536349 Mon Jul 07 14:46:03 -0700 2008 8 29 Not About Food 0 3846311 I'm hoping this is the right board for this, but how does one go about hiring a bartender for a wedding? My friend is in the midst of planning, and her caterer does not have a liquor package. Is there a reputable company with good prices? Mon Jul 07 14:46:04 -0700 2008 11577 Pei 1 3846358 Perhaps craigslist may help. Mon Jul 07 15:00:07 -0700 2008 3846311 10763 Miss Needle 1 3846749 One would think any experienced caterer would be able to recommend someone, no? Maybe I'm being paranoid, but this would be a red flag for me, if it were my wedding! There is booze at most weddings, no? Mon Jul 07 16:56:55 -0700 2008 3846311 66614 kpzoo 1 3846916 Where is the wedding being held? The location might be able to secure a bartender if the caterer cannot. This came up when I did a quick search. I don't have any experience with them, but it's worth a shot. They have insurance, which someone "freelancing" might not. http://www.drinksf.com/ Mon Jul 07 18:02:04 -0700 2008 3846311 74556 manraysky 1 3847119 I agree with the various answers above. I also did a little search and found this company: http://www.acrobatstaffing.com I've never used them or anything, I don't know anything about them beyond what I just read on their website. Do you know any bartenders? As in, are you on a friendly basis with the regular bartender at your regular bar (assuming you have one)? Might be worth asking him/her for a recommendation. Bartenders seem to know other bartenders, and might know one who is temporarily out of work or looking for extra cash on a night off. Also, is liquor being sold at the wedding, or just served? Don't quote me on this, but it might make a difference in whether a liquor license is needed. Worth looking into. Still, things like insurance are a good idea. Mon Jul 07 19:09:34 -0700 2008 3846311 184315 weem 2 3849178 I've worked with a lot of cooks and dishwashers from Acrobat. They can vary from "please never send them again" to "wow, we'd hire this person in a heartbeat." Which I suppose is true of any service. Tue Jul 08 12:05:40 -0700 2008 3847119 74556 manraysky 1 3847582 I always trusted JugShop for all things liquor. and if you can't find an itinerent bartender in SF - God help us all. Mon Jul 07 22:48:28 -0700 2008 3846311 163722 hill food 2 3848357 hill food, those are my sentiments exactly. Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll ask around at bars and places like JugShop to see if they know reputable bartenders who do private parties. I'm not sure what the deal is with the caterer, but I know it involves people being flown in to do cooking so that's probably why the same people aren't handling the liquor package. Tue Jul 08 08:36:02 -0700 2008 3847582 11577 Pei 1 3849061 I work at a catering company in the Bay Area and we don't provide liquor or bartenders for our events. We have found that most companies that provide servers can also provide bartenders (of course you would have to supply the liquor). Tue Jul 08 11:32:50 -0700 2008 3846311 159436 potato or yam