A Bartender Contract is used by bartenders or companies that provide bartending services on an independent contractor basis. This often includes work for events such as birthdays, weddings, parties, and performances. It specifies your services, what alcohol you serve, and other critical job details.
The right independent contractor agreement can protect your legal rights and increase your level of professionalism at the same time.
When To Use
- Bartending services for weddings and parties
- Bartending for special events
- Hire a bartender who will follow applicable liquor laws.
What Is a Bartender?
A bartender is a person who serves and formulates alcoholic beverages. They might work in a licensed bar or restaurant or may act as an independent contractor. They help control alcohol consumption and follow applicable beer and liquor laws.
Services Provided
Bartenders provide many services, including the following:
- Alcohol inventory and regulation
- Maintaining and changing kegs
- Serving beer and liquor to customers
- Mixing drinks and creating cocktails
- Entertaining guests
Salary and Hourly Rate
Salary and hourly rates for bartenders can vary greatly. Bartenders may charge hourly for their time, anywhere from $20-60 per hour, according to BarSpirit. However, this rate can quickly increase to over $300 an hour for those who include the cost of supplies in their hourly rate or are highly sought after. Your contract should set the rate that you feel is appropriate.
Licensing and Age Requirements
This chart shows state laws that may impact bartenders. Note that it does not cover local regulations.
| State | License/Certification | License Required? | Minimum Age | Manager of Supervisor Must Be Present |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Responsible Vendor Program | No |
21 years old; or 19 years old with an RVP license. |
Yes |
| Alaska | Yes Alcohol Server Training | Yes | 21 years old | No |
| Arizona | Title 4 Training Providers | No | 18 years old | No |
| Arkansas | ABC Educational Seminar | No |
21 years old; or 19 years old at restaurants, private clubs, hotels, and motels with a permit; or 18 years old at grocery stores (beer and wine only), wholesalers, and wineries with written parental consent. |
No |
| California | Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training | Yes |
21 years old; or 18 years old in a public eating place |
No |
What To Include in a Bartender Contract
Your contract should include all of the following:
- The parties’ contact information, including name, address, and email
- The contract issue date
- The scope of work, including what services you will provide
- Whether supplies are charged separately or as part of your rate
- Your hourly or per-event rate
- Event details such as the date, time, location, and more
- Any special requests, such as specific liquor or drinks
- Payment terms, including amounts and accepted payment methods
- Licensing, insurance, and permitting information
- Photo or video release provisions
- Tipping policy
Your contract should include every detail you would want to enforce. It is better to have it so you know you are protected.
Benefits of a Bartender Contract
There are many benefits of a bartending contract, including:
- Outlines all payment options and requirements
- Establishes your hourly rate or cost per event
- Sets forth legal protection and liability clauses that protect your rights
- Defines the roles and responsibilities of you, your client, and other parties to the contract
- Sets specific dates and times for your obligations
- Prevents unwritten expectations or confusion about those expectations
- Provides a legal basis to enforce the agreement and seek payment owed
Bartender Contract Sample
Below, you can download a Bartender Contract in PDF or Word format:
