Business Details
39 Years
experience
Trusted Event Staffing in Washington DC
Professional Bartenders & Servers, Inc. (PBS) has been elevating events in the Washington, DC metropolitan area since 1987. Founded by industry veteran Robert Gold, we recognized a critical gap in qualified hospitality professionals and built a solution through rigorous training and exceptional service standards. Our team specializes in supplying certified bartenders, servers, and event supervisors to hotels, caterers, and private clients across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Every staff member undergoes comprehensive training, including TIPS certification for responsible alcohol service, ensuring both guest satisfaction and legal compliance.We maintain full insurance coverage, including liquor liability and general liability policies, to protect both clients and staff. Our bilingual capabilities and attention to detail have made us the trusted partner for high-profile events ranging from corporate galas to intimate private gatherings. We provide detailed guidance on staffing ratios and drink quantities, helping clients plan efficiently while delivering seamless service execution. Our event planning resources and uniform options further streamline the coordination process, ensuring professional presentation at every event.
Services
Bartender staffing
Server staffing
Event planning
Uniform services
Multilingual staff
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of specialized experience in event hospitality staffing
- Our staff maintains TIPS certification for responsible alcohol service
- We provide comprehensive insurance coverage for every event
- We offer multilingual staff to accommodate international clients
- We deliver detailed planning resources for staffing and beverage requirements
Associations and certifications
- TIPS Certified
What people say
Professional staff
Accurate staffing recommendations
Detailed planning guidance
TIPS-certified bartenders
Multilingual options available
Services
Bartender Staffing
Professional bartenders trained in TIPS-certified protocols deliver expert cocktail service for events of all sizes. Our staff manages full bars, beer and wine service, and specialty drink stations while maintaining responsible serving practices. We provide staffing recommendations based on guest counts and event type to ensure optimal service speed and quality.
Server Staffing
Uniformed servers handle buffet, plated, and hors d'oeuvres service with precision and professionalism. Staffing ratios are customized to event format - 1 server per 10-15 guests for seated dinners or 1 per 25 guests for buffet setups. Our servers receive training in tableside service and guest engagement protocols.
Event Planning
Comprehensive staffing and logistics planning services streamline event preparation. We provide expert guidance on bar quantities, service staff requirements, and equipment needs based on guest counts and event format. Our planning resources help clients calculate liquor, mixer, and consumable quantities to minimize waste and ensure guest satisfaction.
Uniform Services
Multiple uniform options maintain professional presentation across event types. Choose from formal wear with bow ties, bistro uniforms with aprons, or branded polo shirts. All uniforms include coordinated dress pants and name tags identifying staff roles, ensuring cohesive visual branding for client events.
Multilingual Staff
Bilingual staff options accommodate international guests and special language requirements. Our database includes personnel fluent in Spanish, French, and other languages to enhance guest interactions. This service ensures effective communication and cultural sensitivity at events with diverse attendee demographics.
People
Robert Gold
Founder
Industry veteran with 35+ years experience in hospitality staffing. Previously worked as banquet bartender before establishing PBS to address staffing shortages in the Washington DC market.
Questions
How many bartenders do I need for my event?
For a full bar, plan 1 bartender per 75 guests. Beer/wine-only service requires 1 bartender per 100 guests. Special configurations may affect these ratios.
Do you provide event planning assistance?
Yes, our planning resources include staffing recommendations, liquor quantity calculators, and mixer/soda requirements tailored to your guest count and event type.
What uniform options are available?
We offer four uniform styles: Formal (bow tie/vest), Bistro (apron), Polo, and Classic (black/white attire) to match event dress codes.
Are your staff certified in alcohol service?
All bartenders maintain current TIPS certification for responsible alcohol service, including intervention techniques and age verification protocols.
What service areas do you cover?
We serve Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland, with staff strategically located to accommodate events throughout the metro region.
Reviews (5)
Robert K.
May 21, 2022
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Anna and Laura did an absolutely fantastic job at my daughters wedding. They were hard-working, diligent and extremely professional. I would recommend these two and this company to anyone who needs help with an event
Viviana
May 23, 2020
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I love PBS, very flexible, very professional, very nice people and good money. Awesome events and wonderful life experience. I have been working for PBS for a long time and would like to do it for many more years. Fun and good extra cash if you need it.
Keith Calvo
Feb 19, 2020
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Working for PBS has been a great experience. Their knowledge is extensive and I appreciate learning the many high end service professional standards. My time with the company has provided me with amazing relationships and understanding how to provide consistent outstanding guest service.
Sandy Meristil
Jan 01, 2020
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Need a quick job while in school or even a break from the kids?! PBS provides fexible hours & great pay! The office & field staff are amazing & great at communication. I have also found myself making social connections. Great money & Connects, what else could you ask for?
A. Mason
Nov 20, 2019
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As an Employee at Professional Bartenders & Servers, one thing I can say is that I am happy for the experience of working for company where I can make my own schedule, make good money, and work with people at something I love to do - bartending and serving! Robert has some of the best clients in the DC Maryland and Virginia metro area and I just have a ball working the events that were hired for! They train well, and send us out with the knowledge and expertise of giving a great experience at fine dining and 5 star service! I consider PBS a great place to work!
