Bartender hire in Brisbane
Tell us the date, the suburb and how many are coming. We look for bartenders who cover that part of Brisbane and pass on their quotes. It's free, and you deal with the one platform.
What bartender hire costs in Brisbane
Brisbane suppliers publish roughly $50 to $60 an hour for a standard bartender and around $75 for a cocktail bartender. Three hours is the usual minimum, four on some packages.
| Supplier | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Barmen For Hire | $60 an hour standard, $75 cocktails, $55 waitstaff |
| Little Rum Runner | Additional bartenders $50 an hour |
From each supplier's own published Brisbane prices, checked 21 September 2026. Prices change, so confirm them when you ask for a quote.
Mobile bars
A mobile bar with staff starts around $570 for two hours if you supply the drinks. Little Rum Runner's BYO bar cart runs $570 to $820 for two hours, and a full mobile bar $820 to $1,050. If they supply the alcohol, the same packages are priced per head: $31 to $51 a head at 80 guests.
How many bartenders you need
The industry rule is one bartender per 50 to 75 guests. At 80 guests you need two. At 150 you need three.
What to sort before you book
- RSA. Anyone serving alcohol on licensed premises in Queensland needs an RSA certificate. Ask your supplier for their staff's.
- Liquor licence. For a private party where the drinks are free, or a BYO event, Queensland's Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation says no licence is needed. Selling alcohol is different.
- Your venue. Ask whether outside bar staff are allowed and what insurance they want to see.
- Public holidays. Some suppliers add a surcharge. Fire and Ginger adds 20%.
How booking through PearlMarilyn works
Tell us the date, the suburb, the guest count and what you want poured. We look for bartenders who cover your area. Every supplier's public liability insurance, and for bartenders their RSA, is checked before they can quote. The request is free, and you deal with the one platform.
Common questions
How much does it cost to hire a bartender in Brisbane?
Published Brisbane rates run about $50 to $60 an hour for a standard bartender and around $75 for a cocktail bartender, usually with a three or four hour minimum.
How many bartenders do I need for 80 guests?
Two. The usual rule is one bartender per 50 to 75 guests.
Do I need a liquor licence for a private party in Queensland?
Not if the drinks are free or it is BYO. Queensland's Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation says a licence comes into play once alcohol is sold.
Is it cheaper to supply the drinks myself?
Usually. With the same supplier, a two hour BYO mobile bar is $820 flat, against $31 a head ($2,480 at 80 guests) when they supply the alcohol.