We Connected With One Of LA’s Best Bartending Companies To Answer All Your Questions
Photo & Bartending Courtesy of: LA Speakeasy
Welcome back to the vendor FAQ series, friends! If you’ve missed the past few posts, we’ve been teaming up with incredible wedding vendors to get answers to all your questions while planning! Today, we connected with our friends at LA Speakeasy. You may recall we collaborated with them for this summer cocktail post, so we were thrilled when they agreed to help us with our vendor FAQ series! LA Speakeasy was kind enough to give us some advice for you when you’re looking to hire your wedding bartending service and really get the party going!
Photo by: Kayla Denae Photography
How Much Alcohol, Beer, + Wine Should I Buy?
A good rule of thumb is 1 drink per person per hour. Yes, some people will drink more and some probably not at all. Per experience, about 99% of the time there are leftovers using that ratio.
Since we specialize in craft cocktails at LA Speakeasy, we based the consumption as 70% cocktails, 15-20% beer, 10-15% wine. (Like I said 99% of the time there are leftovers of everything)
Every event is different so there might be more variables to account, but this is a great place to start. We have a calculator you can use to get a ballpark cost and quantities for your event. Simply visit www.laspeakeasy.com/alcohol
Pro Tips:
#1: If serving wine during dinner, account for 1 glass per person. (1 wine bottle = 5 glasses)
#2: Light beer drinkers tend to drink more beer.
#3: If serving shots consider buying extra bottles.
What Are The Most Popular Classic Cocktails?
These 4 cocktails are frequently requested and always a hit at events:
- Margarita
- Old Fashioned
- Moscow Mule
- Mojito
Photo by: Simply Adri Photography
How Do I Choose Cocktails For The Menu?
We’re a big fan of “it’s your wedding, you can choose your favorite cocktails with no need to satisfy everyone”, but if you love satisfying your guests we would recommend a balanced menu of the following 4 styles:
- Fruity (berries, mango, pineapple, etc.)
- Boozy (i.e an old fashioned, martini, etc.)
- Sour (think margarita, daiquiri, etc)
- Refreshing (something with club soda, think a mojito or Paloma)
- Also aim to feature 2-4 popular spirits such as whiskey, vodka, tequila, rum, and gin.
Our Tips For Including Glassware
Be sure to communicate with your bartending service your plans on having glassware. Glassware isn’t always included, so be sure to ask. If you do plan to have glassware, they may need a back table or more room at the bar. Additionally, they may need extra hands at the bar to help handle + clean glassware. Be sure to ask if they pick up the glassware and/or buss tables.
Photo & Bartending Courtesy of: LA Speakeasy
Our Tips On Having Multiple Bar Locations
Always communicate with your bartending service if you plan on multiple bars! They might need extra time (or extra hands) to set up and break down all locations. Additionally, they might need extra ice tubs, bar tools, supplies, etc. Perhaps even during the transition, the bars will be closed momentarily while setting up.
Photo by: Sisterlee Photography
Other Questions For Your Bartending Vendor:
- Given our wedding guest count, how many bartenders would you suggest we hire?
- Do we need to provide any rentals or do you bring them? (Bar, serving trays, napkins, etc.)
- Would you recommend more than one bar setup?
- Do you provide mixers or garnishes or do we need to purchase?
- Do you provide water and other non-alcoholic beverages for the night and for dinner? Or do we purchase and bring for them to serve?
- Can their bartenders tray pass as needed?
- Confirm the hours included in the bar package and the types of alcohol, etc.
- Can you do a signature cocktail?
- How long does it take for setup and breakdown?
- Will you handle bar trash at the end of the night?
- Do you do a last call?
- How do we handle leftover alcohol for opened bottles?
- How would you prefer to handle tips for bartenders? (i.e a jar at the bar or an envelope at the end?)
- Would you recommend an open bar or cash bar?
- Do you have liquor liability + a liquor license?
Huge thank you to our friends at LA Speakeasy for all of their help in answering these questions! If you want to get going on planning your party, contact me on my homepage here and let’s get started!
PS – If you missed last week, check out this post where we discuss advice for your wedding caterer!
