Rum Runners Bar Service: What to Know About This Charleston Bartending Company

Rum Runners is a full-service bar staffing company based in Charleston

Rum Runners Bar Service provides bartenders, servers, and other hospitality staff for events across the Charleston area. The company handles everything from hiring and training to managing payroll and insurance for the staff they send to your event. If you're planning a wedding, corporate gathering, private party, or other event that needs professional bar service, Rum Runners handles the logistics so you don't have to coordinate directly with individual bartenders.

The company operates as a staffing agency rather than a consulting service—they show up with trained people ready to work, not advice on how to run your bar. This matters because it means you're getting people who know Charleston venues, understand South Carolina's alcohol service laws, and have worked similar events before.

Key Takeaways

• Rum Runners sends trained bartenders and servers to your event location, handling all hiring and payroll on their end.
• The company covers liability insurance for their staff, which protects you from certain employment-related claims during the event.
• You contact Rum Runners directly to discuss your event size, date, and bar setup needs before they quote a price.
• Staff arrive knowing South Carolina's alcohol service rules, which vary by county and type of license.

How to contact Rum Runners for your event

Start by calling or visiting their website to describe what you need: the date, location, expected guest count, and what kind of bar setup you want (full open bar, beer and wine only, signature cocktails, etc.). They'll ask about your venue—whether it has existing bar equipment, whether you're providing the alcohol or they're sourcing it, and whether you need them to handle setup and breakdown.

Rum Runners will give you a quote based on the number of staff hours needed and the complexity of the service. Pricing depends on event length, staff count, and whether special requests like custom cocktail training are involved. Once you agree, they handle all the paperwork—background checks, tax withholding, and insurance documentation—on their side.

What Rum Runners staff know about South Carolina law

South Carolina's alcohol service laws require anyone pouring drinks to understand age verification, over-service rules, and local licensing requirements. These rules vary by county—Charleston County has different regulations than Beaufort or Greenville. Rum Runners staff work regularly in these areas and know what's required at different venue types, whether you're at a restaurant, private home, or event space.

The company's bartenders understand that serving alcohol at a private event still carries legal responsibility. They know how to check ID, recognize signs of intoxication, and refuse service when necessary. This protects both you and your guests. If your event is in a county or municipality with specific rules about who can serve alcohol, Rum Runners can tell you whether their staff meet those requirements.

What to expect on the day of your event

Rum Runners staff typically arrive 30 to 60 minutes before your event starts to set up the bar, check inventory, and review the menu with you. They'll confirm how you want drinks ordered, whether guests are paying or it's an open bar, and any special requests (signature cocktails, non-alcoholic options, dietary restrictions). They bring their own tools and supplies unless you've arranged otherwise.

During the event, they manage the bar independently—taking orders, making drinks, handling payment if guests are buying rounds, and keeping the bar clean and stocked. After the event ends, they break down, clean up, and leave the space as they found it. You can focus on your guests instead of worrying about whether drinks are being made correctly or the bar is running smoothly.

Comparing Rum Runners to hiring bartenders independently

If you hire a bartender directly, you handle taxes, insurance, and background checks yourself. You're also responsible if something goes wrong—a guest gets hurt, alcohol is served to a minor, or the bartender doesn't show up. Rum Runners takes on that liability and responsibility. Their staff are insured employees, not independent contractors you're hiring for the day.

The trade-off is cost: using a staffing company costs more than paying a single bartender cash for the night. But you're paying for the company to handle all the administrative work, provide insurance coverage, and may provide trained staff will show up. If a bartender calls in sick, Rum Runners finds a replacement—you don't have to scramble.

Questions to ask before booking

Ask whether Rum Runners' price includes setup and breakdown, or whether that's extra. Confirm what happens if your event runs longer than planned—do you pay hourly overage, or is there a flat rate? Ask whether they can accommodate special requests like craft cocktail training for your bartenders or a specific drink menu you've designed.

Find out whether they source alcohol or whether you need to provide it. Some events require the venue or host to provide all alcohol for liability reasons; others let the staffing company handle purchasing. Clarify this before your event date so there are no surprises on the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to provide the alcohol, or does Rum Runners supply it?

That depends on your agreement with them and your venue's rules. Some venues require you to provide alcohol; others let the staffing company source it. Confirm this when you first contact Rum Runners so you know what to budget for and who's responsible for purchasing.

What if I need bartenders for a multi-day event?

Rum Runners can staff events over several days. Contact them with your full schedule and they'll quote based on total staff hours needed. Pricing may be different for multi-day events than single-night ones, so ask about that when you call.

Can Rum Runners bartenders make any drink I want?

Most professional bartenders know standard cocktails and can improvise, but if you want very specific or unusual drinks, mention that when you book. Rum Runners can arrange training or discuss your menu in advance so staff are prepared and can make drinks consistently throughout your event.

What if a guest gets too drunk—what's the bartender's responsibility?

Rum Runners staff are trained to recognize over-service and refuse drinks when necessary. South Carolina law holds both the server and the establishment liable if someone is visibly intoxicated and continues to be served. The bartender will stop serving and may suggest food, water, or other options.

How far from Charleston does Rum Runners travel?

Contact them directly to ask about service areas. Some staffing companies serve only Charleston proper; others cover the greater Charleston area or specific surrounding counties. They'll tell you whether your event location is within their service range and whether travel fees apply.