Bartending Services

Technically, Idaho State Law hasn't changed. However, Idaho Legislators have decided to reinterpret a 1930s-era law regulating the distribution, sale, and service of all alcohol. With this change, 'dry-hire' bars are no longer allowed, and all sale and distribution must go through a business with a beer and wine or liquor license.

A 'dry-hire' bar consists of an individual(s) being hired to simply serve the alcohol provided by the host of the event. In most states, this is still a legal option, but in Idaho, the law requires the alcohol to be purchased from and served by the same licensed and insured brick and mortar bar or restaurant.

To clarify, all 'dry-hire' bartending services are considered illegal in the State of Idaho. This includes hiring a business, hiring a friend, putting out a tip jar, or even bartering or trading services with someone in exchange for the distribution and monitoring of alcohol at your event.

In the State of Idaho, all alcohol sales and service for hire must go through a licensed brick and mortar bar or restaurant. With that, the 'bar' holds the proper training, licensing, and insurance to ensure legal service of the alcohol.

Legal service includes but is not limited to the verification of age of all drinkers (21+) and ensuring patrons are not being over-served and showing signs of illegal levels of intoxication.

It is considered a felony to overserve or serve to a minor, and with self-serve bar or a 'dry-hire', the criminal liability falls on whoever purchased the alcohol, and can default to the host of the event or the property owner (both private and public property).

With Centennial Event Staffing, we hold the liability insurance, licenses, permits, and training to safely and legally serve your guests. We are one of the few properly vetted bartenders in North Idaho serving the wedding community in a mobile setting.

Even though your event may be held on private property, the moment you open it up to other people (even by invitation-only), it becomes public in the eyes of the law. With that, dry-hire is still fully illegal and self-serve, though legal, does not offer any liability coverage in the event an accident were to occur or someone was caught overserving themselves or drinking underaged.

We love any and all events! Though mainly geared to bartending North Idaho weddings, we'll happily serve at your reception or welcome dinners, graduation parties, anniversary parties, holiday parties, corporate parties (if you work somewhere that awesome), birthday parties, baby showers, and so much more!

We typically advertise our 4-hour package for our weddings - as that easily covers a cocktail hour, reception, and dancing while respecting most venues' time limits and ensuring your guests aren't too intoxicated to enjoy your wedding.

We do offer 2-hour packages for smaller events such as receptions, birthday parties, or corporate functions.

If 4 hours isn't enough time, we also can offer additional hours! Additional hours booked prior to the day of the event will save you money rather than adding them on the day of.

We are fully licensed to work in both North Idaho and Eastern Washington, however, our emphasis is providing safe and legal (and fun!) mobile bartending services to North Idaho. We prefer to stay within two hours of Post Falls, Idaho.

Service areas include: Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Coeur d'Alene, Dalton Gardens, Sagle, Cocolalla, Sandpoint, Athol, Bayview, St. Maries, Kellogg, Wallace, Spirit Lake, Cataldo, Plummer, Harrison, and everywhere in between!

Great question! We've worked hard with our bartenders to find the balance of lots of options but with expedited, easy service. With that, we limit our bar menu to up to 8 drinks (plus water). Check out our bartending catalog to see which drinks are available to you.

On a budget? We can pair down the drink options to as low as 4, helping your bottom-line while still having options for you and your guests!