Cocktail app sends a bartender in under 30 minutes
Saucey app promises booze delivery in under an hour
While most people won’t find themselves in the position of needing to secure a bartender on short notice, those who do can turn to on-demand alcohol delivery company Saucey to send one straight away.
This week, the startup added push-button bartender service to its inventory, meaning amateur party planners or corporate hosts can book a professional mixologist through the Saucey mobile application or website for an upcoming gathering with just 24 hours notice.
The only catch is that users are required to book a minimum of three hours, and the bartender-delivered-to-your-doorstep convenience isn’t cheap, costing US$60 an hour (bartenders get to keep US$45-US$50 per hour with Saucey pocketing the rest).
“It’s been a hugely requested feature for a few years now,” said Chris Vaughn, the 29-year-old CEO and co-founder of Saucey. “And it plays into our goal of being your anything and everything (destination) when it comes to alcohol shopping.”
Founded in late 2013, Los Angeles-based Saucey currently delivers booze in about 30 minutes to thirsty patrons in five cities: San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and Chicago. The startup, which has disclosed US$4.8 million in funding raised to date, purports to be profitable in each of its existing markets.
While Vaughn admits the “Book a Bartender” function caters to a select few, he suspects the option will keep Saucey top of mind for customers who want the reassurance that, should they ever need a barkeep, they can have one without having to request quotes from a multitude of other providers.
Saucey competes with a growing number of delivery apps dispatching beer, wine and spirits at a moment’s notice. This peripheral alcohol industry includes heavyweights such as Amazon, as well as Postmates, a more recognizable name in the delivery space. Rival app Minibar even offers its own book-a-bartender feature.
Where Saucey claims to excel is with a logistics platform that ensures both speedy deliveries for customers and more money for couriers, who work as independent contractors and are paid per order.