Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Mobile Bartender in Minnesota or Wisconsin

A great bartender does more than pour drinks. They keep the line moving, keep an eye on guest safety, and make your event feel relaxed and fun. But mobile bartending services vary a lot in what they include and how they work.

Whether you're planning a wedding in the St. Croix Valley, a corporate event in the Twin Cities, or a backyard party in Western Wisconsin, here are the questions worth asking before you book.

1. Do You Carry Liquor Liability Insurance?

This is the big one. Ask whether the company carries liquor liability insurance and whether they can provide a certificate of insurance (COI). Some venues ask for one, so find out early what your venue needs and when.

2. Are Your Bartenders Trained in Responsible Service?

Ask what training the bartenders have, such as alcohol-server certification. Also ask how they check IDs and how they handle a guest who has had too much.

3. Who Supplies the Alcohol?

Some bartending services can sell alcohol and some can't. It depends on their licensing. If they can't, you'll buy it yourself, so ask:

• Will you help me figure out how much to buy?
• Can you pick up my order, and is there a fee?
• What happens to unopened bottles at the end of the night?

Rules around alcohol sales and service vary by city, county and state, and by venue. Check with your venue and your local rules rather than assuming.

4. What's Included in Your Packages?

"Bartending service" can mean very different things. Get a clear list:

• Is it just the bartender, or do you bring a bar, cups, ice, mixers and garnishes?
• Is travel included, and how far?
• Can you create a signature cocktail menu?
• Do you offer rentals like glassware, a champagne toast setup or a mobile bar?

5. How Do Setup and Cleanup Work?

Ask how early the team arrives, how much setup and cleanup time is included, and what "cleanup" covers. A good bar team leaves the space the way they found it.

6. How Many Bartenders Will I Need?

A reputable company will recommend staffing based on your guest count, bar menu and timeline. Be cautious if the answer is always "one" no matter what. Read our guide on how many bartenders you need for a starting point.

7. Does My Venue Have Rules We Need to Follow?

Before you sign anything, check with your venue. Ask whether outside alcohol is allowed, whether outside bartenders need to be insured, if there's a required end time for service, and where the bar can go.

8. Do You Offer Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic Options?

Not everyone drinks, and those guests deserve something better than a plain soda. Ask about mocktails, what's available for kids, and whether water is easy for guests to get to.

9. What Are Your Policies on Shots, Tips and Attire?

Ask whether they serve shots, how gratuity is handled (tip jar or added to the invoice), and what the bartenders wear.

How Give Us A Shot Handles These Questions

We've been bartending and working events for more than a decade. Here's how we answer each question:

• Insurance: We're fully insured with liquor liability insurance, and we provide a certificate of insurance once you book.
• Training and safety: Every one of our bartenders must be TIPS certified. We don't serve anyone under 21, so please ask your guests to bring ID. We also have the right to refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated.
• Alcohol: We don't have a liquor license to sell alcohol. We can arrange pickup of your order for a delivery fee and help you figure out how much to buy. Try our free Alcohol Calculator.
• What's included: Our packages each include 30 minutes of setup, 30 minutes of cleanup and up to 1 hour of travel. Every bartender brings an ice bucket, bottle opener, shaker, beverage mat, bar towels and bins to chill your drinks. Our Bartender with Supplies package adds a portable bar with linens, cups, napkins, straws, garnishes, water, sodas and mixers, and juice boxes for the kids.
• Setup timing: We arrive one hour early for a full bar setup and 30 minutes early when it's just the bartender.
• Extras: We offer custom cocktail design, a light-up bar, a 4-tap mobile bar trailer, a champagne cart, a champagne wall, glassware, coolers and a water station. We also offer host staff to help clear tables, replenish food and wash dishes.
• Mocktails: Yes! We love making non-alcoholic drinks, and our tap systems can pour non-alcoholic options too. We also offer kiddie cocktails.
• Policies: Our beverage packages don't include shots, which helps keep the night safe and the bar stocked. We can use a discreet tip jar or add gratuity to your invoice. Our team dresses in all black, and we can adjust to fit your event.

More answers are on our FAQ page.

Let's Talk About Your Event

We're based in Stillwater and serve the Twin Cities and communities within about 1 to 1.5 hours, including Western Wisconsin towns like Hudson, River Falls, Pepin and Stockholm.

Get a quote online. We'd love to raise a glass at your next event.

Call us: 651-354-2373