Bartender for hire, not at "friend discount"
I’ve been in the food/bev industry for 13 years. Waitress the first two, cocktailing the next two, then I became an event, or private bartender. I’ve worked in 4 states, had amazing days and nights, worked my ass off and can’t see myself quitting any time soon. But if I have one more friend or acquaintance ask me to bartend their wedding, Dad’s retirement party or corporate get-together with two weeks notice and at a discount AND haggle me - I’m going to have a firm rule of not working for friends. You wouldn’t expect your real estate friend for a discount, or your neighbor who’s a dentist to clean your teeth at 50% off, would you? I’m in, yet another scenario, where an acquaintance shoots me an email 9 days before her 250-300 guest wedding, asking me to 1) bartend at 50% my rate 2) Find another bartender who’ll also work at 50% their rate and 3) you should make up the difference in tips. 1) I give a 25% discount for friends, not acquaintances 2) I would never ask another bartender, who doesn’t know the bride/groom, to take a pay cut 3) tips are never a guarantee, especially at family events. You can get someone who plops a $10 or a $20 in your jar and drinks all night. Or guests assumes “open bar” means bring zero cash with you, and they have zero hesitation watching you hustle, juggle, mix and clean for 6-8hrs and think their small talk and smile equates tips. Please, hire bartenders for your big events to take stress off yourself and make things legal. Don’t haggle over cost - this is how they make money for rent, bills, etc. So, any thoughts, my bartending Tumblrs?
