The Complete Guide to Hiring Bartenders for Your Arizona Wedding or Private Event
Planning a wedding or private event in Arizona is already a huge undertaking—venue, décor, food, music… the list never ends. But one thing that always takes events from “nice” to “unforgettable” is having the right bartenders for hire.
Whether you're getting married in Scottsdale, hosting a backyard reception in Gilbert, planning a private party in Phoenix, or throwing a corporate event in Tempe, hiring a professional mobile bartender keeps everything running smoothly (and keeps you from being the one pouring drinks all night).
This guide will walk you through exactly what to look for, what to ask, and how to avoid the biggest mistakes people make when hiring a mobile cocktail bar in Arizona.
1. Why You Shouldn’t DIY Your Bar Service
A lot of couples start out thinking they’ll DIY the bar to save money.
Totally understandable—but here’s the reality:
Guests expect great drinks
Someone needs to control portions
Someone needs to prevent overserving
Someone needs to handle setup and cleanup
Someone becomes the “bartender” instead of enjoying the event
When you hire bartenders for your wedding or private event, you get expertise, professionalism, and free time back for yourself.
And honestly? Your guests can tell the difference instantly.
2. What a Professional Mobile Bartender Actually Does
A great mobile bar service handles far more than just pouring drinks.
Here’s what Garnished Bar takes care of at every event:
✔ Complete bar setup + breakdown
We bring tables, tools, bar mats, coolers, garnish trays—everything.
✔ Custom cocktail menus
Want signature drinks for your wedding? Easy.
✔ In-house syrups & high-quality ingredients
Our house-made syrups (especially our habanero syrup 👀) elevate every cocktail.
✔ TABC/Title 4–trained bartenders
Safety and responsible service is non-negotiable.
✔ Calculating how much alcohol you need
No guesswork. No running out. No overspending.
✔ Ice, cups, tools, garnishes, and more
Most couples forget half of this stuff—we don’t.
When you book a mobile cocktail bar in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, or anywhere in the Valley, you want a team that handles everything so you don’t have to.
3. What to Ask When Hiring Bartenders for Your Arizona Event
Here are the questions that separate legit professionals from the “friend of a friend who’s poured drinks once”:
1. Are you licensed and insured?
This protects you and your venue.
2. Do you provide your own bar tools and equipment?
A real mobile bartender brings everything needed.
3. Do you help with alcohol calculations?
You should never be guessing quantities.
4. Do you bring mixers, garnishes, and syrups?
At Garnished Bar, ours are made in-house for better quality.
5. What cities do you serve?
Make sure they cover your location:
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Gilbert, Mesa, Glendale, Peoria, and more.
6. Do you handle setup and cleanup?
You shouldn’t be setting up a bar in your dress or suit.
4. How Much Does It Cost to Hire Bartenders in Arizona?
Pricing depends on:
Number of guests
Hours of service
Signature cocktails
Bar setup needs
Travel
Additional bartenders
Most couples think bartenders are the smallest part of their budget—
but they actually pack a huge amount of value into a relatively affordable service.
And here's the bonus: since Arizona is a dry hire state, you save massive amounts compared to venue or hotel bar packages.
6. Red Flags to Watch For
Run if a bartender or mobile bar service:
🚩 Has no website or business profile
🚩 Can’t provide a contract
🚩 Doesn’t carry insurance
🚩 Doesn’t ask about guest count
🚩 Can’t list specific equipment they’ll bring
🚩 Doesn’t provide a shopping list or alcohol guidance
Your bar is one of the highest-risk areas of an event—hire real professionals.
7. Why Hiring a Mobile Cocktail Bar Is the Best Choice for Your Arizona Event
Let’s make this simple:
A mobile bartender gives you:
Peace of mind
Professional service
Gorgeous cocktails
Smooth flow of the event
Zero cleanup
A stress-free experience
Happy guests who get delicious drinks
Wherever you are in the Phoenix metro area, bringing in bartenders for hire is one of the easiest ways to elevate your entire event.
8. How to Book Garnished Bar for Your Wedding or Event
At Garnished Bar, we make the process simple:
You tell us your wedding or event details
We help you craft a custom cocktail menu
We provide a detailed alcohol shopping list
We show up with everything needed for a full mobile cocktail bar
You enjoy your event—we handle the rest
Whether it's a wedding, engagement party, corporate event, or backyard celebration, our team brings the fun (and the flavor) to every pour.
