Cocktail Party Equipment Hire
Cocktail Party Equipment Hire
A cocktail party is a standing event, which changes the equipment you need compared to a seated dinner. The goal is to keep guests comfortable and moving, with enough surfaces for drinks and somewhere to perch when they want to. We hire the full range of cocktail party equipment for events across England and Wales.
Poseur tables are the core of a cocktail party setup. Guests gather around them, set down drinks, and use them as a focal point for conversation. We hire poseur tables in round and square tops, with stretch tablecloths available to cover the bases. Bar stools alongside give guests the option to sit without committing to a chair. For larger parties, plan one poseur table for every eight to ten guests.
We hire mobile bars, bar-height counters, and bar stools for self-serve and staffed bar areas. A dedicated bar point with the right furniture stops the bar area from becoming a bottleneck. We also hire bar accessories including ice buckets, wine coolers, and cocktail equipment. LED bar furniture is available for evening events where you want a lit counter rather than a standard unit.
Cocktail parties need a mix of glassware. We hire martini glasses, highball glasses, champagne flutes, wine glasses, and tumblers. For a party of 100, order at least 150 glasses to allow for breakages and guests picking up a fresh glass rather than returning to the bar with the same one. Cocktail glasses in martini and coupe styles are available for events with a dedicated cocktail menu.
For longer cocktail receptions, a lounge area with sofas and tub chairs gives guests somewhere to settle when they want a break from standing. LED sofas and LED furniture add a visual element for evening events. A mixed layout with a lounge zone and a standing area with poseur tables works well for parties running over three hours.
Garden and outdoor cocktail parties need the same core equipment as an indoor event, plus protection from sun and wind. We hire outdoor furniture including poseur tables suited to outdoor use, parasols for daytime cover, and patio heaters for evening events. For larger garden parties, gazebos provide a covered area for the bar and drinks station.
Floor-standing parasols anchored with weights work well around poseur tables for daytime garden events. Patio heaters make outdoor evening events in spring and autumn viable and are a popular addition to outdoor cocktail party orders. For fully outdoor events, we recommend combining a gazebo for the bar with parasols over the main guest area.
All stock levels are shown live on the website. Orders can be placed online at any time without calling for availability. The standard hire period covers three days: delivery the day before your event and collection the day after. Expo Hire delivers across England and Wales from 11 depots.
For larger orders, the Large Order Deposit Scheme lets you reserve stock with a 25% deposit well ahead of the event date. A Minor Damage Waiver is available to cover accidental damage.
