Whether you’re hosting a private event for twenty, thirty or event a wedding for 200 guests, hiring a bartender for your event is the best choice. Not only do they make sure your guests are well taken care of, they keep the bar area running smoothly. This keeps you free to enjoy your event! But not all bartenders are the same. Here are some of the reasons you should not hire (a friend or family member) to run your bar at your event. When booking your bartender you should always hire a licensed and insured bartender. This protects you as well as your guests.

Protect yourself from liquor liability

Serving alcohol inherently comes with liability, regulations vary from state to state based on venue and location. In the State of California, a bartender can be held liable for damages caused by a person who has been over served alcohol. If your bartender over serves alcohol to a guest who leaves the event and causes an accident or inflicts harm to a third party, you are liable for that incident and can be sued. This is known as dram shop law, this means anyone injured by an intoxicated person has the right to sue the individual who provided the alcohol to that intoxicated person. Without hiring an insured bartender, event hosts ( YOU ) could be held liable, especially if minors are involved.

Know your states liquor laws

Your best friend might know a guy that is just awesome at making cocktails, but you just can’t hire them for your wedding. A licensed bartender is more than just a mixologist, they are also a professional well versed in the laws and regulations in the state in which they operate. They are particularly trained to spot fake IDs and they  now when a guest has had too much to drink, and they use crafty ways to not serve them any more alcohol. They tend to give them the easy let down.  Many event venues even require the use of a licensed bartender.

It’s important to know that liquor liability varies widely from state to state. Be aware of what your local regulations are so that you can protect yourself, and your guests.

Licensed and insured bartenders really make all of the difference when it comes to the safety of your event. If you are planning an event in Seattle or the Greater Puget Sound area, consider Party on the Rocks! We take partying (and safety!) seriously. All of our bartenders are licensed, professionally trained, and are covered by our $5 million aggregate liability insurance. We offer full-service bartending, event staffing, and we can even supply the alcohol for your party.

Learn more about our services and how they can help you take back your right to party.