Do you make housecalls?

Some people will come up with the strangest schemes to get your phone number...like offer to pay to you to bartend a house party that in reality would probably turn out to be some guy and three of his friends. (I do not recommend this, unless you're comfortable with making "outcalls".)

However should a valid opportunity arise, say, to bartend a wedding, a bar mitzfah, a graduation party, etc., there are some key questions to ask before you get suckered into the gig.

How many people will be attending?
How many hours are you expected to work?
Will you be getting tipped by the guests?
What will you be serving? (keg beer, bottles, mixed drinks, etc.)
Will you have to bring your own equipment? (Tins, strainers, pourers, garnishes, glassware, etc.)
How will the payment arrangements be made?

Also, you should probably inquire about underage drinking at the event....just as a sidenote. (And if you're the kind of bartender ok with getting a twelve year old drunk, you're probably cool with "outcalls" too, eh?)

Onto rates....
Just because you make less than minimum wage hourly at work, does not mean that is acceptable for other events.

Lets use an outdoor summer wedding as an example, where you are expected to serve a full range of drinks, bottled beer, wine, bring your own equipment, glassware, and guests (there's 300 expected) are allowed to tip. Your services have been requested for at least six hours, not including set up, and clean up.

Considering you will be providing yourself with everything you need to work, aside from a table and the actual alcohol, anywhere from fifty to one hundred an hour wouldn't be asking to much (keep in mind, guests will be tipping at this wedding though, so personally I'd stick closer to fifty an hour.) I usually take into consideration the eventual breakage of glassware, costs of garnishes, mixers, etc., and break that down into the hourly rate as well.

Simple enough, eh?

Now that the money's been dealt with, make sure to take care of yourself....
If you show up to work a 'party' and there are activities occurring that you are not comfortable with, (i.e. excessive drug use, strippers, underage drinking, etc.) You have the right to terminate your services. Just remember, you don't have management or a great big bouncer named Bubba to have your back, so be as polite as you possibly can about your discomfort and make a quick exit.

Also, just because somehow the term "bartender" and "stripper/dancer/hooker/slut" manage to blend together in some idiots heads, does not mean you should ever be expected to do more than pour drinks and be polite to guests.

Right? Right.


Na zdrowie. Vivat!