Paying bartenders?

MrsRowan729

At our outdoor summer wedding we are providing two simple mixed alcoholic drinks, two beers, self-serve sangria and fresh lemonade. There will be soda also. We are having the reception at my grandparents country home and building a bar area, as well as a small patio seating area (8 or so seats total)  We would like to hire two local bartenders to be responsible for mixing and serving drinks, refilling the water, lemonade, sangria and keeping the area tidy. We expect about 120 guests. The bar would ideally be open from 6pm until 11pm My question is, how should we pay them? Hourly or just a set rate? We will tip them, obviously.  I am pretty clueless when it comes to this. Thanks in advance! 

NYCMercedes

Have you asked hem their rates? Seems like that would be one of the first questions, anyway.

MrsRowan729

No, we know many bartenders and were planning on having them put in applications just like any other free-lance job. I would call their references from their applications. I honestly have no idea how much money bartenders make. It won't be through the catering company...

MrsRowan729

Like, should I pay them "X" dollars an hour or just say $200 for the evening? I'm so lost.  

lyndausvi

I would just do a set rate.  The rate should include setup and breakdown (os 30-60 mins before and after the bar is open).   I don't want to have to track if they arrived at 15 minutes after or stayed 15 mins later.     As long as the work agreed to is done, I'm good.

freebread03

You should consider hiring them through a vendor-oftentimes, since alcohol is being served, it is good to have the insurance protection of a catering or other company.  You should really ask them their rates rather than set it for them-or, call around and determine what is an average rate for your area.  Setting the rate yourself sounds like a lot of hassle since it might not align with what's normal.

lyndausvi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_paying-bartenders?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:70507cee-a5b9-43ec-9262-cebd58b214c0Post:4b830104-c8b0-478f-899f-b28bc19fdc79">Re: Paying bartenders?</a>:
[QUOTE]Like, should I pay them "X" dollars an hour or just say $200 for the evening? I'm so lost.  
Posted by MrsRowan729[/QUOTE]

You need to look into liability insurance.     I'm certified to serve alcohol in Louisiana, but not in IN.     You want to make sure your bartenders are certified in your state for liability reasons.

NYCMercedes

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_paying-bartenders?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:70507cee-a5b9-43ec-9262-cebd58b214c0Post:14d0dce9-9edd-4e43-84d1-860ba06aa53d">Re: Paying bartenders?</a>:
[QUOTE]No, we know many bartenders and were planning on having them put in applications just like any other free-lance job. I would call their references from their applications. I honestly have no idea how much money bartenders make. It won't be through the catering company...
Posted by MrsRowan729[/QUOTE]

Ask them to include their rates when you ask them to "put in their applications". In negotiating, it is standard to ask the opposing party to start. This is true whether it be a car, house, or service.

MrsRowan729

My wedding is going to be at my family home as a party, so we are in the clear for that thankfully! 

MrsRowan729

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_paying-bartenders?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:70507cee-a5b9-43ec-9262-cebd58b214c0Post:f480c6bf-3482-42f3-b021-a8c82cb2bc18">Re:Paying bartenders?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would say negotiate a flat rate, or at least 20.00 per person, per hour, plus tip. I'm a former brBW[/QUOTE] <div>
</div><div>Thank you, this is the info I was looking for since I honestly have no idea what a bartender makes. My wedding is going to be a little untraditional so we will be hiring two acquaintances. 

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