Frequently Asked Questions

For most events — weddings, private parties, corporate events — the host supplies the alcohol and we provide everything else: bartenders, mobile bar, glassware, ice, mixers, fresh garnishes, bar tools, setup, and breakdown. We send a detailed shopping list (what to buy, how many bottles, how much ice) based on your guest count and signature drinks; most clients purchase at Total Wine or Costco for cost efficiency. For white-glove events (brand activations, premium weddings) we can source spirits directly — this is quoted separately and adds to the total. The host-supplied approach typically saves 30–40% on the alcohol portion of the budget.

We can provide complete event coordination from food, rentals, entertainment, and more. Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Yes. Alcohol tastings are $300 at our Miami office. We will provide the ingredients for up to 4 custom drinks (prices are subject to change based on recipes).  Cocktail tastings are only scheduled and planned after the initial deposit is made. 

We offer a variety of bar services, including bar catering, cocktail catering, festival bar concessions, and more. We can customize our services to fit your specific needs and preferences.

We offer a wide selection of beverages, including beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. We can also create custom drink menus to fit your event theme or preferences.

Plan on one bartender per 50 guests as a baseline — this ratio works for most weddings, private parties, and corporate events with standard cocktail service. Adjust from there based on factors: beer-and-wine only can run one bartender per 75 guests; events with custom craft cocktails or high-volume cocktail hour run one per 35–40; premium events where bar speed is part of the experience run one per 25–30 guests. For events of 200+ guests, you’ll also want a barback (1 per 4 bartenders) to keep stations stocked and a captain coordinating the team. Under-staffing is the #1 mistake hosts make — when the bar line is too long, guests over-order to avoid the next wait, get drunk in clusters, and the rest of the event takes the hit.

Yes — Bar Solution carries full Florida liquor liability insurance, with coverage valid in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties. We deliver a Certificate of Insurance (COI) to your venue, condo HOA, or beach permit office 14 days before the event — most Miami condos and high-end hotels require this and verify it ahead of the event. Every bartender on our roster is TIPS-certified for responsible alcohol service, which means trained to spot over-service, handle intoxicated guests, and protect the host from liability. For ticketed events (charity galas, fundraisers, non-licensed venue events), a temporary event liquor permit may be required from your city’s permitting office — we can advise on what your specific event needs.

For peak Miami season (October–April), we recommend booking 8–12 weeks ahead — sooner for Saturday weddings, Art Basel week (early December), the December holiday corridor, and Miami Music Week (late March). For summer events (May–September) and weekday corporate events, 3–6 weeks is typically sufficient. We accept short-notice bookings under 7 days when our roster has availability, but for these urgent requests we recommend calling rather than emailing for fastest response. For events larger than 300 guests or multi-bar setups, add another 4 weeks to the recommended lead time — multi-bar logistics and large bartender teams need more coordination.

Yes, we offer event rentals, including glassware, bar equipment, and more. We can also work with your existing rentals or equipment to ensure a seamless bar experience.

Yes — custom cocktail menu design is one of the most-requested services we offer. We design 2–6 signature cocktails matched to your event theme, season, venue, and the host’s personal taste (or in the case of corporate events, your brand). For weddings, we’ll often name a cocktail after the couple; for brand launches, we’ll build a drink around the product itself. Printed menu cards in your event’s visual style are included as standard. For premium events, we offer a pre-event tasting session so you can sample each cocktail before the final menu is locked. Menu development typically happens 4–6 weeks before the event.

Yes. Alcohol tastings are $300 at our Miami office. We will provide the ingredients for up to 4 custom drinks (prices are subject to change based on recipes).  Cocktail tastings are only scheduled and planned after the initial deposit is made. 

Bar consulting is a service provided by experts in the bar and beverage industry who offer advice, guidance, and support in setting up and managing bars in various settings, such as events, restaurants, and hotels. This can include designing bar layouts, creating drink menus, training bartenders, and optimizing operations for efficiency and profitability.

Bar consulting services can help ensure that your event bar runs smoothly, efficiently, and profitably. Expert consultants can provide valuable insights and recommendations on bar setup, drink selection, staffing, and operations, which can help you create a memorable and successful bar experience for your guests.

Bar consulting services can provide your business with professional expertise and guidance in optimizing your bar operations. This can result in increased customer satisfaction, improved profitability, and enhanced reputation. Bar consultants can help you create unique and innovative drink offerings, streamline operations, and provide training to your staff to elevate the overall bar experience for your customers.

Plan on one bartender per 50 guests as a baseline — this ratio works for most weddings, private parties, and corporate events with standard cocktail service. Adjust from there based on factors: beer-and-wine only can run one bartender per 75 guests; events with custom craft cocktails or high-volume cocktail hour run one per 35–40; premium events where bar speed is part of the experience run one per 25–30 guests. For events of 200+ guests, you’ll also want a barback (1 per 4 bartenders) to keep stations stocked and a captain coordinating the team. Under-staffing is the #1 mistake hosts make — when the bar line is too long, guests over-order to avoid the next wait, get drunk in clusters, and the rest of the event takes the hit.

Event staffing refers to the provision of trained and experienced staff to support various roles and responsibilities during events, such as bartenders, servers, hosts/hostesses, and other event-related tasks. Event staffing ensures smooth and efficient execution of event operations and enhances guest experience.

Event staffing is essential to ensure that your event runs smoothly and professionally. Trained and experienced event staff can handle various tasks, such as bartending, serving, crowd management, and other event-related duties, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your event and providing a seamless experience for your guests.

Hiring event staffing services can provide you with well-trained and experienced staff who can handle various event-related tasks, saving you time and effort. Event staff can ensure that your event runs efficiently, professionally, and according to plan. They can also handle unexpected situations and emergencies, providing peace of mind and a seamless experience for your guests.

Yes — Broward County is part of our standard service area, including Fort Lauderdale (Las Olas, Downtown, Coral Ridge), Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Deerfield Beach, Davie, Weston, Wilton Manors, Plantation, Sunrise, and Coral Springs. Palm Beach County is also covered: Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Lake Worth. For events in central Broward (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano) there’s no travel fee. For events further north into Palm Beach County, a small travel adjustment may apply depending on distance and equipment volume — always quoted upfront.

Yes — we cater events throughout Monroe County, including Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West. The Florida Keys are a popular destination wedding market and we regularly work beach weddings, yacht charters, and private estate events down the chain. Because the Keys involve longer travel distances and lodging logistics for our team, events in the Keys include a travel adjustment that scales with the distance from Miami — Key Largo events add a modest fee, Key West events add a larger one (including team accommodations for overnight stays). We’re happy to scope and quote any Keys event.

Yes — private residence events anywhere in our four-county service area (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe) are welcome. We bring the mobile bar, glassware, ice, mixers, garnishes, and bartenders; set up in your backyard, kitchen, pool deck, or wherever the bar makes sense; and break down cleanly at the end. For events at private estates that require gate access, parking coordination, or HOA-required Certificates of Insurance, we handle the logistics in advance so there are no surprises on event day. For private estate events in remote locations (Florida Keys, far western Broward, etc.), a travel adjustment may apply but it’s quoted upfront.

There’s no hard guest count minimum — we cater intimate events of 12–20 guests when our roster has availability, particularly cocktail dinner parties where the bartender becomes part of the experience. That said, most events booking with Bar Solution are 30+ guests, which is the threshold where dedicated bar catering meaningfully outperforms self-service. Our service has a 4-hour event minimum on the time side (the Miami industry norm), plus a typical $500–$750 minimum total fee that covers setup, breakdown, and a single bartender even for very small events. For premium events and corporate activations, minimums scale up with the staffing and equipment required.

Gratuity is not included in the cost of your event unless previously discussed. If a tip jar is not appropriate or allowed, the host is responsible for the gratuity. The amount of gratuity is at the host’s discretion with $2 to 4 per guest as a guideline.

At the time of signing, 50% of the cost of the services is due. The remaining balance is due within 5 business days. Any cancellations 5 days before service lose the right to a full refund.

For events in central Miami-Dade and Broward Counties — including Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Aventura, and the surrounding metro — there is no separate travel fee. For events further north into Palm Beach County (Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach) or south into Monroe County (the Florida Keys), we may add a modest travel adjustment depending on distance, equipment volume, and staffing time. Any travel adjustment is quoted upfront and shown as a line item — no hidden fees. We can often waive small travel fees for events that meet a minimum size threshold.

Of course. Please contact us for a quote.

For peak Miami season (October–April), we recommend booking 8–12 weeks ahead — sooner for Saturday weddings, Art Basel week (early December), the December holiday corridor, and Miami Music Week (late March). For summer events (May–September) and weekday corporate events, 3–6 weeks is typically sufficient. We accept short-notice bookings under 7 days when our roster has availability, but for these urgent requests we recommend calling rather than emailing for fastest response. For events larger than 300 guests or multi-bar setups, add another 4 weeks to the recommended lead time — multi-bar logistics and large bartender teams need more coordination.

Bar catering pricing in Miami typically runs $35–$100+ per guest depending on the package, hours of service, type of bar (beer-and-wine vs. full spirits), staffing ratio, glassware choice, and whether the host supplies the alcohol. A 100-guest wedding with a full open bar and signature cocktails usually sits around $45–$65 per guest; a 200-guest brand activation with premium spirits and custom-branded bars sits higher. We don’t quote flat brochure rates — every event gets an itemized quote based on its specifics, delivered within 24 hours of your request. The single biggest cost lever is whether you supply the alcohol (the typical approach, saves 30–40%) or we source it directly.

Yes, we offer event rentals, including glassware, bar equipment, and more. We can also work with your existing rentals or equipment to ensure a seamless bar experience.

The faster you can share five pieces of information, the faster and more accurate your quote: (1) event date and start/end time; (2) venue and exact address; (3) confirmed guest count or accurate estimate; (4) the bar service type you’re considering (open bar, cash bar, consumption bar, beer-and-wine only, or full spirits with signature cocktails); (5) any special considerations — Spanish-speaking staff, eco-friendly serviceware, branded cocktails for a corporate launch, hora loca for a quinceañera, condo HOA requirements, kosher service, dietary considerations. Don’t worry about lowballing the guest count — under-staffing is the most common Miami bar service mistake, so accurate numbers help us recommend the right plan. If you have a budget in mind, share it too — we’ll work to that.

We work primarily on custom quotes rather than rigid pre-set packages, because every Miami event has different needs — a 30-guest backyard dinner doesn’t need the same setup as a 500-guest gala. That said, most clients fall into one of three pricing tiers: a budget tier (~$30–$45 per guest) for beer-and-wine service with basic setup; a mid-range tier (~$50–$75 per guest) for full open bar with signature cocktails and real glassware; and a premium tier (~$90–$140+ per guest) for white-glove service with sourced premium spirits, multiple bar stations, and a captain coordinating the team. We’ll recommend the tier that fits your event during the consultation. Itemized quotes within 24 hours.

Eight factors move the cost of bar catering in Miami: (1) guest count — the primary driver; (2) event duration — typically priced on a 4–6 hour minimum; (3) bar service type — open bar costs more than cash bar or consumption bar; (4) beverage type — beer-and-wine is 40–60% less than full spirits; (5) staffing ratio — Miami industry standard is one bartender per 50 guests for open bar; (6) equipment — mobile bars, glassware, and ice add cost if the venue doesn’t provide them; (7) alcohol sourcing — host-supplied is most cost-effective; (8) geographic location — outlying areas may include a small travel adjustment. The single biggest controllable cost lever is whether you supply the alcohol yourself.

Call us at (786) 616-8601 or email us at [email protected]. We will provide a custom quote within 24 hours. A deposit and signed contract will be required before your event date is officially booked.

We serve all of Miami-Dade County, including Brickell, Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach (South Beach, Mid-Beach, North Beach), Wynwood, the Design District, Aventura, Bal Harbour, Surfside, Sunny Isles Beach, Key Biscayne, Doral, Pinecrest, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Beach permit zones (Ocean Beach Park, North Shore Open Space Park, South Pointe Park) are part of our standard service area. We also work events on Star Island, Palm Island, Hibiscus Island, and the Venetian Islands for private estate events. No travel surcharge applies for any Miami-Dade location.

Yes — home, yacht, and office events are some of our most common bookings. For home events, we bring the mobile bar, glassware, ice, mixers, garnishes, and bartenders; set up before guests arrive; and break down cleanly at the end so your kitchen counter, backyard, or pool deck looks exactly as we found it. For yacht events, we use compact bartender setups with contained serviceware that won’t slide on a moving deck. For corporate offices, we coordinate with your facilities team on load-in, power, and breakdown timing. The Certificate of Insurance is delivered to your condo HOA, building management, or venue 14 days before the event — many Miami buildings require this for any vendor serving alcohol.

At the time of signing, 50% of the cost of the services is due. The remaining balance is due within 5 business days. Any cancellations 5 days before service lose the right to a full refund.

We can provide complete event coordination from food, rentals, entertainment, and more. Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Of course. Please contact us for a quote.

We provide bar catering for nearly every event format South Florida produces: weddings (from intimate beachside ceremonies to 500-guest receptions), corporate events (product launches, holiday parties, executive dinners, conference receptions), festivals (music festivals, food festivals, Art Basel activations), private parties (milestone birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, quinceañeras), brand activations and product launches, yacht events on the Intracoastal and Biscayne Bay, beach events with proper permits, charity galas, and the kind of backyard parties where the host should be a guest, not the bartender. We’ve worked events from 20 guests to 5,000+ guests. The format and scale change the staffing plan, but the standard stays the same — licensed, insured, professional, and on time.

We offer a variety of bar services, including bar catering, cocktail catering, festival bar concessions, and more. We can customize our services to fit your specific needs and preferences.

For peak Miami season (October–April), we recommend booking 8–12 weeks ahead — sooner for Saturday weddings, Art Basel week (early December), the December holiday corridor, and Miami Music Week (late March). For summer events (May–September) and weekday corporate events, 3–6 weeks is typically sufficient. We accept short-notice bookings under 7 days when our roster has availability, but for these urgent requests we recommend calling rather than emailing for fastest response. For events larger than 300 guests or multi-bar setups, add another 4 weeks to the recommended lead time — multi-bar logistics and large bartender teams need more coordination.

The faster you can share five pieces of information, the faster and more accurate your quote: (1) event date and start/end time; (2) venue and exact address; (3) confirmed guest count or accurate estimate; (4) the bar service type you’re considering (open bar, cash bar, consumption bar, beer-and-wine only, or full spirits with signature cocktails); (5) any special considerations — Spanish-speaking staff, eco-friendly serviceware, branded cocktails for a corporate launch, hora loca for a quinceañera, condo HOA requirements, kosher service, dietary considerations. Don’t worry about lowballing the guest count — under-staffing is the most common Miami bar service mistake, so accurate numbers help us recommend the right plan. If you have a budget in mind, share it too — we’ll work to that.

Yes — eco-friendly serviceware is available on every package, and required by some venues. We offer compostable glassware, biodegradable straws, and minimal-waste bar setups for outdoor events, pool parties, beach weddings, and any venue where single-use plastics are prohibited. For Miami Beach venues, we know which beach permit zones require eco-friendly disposables (Ocean Beach Park, North Shore Open Space Park, South Pointe Park) and coordinate accordingly. We also offer reduced-waste batching for cocktails — pre-batched in bulk rather than individual single-use containers — for events with sustainability priorities. Ask about eco-friendly options during your quote and we’ll include them at no markup for most events.

Yes — Spanish-speaking bartenders and servers are a default option for Miami events with international guests, not a special request. Most of our team is bilingual (English/Spanish), and we work quinceañeras, Latin family weddings, Brazilian Music Week events, and corporate events with international guests regularly. We don’t "send a bartender who knows a few words" — we send bilingual bartenders who can take orders, make conversation, and handle the family dynamics that show up at events with multiple generations of guests. Just mention "bilingual staff" during your quote and we’ll prioritize accordingly.

This is the #1 reason hosts call Bar Solution after a bad experience with a freelancer or staffing app: we staff every event with a backup roster, so if a bartender has a true emergency, others step in same-day. You’re not left scrambling at 2pm with guests arriving at 5pm. Our day-before confirmation includes names, photos, and ETAs of every staff member, plus our on-call lead’s number — so if anything changes on event day, you (or your event planner) get a direct call from a real person, not an automated "your booking has been canceled" email. This is the kind of reliability we build into every quote, and it’s why most of our business comes from repeat clients and referrals.