Sep 8

Sep 8 Bartending During COVID-19

Is it safe to hire a bartender during a global pandemic? This is a question we are frequently asked as the holiday season approaches, and plans for Thanksgiving dinners, Chanukah celebrations, and Christmas gatherings are up in the air. So many weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other important events have been postponed or cancelled this year and people are longing to be together. Our immediate response is yes, hiring a bartender is not only safe but also a great way to keep your event well-managed.

Here are a few tips to help promote a healthy environment at your next event:

Make sure that the bartender arrives in a mask and wears it for the duration of the event.
Station the bar outside, preferably in the shade or in a protected area if rain is expected. Yes, this seems obvious to you but we’ve now worked enough events to know that not everyone is as thoughtful as our readers.
Designate the bar as the only place to obtain beverages and keep all bottles and drink dispensers out of reach from the guests. This helps to ensure that the bartender will be the only one handling the ingredients and prevent guests from trying to self serve. The fewer hands the better!
Pre-batch all your cocktails or have the bartender arrive early enough to help with that task. This is a great way to simplify the service experience while reducing contact with the ingredients. If you haven’t invested in a couple drink dispensers yet, they are an incredible asset to any party.
Keep hand sanitizer at the bar for the bartender and the guests. If you have extra masks on hand, keep those at the bar too. These days you just can’t have too many masks around. :)
Skip the bowls of pretzels and mixed nuts and replace them with individual, grab-and-go bar snacks. Half-pint size mason jars are a great way to offer individual portions in environmentally friendly containers.
Finally and most importantly, follow all city, county, and state guidelines when it comes to group size.

If small gatherings won’t be your thing for the foreseeable future, consider hiring a virtual bartender! You will have just as much fun with your friends, family, or colleagues but you’ll never have to leave your house. Planning a party and need some advice? Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram and we’ll answer your cocktail and entertaining related questions.