Cost guide
How much does mobile bar hire cost?
A staffed mobile bar with drinks included costs £15 to £30 per head for a mixed bar of beer, wine, prosecco and spirits, and £30 to £50 with cocktails and premium spirits. A cash bar can cost the host little or nothing, though most operators set a hire fee or a minimum takings figure of up to £600.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your room.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Cash bar, hire fee or takings guarantee | £0 to £600 |
| Dry hire, bar and staff, you supply drinks | £250 to £600 |
| Pre-paid mixed bar, per head | £15 to £30 |
| Cocktail bar with premium spirits, per head | £30 to £50 |
| Staffed bar for a party of 30 to 50 | £500 to £900 |
Ask how the licence is handled, how many hours the price covers, and what happens when a pre-paid allowance runs out. A bar that stops serving at 10pm because the tab has gone is the complaint most worth heading off before the day.
What moves the price
- Cash, pre-paid or dry hire. Who pays for the drinks is the biggest single difference between quotes.
- The drinks list. Beer, wine and prosecco cost less per head than cocktails and premium spirits, which also need more staff.
- Hours of service. Most bars price by the length of the event, and a late finish adds staff time.
- Guest numbers. A bar for 40 and a bar for 200 need different numbers of bartenders and service points.
- The set-up. A styled horsebox, real glassware, ice, travel and a licence fee all add to the base price.
Who quotes for it
99 of the 2,162 caterers listed on this site take on mobile bar hire.
Where they are: Arbroath (2), Bognor Regis (2), Clacton-on-Sea (2), Gillingham (2), Maidstone (2).
Questions about mobile bar hire
Can you have a mobile bar at home?
Yes. A garden party with a hired bar is common, and the operator handles the licence where drinks are sold. Check there is level ground, space for guests to queue, and power or room for a generator.
What is the difference between a cash bar and a free bar?
At a cash bar guests pay for their own drinks. At a free or pre-paid bar the host pays, either per head for a set drinks list or up to an agreed limit, after which the bar may switch to cash.