What are your bartenders like? We take pride in having assembled a beautifully diverse roster of amazing individuals to serve at your most special events. Each team member brings their unique personality and style, all working within our credo: “People will never forget how you made them feel.” They are both professional and fun, and the great reviews they receive are a testament to this.

What do your bartenders wear? Do they have a uniform? Since Drink Slinger's inception in 2015, we have been recognized for our stylish “dapper” bartenders, who bring their unique personalities to each event. When we began serving drinks around Austin, we noticed a stark contrast in the energy of bartenders at regular bars compared to those at special events. We decided to approach things differently by bridging the gap between Austin’s vibrant bar culture and special events.

We believe that when our bartenders are dressed in a way that reflects their individual style and comfort, they can provide their best personality and service. Instead of imposing a strict uniform policy, like the typical catering attire of black or white button-ups and black slacks, we encourage our staff to follow a “Dapper Attire” guide. This allows them some flexibility to express their unique style while maintaining professionalism. Some bartenders may opt for all-black attire, while others might choose a patterned button-up shirt. If you have specific requests regarding their attire, please let your Event Manager know so we can communicate them to the staff assigned to your event.

How many bartenders will I need for my event? The industry standard recommends one bartender for every 50-75 guests when serving beer, wine, and mixed drinks, or one bartender for every 75-120 guests for beer and wine service. For made-to-order craft cocktails, we recommend one bartender for every 20-40 guests. When serving batched cocktails, we suggest one bartender for every 65-75 guests.

How much time does it take to set up and break down a bar? For most events, especially weddings, our team needs two hours for setup. This time includes unloading, parking, setting up the bar for efficient service, batching signature cocktails, and icing down beer, wine, etc. However, there are some cases when our team may require up to three hours for setup, particularly if there are multiple bars, signature cocktails, and glassware. Breakdown typically takes between 30 minutes and one hour, depending on the venue.

For smaller private events, such as house parties, our team may only need 1 to 1.5 hours for setup and 30 minutes for breakdown. This time may vary depending on what our staff is responsible for setting up versus what the host will provide and set up before our staff's arrival.

What does your standard bar set up with tables and linens look like? See a few images here.

Do your services cost more than a bartending package add-on from a caterer or other multi-service company? Our market research indicates that our pricing is extremely competitive. What we do know is this: we have chosen to specialize in one service—bar services—and to do it exceptionally well. Our consistent 5-star reviews attest to our expertise and integrity. We are laser-focused on providing our clients with the most detailed bar services possible because we understand that the bar is often a focal point of an event. We are also selective in hiring our bartending staff and compensate them well, ensuring consistency and maintaining our high standards.

Can I add any services? Yes! You can add on such items as a champagne tower, champagne wall, glassware rentals, one of our custom wooden bars, and other elevated add ons.

If I add a recommended shopping list, when will I receive the shopping list? After booking with us, the next step before your event is to send you a questionnaire to gather information about the specifics of your event. This will help us understand what you'd like us to serve and who your guests are, allowing us to craft as accurate a shopping list as possible. For larger events, such as weddings, we prefer to have this conversation about two months in advance. This timeline gives you enough time to get an accurate guest count and decide on your drink choices (which we are happy to help with), while still allowing time to place your order with the retailer of your choice.

Please note that our shopping list is a guideline; we cannot precisely predict how much your guests will drink. We believe (and our clients agree) that it’s better to have leftovers that you can use later or return than to run out of alcohol during your event.

Can you quote me for exactly what I need so that I don’t have to think about it? Absolutely! Just provide us with the details about your event, and we will create a proposal that is tailored to your needs.

Do you offer coffee or tea service? No, we do not offer coffee or tea service at this time.

Do you do tastings? Yes, we can offer tastings on select Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings for a fee of $250. This includes samples of up to four signature cocktails. The fee covers the bartender's time and the ingredients needed for the tasting. We can also provide tastings of the beer and wine included in our hosted bar packages.

What is a Hosted Bar Package vs. Basic Bar Services?A hosted bar package (HBP) means that the host (you) is hiring us (Drink Slingers) to provide full bar services for the guests at your special event. Our packages are priced per person and include select alcohol, mixers, garnishes, ice, disposable cups, and bar tools. In addition to the HBP charges, we also charge for each staff member, bar rentals (basic tables and linens or upgraded portable bars), transportation and parking fees as needed, and any other special upgrades.

What is a “signature” cocktail? A “signature cocktail” is any cocktail listed on the bar menu, whether it comes from our signature cocktail menu or is a recipe provided by the event host. Most guests at an open bar will order the first drink they see on the menu, so it’s imperative that our team is ready to serve those cocktails quickly and efficiently. This means we need to ensure we have enough mixers and garnishes for those drinks (most guests prefer to leave these details to us) and that your Event Manager sets the bartenders up for success with a strategy for serving them. Batching cocktails is our preferred strategy.

What is a “batched” cocktail? A batched cocktail is one we partially prepare in advance by combining non-fizzy ingredients in a dispenser. These ingredients may include liquor, liqueurs, fresh juices, syrups, and bitters. The only items we cannot batch are fizzy drinks such as sodas, seltzers, or champagne.

At Drink Slingers, our process involves pouring the batched cocktail into a shaker when ordered by a guest at the bar, shaking it well, and then pouring it into a fresh cup or glass with ice. We top it off with any additional ingredients (like bubbles or club soda) and then add the garnish. We believe this is the most efficient way to serve a high-quality, fresh craft cocktail.

However, for larger high-volume events where quicker service is needed, we can omit the shaking, add ice to the batch for dilution, and pour the fully batched cocktail directly into the cup or glass.

Can your bartenders make classic cocktails to order (not batched)? Our bartenders are trained and skilled in making a variety of mixed drinks and classic cocktails. However, we want to assure you that having one bartender build margaritas and Old Fashioneds from scratch for 50-100 guests is not efficient. If you would like classic cocktails made to order, we will need to staff a ratio of one bartender for every 25 guests and will require a pre-paid host gratuity.

Can I feature a Martini, Manhattan, Negroni or other craft cocktails as a signature drink? We strongly discourage featuring spirit-forward cocktails for signature drinks at weddings, corporate events, or any private party with an open bar lasting more than two hours. It is our staff’s legal responsibility to prevent guests from becoming overly intoxicated. If everyone starts the night off with a stiff drink, it is almost inevitable that we will need to cut guests off, which nobody wants to do.

Instead, we suggest featuring more balanced cocktails (such as those listed on our menu) on the bar menu, with a limited selection of ingredients available for making off-menu drinks later in the night. See the next question:

Can guests order cocktails not listed on the bar menu? Yes, as long as we have the ingredients to make the drink. For example, if your bar menu features an easily batched cocktail like a margarita and a made-to-order drink like a Moscow Mule, but you know some guests might want a Manhattan or Dirty Martini, we can accommodate that. Either you or we can stock the bar with a limited amount of sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, olives, cherries, and oranges to make those cocktails to order. Please consult with your Event Manager about the ingredients you want stocked at the bar.

Are we limited to choosing signature cocktails from your menu only? No, if you have a favorite cocktail that isn’t featured on our menu, you can provide the recipe to your Event Manager. They will inform you about the feasibility and best strategy for serving that drink and sourcing the ingredients. If we need to batch a cocktail not listed on our menu, we will charge an off-menu recipe scaling fee.

Can you serve shots? Due to our liquor liability policy and the legal implications of serving drinks at an open bar, we do not serve straight liquor to guests. If you would like to serve a round of shots, they must include ice and a mixer—no straight liquor. Additionally, most venues do not allow the service of shots.

Can you deliver alcohol to a private residence? Due to TABC laws and restrictions, it is easiest for you to provide your own alcohol when hosting an event at a private residence. If we provide alcohol for your event, no other alcohol can be present or consumed while we are on-site, which can be difficult for us to monitor.

Can you provide a cash bar? Yes, we can provide cash bar services at a commercial venue (not a private residence). Drink Slingers must maintain exclusive control over all phases of the possession, sale, and service of alcohol at the event location. This includes, but is not limited to, available brands, pricing, inventory purchases, sales records, transportation, storage, hours of operation, and employees or volunteers. This means that no alcohol other than that of the license/permit holder (Drink Slingers) can be present, donated, served, or consumed during the hours the license/permit holder is on-site.

Can you provide a temporary event permit? Yes, Drink Slingers has a Mixed Beverage Permit (MB), which allows us to apply for temporary event permits from TABC as long as the event is held at a commercial venue. The venue or host must provide us with the necessary documentation to apply for the temporary event permit, including but not limited to a layout/diagram showing the location of the bar and a venue permission letter signed by venue management. If your event is open to the public and/or will have 500+ guests, it needs to be confirmed at least 14 business days prior to the event date to avoid late permitting fees.

Can you serve donated alcohol without a permit? Yes, it is legal to provide free alcoholic beverages without a permit. However, to be considered “free,” it must be available to any adult who walks in and requests it. If it is only available to paying customers (e.g., paid entry tickets), the assumption is that the cost of the alcohol is included in the price of the service. If the alcoholic beverage will only be available to paying guests, then the event will need a permit (see above).

Do you charge sales tax? We charge sales tax on applicable rental items and some resale items. There is no sales tax on our service items.

What other fees can I expect? Our proposals are customized and comprehensive. We take the time to create detailed proposals that meet your needs and requests, and we are transparent about what is included and what is not. Below the invoice section of each proposal, there is a section called “Host Responsibility,” where we outline any bar-related items we have not yet included because you indicated that the host or venue would provide them. We pride ourselves on being transparent, detailed, and clear throughout all stages of the planning process. The most common items that might need to be added to our initial proposal include basic mixers, garnishes, mixers for signature cocktails, and host gratuity on the final bill (especially if tip jars are not allowed).

Do you require a deposit? Yes, we require a 35% deposit upfront to secure your booking.

Can I pay by credit card? Yes, you may pay securely through your online event portal, or you can send a check by mail. Our services are not confirmed until we receive your deposit.

What happens after booking? After we receive your deposit, you will officially be on our calendar, and the planning process will begin. If your event or wedding is several months away, we will let you know that we will reach out closer to your date (usually 1 to 2 months prior) to send the questionnaire. This questionnaire will help us fill in the details about your event and ultimately determine the best strategy for it.

Please keep in mind that many events have variables that may change during the planning process, which could affect arrival and departure times, equipment needs, and the number of bartenders required. These adjustments may, in turn, modify your quote. We are always happy to jump on a call to discuss specifics.

Do you do last-minute bookings? In most cases—especially during our peak seasons of February through May and September through December—we cannot accommodate last-minute event requests. We require events to be confirmed (contract signed and deposit paid) at least 7 to 10 days prior to the event date to give our team enough time to plan. We operate with a small but dedicated administrative team, and we stay busy year-round writing proposals and confirming events.

I have more questions! Can I contact you directly? Absolutely! Send us an email and we will respond to you shortly.

Where do I go to fill out a quote request? Great question! Click the “GET A QUOTE” button below!

A Comprehensive List of our Frequently Asked Questions