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Step 1
Get smallwares from a restaurant supply store. You'll need cocktail shakers, knives, stirrers, ice scoops, bottle openers, keg taps and pour spouts. Get a few of everything so you always have what you need.
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Step 2
Consider buying a small trailer for your vehicle. If you are bartending for a large birthday party and the client wants lots of beer, you'll need to bring a few kegs, depending on how many guests are expected. Multiple kegs don't usually fit into a standard four-door car. Alternatively, you can use a van or SUV instead of buying a trailer. The plus side of a trailer is that it provides advertising while you're en route to your gigs (if you get lettering made for it).
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Step 3
Stock up on drink mixes and fruit at your local grocery store. You can buy limes, oranges and maraschino cherries for garnishing fruity drinks, as well as olives, pearl onions and celery sticks for more sophisticated drinks. Bartenders not only make the drinks, they make them look good.
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Step 4
Buy cups and assorted glasses from a discount store or a restaurant supply store. Depending on what you offer, you'll need plastic party cups as well as highballs, single malts, martini glasses, brandy snifters and hurricane glasses.
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Step 5
Have a steady supply of assorted liquors and brands, as well as garnishes like umbrellas, stirrers and straws. You can get these from your local liquor store or use a wholesale supplier for these items.
