9 Must-Read Tips For Choosing A Mobile Bar Provider

By Ross | 1 Entertainment on Aug 19 2020

Hiring a mobile bar is a simple way to help the attendees at your event have a great time. It will give your guests easy access to delicious, professionally made drinks, which are served efficiently t

However, it’s important to understand that the quality of mobile bar providers can vary greatly. Some mobile bars will only provide a bare bones service, which only offers certain types of drinks. Other companies might have bars which are staffed by inexperienced bartenders. The value for money of each mobile bar service can also vary greatly.

To help you choose the best mobile bar provider for your event, here are 9 useful tips. For more tips, feel free to give us a call on 0207 193 8029.

Check What Each Mobile Bar Includes

The types of equipment and functionality supplied by different mobile bar providers can vary dramatically. Ask for specifics from each mobile bar provider, so you check if the bar meets your needs and offers good value for money.

Some of the key factors to keep in mind include:

• How many drinks are included in the price?

• How much more does it cost to have a bar tender?

• What quality spirits are used?

• Are bar games available?

• Can the appearance of the bar be changed to suit your event?

• How many cocktail choices are available?

• Can I provide my own cocktail recipes?

• How big are the prep areas and sinks?

Check That They Offer The Drinks You Want To Serve

The days where events had bars offered a very limited range of traditional drinks like beer, rum and coke, and whiskey are long gone. Event attendees now expect a variety of interesting and delicious drinks to be served.

However, not all mobile bar operators have successfully adapted to this change. So, if you want to offer your guests several unique cocktails, specialty gins, or craft beers, check that each mobile bar provider is able to provide them for your event.

The quality of the ingredients used may also vary. At 1 Entertainment, we always use fresh and seasonal ingredients in our cocktails, which gives us an edge over our competitors.

Does The Provider Offer Hosted and Non-hosted Bars?

Some vendors will offer several hire options. The most common include:

• Fully staffed mobile bar
This option includes the drinks, the bar equipment, and at least one bar tender, who will perform prep work, make drinks, and keep the bar area clean.

• Bar and drinks
This includes the drinks and the bar equipment. It is a useful option if you have a friend or family member who is skilled at bartending.

• Bar only (Dry hire)
You will hire the bar equipment without a bar tenders or drinks. You will need to supply the drinks and serve them yourself.

Check that any prospective vendors offer the option that you require for your event.

Consider What The Bar Looks Like

If you are planning an event that has a specific design aesthetic, like a wedding or party, it is important to make sure all elements match that aesthetic — including the bar.

A wide variety of materials can be used to make mobile bars including stainless steel, timber, bamboo, plastic, and aluminium. Each of these material types has a distinctive look, which may or may not suit the look of your event.

Check that the vendor has a mobile bar available which is suitable. Some vendors may have multiple design options available or provide a “blank slate” bar that that can decorated to match your event.

Choose A Provider That Responds Quickly To Your Requests

The speed of the replies that you receive from a prospective mobile bar provider will tell you a lot about their business. If they respond to you emails and return phone messages within a couple of hours, you know you are dealing with a professional business. If they dodgy your calls, look elsewhere.

Get a Quote

It’s always important to get details of what vendors will provide in writing. This is particularly true for mobile bars. Some of the details that you need in writing include:

• The total cost and payment details (deposits and payment terms)

• How many drinks you will receive for the price

• How long the bartender will be available

• The operating hours of the mobile bar at your event

• What happens if they don’t arrive on time

• The types of drinks they will be expected to serve

Taste Their Drinks

Some mobile bar vendors will let you test their skills by having one of their bartenders make a couple of cocktails. This will help you determine if their bartenders have the skills necessary to make the specific cocktails that you wish to serve at your event.

Check Their Reviews

Websites like Yelp, Trustpilot, and Yell make it simple to see what other consumers think of a business. Check all of these websites to make sure the business you are considering has a strong reputation and track record of successful events.

Check Their Licenses

Another useful technique for checking if a vendor is professional is to check their licenses. The owners of mobile bars operating in the UK must have a personal alcohol licence. They must also have a Temporary Events Notice (TEN) if they are operating in a venue that is not currently licensed.

Thanks for reading. If you have any questions about mobile bar hire, contact 1 Entertainment on 0207 193 8029. We are one of the UK’s leading providers of mobile bars for weddings, parties, conferences, and other events.