Dry-hire means you're in control.
You provide the alcohol and we handle everything else — setup, service, cleanup, and the judgment calls that keep your guests happy and your venue safe.
Spirits, wine, beer
- Bottles & quantities
- Mixers & ice
- Garnish (if custom)
Why this works: You buy exactly what you need at Costco or Total Wine, and we build the bar from it. No markup, no waste, no guessing — and you keep every leftover bottle.
Everything else
- Bartenders & barback
- Bar setup & styling
- Glassware & tools
- Garnish program
- Full breakdown
Why this works: We show up early, build a beautiful bar, run it like a pro, and leave it spotless. You host — that's the whole job.
How much alcohol do you actually need?
Use this to build a working estimate, then we refine it together during your consultation. The final list accounts for your menu and service hours — down to bottle counts and sizes.
This is a working estimate. We'll refine it together based on your actual menu and guest mix. Most clients take this list straight to Costco.
At 2 drinks/hour first hour, 1 per hour after
No lines. No running out of ice. No one asking you where the corkscrew is on your own wedding day.
That's what dry-hire means. Your job is to host. Ours is to make sure the bar runs like clockwork.
Priced by guest count, not guesswork.
Every package is dry-hire. Quotes are firm once we know your date, headcount, and venue — no day-of surprises.
Classic
- 1 bartender
- Standard bar setup
- 3 hours of service
- Up to 50 guests
- Mixers, ice, garnish, glassware
Signature
- 2 bartenders
- Custom cocktail menu & tasting
- 4 hours of service
- Up to 100 guests
- Printed menus, garnish program
Premium
- 2–3 bartenders plus barback
- Full bar build & styling
- 5 hours of service
- Up to 150 guests
- Signature cocktails & batching
You supply the alcohol. We supply everything else. That's how dry-hire saves you 30–40% against a full-service bar.
What moves your quote
Guest count
We staff one bartender per 50 guests to keep lines short.
Service hours
Additional hours are billed per bartender, per hour.
Travel
Outside our home radius, a travel fee applies. See below.
Second bar
Large footprints often need two stations to avoid a bottleneck.
Glassware
Real glass instead of eco disposables adds a rental line.
Load-in
Stairs, long carries, or restricted access may add setup time.
From inquiry to last call.
Inquiry
Send your date, guest count, and venue. We confirm availability within 24 hours.
Consultation
Menu tasting, bar layout, and a bottle shopping list built for your headcount.
Contract
A signed agreement and deposit hold your date and crew. Your venue gets our COI.
Event day
We arrive early, build, pour, and break down. You host — that's the whole job.
Based in the Valley. Booked across two counties.
Home base is Woodland Hills, with regular service throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County.
The home radius
Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Pasadena
Greater LA & OC
Greater Los Angeles, Long Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa
Destination events
Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Temecula, San Diego. Ask us.
The questions we get most.
01How much alcohol do I actually need to buy?+
Use the bottle calculator above for a working estimate, then we refine it together. The final list accounts for your guest count, service hours, and the menu we design — down to bottle counts and sizes. Most clients take it straight to Costco or Total Wine.
02My venue is asking for a certificate of insurance. Can you provide one?+
Yes. We carry general liability and liquor liability coverage, and we'll issue a COI naming your venue as additionally insured at no cost. Send us the venue's requirements as soon as you have them — some ask for specific coverage limits and we'd rather sort that out early than the week of.
03What does it take to hold my date?+
A signed agreement and a deposit. A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your date. The remainder is due before the event. Dates are held on a first-signed basis — we can't reserve a date on a verbal. If you need to cancel, we offer a 30-day cancellation window — cancellations within 30 days of your event forfeit the deposit.
04Are your bartenders certified?+
Every bartender on our crew holds a current California RBS (Responsible Beverage Service) certification and is registered with the ABC. That means trained on ID checks, over-service, and the rules your venue is accountable to.
05Can you serve at a park, beach, or public venue?+
Often, but public spaces usually require a permit from the city or county, and some prohibit alcohol entirely. Tell us the location during your inquiry and we'll tell you exactly what's required before you book anything else.
06What happens if a guest has had too much?+
Our crew handles it — discreetly, and without making it your problem. That judgment call is exactly what RBS certification trains for, and it's the main reason venues want a certified bar service rather than a friend behind the table.
07How far in advance should I book?+
For weddings, three to six months is comfortable. Peak Saturdays between May and October go first. For smaller parties, a few weeks is usually workable — send us the date and we'll tell you straight whether we can cover it.
08Do you set up outdoors, and what do you need from the venue?+
Outdoor events are most of what we do. We need a level spot roughly eight feet wide, reasonable access for load-in, and shade or cover if it's a midday summer event. Power isn't required for a standard build — we bring our own ice and cold storage.
The bar we build toward.
Reference imagery while we shoot our own — build photos from our bookings go up here as they happen. Ask and we'll send sample menus and bar layouts directly.
The bar becomes the room's warmest corner — that's the point.
Golden hour light, every hour we pour.
What hosts say about the bar.
Golden Hour Bar Co. made our wedding reception unforgettable! The cocktails were exquisite, and the service was impeccable.
Sarah & Tom — Wedding reception
Professional, creative, and an absolute pleasure to work with. Our corporate event was a huge success thanks to their amazing bar service.
Alex Chen — Corporate event
From start to finish, the experience was seamless. Our guests are still talking about the signature drinks!
Maria P. — Birthday celebration
Let's build your bar.
Send your date and guest count and we'll come back within 24 hours with availability and a real number — not a range.
“Golden Hour Bar Co. made our wedding reception unforgettable!”
Sarah & Tom — Wedding reception