How to Make Money as a Private Bartender

If you are already a bartender, or even if you just know how to mix drinks, you can easily start your own private bartending service. This is one of the easiest and least expensive businesses you can start. A bartending service is one of very few businesses that can be started with virtually no start-up costs. All you really need is your ability to mix drinks, and a good personality.

As a private bartender, you will be going to your clients' parties to mix and serve the drinks for their guests. As you probably won't be getting tips at a private party, you will need to charge by the hour. $20 to $30 dollars an hour is a good price to charge. You can charge more if you will be picking up the beverages to take to the party, or doing any clean-up. You can charge a flat rate, but by the hour might be a better idea, as parties tend over run their original estimated times.

You can start your private bartending service by offering to bartend for a few of your friends' parties. Offer to do it for free, and encourage them to recommend you to others. If you are good, people will want to hire you. Guests will remember you for their own parties. It's a good idea to leave a stack of business cards on the table or bar where you are mixing the drinks.

Always dress nice while at your bartending jobs. Look professional, and act that way too. You can't go wrong in a white button-up shirt, black slacks and black dress shoes. Your shoes should look nice, but make sure they're comfortable. You'll be standing on your feet for hours. Be friendly with the guests, while still retaining a professional attitude. Be friendly, but not too friendly. Don't flirt with the guests.

There are many types of parties you should look to get hired to bartend for. Weddings, birthday parties, corporate and holiday parties all might need bartenders. Advertise your services if you need to book more parties. You can take out a newspaper ad in your local paper, or pin your business cards to bulletin boards in grocery stores or libraries.

One of the most important aspects of a private bartending service is to know your drinks well. If you already have experience as a bartender, you will do fine. If not, you should practice mixing drinks for your friends at smaller get togethers. Buy a few drink mixing books, and practice. Know how to make drinks before you start taking on jobs, or you will look unprofessional looking up how to mix drinks at a party, or looking like you don't know what your doing. There are also bartending classes you can take, as well as bartending schools in some cities.