Terms of Service

1. Who we are

Ice & Instinct is a private mixology and at-home bartending service operated by Teimuraz Benidze, serving the New York metropolitan area. These Terms govern your use of www.iceinstinct.com and the engagement between us and any client who books a service through our scheduling page or by direct agreement. By inquiring or booking, you agree to these Terms and to our Responsible Service & Alcohol Policy.

2. Our service model

We provide professional bartending and mixology labor and service, not the sale of alcohol. We do not sell, resell, or furnish alcoholic beverages for a fee. Alcohol is supplied by you, the client/host, or sourced on your behalf at supplier cost as a convenience with no markup on the alcohol itself. Because we do not sell alcohol, our bartending service operates without a retail liquor license; where any event or venue requires a permit to serve alcohol, obtaining it is the client's or venue's responsibility.

3. Services we offer

Private mixology service in the New York metropolitan area, organised in tiers:

• The Foundation - from $650 USD, up to 15 guests, 3 hours.
• Perfection in Simplicity - from $900 USD, up to 12 guests, 4 hours.
• Bespoke Design & Artistry - from $1,800 USD, up to 30 guests, 4 hours.
• Omakase Improvisation - from $3,000 USD, up to 25 guests, open hours.
• Private Concierge - bespoke pricing.

Each engagement is confirmed by a private quote sent in response to your inquiry. The confirmed quote is the binding scope.

4. Pricing & payment

Pricing is bespoke per event and confirmed in writing. A flat $500 deposit reserves your date; the remaining balance is due before the event, unless otherwise agreed. Currency is USD.

5. Cancellation

Cancellation more than 14 days before the event: full deposit refunded. Within 14 days: deposit non-refundable but transferable to a future date within 12 months, subject to availability. Within 48 hours: full booking value due. We may cancel or end service, without refund, where service cannot proceed safely or lawfully (see Section 7).

6. What's included

Each tier includes the items listed at the time of quote: bartender service, tools, bar setup, and breakdown. Spirits and wine are provided by you or sourced on your behalf at supplier cost. Specialty ice, curated glassware, additional staff, and add-on services are arranged through the Concierge and billed separately at supplier cost.

7. Responsible service and age

All guests served must be of legal drinking age (21 or older). We serve in accordance with our Responsible Service & Alcohol Policy and reserve the absolute right, without liability and without refund, to:

• refuse or stop service to any guest who is, or appears to be, under 21 or unable to show valid ID;
• refuse or stop service to any guest who is, or appears to be, intoxicated; and
• end the engagement where guest conduct, the venue, or circumstances make safe, lawful service impossible.

8. Client and host responsibilities

• Provide accurate event information at the time of inquiry.
• Ensure the venue is accessible for setup at least 90 minutes before service.
• Confirm that every guest to be served is 21 or older, and assist with ID checks on request.
• Lawfully supply the alcohol to be served, and obtain any permit the venue or event requires.
• Act as the host of the gathering. As host, you are responsible for your guests and for arranging safe transportation for anyone who should not drive.

9. Assumption of risk & host liability

The consumption of alcohol carries inherent risks. Under New York law, including the Dram Shop Act and social host provisions (General Obligations Law sections 11-100 and 11-101), a person who unlawfully furnishes alcohol to a minor or to a visibly intoxicated person may be held liable for resulting harm. You acknowledge that, as the host who supplies the alcohol and invites the guests, you retain the responsibilities the law places on a host, and that our role is limited to providing responsible bartending service.

10. Limitation of liability

We provide service in good faith and to a professional standard. To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim arising from a service is limited to the fees you paid us for that service, and we are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law.

11. Indemnification

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims, damages, and costs arising from: guest conduct; a guest's intoxication or underage drinking that occurs despite our reasonable refusal of service; the alcohol you supplied; the condition of the venue; or your breach of these Terms.

12. Insurance

We carry commercial general liability insurance for our service. This does not replace the coverage a host or venue should hold. We recommend you confirm that your homeowner's, renter's, or venue policy provides host liquor liability coverage for your event.

13. Intellectual property

Recipes, photography, and brand materials remain the property of Ice & Instinct unless transferred in writing. Custom recipes designed for your event may be shared with you in a printed take-home format on request.

14. Confidentiality

We treat all client information as confidential and do not share guest lists, addresses, or event details with third parties. We do not photograph guests during service without explicit prior consent.

15. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, USA. Disputes will first be addressed by good-faith discussion; if not resolved, by the state or federal courts located in New York County, New York.

16. Changes

We may update these Terms from time to time. The "Last updated" date above reflects the most recent change. For ongoing engagements, the Terms in force at the time of your booking apply.

17. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Reach us via the contact page.