A business idea that might interest you if you are willing to work flexible hours and have a great personality is an event bartending service.
And believe it or not what do an engineer, a doctor, and a librarian all have in common?
The answer is that they all have the same job.
Individuals working in each of these fields also work for
The Bars Open,
a bar-for-hire business.
In addition, why do they moonlight as bartenders when they have other professions?
Because not only can you make extra money, it's a whole lot of fun.
A person can start a bar-for-hire business idea in two ways.
You can freelance as a bartender, or you can start your own drinks-to-go business.
If you don't already have experience as a bartender and you would like to freelance, it would be a good idea to get some training.
Many larger cites have local bartending schools, and there are some national schools as well. Check online to find one close to you.
Home training kits are also available through sites like
BartendNow.com.
Once you have gained training or experience, personally introduce yourself to caterers or bartending services.
Personality is an important asset in securing bartending jobs.
Bars like to hire various business people as bartenders because they already possess a certain amount of professional decorum.
As a rule, they also know how to make polite conversation and understand the importance of good service.
This is also one of those small business ideas that would be perfect for a college student who is of the legal age to bartend.
You can probably make more money doing a few functions every week than trying to work an hourly wage job, and the hours could work very well around your class schedule.
If you want to start this business idea as a service provider instead of just freelancing, you may need a liquor license.
Check with your local and state licensing agencies.
You will also need to purchase a mobile bar, alcohol and dispensing equipment, and other supplies.
Research the amount of alcohol per person you should expect to serve so that you don't purchase too much.
You must also decide if you want to run a cash bar service where each guest pays for his own drink, or if the host will pay upfront.
Many businesses offer both services, and you will of course want to be able to explain the pro’s and con’s of each when your clients decide which service they would prefer.
Advertising and reputation will put your business on the map.
Bridal Fairs are good places to pick up customers. Creating relationships with top caterers and party planners is great, too.
Teach your bartenders how to deal with excessive drinking and other problems, and your cup of proceeds will soon be overflowing.
The owners of The Bar's Open really love the bar business, but they especially enjoy working fund raising events.
There is always someone in charge who will tell him or her exactly the way things should be run.
Guests are usually in control and they are there to spend money. Sometimes the tips at these functions can be very nice.
In addition, fundraiser attendees usually belong to more than one charitable or political organization.
This is the perfect opportunity to snag potential clients!
The folks at The Bar's Open originally started this business idea as a side business with the hopes of making some extra money and having a lot of fun.
Years later, they are still having a lot of fun and they have as much business as they want, and then some.
With the right personnel and some good business sense, you could soon be raising a glass to your own bartending success.
