About Us

My name is Jerry Kruse, the owner, and founder, of The Pour Guys Bartending Sevices. My service industry experince began in 1988 when I was employed as a fine-dining server by The Pacific Club, a private business club located in Newport Beach, California. While there, I was trained in 5-Star service and have fond memories of my 7 years working there.

After moving to Tennessee in 1995 with my wife, Shelly, I had the opportunity to work at Cherokee Country Club as a fine-dining and banquet server while I earned a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Tennessee.

In 1999, I graduated from UT and began my teaching career with Maryville City Schools as a special education teacher. At that time, I also began working for various caterers as a server/bartender in people's homes and at private facilities. As the requests for my services increased, I realized that I would need to recruit additional help if I was going to be able to continue to provide a high level of service. That is when the idea of starting a business of my own was born. After consulting with my wife, and receiving her full support, The Pour Guys Bartending Services was officially established in January, 2007.

My goal for the business is to decrease my clients stress and to truly help them enjoy their event. To help make their event amazing and memorable. To never want to have another party without our assistance. So far we have been successful. We supplement the labor force of several local caterers as well as providing licensed bartenders and professional service staff for nearly any type of special event our clients might be planning. At the present time we average approximately 35 parties a month. No event is too small for us to work or too large to handle.

Here is a list of the types of parties/events we've worked in the past:

• Wedding Receptions
• Rehearsal Dinners
• Baby Showers
• Wedding Showers
• Political Events
• Fund Raisers
• Birthdays
• Anniversaries
• Graduations
• Tailgate Parties
• Sit-down Dinners
• Progressive Dinners
• Employee Appreciation Parties
• Office Parties
• Wakes
• and the "Just Because" Party

Please read our testimonials to see what our clients have to say about our service. Thank you and we look forward to helping you turn your special event into a HUGE success!

Rates & Packages

Rates

Local

• Bartenders are $35.00 per hour with a $150.00 minimum.
• Servers are $30.00 per hour with a $125.00 minimum.

Greater East Tennessee Area

(Gatlinburg/Sevierville/Loudon/Athens/Morristown/Kingsport/Cosby)

• Bartenders are $40.00 per hour with a $160.00 minimum.
• Servers are $35.00 per hour with a $150.00 minimum.

What We Provide

If we supply glassware, mixers, or ice for your event, we will also bring pitchers, ice tubs for drink ice, ice scoops, bowls for bar fruit, wine tools, bar towels, and coolers (if needed.) There is NO cost for these items. We can also bring a 6-foot table to be used as a bar; however, there is a $5.00 fee. We do not have table cloths so you will need to provide one for us to use.

Need Glassware?

We offer glassware rental, along with ice and coolers. Our prices are quoted on an individual basis depending on your particular needs. Our Glassware/Ice package is typically $1.50 to $2.50 per person. We will bring enough glassware to ensure that we do not run out, and ice to chill bottles and serve drinks. We have glassware available for mixed drinks, martinis, wine, champagne, beer, soft drinks and tea/water, including mason jars. We do not add breakage fees or tax.

Need Mixers?

If it makes it easier for you, we will also take care of the non-alcoholic mixers in addition to the glassware and ice for your event. Again, the prices are quoted on an individual basis depending on your particular needs. Our Glassware/Mixers/Ice package is typically $3.50-$4.50 per person. We will bring all the necessary types of glassware you need.

Standard mixers include:

• Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale
• Orange, Cranberry, Grapefuit, Pineapple Juices
• Tonic Water, Soda Water
• Bloody Mary Mix (Zing Zang), Sweet & Sour Mix, Rose's Lime Juice, Grenadine
• Fresh Lemons & Limes, Green Olives, Marachino Cherries

Additional mixers available upon request: Margarita Mix, White Grape Juice, Sweet & Unsweet Tea, Lemonade, Simple Syrup, Margarita salt. Other requests welcomed. Cocktail napkins available for an additional fee.

Need Insurance?

If you need insurance coverage or simply would like the extra protection for the day of your special event, being named additional insured on The Pour Guys liquor liability policy is an option. The policy's term limits are for $1,000,000 per occurance, and the rider fee is $150.00. Please contact us for further details.

Tipping philosophy

It is our belief that you have hired us to take care of your guests, not to solicit tips from them. We will NEVER put out a tip jar. When tips are offered, they are accepted discretely.

A gratuity is not included in the hourly rate and will never be automatically added to your bill. As the host, you have the option to add a gratuity to the bill if you choose to do so. Gratuities are appreciated and divided amongst the staff (bartenders and servers) evenly.

Testimonials

Preferred Vendors

Policies

Responsible Service

When The Pour Guys are hired to work an event, we are responsible to control the alcohol and ensure that the guests are served safely and are drinking responsibly. Only adults, age 21 or older, with proper I.D. will be served alcoholic beverages. Our bartenders are ABC certified and are well-versed in the signs of intoxication.

Please make special note of the following:

• Our bartenders cannot allow guests to self-serve alcoholic beverages, and we cannot leave any alcohol unattended.
• If a guest has been drinking before an even and are exhibiting signs of being intoxicated, our bartenders reserve the right to refuse to serve them.
• Individuals will be "cut off," or refused to be served an alcoholic beverage if they appear to be intoxicated or if they are getting alcoholic beverages for minors or individuals who have already been cut off.
• If a manager or owner of any facility requests that a guest be cut off or the bar shut down completely, our bartenders must comply with that request.
• Our bartenders reserve the right to close the bar completely if, in their professional judgment, the overall safety and well-being of the guests is in question.

Shot Policy

In keeping with our obligation to serve responsibly, we generally do not pour shots or shooters. Occasionally, we may pour one celebratory shot for a bride and groom and the wedding party only; however, few exceptions are made. Shots and/or shooters served from an open bar can get out of control quickly, so as a general rule we do not pour them.

“Cutting Off” Individuals

In the event a guest is cut off, bartenders will:

1. Refuse the request for alcohol, and offer the guest a non-alcoholic beverage instead.
2. Notify the facility manager and/or any security officer present.
3. Notify the host/client and inquire as to the individual's means of transportation after the event.
4. Offer to call a taxi for the guest.
5. Call the police as a last resort.

Last Call

The bar must be closed down at least 30 minutes prior to the end of the music or end time of an event. Last Call will occur 5-10 minutes before the bar in closed to give the guests an opportunity to get one last drink. Only one drink will be served per person.

Payment

Payment is due at the end of each event unless other arrangements have been made with The Pour Guys event planner prior to the event.  We can only accept cash or a check made out to “The Pour Guys”. We cannot accept credit cards.  We bill for the staff's actual hours worked, including setup and breakdown time, rounded to the nearest quarter-hour.  At the end of each event, an invoice will be presented to the host and the charges will be explained. Tips may be given directly to the bartenders in cash, or may be included on the check.

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