What's involved in hiring a bartender for a corporate function?
You must decide the kind of bar you want at your event, whether its a cash bar, tokens or fully paid. You can also choose to buy wholesale and take the leftover liquor home or choose a consumption-based system. Also, you should make sure your bartenders are fully licensed and permitted to work in the state.
Our Licensed Bar Services
Shake Bars and Event Planning is excited to be one of just a few companies in the Seattle area to possess a Washington State Catering liquor license. This allows our team to handle all aspects of your bar planning needs and to sell alcohol to our clients. While we specialize in craft cocktails, we do it all—beer, wine, and full bars. Other full-service liquid catering options include:
- Alcohol
- Mixers
- Garnishes
- Plasticware and Glassware
- Napkins
- Ice
- Event Rentals
- Staging
- Coffee and Tea
We pride ourselves on providing local beer, wine, and spirit options. Because we secure our alcohol at wholesale rates, it is often cost-effective for our clients to have us deal with all aspects of the event! We’ll happily provide a detailed bid if needed.
We also offer mimosa and Bloody Mary bars, hot cocoa and coffee bars, ice cream sandwich bars and spiked shave ice.
About Cash Bars
When offering a cash bar, our clients pay for just the service and insurance costs. Your guests will pay (cash or credit card) per drink. We offer a standard bar that includes a selection of local Washington s and wines, as well as basic cocktails, top-shelf options, specialty cocktails, and more. Drinks range from $5 to $9, depending on your preferences and brand selections. This method can be combined with drink tokens or a bar tab cap. For example, you can choose to give your guests two free drinks and afterward they would have the option to purchase additional drinks themselves.
Some Of Our Clients
Wholesale or Per Drink Purchase Options
Our licensed bar service offers wholesale purchases and price per drink liquid options in Seattle and surrounding areas. With the wholesale purchase system, our clients keep the leftover alcohol. The other option is a consumption-based system, in which the consumption is tallied and the client is billed for that alcohol only. This method works really well if you don’t want leftover product. It’s also best if you’re unsure of the consumption rates and don’t want to run out. Although these two liquid catering options are most common, we are here to customize a system that is best for your event!
Forget the Banquet Permit!
The state of Washington prohibits any party from profiting from the sale of alcohol unless the coordinator has a liquor license or is a non-profit and has applied for a Special Occasions Permit. This type of permit can only be obtained through the Washington liquor control board and the approval process can be lengthy. Fortunately, when you choose Shake Bars and Event Planning for licensed bar services, you’ll be covered under our company’s liquor license.
You can also count on us for expert event planning and food catering services for your upcoming special occasion.
Let's start planning!
Drop us a line today for a custom quote!
Professional Licensed Bartending Services in Seattle
Happily serving the communities of Seattle, Bellevue and Mercer Island.
