You buy the alcohol.Here is exactly how.
Virginia law doesn't let us buy or sell alcohol, so the host buys it and gets a one-day banquet license from Virginia ABC. It costs about $55 and takes about 7 to 10 days. Here is every step, and what we do for you at each one.
Apply 30 days out.We walk you through the rest.
Five steps, from the application to the last bottle.
Apply at least 30 days out
Apply for a Virginia ABC one-day banquet license at least 30 days before your event. Processing takes about 7 to 10 days, so 30 days leaves room.
Virginia ABC banquet licensesWe walk you through it
We send you the link and walk you through the application, start to finish. The fee is about $55.
Buy what we plan together
We work out with you what to buy for your guests and your menu. We don't buy or sell alcohol, and we don't shop for it.
Hand it to us on the day
We arrive an hour and a half early and collect the alcohol from you before we set up.
Keep what's left
Anything left at the end of the night is yours to keep. We make sure it's packed and ready to go when you are.
- The license
- Virginia ABC one-day banquet license
- What it does
- Covers you and your guests while your alcohol is served at a private event
- Cost
- About $55, paid to Virginia ABC
- How long it takes
- About 7 to 10 days to process
- When to apply
- At least 30 days before your event
- Who applies
- You do, as the host. We send you the link and walk you through it.
- Who buys the alcohol
- The host, based on what we plan together.
When you send your request, you'll confirm you'll buy the alcohol and get this license. It's in your contract too.
What you buy.What we bring.
You buy
The alcohol: liquor, beer and wine, from the list we build with you for your guest count and menu.
Ice, unless you add bags of ice to your estimate and we bring it.
Specialty garnishes your drinks need, like mint, berries or peaches. Or we bring them and add them to your quote.
We bring, with a drink package
Mixers and juices, soft drinks, cups, napkins and straws, the bar tools and a custom drink menu.
Lemons, limes, oranges and cherries for garnish.
With The Blair, a dual-tap kegerator that pours 2 different draft beers.
IDs and safe service
Our bartenders check ID and won't serve anyone under 21, anyone without a valid ID or anyone who appears intoxicated. We don't pour straight shots.
A nonalcoholic menu
We'd love to serve one. Every drink package already includes soft drinks.
Alcohol and license questions.
Do I need a license?
Yes. The host gets a Virginia ABC one-day banquet license for the event. It costs about $55, and processing takes about 7 to 10 days, so apply at least 30 days ahead. We walk you through the application.
Do you provide the alcohol?
No. Virginia law doesn't let us buy or sell alcohol, so the host buys it, based on what we plan together for your guests and your menu. Anything left at the end of the night is yours to keep.
Can we skip the alcohol?
Yes. We'd love to serve a nonalcoholic menu, and every one of our drink packages already includes soft drinks.
Price your bar for your date.
Choose your bar, guests, hours and drinks. Send it, and we reply with an itemized quote. Once you book, we walk you through the license step by step.
- A request does not hold your date. A signed contract and the 50% deposit do.
- Alcohol is never included.
Your estimate
Priced for up to 75 guests.
- The Blair4 hours at $275 an hour$1,100
- Estimated total
- $1,100
- Deposit to hold your date, 50%
- $550
- Balance, due 30 days before your event
- $550
Sales tax applies to supplies and drink packages only, not the bar, bartenders or service.
Our bartenders aim to collect an 18% gratuity at your event. If 18% isn't met at the event, we invoice you a 20% gratuity.