Bar Staffing Agency
We are the UK’s largest dedicated bar staffing agency. We have over 1,000 bar staff and bartenders on our database, and we offer bartender hire for major events across the UK.
Our bar staff network includes bar managers, bar supervisors, cocktail bartenders, flair bartenders, back of house support and personal license holders. The Cocktail Service is a trusted events partner to some of the UK’s biggest venues, contract caterers and major events.
If you are looking for first-class service and bar staffing for events, get in touch today.
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A FOCUS ON BAR STAFF TRAINING
We prioritise training above all else and have developed a bespoke online training portal that all TCS People are required to undertake.
This is not cursory, our training process takes over 6 hours to complete before group induction at our Oxford HQ. Every team member is handpicked for their positivity, personality and ability.
Our agency has delivered event bar staff solutions to major events across the UK and internationally including Pride In London, Badminton Horse Trials, Cowes Week, The Queens Tennis Championships and The Royal Polo.
WHAT BAR STAFF CAN WE PROVIDE?
Below are some of the types of bartender hire available:
Cocktail bartenders for hire
Fully trained cocktail bartenders for hire (or mixologists as they are also known) who have a wide-ranging mixology skillset.
We regularly work with drinks brands and high-profile clients who demand a minimum level of expertise when hiring cocktail bartenders. We have rigorous standards that all our cocktail bartenders must meet before they join the team.
All our mixologists can deliver quality bar service in even the most demanding of environments from greenfield festival sites to VVIP events.
Flair staffing
Cocktail bartenders can also entertain with exceptional bottle and cocktail equipment juggling. Flair bartenders can wow crowds with their skills and are a show-stopping addition to any bar service.
Flair bartenders have a very specialist skill set so incur a higher hourly hire charge than other bartenders for hire. It’s more than worth it though, as flair bartender hire is a guest entertainment in itself.
Bartenders for Hire
Private event bartenders who can deliver a high quality, non-cocktail service.
Your event may not need a cocktail menu, but you’ll need fast, efficient, professional service. Our event bartenders work at events of all types; from festivals right through to product launches, corporate events and weddings.
Other Types of Bar Staff
Servers
Serving staff who run front of house tray service. Our servers are highly personable and efficient, ensuring all front of house duties are taken care of.
An event is only successful as the staff!
Model staff
Cocktail bartenders and serving staff who also model is a part of our service. Luxury events increasingly require model staffing and we work closely with the modelling industry to offer beautiful, charming cocktail bartenders and servers to events.
Brand ambassadors
Delivering sampling and event support to brands who need to deliver specific messages to their audience.
We work very closely with several drink brands and other household names to support their brand activations through sampling, events and masterclasses.
All our bar staff come with included bartending equipment for every hire.
Get in touch if you want to find out more about the bar staffing services that we offer and how we can help ensure your event is a success!
HOW DOES OUR BAR STAFFING AGENCY WORK?
All agency staffing hire is coordinated through our account management team.
Top tip: Check out some of our past events where our event bar staff have provided an exceptional service.
Step 1: Get In Touch
If you are looking to hire a cocktail bartender, then simply get in touch with our friendly team. We will then arrange a quote for you.
Please note, as a major bar staffing agency, we do have a minimum staffing hire quantity.
Please contact our team to discuss your requirements.
Step 2: Requirements
Our friendly team will arrange a call or respond by email to find out more about your requirements.
We’ll take information such as the date of the event, the location, guest arrival times, guest numbers.
If you have ideas about the style of service, we’ll note these, as well as drinks you’d like served.
We’ll be led by you, but our expert team of event planners can also offer suggestions on all elements of the event.
Step 3: Proposal
Once we’ve gathered information, we’ll provide you with a proposal and quotation, with a full breakdown of costs.
All quotes are itemised, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
If you have further suggestions, we can review the proposal until we get it just right for you.
After the proposal is accepted, our event operations team will select the best staff for your event from our nationwide pool of bar and event staff.
We’ll undertake any security checks required such as DBS checks.
If your event requires specific skill sets required for the event, such as flair bartenders, staff who speak specific languages, or personal licence holders then the team will find the right people for the job.
Step 4: The Event
Prior to the event we will provide you with a team leader as a point of contact for the event.
All staff will receive a briefing pack with the event details such as location, shift times, guest numbers, cocktails.
All bartenders and cocktail bartenders come in immaculate uniform (bespoke uniforms are also available) and have all the bartending equipment needed.
They are used to working in all sorts of environments from high end corporate events to private parties.
We will check in with you a few days after the event to gain any feedback that you might have.
WHICH AREAS DO WE COVER?
We are a company with a national and international reach. We have delivered national activations for marketing companies and drinks brands, taken our staff to the South of France, Madrid and the Middle East for major corporate and sporting events.
Blenheim Palace
CEO Social Pantry
Edrington UK
Bar Staffing Agency Frequently Asked Questions
Can you hire bar staff?
Yes, you can hire bar staff easily for any event.
You can hire a team of bartenders for any kind of event including private events such as a wedding, launch party, corporate event, a festival or a VIP event.
How much does it cost to hire bar staff?
Every event has different requirements, and the cost will depend on the skill set required.
We approach every event as bespoke, as we want your experience to be unique and memorable.
Once we’ve had an initial call to discuss your requirements we’ll provide a full quotation providing a breakdown of the staff required, and full costings.
Please note, we do have a minimum spend on services, so please do speak with a member of the team for more information.
Does The Cocktail Service work all around the country?
We work at events in all areas of the UK, and also work on international events.
Our head office is in Oxford, with other regional hubs in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Edinburgh, allowing us to operate in all regions of the UK.
How long before the event should I hire bar staff?
Depending on the size of the event, seasonal demand for staff, and peak times for events, we advise as hiring staff as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
We run and organise so many events each year that we’ll always try to assist if we can and can be agile in responding to requests with shorter lead times.
When should I get the bar staff to arrive on site?
Each event is different so it’s important to take factors such as how many bars there are and what drinks are being served into account.
As a basic guide, we usually start by suggesting that bar staff arrive between 2 and 2.5 hours before the service.
Then staff would leave approximately 1 to 1.5 hours after service finishes, giving time to ensure that all bars are packed down and stock removed from site.
How many bar staff does my event need?
How many bar staff your event requires will depend on a number of factors including number of guests, the style of service, and the drinks served.
If you have a short amount of time to pack up and leave site after the event, this will also effect the number of staff required.
Our expert event planning team are ready to assist you, so make an enquiry today.
How many bartenders do I need for 100 guests?
Every event is different but we will ensure that the ratios of staff to guests provide a speedy efficient and professional bar service to you and your guests.
Factors like your guest demographic, the number of bars on site, the quantity of drinks and type of drink being served all impact the number of staff you’ll require.
After our events team have found out more about your event we will produce a proposal covering the number of staff required, timings, and a breakdown of costs.
How much does it cost to hire bartenders for a wedding?
All weddings are unique, and as such, we take a bespoke approach when staffing any wedding which we work on.
Style of service, number of guests, the quantity and type of drinks served will all impact the number and type of staff required.
Once we’ve discussed your requirements, we’ll provide you with a quote with estimated staff required and a full breakdown of costs.
Please note, we do have a minimum spend on services, so please do speak with a member of the team for more information.
Do I need to hire a bartender for my event?
To ensure your guests are properly looked after, we would usually recommend hiring a professional bartender.
It will also mean you’re able to relax and enjoy the occasion, rather than worrying about whether everyone has a drink!
Does a bar staffing agency supply all the drinks?
As standard, we offer the option to supply the drinks, glassware and equipment for your event.
As professionals with over a decade of experience in the industry we’ve built up a network of suppliers who provide only the highest calibre of spirits and ingredients.
With this in mind, we usually recommend that we oversee all aspects of drink production, to ensure you and your guests receive the best possible product.
What is a flair bartender?
A flair bartender is a trained cocktail bartender who has additional skills to entertain guests by juggling, throwing, and catching bottles and other bar tools.
Flair bartenders will often incorporate fire, smoke, and other theatrical elements to create exceptional cocktails.
For more information on the different types of bar staff available take a look at our bar staffing guide.
Is the bar set-up included in the cost of bartender hire?
All our quotes are itemised so you’ll be able to view a breakdown of costs.
We own bars and styling options fit to meet any brief. We also have a network of trusted industry partners, and multiple suppliers should you need something bespoke.
How much do event bar staff typically cost per hour?
The skillset of our incredible workforce differs depending on the service required.
We do pay competitive rates to ensure that we are an employer of choice within the industry, and so that we can provide you with the best team possible.
Once we’ve ascertained your event needs, we’ll provide a quote with a breakdown of staff required for the event and costs.
We do require a minimum shift length of five hours; this can include setup and breakdown.
Can I hire a bartender for my dinner party at home?
Absolutely. We offer bar staffing solutions for private occasions as well as public events.
We’d love to hear about your event, and also offer an Event Planner service should you need help in pulling all the elements together.
Get In Touch With Our Team
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