Best Bartending Services in San Francisco

So you got an event coming up and you want to class things up with a professional bartender. Where to start? How much is it going to cost and what types of drinks can you get? Well, you’ve found the post! *cue T-pain!

At Reason, we’ve worked with the best in the industry to put on some spectacular team building events. In this blog post, we will share with you the low down of hosting a one hours service for 20-40 guests. The numbers presented are approximate but complete which includes a bartender, a bar back, materials, setup, and clean up costs. Cheers!

Vintage Vibes: Sharpshooter

What is it?

Rosa Lynley and Ian Mcarthy, two San Francisco bartenders, created Sharpshooter in 2013. Since then, they have been creating new drink recipes, bringing in vintage cocktails with their traveling bar. 

Why we like it?

Sharpshooter brings a unique and vintage feel to events. Each specialty cocktail is meticulously created with fresh juices, hand-cut ice cubes, and high-quality spirits, serve from a vintage steamer trunk. 

How much is it?

Around $1725 to $2100 and includes a  selection of spirit-forward, citrus or punch drinks.

Organic Touch: The Liquid Caterers 

What is it?

After creating Stanford’s bartending course in 2007, “The Art of Sip”, Polly Martini, along with co-owner, Tim Choy started their own mobile bar.  With years of bar and restaurant experience, The Liquid Caterers is a full-service beverage catering company that tailors their drinks according to your event.

Why we like it?

If you are looking to serve both beloved old school cocktails and new specialty drinks, then The Liquid Caterers is for you!  They use freshly squeezed organic juices, homemade syrups and fresh garnished on all their cocktails. 

How much is it?

Around $1500 and includes selections of beer, wine, and two signature cocktails.

Themed Events: Bartender Company 

What is it? 

Voted WeddingWire’s  “Couples’ Choice Award” Winner and Yelp’s “People Love Us on Yelp” Award, The Bartender Company is an award-winning luxury mobile bar that has been serving the Bay Area for twelve years. 

Why we like it? 

Bartender company has three offices in the Bay Area: SF. Palo Alto, and Alameda. If you are hosting a themed event, their event planning process is conducive to making the bar match your theme. Also, it’s nice they donate a portion of an event’s proceed to charities such as American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Food Runners: Relaying Food for the Needy, etc.

How much is it?

Around $1700 and includes three specialty cocktails, two large batches of beer, Scrimshaw Pilsner and Drake’s IPA, and selection of mid-tier wine. 

Mixology Classes: Tonic Beverage Catering

What is it? 

Tonic Beverage Catering is a full-service catering company that also brings the bar to host team-building mixology events.

Why we like it? 

From an intimate corporate event to a festival of thousands, Tonic Beverage Catering makes sure that their drinks selection is unique to each client. They offer customized, interactive craft beverage experiences where guests learn first hand how to mix classic, innovative or custom cocktails while enjoying their creations.

How much is it?

Around $1800 – $2500 and include a custom selection of cocktails, wine, and beer.

Jello Shots and Beer Flights: Best Beverage Catering 

What is it ?

Best Beverage Catering has been in the catering business for over twenty-five years. From Coachella to Amgen Bike Tour of California,  BBC has served more than thousands of events all over the nation! Their diverse team of quirky and wild bartenders brings out the fun in any event!

Why we like it?

For your next event. Are you looking for wine or beer flights? Maybe whiskey flights? BBC is a national chain that hosts huge events while offering a good variety of non-standard bartender offerings. Oh, and who can forget about the jello shots?

How much is it?

Around $2200 and includes Jell-O shots, imported beer and Angeline Chardonnay & Avalon Cabernet for your wine selections.  

Bar on Wheels: Bar Car

What is it? 

Greg Medow created Bar Car with very iconic Airstream trailers to take aback into the much simpler times of life. All you need is a parking spot for the slick airstream trailer to pull up.

Why we like it? 

Make your event memorable by bringing in a renovated iconic airstream trailer with a full bar! This “party on wheels” throws the most unique party experience with specialty cocktails like a lavender margarita, and fun backyard games!

How much is it?

Around $1200 and include a great selection of their specialty cocktails like The Lancaster, Manhattan Project and many more!

Margarita Bar: Underdogs Too

What is it?

Put together sports with modern tequila and you get Underdogs Too! They offer a more modern take to our most loved taqueria, serving sustainable and fresh local food.

Why we like it? 

The only thing that’s better than one margarita? Two margaritas! Underdogs Too can do you one better by adding a margarita bar to your event! All their drinks are made with 100% agave tequila and fresh, handpicked limes. 

How much?

Around $1000, all-inclusive. 

Sake: Creative Sushi

What is it? 

San Francisco is a city full of amazing sushi restaurants, but Creative Sushi takes a sushi party to a whole other level. They offer read-trays filled with your favorite sushi.

Why we like it? 

Japanese rice wine could be what’s missing in your event! Creative Sushi brings in a premium selection of sake and imported beer all the way from Japan. 

How much is it?

It would cost $900, all-inclusive. One bartender only, no bar back.    

Ice Sculptures: Ice Illusions

What is it?

Ice Illusions is a family-owned business that provides show-stopping ice sculptures, luges and festivals. With over three decades of experience, master ice sculptor, Kim Phoung created Ice Illusions. His son, David Fong then took over the business and has been carving at a young age of thirteen years old. 

Why we like it?

Because no IPO party is complete without an ice sculpture. From your team’s logo to fully functional ice furniture and everything in between, Ice Illusions has everything you are looking for! 

How much is it?

Around $725. This includes lights, tray, and buckets.