How much does mobile bar hire cost in the UK?
- A 'dry hire' mobile bar — where guests buy their own drinks — typically costs £400–£800 for the bar, staff and licence.
- Many suppliers waive the setup fee if your guests spend over a minimum (often £500–£1,000 at the bar).
- Paid/open bars run roughly £25–£60 per guest depending on whether it's beer-and-wine or full cocktails.
- Always check whether the quote includes the licence (TEN), glassware and staff — these are the common hidden extras.
Mobile bars are where wedding pricing gets confusing, because there are two completely different models hiding under one phrase. 'Dry hire' means you pay a fee to bring the bar in and your guests buy their own drinks. A 'paid' or 'open' bar means you foot the drinks bill for everyone. Knowing which you want changes the quote entirely.
This guide untangles the two models, explains setup fees and minimum spend, and lists the extras (licensing, glassware, staff) that should be in the quote but sometimes aren't.
What each price tier includes
- Bar unit, equipment and stock
- Trained bar staff for the event
- Temporary Event Notice (TEN) licence
- Glassware and ice
- Reception welcome drinks for all guests
- A set bar tab, then guests pay
- Staff, glassware and licence
- Signature drink option
- Unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks (lower end)
- Full cocktail service (upper end)
- Multiple staff for faster service
- Glassware, ice and garnishes
- Bespoke cocktail menu + mixologists
- Custom-built or themed bar
- High staff-to-guest ratio
- Premium spirits and fresh garnishes
- Tasting / menu design beforehand
Dry hire vs paid bar — the key decision
Dry hire is the most popular model for weddings: you pay a fixed fee (the setup fee) to bring the bar, staff and licence to your venue, and guests then buy their own drinks at normal bar prices. It keeps your costs predictable and low.
A paid or open bar means you cover everyone's drinks — lovely for guests, but the bill scales with how much the room drinks, which is hard to predict. Many couples land in the middle: pay for welcome drinks and the toast, then run a cash bar for the rest of the night.
Setup fees and minimum spend
On dry hire, the setup fee is often reduced or waived entirely if your guests spend over a 'minimum take' at the bar — commonly £500–£1,000 across the night. With a typical adult guest count that bar usually clears the minimum easily, so the effective cost can be low.
Ask exactly how the minimum works: is it waived above the threshold, or partially refunded? And what happens if the bar doesn't reach it — do you cover the shortfall? Getting this in writing avoids the most common mobile-bar dispute.
Licensing, glassware and staff
Selling alcohol legally needs a licence. For a one-off event that's usually a Temporary Event Notice (TEN), applied for from the local council. A professional bar company handles this — but confirm it's included, because an unlicensed bar can be shut down on the day.
Also check that real glassware (not just disposables), ice, garnishes and enough trained staff for your guest count are in the quote. Understaffing is the usual cause of long queues; one bartender per ~50 guests is a reasonable benchmark.
Corkage: the alternative to a mobile bar
If your venue lets you supply your own alcohol, you may pay a 'corkage' fee per bottle instead of hiring a bar — sometimes cheaper for the drinks themselves, but you take on buying, chilling, serving and clearing.
A mobile bar bundles all of that into one supplier, which is why most couples prefer it despite the setup fee. Compare the all-in cost, not just the headline drink prices.
How Bookt handles bar quotes
Every bar supplier on Bookt prices around your guest count, venue and whether you want dry hire, welcome drinks or a full open bar. Tell us the basics and available bars quote you back, usually within a few hours and with no obligation.
Deposits are held securely and released after the event, and each listing publishes its own terms — including how any minimum spend works — so there are no surprises on the night.
Tell us about your booking and we'll match you with verified UK pros who quote back within hours. Free, no obligation.
Get free quotes →Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a mobile bar in the UK in 2026?
For dry hire — where guests buy their own drinks — expect £400–£800 covering the bar, staff and licence, often reduced or waived if guests spend over a minimum at the bar. A fully paid (open) bar runs roughly £25–£60 per guest depending on whether it's beer-and-wine or full cocktails.
What's the difference between dry hire and a paid bar?
Dry hire means you pay a fixed setup fee to bring the bar in and guests buy their own drinks — predictable and low-cost. A paid or open bar means you cover everyone's drinks, which is generous but scales with how much the room drinks. Many couples pay for welcome drinks, then run a cash bar.
What is minimum spend on a mobile bar?
Many dry-hire suppliers waive or reduce the setup fee if guests spend over a set amount at the bar — often £500–£1,000 across the night. Ask how it works: whether it's waived above the threshold, and whether you cover any shortfall if the bar doesn't reach it.
Does a mobile bar sort out the alcohol licence?
A professional bar company normally applies for the Temporary Event Notice (TEN) from the council on your behalf — but always confirm it's included in the quote. An unlicensed bar selling alcohol can be shut down on the day.
How many bar staff do I need for my wedding?
A reasonable benchmark is one bartender per 50 guests to keep queues short, more if you're serving cocktails. Understaffing is the most common cause of long waits, so check the staff numbers are sized to your guest count.
Is a mobile bar cheaper than paying venue corkage?
It depends. Corkage (a per-bottle fee to bring your own alcohol) can be cheaper on the drinks themselves, but you take on buying, chilling, serving and clearing. A mobile bar bundles all that into one supplier — compare the all-in cost, not just the drink prices.