How to Start a Mobile Bartending Business

You could start a mobile bartending business at a relatively low cost.

Requiring very little in start-up costs, a mobile bartending business has the potential to show profit in a short period of time. With just one working bartender, a mobile bartending business can expect to make up to $300 a night plus gratuities. If you are an organized, highly sociable person with a talent for pouring a good drink, starting this type of home-based business could be your ticket to entrepreneurial success.

Things You'll Need

• Trade name
• Business license
• Tax ID Number
• Required state permits
• Vehicle
• Bartending supplies
• Portable bar
• Business cards

Instructions

1. Choose a trade name for your mobile bartending business that will stand out from the crowd. Consider names that will attract your preferred clientele while still creatively reflecting the personality of your business. To structure the business as a sole proprietorship and use the trade name legally, you must register the name as fictitious -- i.e., "Doing Business As..." or DBA. If your business will be structured as a limited liability company, or LLC, you can register the trade name as part of your LLC business filing.

2. Acquire a state business license and a federal Tax ID Number, and check with your local alcoholic beverage control board to see what, if any, additional licensing is required or recommended for mobile bartenders. Liquor licensing laws, state certifications, and server and catering permits relevant to serving alcohol at private events vary widely from state to state. To eliminate legal issues, reduce start-up costs and allow your new business to ramp up quickly, it may be easier to start strictly as a server and not a provider of alcohol. In the meantime, having employees complete a Training for Intervention Procedures, or TIPS, course can help to ensure clients that your employees understand liquor laws and are committed to acting responsibly. TIPS is available in most states and online at a cost of about $40.

3. Purchase supplies to run your bartending business. You can order and purchase almost everything you need online from wholesalers and distributors. If you work strictly big events as a server bartender-for-hire, you'll need no supplies and have no start-up costs. Otherwise, without stocking or providing liquor, your start-up costs should be very low. Total costs for general supplies such as bar napkins and cups, bar utensils, shakers, drink mixes, ice, fruits, sodas and juices, condiments and spices, cocktail straws, and bar cloths will probably range from $300 to $500. As your business grows, consider renting or buying a portable bar to bring to smaller events and parties, and raise your prices accordingly. For rentals, check with local catering companies. To buy a used mobile or portable bar, search eBay and used furniture stores, and expect to spend from $500 to $1500.

4. Decide how you will charge for your bartending services. As a mobile bartender with little overhead, there's plenty of room to be creative and competitive with your pricing. Create flat fee and hourly rate options for your services based on event size, number of guests, whether you will provide the liquor, and whether the event is open-bar. Keep in mind that, in addition to your fees, you will also receive cash nightly in tips. For almost any-size event, this can mean making a good chunk of money in just three to four hours of work. Another benefit of owning a mobile bartending business is that hiring additional bartending help can be inexpensive as well. Bartenders and cocktail waitresses are often willing to work for tips if the event is big enough, or for a small hourly wage plus tips.

5. Market your mobile bartending business. Since much of your business will come from word of mouth, pass out business cards freely. Create a professional promotional package containing brochures, price lists, and a company bio to hand out to prospective clients. Market your services as a freelance mobile bartender to catering companies, event and wedding planners, banquet halls, hotels, and local area bars for relief duties. Build a simple website and advertise in the local classifieds.

Tips & Warnings

• Charge Premium prices for you services!

• Always disclose your prices (and gratuity options) over the phone with client before event

• Stop thinking of yourself as a Bartender! You are a Business Owner who is paid to ENTERTAIN guests and be the Life of the Party!!

• HAVE FUN!!

• Have limitations on how you will drive to an event

• Don't double book events (or hire a staff of bartenders!)

• Don't serve guests under the legal drinking age, or those that are heavily intoxicated!

References

• Entrepreneur: Business Ideas -- Bartender for Hire
• U.S. Small Business Administration: Register Your Fictitious, or DBA, Name
• Professional Bartending Schools of America: TIPS Training and Certification Online
• Entrepreneur: Business Ideas -- Freelance Bartender