What to Expect When You Book Bar-Key: Your Most Common Questions Answered

We hear the same questions from almost every new client. Here are the honest answers for you, straight from our founder.

Do You Supply the Alcohol?

No, and that is the point. As a dry-hire bartending company, you purchase the alcohol and we supply everything else: professional bartenders, bar tools, mixers, garnishes, cups, napkins, straws, and matching ice chests, with ice available as an add-on.

"Cost is what most people think of first," says founder Patrick Wilson. "But we push further into control and quality. Dry-hire gives you unique control over what is served, because you are the one buying the alcohol. For us, we like to say that we make shopping for alcohol so easy, it is not worth the caterer's bringing the alcohol."

From our shopping guide to a clear, store-ready list you take to a local liquor store, we make the whole process easier for you from beginning to end. You place and own the purchase yourself, so the alcohol is always yours.

What Do You Supply?

Everything except the alcohol:

• Professional, ABLE-licensed bartenders
• Bar tools (shakers, jiggers, strainers, muddlers)
• Matching ice chests (a Boomtown signature)
• Mixers, syrups, and fresh garnishes
• Cups, napkins, straws, and garnish picks
• Ice, based on your estimated consumption
• Any specialized tools or rentals your cocktail menu needs

For your Bar-Key wedding, you also get the full planning experience: portal access, planning meetings, a Sip & Savor questionnaire, and a custom bar menu designed around your story.

What Is the Process Like?

Your Bar-Key wedding follows a clear path from first click to last call: an instant estimate, then a consult call, then booking with a 30% deposit and your contract, then your Sip & Savor questionnaire, then your planning meetings (Classic includes one, Luxe two, Iconic three), then your custom bar menu design, then your shopping guide, then a run sheet for your planner, then your wedding day, and a thoughtful follow-up afterward.

Can You Serve [Specific Drink]?

Almost certainly yes. Our bar menu builder has over 400 options: cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine, dirty sodas, and custom creations. If your dream drink is not in our system, we will build it. That is what your planning meetings are for.

What Is Pipe It Up?

Pipe It Up is our drapery sister company. It handles bar rentals, glassware rentals, decor and linen rentals, and pipe and drape. When you ask about backdrops, bar drapery, glassware, linens, or event styling, that is where we send you, at book.pipeitupevents.com. Same quality commitment, different specialty.

How Much Does It Cost?

Start with our instant estimate form. It takes about 2 minutes and gives you a price range before you ever talk to anyone. We also show you an alcohol budget estimate alongside the service cost, so you can see your true total compared to a caterer's bundled quote.

"Most companies still make you reach out and wait for someone to put a quote together," Patrick notes. "We automated that, so you can see a real price estimate before you ever book."

Do I Need a Full Bar?

"You do not need a full bar," Patrick says. "For every 1 guest who only drinks Gin and Tonics, there will be 20 who drink Vodka Tonics. Yes, we want to create a drink for everyone, but that does not mean we have to buy the drinks for everyone."

When you give your guests guidance, and better yet a story behind the cocktail menu, they happily set aside their usual order and try something new. A curated menu is focused on your people. A full bar is focused on the alcohol. We are always going to recommend the one focused on your people.