Question 1

How many servers or bartenders do I need?

Accepted Answer

It depends on guest count, service style and how long your event runs. Seated dinners and passed hors d'oeuvres need more hands than a buffet; a bar with cocktails needs more attention than beer and wine. Tell us your guest count, timing and format and we will recommend a staffing plan for your event.

Question 2

How far in advance should I book?

Accepted Answer

Earlier is always easier, especially for graduation season, summer weekends and the December holidays. That said, we review every request as it arrives. Send your date and we will tell you what availability looks like.

Question 3

What exactly do your staff do during an event?

Accepted Answer

Before guests arrive: setup of tables, stations, serving areas and the bar. During: passed appetizers, buffet care, beverage service, guest support, clearing and continuous tidying. After: leftovers organized, rentals gathered, trash consolidated and event spaces reset.

Question 4

What do staff wear?

Accepted Answer

Uniform options are confirmed with you before the event. Common choices are all black, or white shirt with black trousers and an apron. If your event has a specific look, tell us during inquiry and we will match it where we can.

Question 5

How much do servers and bartenders cost?

Accepted Answer

Professional servers are $43 per hour, per server, and event cleanup is included with server service. Professional bartenders are $43 per hour, per bartender. There is a four-hour minimum per staff member. How many staff your event needs depends on guest count, service style and what the evening asks of the team, so we confirm the recommended team size and total hours in writing before anything is booked.

Question 6

Is cleanup included when I book servers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Event cleanup is included with server service. Servers help maintain the event space during your party and handle event-related cleanup as part of their service: clearing, dishes and glassware, wiping down kitchen, bar and serving surfaces, trash consolidated into your bins, leftovers packed and rentals staged for pickup. There is no separate cleanup fee on top of the hourly server rate.

Question 7

Is there a minimum number of hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There is a four-hour minimum per staff member. Arrival window, service hours and any additional time are stated clearly in your proposal before you commit to anything.

Question 8

What does a cleaning-only booking cost?

Accepted Answer

If you are booking servers, event cleanup is already included, so there is nothing extra to price. Our separate cleaning-only crew, for hosts who need cleaners without servers, is quoted per event rather than by the hour, because crew size and timing depend on the size of your gathering and how many rooms and outdoor areas need resetting. Send your event details and we will include a clear quote in your staffing plan.

Question 9

Do you provide food, beverages or supplies?

Accepted Answer

Clients are responsible for purchasing food and beverages, and for rentals such as glassware, linens and serving pieces, unless we add those services in the future. We staff and run the event you have planned, and we will happily tell you what we typically need on hand to do it well.

Question 10

Do bartenders supply the alcohol?

Accepted Answer

No. Bartenders do not supply or sell alcohol. You purchase the beverages you want served, and our bar staff handle setup, ice and garnish prep, pouring what you have provided, glassware, and bar breakdown at the end of the night.

Question 11

What does event cleanup include?

Accepted Answer

Trash and recycling consolidated, leftovers packed and labeled, dishes and glassware handled, rentals gathered and stacked for pickup, kitchen and bar surfaces wiped down, and furniture and event spaces returned to how you like them. This is included with server service. Deep cleaning such as carpets, ovens or windows is not included, and hosts who need cleaners without servers can book our cleaning-only crew separately.

Question 12

Do you travel across all of Suffolk County?

Accepted Answer

We serve Suffolk County, from western towns through the North and South Shores out to the North Fork and Hamptons. Availability and any travel considerations for your specific town are confirmed during inquiry, before anything is booked.

Question 13

Can you help with a last-minute event?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. Short-notice requests depend entirely on staff availability for that date. Send the details and we will give you a straight answer quickly rather than leaving you waiting.

Question 14

Do you work alongside caterers, planners and venues?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We regularly fit into a plan someone else is running: following your planner's timeline, supporting a caterer's service, or working within a venue's rules. Tell us who else is involved and we will coordinate.

Question 15

Is submitting an inquiry a booking?

Accepted Answer

No. An inquiry is a request. We review availability, follow up with a tailored staffing plan, and nothing is confirmed until you approve it in writing.

Question 16

Can I call or text you instead of using the form?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Call or text (631) 394-9169 with your date, town and guest count, or email setandservelongisland@gmail.com. Texting is often the fastest way to reach us while we are staffing an event, and either way we review availability before anything is confirmed.

Questions hosts ask us first

Event staffing, explained

Have a date in mind?

Tell us about your event