Hire back bar fridges, ice machines, glasswashers and bottle coolers for event bars, wedding bars and exhibition hospitality spaces.
Expo Hire supplies the equipment that keeps a temporary bar cold, clean and ready for service. Event teams hire back bar fridges in 600mm and 1200mm widths, bottle coolers, wine fridges, glasswashers, glass rinsers, ice machines, bar blenders and draft beer fonts for weddings, press launches, festival VIP bars and corporate receptions.
A temporary bar works when each piece of equipment solves one service problem. White wine, champagne and bottled mixers need chilled storage close to the bartender, so many teams start with a back bar fridge or bottle cooler behind the counter. A 600mm fridge suits a smaller pop-up bar or a stand hospitality area. A 1200mm fridge gives more reserve space for a wedding bar or evening drinks reception. Spirit service then needs ice on demand. A 20kg per day ice machine covers a modest cocktail or mixed drinks operation when the team keeps the door shut and stages reserve ice in insulated tubs. If the menu leans on G and Ts, espresso martinis or mojitos, order more than one machine or top up with bagged ice on site. Glass turnover is the next bottleneck. A commercial glasswasher cuts that bottleneck fast. A 2-minute cycle gives throughput of about 500 glasses per hour when the team racks and unloads without pauses. That speed lets a bar reuse wine glasses, tumblers and flutes through the evening instead of over-ordering stock. A glass rinser adds another small gain because the bartender can chill and rinse one glass before pouring beer or mixing a fresh drink. Draft beer fonts suit branded activations and larger bars where keg service matters. A bar blender supports frozen drinks, smoothies and cocktail menus that need crushed ice or fruit puree. Power planning matters from the start. Most fridges, ice machines and blenders use standard 13A sockets, but each machine should have its own outlet and enough ventilation around it. Build the bar layout on paper first, then place power, drainage and storage around the service path.
Fast bars fail when the team stores stock too far from the counter or shares one socket between too many appliances. Put chilled wine and bottled beer in the back bar fridge, stage reserve stock in a second fridge or bottle cooler, and keep the ice machine where staff can lift buckets without crossing the guest line. If the bar uses a glasswasher, confirm a water feed, waste point and level floor before delivery day. A bar that expects 200 guests across a four-hour reception often benefits from a fridge for chilled product, an ice machine for spirit drinks, and one glasswasher to keep flutes and tumblers moving. Smaller stands at the NEC, ExCeL or Olympia often hire a mini bar set-up with one bottle cooler, one blender and a rinser because the stand power limit stays tight. The right mix depends on the menu, the guest count and the length of service.
A commercial glasswasher with a 2-minute cycle can handle about 500 glasses per hour when the team keeps the rack cycle moving.
The standard event ice machine in this range produces about 20kg of ice in 24 hours. Busy cocktail bars may need more than one machine or extra bagged ice on site.
Most bar equipment uses standard 13A sockets. Fridges, ice machines and glasswashers each need dedicated power and enough ventilation space.
Most wedding bars need chilled storage for wine and mixers, ice for spirits and cocktails, and a glasswasher to turn glasses through the evening. A back bar fridge, ice machine and glasswasher form the core set-up.
Expo Hire does not charge a security deposit. A free minor damage waiver covers minor damage and loss. Excessive or negligent damage is charged at 10 times the hire price. Full details in our terms and conditions.
Use the carriage calculator to find your nearest branch and get an accurate delivery quote. Heavy or bulky items may need a second delivery operative — this is shown at checkout when applicable. At checkout we show an itemised delivery cost before you confirm the order.
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For orders over £1,000, you can confirm a booking with a 25% deposit and pay the balance up to 28 days before delivery. The checkout offers this automatically. Full details in our terms and conditions.
