HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

How to hire a mobile bar in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Mobile bars need no register, but alcohol licensing applies and differs by nation. Here is what to check, ask and agree.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a mobile bar in five steps

  1. Find out who holds the licenceThe venue's premises licence, the mobile bar firm's notice or licence, or one you must arrange.
  2. Choose cash bar or pre-paidGuests pay, a tab, or a package you pay for.
  3. Ask the venue about corkage and spacePower, water and where the mobile bar can stand.
  4. Agree drinks and staffThe drinks list, quantities and bar staff numbers.
  5. Get it in writingHours, licence, stock and terms.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

The law in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland sets no licence, register or qualification for mobile bar hire firms. What the law does govern is the alcohol: who is licensed to sell it at your event.

Get recent references and a written booking from the mobile bar before money changes hands.

Alcohol licence for the mobile bar

In England and Wales, selling alcohol at a place with no premises licence is a licensable activity under the Licensing Act 2003 and needs a Temporary Event Notice: fewer than 500 people at all times, staff included, for up to 168 hours, served on the council at least 10 clear working days ahead (5 for a late notice), with a £21 fee, by an individual aged 18 or over. In Scotland, alcohol at an event outside licensed premises needs an occasional licence from the local Licensing Board, for no more than 14 days. In Northern Ireland, liquor licences come through the County Court.

Ask who holds the licence for the mobile bar's bar — the venue, the bar firm or you — and see the notice or licence before the day. gov.uk →

Public liability insurance for the mobile bar

No law sets an insurance level for this work, but venues commonly name a public liability figure for every supplier. Venues commonly require the mobile bar firm's public liability cover.

Ask the mobile bar to send the policy schedule straight to the venue, checking the amount against what the venue asked.

Trader status and cancellation terms

Hiring a mobile bar from a business means dealing with a trader; the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says the service must show reasonable care and skill. Because regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 excludes catering and leisure services booked for a set date or period, a change of heart after booking is usually governed by the mobile bar's own terms, not a statutory 14 days.

Before paying a deposit, find the clause on what the mobile bar keeps if you cancel or move the date. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

A mobile bar's staff, hire and drinks are standard-rated at 20%. Mobile bar hire firms over the £90,000 registration threshold have to charge VAT and list it separately from the price.

Ask the mobile bar business for its VAT number and whether the package price is quoted before VAT. gov.uk →

“Who holds the alcohol licence for the mobile bar at our venue?”

A good answer: A clear answer: the venue's licence, or the mobile bar firm gives the notice or holds the licence.

“When will you give the Temporary Event Notice?”

A good answer: In England and Wales, at least 10 clear working days before; the mobile bar firm shows you a copy.

“Are the mobile bar staff trained in serving responsibly?”

A good answer: Yes, including refusing drunk or underage guests.

“Is it a cash bar, a tab or a pre-paid package?”

A good answer: A clear model from the mobile bar firm, with a cap on any tab.

“What power, water and space does the bar need?”

A good answer: A list the venue can check.

“Is the mobile bar firm insured?”

A good answer: Public liability cover named.

“What happens to unopened stock?”

A good answer: Returned, credited or yours, in writing.

Getting the quote right

  • The mobile bar unit, hours and number of bar staff
  • Cash bar, tab or pre-paid package, and the drinks list
  • The alcohol licence or notice and who arranges it
  • Glassware, ice, power and travel
  • Deposit and cancellation terms
  • The bar business's VAT number, with VAT under hire, staff and drinks
  • Who actually attends behind the bar, and whether the bar staff are employed or subcontracted

Walk away if

  • Nobody can say who holds the alcohol licence for the mobile bar
  • A Temporary Event Notice left to the last week
  • No limit on a tab
  • No insurance certificate
LOW
£300
TYPICAL
£500
HIGH
£1,500

What a mobile bar costs: £300–£1,500 per event

Mobile bar hire is priced per event, from a cash bar with a set-up fee to a pre-paid package priced per head; staff, glassware and travel add to it. Mobile Bar Hire price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Mobile bar hire firms near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. Licence in placeThe notice or licence is served or confirmed before the day, and a copy is displayed at the mobile bar.
  2. Set upBar unit placed, power and water connected, stock chilled.
  3. Open the barBar staff serve, checking ages and refusing drunk guests.
  4. Last ordersCalled at the time the licence or venue allows.
  5. Close and clearBar closed, stock counted, unit removed.

Temporary Event Notice (TEN)
The notice to the council for licensable activity at an unlicensed place in England and Wales.
Occasional licence
Scotland's licence for alcohol at an event outside licensed premises.
Premises licence
A venue's own licence to sell alcohol.
Cash bar
Guests buy their own drinks.
Tab
Drinks paid by the host up to a limit.
Corkage
A venue charge for alcohol brought in.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the licence copyThe notice or licence the mobile bar traded under, with the booking.
Settle the tabCheck the bar tab against the agreed limit.
Return stock as agreedUnopened stock handled as the terms said.
Leave the reviewA few lines on the mobile bar firm help others choose, and only booked customers can leave them. If something went wrong, the make-it-right step comes first: the mobile bar firm is asked to put it right before the review goes live.

STEP 1Put it to the mobile bar in writingWrite down what went wrong — no licence in place, too few bar staff, a bar that closed early — and what would put it right, then send it by email or message. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (section 49) the mobile bar owed you reasonable care and skill, and if an event cannot be repeated the remedy is money off, which can be the full fee.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyRate the mobile bar below four stars and you are asked whether to send the problem to them first; we follow it through, then your review is published.
STEP 3Free consumer adviceMobile bar hire firms answer to no trade regulator. If the trader will not engage, Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133) covers England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland (0808 800 9060) covers Scotland, and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) covers Northern Ireland; each can pass a complaint about mobile bar hire firms to Trading Standards.
STEP 4Money the mobile bar will not returnA claim against a mobile bar can go to court without a solicitor: up to £10,000 on the small claims track in England and Wales, up to £5,000 under simple procedure in the sheriff court in Scotland, and up to £5,000 in the small claims court in Northern Ireland.

Hiring a mobile bar: questions people ask

If alcohol is sold at a place with no premises licence: a Temporary Event Notice in England and Wales, an occasional licence in Scotland, a County Court licence in Northern Ireland. If the venue is licensed, its own licence usually covers the bar.

Only an individual aged 18 or over, not an organisation, served on the council at least 10 clear working days before the event; a personal licence holder can give more notices a year.

£300 to £1,500 per event, typically around £500. For the factors behind the range, open the mobile bar hire price guide; for real prices, search your area above.

Only as late as the licence or the venue allows.

Guests pay at a cash bar; with a tab, you pay up to a limit.

Some venues charge it on outside alcohol; ask the venue.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in events & entertainment

How to hire: Cocktail BartenderHow to hire: CatererHow to hire: Wedding CatererHow to hire: Food Truck HireHow to hire: Event PlannerHow to hire: Marquee HireHow to hire: Event Staff & HostessesHow to hire: Wedding PlannerAll 701 hiring guides →

Mobile bar hire firms near you

Mobile bar hire firms in LondonMobile bar hire firms in ManchesterMobile bar hire firms in BirminghamMobile bar hire firms in GlasgowMobile bar hire firms in BelfastAll mobile bar hire firms on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. gov.uk — Temporary Events Notice
  2. gov.scot — Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 guidance: occasional licences
  3. nidirect — selling alcohol in licensed premises
  4. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 28 — contracts the cancellation right does not cover
  5. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  6. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  7. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  8. nidirect — small claims process
  9. Citizens Advice — more help with a consumer issue (England)
  10. VAT rates on different goods and services — Food and drink: catering, alcoholic drinks, confectionery, hot food and ice cream are always standard-rated
  11. GOV.UK — VAT rates
  12. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register