Welcome to Alongside Coffee. By accessing our website or booking our mobile coffee services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. Please read them carefully to ensure a seamless experience for your event.
1. Services
Alongside Coffee provides a premium mobile espresso bar service for weddings, corporate events, and private parties in the Greater Seattle Area. Specific details of the service (active pouring hours, menu selection, and venue location) will be explicitly outlined in a formal Service Agreement and Invoice at the time of booking.
2. Booking & Payment
- Retainer: Submitting an inquiry form on this website does not guarantee a booking. A 50% non-refundable retainer and a signed agreement are strictly required to secure your event date on our calendar. Dates are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Final Balance: The remaining 50% balance is due no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the event date. If booking within 14 days of the event, payment is required in full upfront.
- Pricing: Custom quotes are valid for 30 days. Prices are subject to change for future bookings but are locked in once a retainer is paid. Travel fees outside our standard 30-mile radius (from Auburn, WA) will be calculated and quoted prior to booking.
3. Order Rates & Pricing Assumptions
Our per-guest pricing is calculated around a realistic 60% order rate of the projected guest count you provide at the time of booking. This means that for a 300-person event, our pricing, materials sourcing, staffing, and preparation are built around an expectation that approximately 180 drinks will be served. This assumption allows us to deliver a premium experience at a sustainable rate.
- Orders Exceeding 60%: In the event that actual orders exceed 60% of the initial projected guest count, Alongside Coffee reserves the right to charge an overage rate of $10 per cup for every drink served beyond the 60% threshold. This fee will be invoiced after the event and is due within 7 days. We will always continue serving to ensure your guests are cared for — the overage rate simply covers the additional materials, labor, and time required.
- Orders Below 60%: If actual orders fall below the 60% threshold, no refund, credit, or rebate will be issued. Our materials (specialty beans, syrups, milks, cups), staffing, and preparation costs have been committed in advance based on the full projected guest count, and these costs are already built into the per-guest rate you approved at booking.
- Projection Changes: If your guest count materially changes before the event, please notify us at least 14 days in advance so we can adjust our sourcing and staffing accordingly. Increases to the projected guest count may require an updated invoice.
4. Service Pace & Wait Times
Alongside Coffee specializes in handcrafted espresso beverages. Every drink — from the espresso extraction to the steamed milk texture to the latte art — is individually prepared by a trained barista using commercial equipment. This is not a self-serve or dispenser-based operation, and it is intentionally not designed for maximum throughput.
- Lines Are Expected: Lines and wait times are a normal, expected part of a live espresso bar experience. We consider a small line part of the charm and quality of craft coffee service — similar to any specialty cafe.
- Variable Wait Times: Wait times will naturally vary based on event size, guest order patterns (rush periods vs. steady flow), drink complexity, and menu selection. Iced drinks, specialty flavored lattes, and multi-shot orders take longer than a standard drip coffee would.
- No Throughput Guarantee: While we work as efficiently as our quality standards allow, Alongside Coffee does not guarantee a specific number of drinks served per hour or a maximum wait time. We will never sacrifice drink quality to move a line faster.
- Staffing Options: For larger events or events where short wait times are a priority, please discuss a two-barista setup during your booking consultation. Additional staffing is available and will be quoted separately.
5. Cancellations & Rescheduling
- Client Cancellation: If you must cancel your event, the 50% retainer is non-refundable, as it covers administrative time and prevents us from booking other clients for your date. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will result in the client being responsible for 100% of the invoice.
- Rescheduling: We will accommodate date changes to the best of our ability if notified at least 30 days in advance, subject entirely to our availability. A rescheduling administrative fee may apply.
- Alongside Coffee Cancellation: In the highly unlikely event that Alongside Coffee must cancel due to severe illness, unavoidable mechanical failure, or a critical emergency, we will refund 100% of all payments made, including the retainer. This refund represents the absolute limit of our liability.
6. Venue & Setup Requirements
To ensure a successful and uninterrupted cafe experience, the Client agrees to provide and verify the following:
- Power Access: Our commercial espresso equipment requires a dedicated 120V, 15-20 amp circuit within 50 feet of the cart setup. Standard household plugs usually work. Alongside Coffee is not liable for service delays, lukewarm milk, or service interruptions caused by tripped venue breakers, faulty venue wiring, or inadequate power supply. If adequate power is not provided and prevents service, full payment is still required.
- Space & Access: We require a flat, level footprint of 6’ x 10’ to allow for cart placement and barista workflow. For multi-story venues, elevator access or a ramp is strictly required. We cannot push the heavy equipment over steep hills, deep gravel, or mud.
- Inclement Weather: For outdoor events, the client must provide adequate overhead shelter (a sturdy tent, canopy, or covered patio) in the event of rain or extreme direct heat to protect our electrical equipment and staff.
- Setup Time: We require access to the venue 1 to 1.5 hours prior to the start of active service for equipment calibration and dial-in. This preparation time is complimentary and is not billed against your service hours.
7. Liability & Indemnification
- Allergies: While we maintain rigorous standards of cleanliness and cross-contamination prevention, our cart handles dairy, nut-based milks, and gluten. We cannot guarantee a 100% allergen-free environment. It is the client's responsibility to notify their guests. Alongside Coffee is not liable for allergic reactions.
- Venue Damage: Alongside Coffee takes the utmost care when loading in and out. However, we are not liable for incidental damage to floors, doors, or venue property during the normal execution of moving our mobile cart, nor for water or coffee spills caused by event guests.
- Limit of Liability: Under no circumstances shall Alongside Coffee’s total liability to the client exceed the total amount paid by the client for the event services. Alongside Coffee is not liable for failure to perform caused by circumstances beyond our control (force majeure, extreme weather, severe traffic accidents).
8. Media & Marketing
Alongside Coffee reserves the right to take photographs and video of the coffee cart setup, custom menus, and general event atmosphere for use in our marketing, social media, and website portfolio. We will respect the privacy of your guests and will not publish close-up portraits of individuals without permission.
9. Website Content
All content on this website, including text, graphics, logos, and images, is the property of Alongside Coffee and is protected by copyright laws. You may not reproduce, adapt, or distribute any content without our express written permission.
10. Governing Law & Modifications
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting to this website.
11. Contact Info
If you have any questions or require clarification regarding these Terms of Service prior to booking, please contact us at alongsidecoffee@gmail.com.
12. Alongside AI Assistant Disclaimer
Our website features an automated virtual assistant ("Alongside AI") designed to help answer basic questions about our services, menu, and logistics. While we strive to program the AI with accurate and up-to-date information, it is an automated system and may occasionally generate incorrect, incomplete, or entirely inaccurate responses.
By using the chat feature, you agree that:
- Any logistical information, capacity limits, or menu availability provided by the AI must be verified with our human team.
- Pricing and Quotes: The AI is strictly prohibited from generating binding price quotes. In the event the AI hallucinates or invents a price, package, or discount, it is completely void and not legally binding.
- The only legally binding agreement regarding pricing, dates, and services is the official final invoice and contract provided directly by Alongside Coffee ownership.