok with your guests having to wait in a bit of a line... I went to a wedding with 250ppl and 2 bartenders, and the line was usually a few minutes long. Not a huge deal, but you might care. Also, they only served beer and wine, so if you're doing more than that you may want another bartender. 

I think industry standard is 1 bartender for every 75 guests, but that's probably a little over-kill.

MissAngel

I just assumed that the bartenders needed to be TABC, but I will ask my venue to be sure (it's actually a restaurant and she's letting me bring my own alcohol).  It might be better if I could have extra people (non-TABC) to help.  I'm having beer, wine and liquor, but I'm limiting wine to white (Pinot Grigio, Riesling, and maybe Moscato d'Asti).  Evidently our family rarely drinks wine so they may not enjoy the reds (as much as I would).  Beer would be limited to Bud Light (keg) and Heinken (bottles).  Then it's the liquor, but I'm not too sure on the choices yet.

Thanks for the suggestions ladies!

TexanTreasure08

I think I have 2 bartenders reserved for 150 guests. And I would want to have the non alcoholic drinks separated so that those guests don't have to wait in line just to get a soda.

AmberMarieTX

Maybe I should bartend for you and you can pay me in milk glass (I'm  a TABC certified bartender)...

 if it's at a restaurant I'm pretty certain you will need a TABC bartender. Do you know any trustworthy people that work at a restaurant? Because I think restaurants now require all servers to be TABC certified as well, so it may be easier than you think to find someone.

SoonToBeMrsHoz

In Response to <a href="http://dallas.weddings.com/Sites/weddings/Pages/main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_alcohol-related-questions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:4ccf2cbd-d504-4e59-b761-8c5c454e6e61Post:21c28448-70f4-4fb0-93cb-c97b568dcde0">Re: More alcohol related questions...</a>:
[QUOTE] Do you know any trustworthy people that work at a restaurant? Because I think restaurants now require all servers to be TABC certified as well, so it may be easier than you think to find someone. :)
Posted by AmberMarieTX[/QUOTE]

I was going to say what Amber said, you could even ask someone at your fave restaurant if you know them... to be the extra "helpers" bc they will be TABC certified and would most likely love to make a little extra money.

MissAngel

My WC is helping me with this.  She used to be in the restaurant business and new at least 2 people.  Since this is in the top floor of the restaurant (and doesn't operate like one, it's more like a banquet room), they may not be so strict with the upstairs?  But maybe if I do sodas separately, I won't need a TABC bartender for that part and I could just have someone normal?

Hmm.. Maybe I'll have 2 bars and a small extensions table behind or to the side with sodas... so that it doesn't look like too much.

AmberMarie-Too Funny!  Have you seen my latest update to the Milk Glass collection?  It's in my bio... on day at a time I'll get there

InfamousQBert

Liquor stores can be really good resources. So can other catering companies. Most won't hesitate to help you figure out these kinds of logistics. Goody-Goody is typically really friendly and a good place to go just ask the store manager for help.

As far as I know, if you have any non-TABC people, they CANNOT touch the alcohol, period. You'd definitely have to set up a separate area for your soft-drinks and that can get complicated. Venues that hire their own people may have different ways of getting around this, but I wouldn't want to risk it.

mseale

We had 175 people, 2 bars w/ 1 bartender each.  The bar had beer, wine, and 4 liquors, mixers, and non-alcoholic drinks.  Sometimes there was a line of 2-3 people, sometimes not.  Mostly I wasn't paying attention to the line. 

There should be no reason to seperate the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.  That just means you need to buy more of the sodas, waters, etc because you would need them at both locations. 

Another option:  we had waiters passing with trays of water, tea, and white wine for the appetizer portion of the evening.  That cut down the bar line at the beginning.

Also, the suggestion for speaking with caterers and liquor stores for quantities is a good one.  I highly suggest that as well.

pattc

Agreed You may want to consider having the waiters pass red and white wine and champagne, if you are having it, along with some tea when the guests arrive so everyone has one drink in their hand.  Beer can be served at the bar along withother soft drinks since that is more complicated (selecting type, in a bottle or in a glass, etc.).  For 250, I would have 2 bartenders.