Frequently Asked Questions

Once you submit our Lead Form, we create a project for your event in our client portal. For organization and record-keeping purposes, all communication, contracts, invoices, payments, and project details are managed through the portal.

This keeps everything related to your event organized and easily accessible throughout the planning process.

Booking is simple:

1. Review your proposal and service options
2. Select your preferred bar setup and services
3. Sign your contract through the client portal
4. Submit your setup fee deposit to secure your date
5. Complete your planning questionnaires so we can begin designing your custom bar menu and event details

Once your event is officially booked, we’ll guide you through the next steps, including planning questionnaires and menu selections so we can begin designing your custom bar experience. We plan at your pace. 

Your setup fee secures your event date and covers the preparation and operation of your bar service. This includes your selected bar setup, bartender(s), styling elements, bar tools, mixers, garnishes, permits, and other service essentials.

Setup fees are due at contract signing to officially reserve your date, and flexible installment options are available if you prefer to divide the payment.

Sample Hosted Bar Menu & Estimate

Example for 100 guests | 4-hour reception

The example below illustrates a typical hosted bar menu and estimated beverage total based on moderate guest consumption (approximately one drink per guest per hour).

When signature cocktails are featured, guest preference often shifts toward them, increasing the percentage of cocktail orders.

French 75-House gin, lemon, simple syrup, sparkling wine — $10

Classic Old Fashioned-House bourbon, bitters, orange — $10

Coors Light — American Lager — $6
pFriem IPA — IPA — $9

Cabernet Sauvignon — Red — $7
Sauvignon Blanc — White — $7

High Noon Variety — $7

Estimated Beverage Total: $3,450

20% Gratuity: $690

Estimated Hosted Total: $4,140

Yes! We understand that event planning often involves multiple vendors and expenses.

For added flexibility, setup fee deposits can be divided into multiple payments if preferred. All payments are managed securely through your client portal so everything stays organized in one place.

If the installment option doesn’t appear on your invoice, simply let us know and we’ll be happy to adjust it for you.

Due to Idaho alcohol regulations, outside alcohol cannot be brought in or served through our bar service once our permitted service hours begin.

All alcohol served during bar service must be purchased and provided through our licensed service partner to ensure your event is fully permitted, insured, and compliant with Idaho alcohol laws.

We understand that many wedding parties enjoy having champagne, mimosas, or other beverages while getting ready earlier in the day, and that is absolutely fine. However, once our permitted service period begins, all outside alcohol must be put away.

To ensure compliance with Idaho alcohol regulations, we operate on a two-strike policy regarding outside alcohol during bar service. This policy is outlined in both our initial information materials and service contract so expectations are clear for everyone involved.

All events include a $750 minimum in beverage sales. This means the total drink purchases during your event must reach at least $750.

If the bar tab does not reach the minimum during service, the remaining balance will simply be added to the final invoice.

We do. All alcohol served at your event is purchased, provided, and transported by our team through our licensed service partner.

Because alcohol service in Idaho is regulated, alcohol must be purchased through a licensed provider and served by licensed bartenders to ensure your event is fully permitted, insured, and compliant with Idaho alcohol laws.

You don’t need to purchase, transport, or supply any alcohol — we handle everything for you.

Due to Idaho alcohol regulations, outside alcohol cannot be brought in or served through our bar service. All alcohol must be purchased and provided through our licensed partner to ensure proper permitting, compliance, and liability coverage.

Yes. Many hosts choose to supply their own bottled water, canned sodas, or other non-alcoholic beverages as a way to help manage their event budget.

We’re happy to take care of this for you, and discuss what works best for your event and service setup.

Your menu is something we build together. We start with our current menu offerings and inventory, then work with you to create a selection that fits your event style, guest preferences, and overall bar vision. Click here to see our 2026 Menu.

Most events include a curated mix of beer, wine, seltzers, and featured cocktails, but we’re always happy to tailor selections where possible.

We’re happy to accommodate reasonable special requests whenever possible.

Our menus are built around our current inventory to ensure we can stock enough product for every event and avoid running out during service. If there’s a specific spirit, cocktail ingredient, or beverage you’d like included, just let us know.

If it’s something we can reasonably source and incorporate into our inventory, we’re happy to add it to your menu. 

Absolutely. Signature cocktails are a great way to personalize your bar experience. Many couples choose two or three featured drinks that reflect their tastes, favorite spirits, or event theme.

If you'd like help deciding, we’re always happy to brainstorm ideas.

Yes! We’re happy to include mocktails and non-alcoholic beverage options so all guests can enjoy the bar experience.

We can also provide hydration stations, which are a popular option for weddings and outdoor events. These may include items like infused water, lemonade, iced tea, or other refreshing non-alcoholic beverages.

To confirm your booking, you can pay the setup fee or deposit electronically through Honeybook. For any payments made during the event, we use our secure merchant processor, Clover. We accept cash, credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Please note that a 3% processing fee will be charged for any electronic payments. Payments may show on your account as Capitol Bar. 

We provide high-quality recyclable tossware for all events. This includes:

• 12 oz cups for mixed drinks, beer, and standard cocktails
• 9 oz cups for wine, rocks pours, and cocktails served over ice

This option keeps service efficient and helps avoid the risk of broken glass at venues.

If you prefer traditional glassware, we’re happy to help coordinate that. While we do not currently offer glassware rentals ourselves, we can refer you to trusted rental vendors, help estimate quantities, and assist with glassware setup and use throughout the event.

Another option many couples choose is purchasing their own glassware. We’re happy to recommend links to beautiful, budget-friendly glassware options that photograph well and elevate the bar experience. If you choose this route, we can incorporate them into service during your event.

Typically, one bartender can comfortably serve up to 75–100 guests, depending on the drink selections and service style.

For larger guest counts or cocktail-heavy menus, additional bartenders may be recommended to ensure efficient service. An additional bartender is a flat rate of $300. This additional staffmember can also bus and tray pass drinks if bar service allows. 

 Yes, through our licensed alcohol service provider, we are fully licensed and insured in the State of Idaho to serve alcohol at off-site events.

If you’d like to create a more elevated guest experience, we offer several service enhancements that go beyond traditional bar service.

These may include:

• Tray-passed welcome drinks or cocktails during arrival and cocktail hour 

• Hydration stations with infused waters, lemonade, iced tea, or other refreshing options
• Table-side wine service during dinner
• Additional bar staff for faster service
• Bussing and scullery support to keep glassware and bar areas clean throughout the event

These options help create a more seamless, hospitality-focused experience for your guests and can be customized based on your event style and needs.

We’re always happy to recommend enhancements that work well for your guest count, venue, and overall event flow.

Yes. Guests are welcome to tip bartenders during the event. They can tip via cash, venmo, or card payment. 

20% Gratuity is only applied to hosted tabs. 

Most events average 2–4 drinks per guest, depending on the length of the event, guest preferences, and the style of bar service.

As a general guideline, we estimate about one drink per guest per hour for planning purposes. These estimates help with budgeting, but your final tab is always based on actual drinks served during the event.

This all depends on your crowd too. Are you light drinkers or are we dealing with 200 Vandals?

We carefully plan inventory based on your guest count, drink selections, and event length to ensure we bring enough product for your event.

Because it’s impossible to perfectly predict what every guest will choose to drink, we typically bring balanced quantities of each menu item unless you let us know ahead of time that your group strongly prefers certain beverages.

Our goal is to never run out of beverages during service. In the rare case that a specific item runs low, we will always have alternative options available so service can continue smoothly.

If you’re hosting drinks with a preset budget, we track the tab throughout the event.

When your tab approaches the amount you've chosen, we will check in with you or your designated event contact so you can decide whether to:

• Continue hosting drinks
• Transition to a cash bar
• Adjust drink options

This allows you to stay fully in control of your spending during the even

We proudly serve events throughout the Treasure Valley and surrounding areas.

For locations outside our standard service area, travel fees may apply. Travel is typically calculated at a minimum rate of $1.50 per mile, and in some cases overnight accommodations may be required, depending on the distance and event timing.

We’re always happy to review your event location and provide a clear travel estimate in advance.

Mobile bar service is very different from a traditional restaurant or bar. Instead of operating from a permanent location, we build a fully functioning bar at your event from the ground up.

Each event requires transporting and setting up bar structures, equipment, ice, mixers, garnishes, tools, inventory, and professional staff — then packing everything back out at the end of the night, only to unpack again. 

Every bar experience is also customized for each event. We curate your menu,  design your custom countertop menu, source ingredients, prepare inventory, and design a service plan specifically for your guest count, venue, and event style.

Traditional bars benefit from permanent storage, daily deliveries, utilities, and on-site staff. Mobile bar services manage their own logistics, transport, permits, insurance, staffing, and setup for every individual event, often in locations that were never designed to operate a full bar.

When you consider the level of customization, preparation, travel, and on-site service required, mobile bar pricing reflects the work involved in bringing a fully licensed bar experience directly to your event.

The good news is bar service can still be very flexible. Many couples choose cash bar or hybrid bar options, which keeps the host’s cost lower while still providing a full bar experience for their guests.