A mobile bar needs more than a counter and some glasses. Bar counter sections, refrigeration, poseur tables, ice buckets and correct cable management all affect how smoothly service runs. This guide covers layout, quantities and setup for both indoor and outdoor events.
A mobile bar needs more than a counter and some glasses. Bar counter sections, refrigeration, poseur tables, ice buckets and correct cable management all affect how smoothly service runs. This guide covers layout, quantities and setup for both indoor and outdoor events.
Organising a drinks service requires precise planning, and your mobile bar setup hire dictates the flow of the entire event. Modular straight sections and corner pieces form the bar counter. Each straight section measures 1.5m wide and 110cm tall, matching standard poseur table height. Three straight sections create a 4.5m bar run. This accommodates one or two bartenders serving up to 100 guests. Corner pieces create L-shaped or U-shaped layouts where floor plans permit.
Front panels conceal stock, fridges and waste bins from guests. Bartenders require at least 600mm of clear space behind the bar to work. Sketch the floor plan and mark power socket positions before delivery. Every order includes a free Minor Damage Waiver, covering accidental scratches to the counter panels during service.
A four-hour drinks reception requires two to three glasses per person. Guests leave empty glasses on tables, meaning you need a working float at all times. A guest list of 100 people over four hours requires 250 glasses at minimum, or 300 for comfort. Select quantities matching your drinks menu. You need specific numbers for wine glasses, highballs, tumblers or beer glasses.
Champagne or prosecco receptions before dinner require one flute per guest for arrival and one for the toast. Prepare trays of filled glasses as guests arrive so service begins at the door. Our "Send It Back Dirty" service covers all glassware. You return the items unwashed, and cleaning costs nothing extra.
Poseur tables measuring 110cm tall match the bar counter height during drinks receptions. Bar stools with a 75cm seat height pair with these tables for guests wanting to sit. Standing-only receptions require one poseur table per four to five guests. Events running longer than 90 minutes need bar stools as guests tire of standing.
Ice buckets chill bottled wine and beer at each table. Allocate one ice bucket per two poseur tables, or one per six guests. Fill buckets two-thirds full with ice at the start and replenish after 90 minutes.
Beer and bottle fridges chill stock behind the bar. Standard under-counter bottle fridges hold 90 to 120 bottles. Two under-counter fridges provide adequate throughput for 100 guests over four hours with a mixed drinks menu. Upright fridges hold more stock but occupy more floor space behind the counter.
Under-counter fridges require a standard 13A socket. Position the units within 2m of a socket to avoid trailing cables across the back-of-bar area. Venues with limited power points require an extension reel laid out before the bar sections go in. You can source these alongside your catering equipment hire order.
Carpet protectors sit under wheeled trolleys when moving stock to the bar across carpeted floors. Upper floor venues have strict floor load limits to check beforehand. Fire exit positions dictate the bar layout. Blocking them violates licensing requirements at most venues. We do not require a security deposit on your order, freeing up budget for other event logistics.
Bar counters require level ground. Plywood boards sit under the counter feet on grass to prevent sinking. Canopies or gazebos over the back-of-bar area protect stock from rain and direct sun. Outdoor-rated extension reels carry power to the site safely. Planning your mobile bar setup hire for an outdoor festival involves checking delivery access. Delivery starts from £40 ex-VAT, calculated by road distance from our nearest depot. You receive live vehicle tracking and an SMS ETA on delivery day.
Power cables route along walls or under matting where guests walk. Exposed cables present a trip hazard and a licensing concern. Cable ramps protect cables at doorways and high-traffic areas. Outdoor events require gaffer tape to secure cables to the ground as a minimum precaution where cable ramps remain unavailable.
Review our mobile bar hire page for full package options, or browse the glassware hire range to choose the right glasses for your drinks menu. Booking your mobile bar setup hire takes place entirely online. Prices and live stock show directly on the site. Add items to your basket and confirm your dates.
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