Frequently Asked Questions

You can build an estimate using our Pricing Calculator, then select Request a Formal Proposal to carry your details into our inquiry form. You can also go directly to our Inquire page. 

Once you submit your request, we'll review your event details and requested services, check availability, and follow up by email with the next steps.

Red Cannon Essentials starts at $950 for up to 60 guests, with one professional bartender and up to five (5) hours of guest-facing bar service. 

Your package includes The Highbury bar and workstations, professional tools and coolers, standard fresh garnishes, disposable barware, planning assistance, a personalized alcohol shopping guide, general and liquor liability, and 60 complimentary round-trip travel miles.

Setup and breakdown are included. Alcohol is supplied by the client; ice and mixer packages are optional add-ons.

Yes! The Highbury is available as a standalone bar rental for $150. It's an option if you already have bartenders booked or need a bar table for another purpose. 

This rental does not include bartending services. The Highbury is already included when you book Red Cannon Essentials. To request a bar-only rental, visit our Inquire page and select "Bar-only Rental – The Highbury."

State laws prevent us from being able to provide the alcohol for your event. We will work with you to determine what to buy and how much to purchase. Directly purchasing the alcohol yourself avoids unnecessary markups, saving you money! Many alcohol distributors allow unopened items to be returned, so you can also purchase more than necessary without having to worry about losing money.

Buy Smarter. Stress Less. Let us help you do the math.

One of the biggest questions when planning a bar is also one of the hardest:

"How much alcohol do I actually need?'

There isn't one perfect formula that works for every event. A 100-person summer wedding with signature cocktails may have completely different needs than a 100-person winter reception serving primarily beer and wine. Guest preferences, event length, bar style, signature drinks, and even the type of celebration can influence what gets consumed. That's why every Red Cannon event includes a personalized alcohol shopping guide. We'll work with you to build a recommended shopping list around your event, taking into consideration guest count, length of bar service, beverage menu, and what you know about your guests' drinking preferences. Instead of simply handing you a generic "one drink per person per hour" formula, we'll help you think through the actual bar you're planning. 

Our goal isn't to tell you to buy as much as possible. It's to help you purchase confidently, arrive prepared, and reduce unnecessary overbuying while still having enough for your guests. Because alcohol is purchased and supplied by the client, final purchasing decisions remain with the host. Our shopping guide is a planning recommendation rather than a guarantee of actual consumption. Quantities are based on TIPS-certified bartending standards used by Red Cannon Bar Company across real worked events. Actual consumption varies by crowd, weather, venue, and service style. Always consult your venue's alcohol policies before purchasing. Every event is unique and every crowd drinks differently. 

Your event is staffed based on your total guest count, with one bartender for every group of 60 guests. That means up to 60 guests require one bartender, 61-120 requires two, 121-180 requires three, and so on. 

One bartender is included with Red Cannon Essentials.

All of our staff are TIPS &/or ABC- Certified in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.

Additional bartenders are +$300 each.

A Second / Satellite Bar Setup requires one additional bartender beyond the staffing calculated from your guest count.

Yes! Red Cannon Essentials includes The Highbury bar, workstations, professional bartending tools, and coolers.

Ice and mixer packages are optional add-ons and are priced using your full guest count.

Ice Service starting at +$2 per guest. We recommend 2––2.5 lbs per person if icing items down and making cocktails.

Signature Package starting at +$3 per guest. Covers mixers and garnishes for up to four (4) signature cocktails. Pricing may vary depending on complexity.

Full Mixer Package starting at +$6 per guest. Covers standard mixers for all your basic cocktails. Available mixers include, but not limited to:

Sodas: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Ginger Ale

Sparkling mixers: Soda water and tonic water

Juices: Lime, lemon, orange, pineapple, cranberry, and grapefruit

Syrups: Simple syrup and grenadine

We'll coordinate the mixer selection with you during planning to suit your drink menu. Have a specific mixer in mind? Include it in your inquiry so we can discuss availability and any additional cost.

Choose one mixer package, and add Ice Service if needed. You can also provide your own ice and mixers.

Red Cannon Essentials includes our standard fresh garnishes such as lemons, limes, oranges, mint, and cherries, along with disposable cups, cocktail napkins, straws, and other standard barware used during service. 

Specialty garnishes outside our standard Red Cannon Essentials offerings, such as pineapple & pineapple fronds, strawberries, tajin, grapefruit, jalapeños, edible orchids, etc. can be coordinated separately. 

Great bar service starts before the first drink is poured. We'll work with you before your event to discuss your drink menu, bar-service timeline, setup location, venue access, and other service details.

Planning and video calls are included with Red Cannon Essentials so we can coordinate the details together.

Yes! Red Cannon Bar Company carries General and Liquor Liability insurance and operates as a professional mobile bartending service. We can provide proof of insurance and certifications to your venue, if necessary. 

We offer complimentary travel of up to 60 miles roundtrip as part of our service package. Anything further than 60 miles will include a travel fee of $2 per mile.

No. Your package includes up to five (5) hours of bar service for your guests. Setup and breakdown happen outside those hours at no additional charge. We plan to arrive 2-3 hours before your event begins to prepare the bar. We'll coordinate arrival and venue access with you during planning. 

We check IDs! Serving minors is illegal and is taken seriously. Please ask guests to bring their IDs if they appear to be under the age of 35. 

Anyone who is visibly intoxicated will be cut off. It doesn't happen often, but it is sometimes necessary for the safety of your guests. We will ask the host or coordinator to remove aggressive individuals from the event if our employees or the bar have been threatened or harmed. 

Safety for everyone is our top priority.