Dear Bartender: I’ve been a bartender for a few years, and am just recently finding some work at private functions. I have a gig coming up on Saturday, it’s an African dance party. The person hiring me found me online, and asked me about my rates, and I have know idea what to say! Any functions I’ve ever done have been booked through the bar I was working at, so I was only paid my regular wage. This is the first time I’ll be hiring myself out, and I’m not sure what bartenders usually make. I’ll work about 7 hours including time to help set up the bar, and they are allowing me to have a tip cup, so what do I charge????? Thanks!
–Kira
Dear Kira: I don’t know. Where do you live, in a big city or a small town? How many people are you expected to serve? How rich are the people hiring you?
How about this: decide how much you want to make total, divide it by 7 and then add $5, cuz you’re worth more than you think. And put that tip jar away — tip jars have no place at a private party.
Ask a Bartender 
Is it my imagination or did you have a different answer to this question posted yesterday? I might be going crazy so if not don’t pay any attention to little old me.
You might be crazy, lavinia, but either way it’s true I had a different answer posted originally.
African Dance Party? What currency exactly do Africans use???
hey bartender, like the site. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out.
Shawn@bartendla.com
http://www.bartendla.com