BARTEND-4-U

For your convenience, here is a comprehensive list of questions and answers. 
For your entertainment, here is a NY Times crossword puzzle to fill in. 

If you have any additional questions, then I have additional answers.  Please feel welcomed to contact me with any questions that have not been answered here!  To review the F.A.Qs., please scroll down to the bottom of the crossword puzzle.

Q1. Are you a "Certified" or "Licensed" Bartender?

Q2. Can you bring the liquor to my event?

Q3. How is it that you've been bartending since you were 18? California law states that you must be "21 years of age" before you can bartend.

Q4. I have an event with 100 guests, and I'd like to have two Bartenders to handle the drink requests quickly, but $60 per hour for two Bartenders is not within my budget. What can you do?

Q5. I am expecting 250 guests. How many Bartenders should I hire?

Q6. Why do you have a crossword puzzle and a non-profit organizations page on your website? Isn't this to promote your bartending service?

Q7. What will you wear to my event?

Q8. Why do you charge a "fuel surcharge"?

Q9. Do I need to reserve a date by a certain time?

Q10. Are there any penalty charges if I cancel an event?

Q11. I've seen other Bartenders' websites that show they've worked celebrity events. Have you?

Q12. On your "Pricing" page, what do you mean by the "set-up and break-down of the bar"?














Q1. Are you a "Certified" or "Licensed" Bartender?
A1. In the state of California, nor any other state within the USA, there is no Board or Committee established and governed by state or federal laws that provide any certification or licensing to Bartenders. Yes, I do have a "Certificate of Completion" from a bartending school that I attended MANY years ago (please note that I have been bartending for over 10 years now); however, there is no such thing as a "Certified" or "Licensed" Bartender. I believe that I will be hired based on my experience in the industry, my consistent professionalism & reliability, and my growing reputation. Therefore, I find it unnecessary to "market" myself as something that doesn't exist.

Q2. Can you bring the liquor to my event?
A2. For your convenience, I can purchase the liquor on your behalf and bring it to the event. However, I cannot bring liquor with me and sell it to you, because I do not possess a liquor license. Therefore, to stay within state and federal mandates, if I was to purchase liquor on your behalf, the monetary funds would need to be provided prior to my visit to the market/grocery store. Of course, your receipt will be provided immediately upon return with the requested goods.

Q3. How is it that you've been bartending since you were 18? California law states that you must be "21 years of age" before you can bartend.
A3. Yes, in California, it is required that a Bartender be at least 21 years of age or older. However, I started my bartending career in Waitsfield, Vermont back in 1996. Now whether or not that was within state laws is beyond my knowledge. However, the opportunity was offered to me, and I gladly accepted it. And as it's commonly said, "the rest is history."

Q4. I have an event with 100 guests, and I'd like to have two Bartenders to handle the drink requests quickly, but $60 per hour for two Bartenders is not within my budget. What can you do?
A4. This is a very frequent inquiry, and I have the perfect resolution for you! My suggestion is to hire only one Bartender (preferably me, but of course, I am biased) and select the "Barback" option. In laymen's terms, a Barback is essentially an assistant and works under the direction of the Bartender. The benefit to you is that a Barback is only an additional $10.00 per hour, but you still receive the benefit of having two people to handle all of your guests drink requests in a quick, precise, and friendly manner.

Q5. I am expecting 250 guests. How many Bartenders should I hire?
A5. It is most ideal to have 1 Bartender and 1 Barback for every 100 guests. This will allow the opportunity not only to serve every guest in a quick and precise manner, but also allow for personable interaction that many people look forward to when coming up to the bar. For 250 guests, my best suggestion to keep pricing conservative while providing the guests with superb and memorable service is to hire 2 Bartenders and 2 Barbacks.

Q6. Why do you have a crossword puzzle and a non-profit organizations page on your website? Isn't this to promote your bartending service?
A6. Yes! This website's main purpose is to promote my bartending service and experience. However, two important beliefs in my life are to enjoy life and have fun while you're still here, and to help others out whenever you're capable of doing such. So, as far as the crossword puzzle up above, I think it's a fun and harmless break from life's monotony. And for the non-profit organizations page, it's my small contribution to help out and bring attention to the many wonderful, dedicated organizations out there. In the words of the very insightful woman, Margaret Mead, "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have."

Q7. What will you wear to my event?
A7. My attire, as well as any additional staff that is hired with me, is generally clean and ironed black slacks, polished, black shoes, black socks, and either a white or black blouse (dress shirt, for men). As part of the pre-event questionnaire, I will always ask the client their preference of attire, and I will accommodate him or her to the best of my abilities.

Q8. Why do you charge a "fuel surcharge"?
A8. It is my goal to keep my rates as reasonable as possible for as many incomes as possible. In order to keep reasonable rates, I must take into consideration my fuel costs when traveling long distances. For example, if I am hired to bartend at an event in Malibu, in addition to my hourly rates, there is a fuel surcharge of $30.00 within Los Angeles County. According to Google Maps, there is 154 miles (one-way) between Joshua Tree and Malibu.; the return trip to Joshua Tree would bring the miles to 308 miles total, round-trip. Please keep in mind that I do not add any additional charges for travel time, which in this example would be approximately 6 hours (round-trip) provided there was a miracle and absolutely no Southern California traffic. I have put a lot of thought and consideration into this and do not charge a "fuel surcharge" to make an extra dollar; my fuel costs to make such a trip actually cost more than $30.00. However, I do wish to extend my services to as many people as I can, and by adding a "fuel surcharge" when appropriate, this allows me to accommodate more people. Sometimes QUALITY service may cost a little more up-front, but it is worth it in the end. I guarantee that you and your guests will be very pleased with the service each of you will receive when selecting BARTEND-4-U.

Q9. Do I need to reserve a date by a certain time?
A9. Out of courtesy, the sooner you can book a date, the easier it is for everyone. However, if I am available on that date, I will take last-minute reservations. Just be sure to check out the Availability page to ensure that your date is open. And no, I will not charge any extra fees for making a last-minute booking. I am in the business of hospitality and service; it is my pleasure to assist you.

Q10. Are there any penalty charges if I cancel an event?
A10. No, I do not charge any cancellation fees. However, out of courtesy, I would appreciate the update as soon as possible. There is no money requested up front until I arrive at your event. At that time, a 50% deposit is paid prior to your event (along with the "fuel surcharge", if applicable), and the remainder of the balance is paid at the end of your event. Therefore, there are no funds to hold prior to my arrival. In addition, I'm confident that the reason your event had to be canceled was due to unforeseen circumstances, and I experience those from time to time in my life as well. It happens, and it's not my intentions to take advantage of anyone else when it happens to him or her.

Q11. I've seen other Bartenders' websites that show they've worked celebrity events. Have you?
A11. Yes, I have worked events for many celebrities. But out of privacy and respect for all of my clients, no matter how famous they may be, I will not exploit them by using their name to promote myself. I am a true believer that my experience/knowledge, professionalism, and charisma are all I need to sustain a successful business.

Q12. On your "Pricing" page, what do you mean by the "set-up and break-down of the bar"?
A12. To ensure that everything is 100% ready-to-go when your first guest approaches the bar for a beverage, it is necessary to prepare in advance. Therefore, I require 1-hour to "set-up" and 30 minutes to "break-down" the bar station. "Set-up" includes, but is not limited to, preparing garnishes, arranging liquor & beverages and cups & glasses for the most efficient and quick use, preparing ice and storage, arranging back-up beverages, et cetera. If "set-up" is completed early, I am always happy to help you with other preparations until it's time to tend bar. "Break-down" includes, but is not limited to, cleaning up the station, putting away any excess beverages, garnishes, and cups/glassware, and anything else requested by the host/hostess to ensure a clean and tidy station at the end of the night. It is my goal to leave as little work as possible for the host/hostess in regards to my bar station.  

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