No, we do not purchase your alcohol. We can support you in ordering through our trusted wholesaler and can pick up the alcohol for you the day of the event.

This usually doesn’t matter if you’re throwing the party in a private space. However, many venues won’t allow bartenders who aren’t licensed or certified to serve drinks. Be sure to ask your venue what their requirements are in this area. And if considering Destination Goodtimes bartenders, be aware that we go through ServSafe’s responsible alcohol service program and can provide proof of certification upon request.

In most cases, bartenders like to know ahead of time if there will be any specialty or signature drinks for the wedding or special event. Most bartenders, ours included, are also happy to help you come up with ideas for specialty or signature cocktails that would fit your specific theme if you have one. We can also give you some general ideas of popular cocktail recipes based on your particular tastes and those of your guests.

Based on your budget, the number of guests expected, and your choice of any specialty of signature drinks, it’s time to shop for the ingredients. If you’re not sure what you need and how much, our personal event specialist, sometimes with the help of your assigned bartender, can help you put together a detailed list. This can save you both time and money, as you’ll be less likely to purchase more than you need and find yourself stuck with the surplus.

A perfect ratio is one bartender for every 50 to 75 guests. Depending on a few things, including how complex your drink menu is and how close the bar is to a sink (if there are glasses to be washed) and either the ice machine or extra ice, you may also want to consider a second person to serve as a bar-back.

Usually, bartenders, ours included, wear casual attire unless the customer asks for something specific to fit a particular theme. The default is either a black, short sleeved and button-down shirt with black slacks or a black, short-sleeved polo shirt with either black or khaki pants. However, if you want a particular costume or color to fit a particular theme, run it by us! We’ll do our very best to accommodate.

Our bartenders are trained and certified in responsible alcohol service and will stick to the standards of that certification. If there will be younger guests at your party, we can check IDs and act accordingly. Please be aware that it is unlawful for us to serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 in the state of California, regardless of where the party takes place, private residence or otherwise. However, we have no problem providing non-alcoholic alternatives to children and young (underage) adults at the party, as well as to any adults who would like a beverage but don’t want the alcohol. We want everyone to enjoy your party but also drink responsibility and get home safe at the end of the day or night.

We always ask for a point of contact for the bartenders and/or servers we provide for your wedding or special event. While our personal event coordinator will work with you to finalize the details for the bar service ahead of time, it’s always good to know who to ask if questions come up during the event.

It's a good idea to decide ahead of time how you want to handle tips. Would you prefer to tip the staff yourself or would it be better for the bartender to have a tip jar, for example? Whatever you decide, your bartending staff will be briefed ahead of time and will follow your wishes upon arrival.