VEGAS DRY-HIRE BARTENDING GUIDE

THE MATH BEHIND
THE MAGIC

Planning your event’s alcohol needs made simple. Our Las Vegas dry-hire service lets you supply your preferred bottles at retail cost; we handle expert bartending, custom bar setups, and seamless event service.

100% Custom Calculator & Planning · No Alcohol Markup · Licensed & Insured Bartenders

THE VEGAS EVENT STANDARD

THE DRY-HIRE
RULEBOOK

Plan your event bar smartly to avoid overspending or running out. Our guide uses realistic beverage consumption estimates tailored for private events in Las Vegas.

1.5 DRINKS PER GUEST / HOUR

Base your calculations on a conservative average of 1.5 drinks per guest per hour, recognizing the first hour may see up to 2 drinks and subsequent hours about 1 each.

  • 4-Hour Event with 50 Guests = 300 total drinks
  • 4-Hour Event with 100 Guests = 600 total drinks
  • 4-Hour Event with 150 Guests = 900 total drinks

HOT-PINK PRO-TIP: SURGE BUFFERS

When estimating spirits, add a 10% buffer to accommodate consumption spikes. Unopened bottles under dry-hire remain your property to keep, return, or store after the event.

  • Zero liquor markups: purchase alcohol directly at retail prices
  • Retain 100% of unopened bottles after your event
  • Receive detailed bottle quantities calculated by your guest count

DRY-HIRE SERVICE MODEL

HOW DRY-HIRE MOBILE BARTENDING WORKS

NO ALCOHOL SALES

Sip Happens provides bartending services without selling or retailing alcohol. You supply all beverages, which helps avoid venue-related alcohol markups.

CLIENT PROVIDED

You procure the exact types of liquor, beer, and wine you prefer at retail prices. We give you a precise shopping list customized for your event.

100% SERVICE & MIXERS

Our dry-hire service provides the mobile bar setup, professional bartenders, quality mixers, barware, ice, and comprehensive liability insurance — no alcohol sales are conducted by us.

CALCULATION BLUEPRINT

PARTY MATH
REVEALED

Planning Estimate for a 4-Hour Event

Estimated drinks = number of drinking guests × approximately 4 drinks

This is a planning estimate only. Actual alcohol needs vary depending on event length, how many guests drink alcohol, cocktail selections, beer/wine/spirit preferences, and individual consumption.

Sip Happens Las Vegas provides clients with a customized alcohol shopping list based on their actual guest count, event duration, and selected drink menu.

25 GUESTS

~100 DRINKS

  • 4-hour planning estimate

50 GUESTS

~200 DRINKS

  • 4-hour planning estimate

75 GUESTS

~300 DRINKS

  • 4-hour planning estimate

100 GUESTS

~400 DRINKS

  • 4-hour planning estimate

150 GUESTS

~600 DRINKS

  • 4-hour planning estimate

200 GUESTS

~800 DRINKS

  • 4-hour planning estimate

Need custom cocktail batching ratios or a tailored cocktail menu calculation?

CUSTOM BAR PLANNING

THE PERFECT
POUR

Every event is different. Your ideal mix of spirits, beer, and wine depends on your cocktail menu, event style, guest preferences, and event duration. Use the guide below to help plan your selections.

SAMPLE BEVERAGE MIX CUSTOMIZE YOUR MIX
Your actual mix of spirits, beer and wine will vary by event and guest preferences.
Spirits
Beer
Wine
Spirits Cocktail & Straight Liquor
Beer Bottles & Cans
Wine Varietals & Sparklers

Planning Tip: Your beverage mix should be based on your cocktail menu, event style, guest preferences, and event duration.

VODKA

VERSATILE COCKTAIL BASE

Popular for versatile cocktails. Quantity depends on your selected cocktail menu and guest preferences.

TEQUILA

MARGARITAS & SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

Plan more tequila when serving margaritas or tequila-forward signature cocktails.

WHISKEY & BOURBON

CLASSIC & SPIRIT-FORWARD DRINKS

Adjust quantities based on whether whiskey cocktails or neat pours are part of the menu.

GIN

CRISP & BOTANICAL COCKTAILS

Include based on the number of gin cocktails selected and expected guest preferences.

RUM & SPECIALTY LIQUEURS

TROPICAL & SPECIALTY COCKTAILS

Purchase according to the specific cocktails on your event menu.

NON-ALCOHOLIC ESSENTIALS & LOGISTICS

BEYOND THE
BOTTLE

A successful bar setup depends on more than just the alcohol. Plan for timing, climate, hydration, and key extras that ensure every drink serves perfectly.

EVENT LENGTH IMPACT

Drink consumption changes throughout the event. Plan for 2 drinks per guest in the first hour, then 1 drink per guest per hour thereafter.

  • Hour 1 Rush: 2 drinks per guest baseline
  • Steady Pace: 1 drink per guest per each additional hour
  • Ice Metric: 1.5 lbs cubed ice per guest (4 hrs)
  • Desert Surge: Add 25% more ice for outdoor patios

WATER & MIXERS

Keep guests hydrated and your bar stocked with enough water and non-alcoholic mixers.

  • Water for drinking guests
  • Mixers based on cocktail menu
  • Club soda & tonic as needed
  • Zero-proof options if requested

THE SIP HAPPENS ADVANTAGE

With our dry-hire service, you provide the alcohol and ice. We provide the professional bartending service and bar essentials.

  • ✓ Professional bartending service
  • ✓ Standard mixers & fresh garnishes
  • ✓ Portable bar setup
  • ✓ Disposable cups, napkins & straws
  • ✓ Professional bartending tools
  • ✓ Custom alcohol shopping list

BAR PROVISIONS DOSSIER

YOUR MASTER
CHECKLIST

Take this complete, store-ready inventory straight to your liquor retailer. Formatted for high-contrast visibility and effortless event execution.

SIP HAPPENS • DRY-HIRE EVENT GUIDE

EVENT BAR SHOPPING CHECKLIST

Use this checklist as a general starting point when shopping for your event. Exact quantities will vary based on guest count, event duration, cocktail menu, and guest preferences.

01. ESSENTIAL SPIRITS & LIQUOR

  • Vodka (750ml / 1.75L bottles)
  • Blanco & Reposado Tequila (750ml / 1.75L bottles)
  • Bourbon Whiskey & Rye Whiskey (750ml / 1.75L bottles)
  • London Dry Gin & White Rum (750ml / 1.75L bottles)

02. FRESH MIXERS & MODIFIERS

  • Club Soda & Tonic Water
  • Fresh Lime Juice & Lemon Juice
  • Agave Nectar, Simple Syrup, and Aromatic Bitters
  • Cranberry, Pineapple, and Pink Grapefruit Juices

03. ICE, CITRUS & ESSENTIALS

  • Ice (based on event duration and drink style)
  • Fresh whole limes, lemons, oranges & fresh mint sprigs
  • Cocktail garnishes: cherries, cocktail olives, salt rims (as needed)
  • Disposable drinkware or glassware rentals (plan for multiple rounds)

Planning guide for dry-hire events. Clients purchase and provide all alcohol and ice. Sip Happens Las Vegas provides professional bartending service and bar essentials.

NEED HELP PLANNING YOUR BAR?

READY TO
POUR?

Skip the guesswork. Sip Happens provides an itemized shopping list tailored to your exact guest count, preferences, and event duration to streamline your bar setup.

Personalized planning • Custom alcohol shopping list • Stress-free bar service

Editorial close-up of a craft cocktail being poured with neon pink highlights in a Las Vegas event setting