top of page
Bartenders in Los Angeles preparing cocktails at a high-volume event bar, pouring drinks with cocktail shakers — visual of professional mixology service for private parties, weddings, and corporate events.

How Many Bartenders, Mixologists & Barbacks Do You Really Need for Your Event in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles Events | Bar Staff | Read Time 5 mins | Published July 5, 2025

Planning a Bar in LA? These Numbers Save Your Event

If you’re planning a bar setup in Los Angeles, here’s what you don’t want: guests waiting 20 minutes for a drink, overwhelmed bartenders scrambling to restock, or a signature cocktail that takes five minutes to make because there’s only one person behind the bar. The truth is, understaffing your bar will slow down your entire event — and no one wants to remember the night they spent in line.

So let’s talk numbers. This guide breaks down exactly how many bartenders, mixologists, and barbacks you really need based on your guest count, bar format, and event goals. No fluff — just real-world recommendations from people who actually staff events in L.A.

BAR STAFFING RATIOS

BAR STAFFING RATIOS FOR LOS ANGELES EVENTS

​How Many Bartenders, Mixologists, and Barbacks to Book

The number of bartenders you need depends on more than just how many people are coming. Are you serving wine and beer or full craft cocktails? Will guests be ordering from a menu, or are you featuring custom drinks? What’s the expected pace — low-key or high-volume?

In Los Angeles, events run the full range: backyard weddings, rooftop fashion shows, brand activations, corporate galas. Each one needs a different bar team.

The Basics:​

  • For beer & wine only: 1 bartender per 75 guests

  • For full bar service: 1 bartender per 50 guests

  • For cocktail-heavy menus: add 1 mixologist per 35 guests

  • Always include at least 1 barback for every 2 bar staff (either mixologist or bartender)

   | "A great bar team doesn’t just pour drinks. They keep the energy moving."

DO YOU NEED A BARBACK

DO YOU NEED A BARBACK FOR YOUR LA EVENT?

The Key to Fast Lines, Clean Stations, and No Interruptions

If you’ve ever seen a bartender leave their station to get ice, grab glasses, or restock tequila — that’s what happens when you don’t have a barback. The moment a bartender walks away, the line stops moving.

Barbacks are the unsung heroes. They clean glassware, restock everything from mixers to mint, take out trash, and make sure bartenders don’t break rhythm. In Los Angeles, where many venues are spread out and bar setups aren’t always close to kitchens or storage, a barback is non-negotiable.

When You Need More Than One:

  • Events over 150 guests

  • Multi-bar setups (especially at large venues)

  • Full cocktail menus with garnish prep

   | Every bartender needs a barback. No exceptions.

CRAFT YOUR PERFECT BAR EXPERIENCE IN LA

WHEN YOU NEED A MIXOLOGIST

WHEN YOU NEED A MIXOLOGIST FOR YOUR LA EVENT

Brand Activations, Aesthetic-Driven Bars, and VIP Experiences

Not every event needs a mixologist. But if you’re promoting a brand, hosting VIPs, or building a guest experience around cocktails — then yes, hire one. In Los Angeles, mixologists aren’t just bartenders with a new title. They’re planners, creatives, and technicians.

A mixologist doesn’t just serve — they design the drink menu, prep custom ingredients in advance, and bring in tools and techniques that elevate what’s happening at the bar. They’re slower than a standard bartender, but that’s the point — their job is to create impact, not to rush.

Add a Mixologist When:

  • You’re featuring a signature cocktail menu

  • You want your drinks to match the event aesthetic

  • You’re booking media, VIPs, or influencer content

Private event bartender in Los Angeles preparing signature cocktails outdoors, showcasing professional mixology setup with garnish station and fresh ingredients.
EVENT BAR STAFFING

EVENT BAR STAFFING GUIDE BY GUEST COUNT

How Many Bartenders, Mixologists, and Barbacks You Really Need

The type of bar you’re running matters. A beer-and-wine setup won’t require the same crew as a signature cocktail lounge or a high-volume open bar. If you're wondering how many bartenders you need for 150 guests, or whether one mixologist can cover 100 people — this chart will save you guesswork.

Here’s a practical breakdown based on guest count and bar style. These numbers come from real Los Angeles events — the kind with lines, deadlines, and no room for error.

Bar staffing chart for Los Angeles events showing how many bartenders, mixologists, and barbacks are needed by guest count — for beer & wine, full bar, and signature cocktail service.

   Guest #        Beer & Wine                          Full Bar                                 Signature Cocktails​

    50                  1 Bartender                           1–2 Bartenders                    2 Bartenders/Mixologists

   100                 2 Bartenders                          2–3 Bartenders                   3 Bartenders/Mixologists

+1 Barback

   150                 3-4 Bartenders                       4 Bartenders                       4 Bartenders/Mixologists

+1 Barback

   200                  4-5 Bartenders                      5 Bartenders                       5 Bartenders/Mixologists

+2 Barbacks

   | When in doubt, round up. It's better to finish early than fall behind at the bar.

This chart doesn’t just help with staff counts — it helps prevent chaos when your guests show up thirsty. Use it as a starting point, then tweak based on layout, timing, and how cocktail-heavy your event really is.

   | Don’t expect one person to do it all. Give your bar the support it needs.

RED FLAGS

PLAN YOUR BAR TEAM BY GUEST COUNT

RED FLAGS THAT RUIN THE BAR FLOW

Common Bar Staffing Mistakes at Events in Los Angeles

It’s not just about how many people you’re serving — it’s how fast they need to be served. Do you have a 1-hour cocktail window before dinner? Then you need enough hands to move quickly. Are guests arriving at staggered times? You may get away with fewer staff, but you still need backups.

Red Flags:

  • Signature cocktails but no one assigned to make them

  • Bartenders expected to also manage inventory

  • No barback for outdoor or rooftop events

If you’re in L.A., you already know — venues aren’t always logistically easy. Long walks to storage, no back-of-house, and tight timelines mean your bar staff needs to be ready and supported.

Mixologist crafting a fresh signature cocktail at a Los Angeles event bar setup, using strainer and fresh ingredients — premium bar staff in action.
LET’S BUILD

LET’S BUILD THE BAR TEAM FOR YOUR LA EVENT

At XS Event Staffing, we’ve staffed rooftop cocktail hours, beachfront weddings, and corporate launches all over Los Angeles. We know what it takes to build a bar that works.

Need help figuring out how many bartenders you need — or whether a mixologist makes sense for your guest list? We’ll help you break it down, staff it right, and keep your event moving.

Because no one remembers how nice your bar looked — if they couldn’t get a drink.

#BarStaff  #LasVegasEvents  #EventPlanning

LET’S BUILD YOUR DREAM BAR TEAM IN LA

LOS ANGELES WAIT STAFF FAQs:
Essential Tips & Info

!
Widget Didn’t Load
Check your internet and refresh this page.
If that doesn’t work, contact us.

RELATED POSTS

Professional bartender and mixologist in Los Angeles pouring pink cocktails into multiple glasses at an upscale outdoor event. The image captures precision, efficiency, and expertise, highlighting how bartenders, mixologists, and barbacks in Los Angeles work together to manage bar service, guest flow, and drink presentation. Ideal for showcasing skilled event staff for weddings, galas, and corporate events, emphasizing teamwork and high-quality cocktail service in Los Angeles.

This guide breaks down exactly how many bartenders you need based on your guest count, drink style, and event format.

Los Angeles Events | ​Jul 4, 2025 | Browse All Los Angeles Blog Posts →

Professional bartender and mixologist in Los Angeles carefully garnishing a red cocktail at a polished bar counter, with metal shakers and tools arranged neatly. The image showcases expert bartenders, mixologists, and barbacks in Los Angeles delivering top-tier service for upscale weddings, private parties, and corporate events. Perfectly illustrating teamwork, precision, and efficiency behind the bar — how skilled bar staff ensure seamless service and guest satisfaction at Los Angeles events.

If the bar service is fast, clean, and never falls behind — you’ve got a barback to thank.

Los Angeles Events | Jul 6, 2025 | Browse All Los Angeles Blog Posts →

Smiling professional bartender and mixologist in Los Angeles wearing a white shirt and brown apron, preparing glassware for an upscale event. The photo highlights friendly, professional bar staff known for precision, hospitality, and presentation. Perfect visual for showcasing event bartenders, mixologists, and barbacks in Los Angeles who elevate weddings, galas, and corporate functions through expert service, efficiency, and attention to detail behind the bar.

Let’s break down the 8 core skills we look for — and train — in every event bartender.

Los Angeles Events | Aug 12, 2025 | Browse All Los Angeles Blog Posts →

Smiling professional bartender and mixologist in Los Angeles adding raspberries to cocktails at an upscale event. The photo highlights expert bartenders, mixologists, and barbacks in Los Angeles known for precise presentation and teamwork. Perfect for showcasing luxury event staffing and cocktail service, this image reflects professionalism, attention to detail, and vibrant hospitality — ideal for weddings, galas, and corporate events managed by XS Event Staffing in Los Angeles.

At XS, we provide trained & passionate event staff in Los Angeles for every kind of show, launch, shoot, or live experience.

Los Angeles Events | Jul 18, 2025 | Browse All Los Angeles Blog Posts →

Dark red circle button with white text “Request a Quote” — CTA for bartender and mixologist staffing services in Los Angeles.
bottom of page