7 Red Flags to Watch Out for When Hiring a Bartender for Your Event
You’ve planned the perfect event. The playlist is fire, the catering is locked in, and your Pinterest board is finally becoming reality. But there’s one detail that can make or break your entire event: the bar.
A great bartender can elevate your event, keeping guests happy, the drinks flowing, and the energy just right. But the wrong bartender? That’s a recipe for warm wine, missed cues, and guests giving side-eyes instead of toasts.
Whether you’re hiring a bartender for a wedding, birthday bash, corporate function, or backyard soiree, choosing the right bartender is more than just finding someone who knows how to pour. It’s about professionalism, safety, personality, and performance. And if you don’t know what to look for, you could end up with someone who adds stress instead of sparkle to your event.
Here are the 7 biggest red flags to watch out for when hiring a bartender so you can party with confidence and keep the good vibes flowing.
Red Flag #1: Lack of Proper Licensing or Certifications
This one’s a dealbreaker.
If the bartender you’re considering can’t provide proof of licensing or certifications (depending on state laws), hit pause. In Arizona specifically, bartenders are required to obtain a Title 4 Certification, which ensures they understand how to serve alcohol safely and legally, and what to do in situations like over-service or underage guests.
More importantly, if your bartender isn’t properly licensed or certified, it could leave you, the event host, liable for any alcohol-related incidents. We’re talking fines, lawsuits, or worse—especially if someone drives home intoxicated after being overserved.
What to look for instead:
A bartender who is licensed or certified in responsible alcohol service (depending on state requirements)
Proof of license or permit if required by your state or venue
Bonus points if they’re also insured
Pro tip: A professional mobile bartending company will always provide this upfront. If someone hesitates, makes excuses, or says, “You don’t need to worry about that,” that’s your cue to worry.
Red Flag #2: Inadequate Experience with Your Type of Event
Not all bartending experience is created equal.
Sure, someone might be great behind the bar at your local dive or chain restaurant, but that doesn’t mean they’re prepared to handle your 125-guest outdoor wedding in Scottsdale or a fast-paced corporate holiday party.
Different events come with different expectations, logistics, and crowd dynamics. A bartender who’s never worked a private event may not know how to:
Set up a bar from scratch in an unconventional space (hello, backyard receptions)
Navigate drink service without a POS system or backup staff
Handle high-volume service with grace and speed
Coordinate with other vendors, planners, and catering staff to keep the flow smooth
Your guests aren’t ordering a beer and watching the game. They’re expecting a seamless experience with custom cocktails, on-theme glassware, and maybe even a flair pour or two.
What to look for instead:
Direct experience with your event type or something closely related (ask for specific examples)
References or reviews from past clients who hosted similar events
Bonus: photos of past bar setups or menus to get a feel for their style and versatility
Hiring someone who’s only worked in a bar and tossing them into a wedding or branded pop-up event? That’s setting them, and you, up to fail.
When hiring a bartender, make sure they’ve been where you’re going. You want a bartender who’s not just confident behind the bar, but comfortable in your event setting.
Red Flag #3: Poor Communication Skills
If you’re getting slow replies, vague answers, or one-word texts when asking important questions. . .run. Fast.
Hiring a bartender for your event isn’t just about how they perform during the party, but also how they communicate beforehand. A bartender who ghosts you for days, forgets details, or responds like they’re doing you a favor is waving a giant red flag.
Clear, professional communication is non-negotiable. Your bartender should be:
Prompt when responding to emails or texts
Transparent about pricing, availability, and what’s included
Willing to answer questions clearly and in full
Proactive about confirming details and expectations ahead of the event
Poor communication can lead to bigger issues down the line: showing up late, bringing the wrong equipment, misunderstanding the drink menu, or worse—not showing up at all.
What to look for instead:
Friendly, professional tone in every message
Timely response (within 24-48 hours is standard)
Willingness to hop on a call or meet to walk through your event needs
A clear contract or written agreement that outlines the scope of service
If a bartender is flaky before they’ve been paid, imagine what they’ll be like on the day of your event.
Pro tip: Communication is a huge part of the overall guest experience—because if something goes wrong, you want someone calm, communicative, and solution-oriented behind that bar.
Red Flag #4: Negative or No References
If a bartender can’t point you to a single happy client, that’s a big ole red flag.
When you’re trusting someone with a high-touch part of your event, word-of-mouth matters. Reviews, testimonials, and referrals are your best friend. If a bartender doesn’t have any references—or worse, tries to dodge the question—that’s a sign they either lack experience or have something to hide.
Even more telling? An energy mismatch. If their past clients sound thrilled about frat-party-style energy, and you’re throwing a black-tie fundraiser, they may not be the right fit (even if they have five stars).
What to look for instead:
Google or Yelp reviews that mention punctuality, professionalism, and guest experience
Testimonials or case studies on their website or social media
Willingness to connect you with a past client or event planner for a quick reference
Visual proof (photos or videos) of past events and bar setups
Pro tip: Pay attention to how they talk about past clients. If they badmouth previous events or clients, that’s a red flag in itself.
A bartender who consistently delivers great service will want to show you the receipts. And if they don’t have any? Keep shopping.
Red Flag #5: Unprofessional Behavior During a Booking Process
You know the saying, “When people show you who they are, believe them”? Yeah, apply that to your bartender, especially during the booking phase.
The way a bartender conducts themselves before your event is often the best indicator of how they’ll behave during it. And the red flags here can be subtle but telling:
They show up late (or not at all) for meetings or tastings
They don’t follow through on promises or forget key details
Their emails are sloppy, incomplete, or just plain unprofessional
They make inappropriate jokes or cross the line in early conversations
They pressure you to pay without a contract or detailed scope of work
Any one of these is a reason to pause. But multiple? That’s your cue to walk away. Your bartender is a direct reflection of your event, and their behavior can seriously impact how your guests perceive your party. If they’re rude, unprepared, or aloof? Your guests will notice. And so will you.
What to look for instead:
Promptness, preparedness, and polite communication from the start
A clear contract that outlines services, pricing, and expectations
Respect for your time, vision, and guest list
A collaborative, professional attitude—not ego, excuses, or snark
Just because someone knows how to shake a decent margarita doesn’t mean they’re a fit for your event. Look for a well-rounded professional who brings skill and class.
Red Flag #6: Lack of Mixology Knowledge or Skill
Let’s put it this way: if your bartender doesn’t know what’s in a Negroni or how to make a proper Old Fashioned, we have a problem.
You’re not just hiring someone to crack open beers. You’re hiring a professional who should know their way around spirits, mixers, garnishes, and bar tools like a second language. A bartender with poor drink knowledge can quickly frustrate your guests, slow down service, and kill the vibe.
Some dead giveaways:
They ask, “What’s in that?” when you mention common cocktails
They can’t explain or adjust recipes (e.g., low-sugar or mocktail versions)
They don’t understand flavor profiles or how to balance a drink
Their pour technique is inconsistent (either over-pouring or under-pouring)
They fumble with tools or seem unsure behind the bar
You’ve worked hard to make your event feel elevated and unforgettable. The last thing you need is someone googling, “how to make a mojito” behind the bar.
What to look for instead:
Familiarity with classic and trendy cocktails (and the ability to suggest fun ideas)
Comfort adjusting drinks on the fly for dietary needs or preferences
Smooth, confident use of tools like shakers, strainers, and jiggers
A bartender who gets excited when you ask about customizing the drink menu
Pro tip: Ask for a sample drink menu or photos from past events. A skilled bartender will have a repertoire and be proud to show it off.
If you’re investing in a guest experience, the bar should be a highlight, not a cringeworthy moment.
Red Flag #7: No Liability Insurance
If your bartender or bartending company doesn’t carry liquor liability insurance, you could be putting yourself at serious legal and financial risk. That’s especially true in states like Arizona, where alcohol laws can vary by county and venue.
Why does this matter? Because if a guest gets overserved and causes harm (to themselves, someone else, or even just your venue), you as the event host could be held responsible.
Some major red flags:
The bartender says, “You don’t need to worry about that”
They dodge the topic or can’t provide proof of insurance
They expect you to cover liability under your own event policy
What to look for instead:
A clear explanation of what insurance coverage they carry
Proof of general liability and liquor liability insurance
Willingness to name your venue or event on their certification of insurance if needed
Pro tip: Some venues require vendors to carry their own insurance. If your bartender isn’t covered, it could jeopardize your entire event booking.
No insurance should mean no deal. Professional mobile bartending services, like The Top Shelf Bartenders, carry insurance not just to protect themselves, but to protect you and your celebration. It’s one of the clearest signs that you’re working with pros.
Hire the Bartender Who Adds to the Party, Not the Problems
Your event is too important to gamble on the wrong bartender. The drinks might be flowing, but if the person behind the bar isn’t professional, prepared, or properly licensed, the risks are real and the vibes can go south fast.
These red flags aren’t here to scare you, they’re here to empower you. Because when you know what to look for, you can confidently choose a bartender who enhances the experience, takes the pressure off your plate, and delivers the kind of service your guests will rave about long after the last toast.
Want to skip the stress and hire a mobile bartending team that checks every box? The Top Shelf Bartenders is fully licensed, insured, and known across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, and beyond for showing up on time, shaking things up (literally), and delivering high-end, high-energy service that makes every event unforgettable.
