Most couples hire a mobile or pop-up bar for around £500-£2,000, depending on guest numbers, hire length and whether you pick a cash bar (guests pay), a dry hire (you supply the alcohol, the company supplies the bar, staff and glassware) or an all-inclusive package (roughly £15-£50 per head). The biggest cost driver is the drinks themselves, so a dry hire usually works out cheapest if your venue allows it. Always check whether the venue's premises licence already covers alcohol sales; if not, the bar will need a Temporary Event Notice, which is simplest when the supplier holds a personal licence.
Typical UK cost: Most UK couples pay around £500–£2,000 to hire a mobile bar for a wedding, with all-inclusive packages typically costing £25–£50 per guest (rising to £55–£95+ per head for luxury open bars).
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a bar for a wedding in the UK?
A mobile or pop-up bar for a wedding typically costs around £500-£2,000, depending on guest numbers, how many hours of service you need and the style of bar. All-inclusive packages where the drinks are included usually run £15-£50 per guest, while dry hire (you buy the alcohol, the company brings the bar, staff and glassware) often starts from around £350. London and the South East tend to sit at the higher end because staffing and travel cost more.
What's the difference between a cash bar, a dry hire bar and an open bar?
At a cash bar, guests pay for their own drinks and the host just covers the bar hire and staff. With a dry hire, you supply all the alcohol yourself and the company provides the bar unit, bartenders, equipment and glassware, which usually keeps costs lowest. An open or hosted bar means you pay for guests' drinks, commonly by putting a fixed amount behind the bar with limits such as house brands only and a cut-off time. Many couples combine these, for example a hosted welcome drink and toast followed by a cash bar.
How far in advance should we book a mobile bar for our wedding?
Most couples book their mobile bar around 6 to 12 months ahead, as popular suppliers and peak summer Saturdays get reserved early. Just as important is the alcohol licence: if your venue's premises licence doesn't already cover bar sales, you'll need a Temporary Event Notice, which must be applied for at least 10 clear working days before the day and is best submitted several weeks ahead. Booking early gives time to sort licensing, menus and any venue access requirements without last-minute stress.
Do we need an alcohol licence for a mobile bar at our wedding?
Selling alcohol legally requires authorisation, but you often don't have to arrange it yourself. If your venue already holds a premises licence covering bar sales, that usually applies; if not, a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) is needed, which covers up to 499 people for the event. Most established mobile bar companies have a personal licence holder and will apply for the TEN and handle compliance for you, so confirm in writing who is responsible for the licence before booking.
What should we ask a mobile bar company before booking?
Confirm exactly what's included and whether prices are inclusive of VAT, plus any minimum spend or service charge, the staff-to-guest ratio, hours of service and last orders. Ask who arranges the alcohol licence, whether they have public liability insurance, and what space, power and water the bar needs at your venue. If you're considering dry hire, check whether the venue charges corkage and get any fee agreed in writing.