Guide · UK
Dry Hire Bar Guide for Weddings & Events
A practical guide to the cost-saving dry hire bar model: what you supply, what the bar team provides, and how to plan your alcohol shopping list.
What is a dry hire bar?
A dry hire bar is a bar service where you hire the bar setup and staff, but you buy the alcohol yourself. The bar team brings the structure, glassware, ice, equipment, and experienced bartenders; you bring the bottles, beer, wine, and soft drinks.
It is the most popular option for weddings, milestone birthdays, and private events where the host wants full control over drinks quality and budget without the mark-ups of a supplied bar package.
Why choose a dry hire bar?
- Lower cost: retail or wholesale alcohol is typically 40–60% cheaper than per-drink bar pricing.
- Full choice: pick your favourite brands, local gins, craft beers, or a specific champagne.
- Leftover stock: any unopened bottles belong to you, not the bar company.
- Transparent pricing: you know exactly what you spent on drinks and what you paid for service.
What the dry hire bar team provides
A professional dry hire bar package usually includes:
- Portable bar structure and branded bar mat
- Glassware, ice buckets, cocktail shakers and strainers
- Garnishes, syrups, juices, and soft-drink mixers
- Trained bartenders and, for larger events, bar-backs
- Setup, service, and breakdown of the bar
- Advice on quantities and a shopping list based on your guest count
What you need to buy: a checklist
Use this as a starting point for a 100-guest evening event. Scale up or down depending on your crowd and how long the bar is open.
Drinks for the welcome reception
- Prosecco or champagne — 12–15 bottles
- Non-alcoholic fizz or mocktail ingredients — 4–6 litres
Beer, cider and wine
- White wine — 12 bottles
- Red wine — 8 bottles
- Rosé — 4 bottles
- Lager or beer — 60–80 bottles/cans
- Cider — 20–30 bottles/cans
Spirits and mixers
- Gin — 2–3 bottles
- Vodka — 2 bottles
- Rum — 1 bottle
- Whisky — 1 bottle
- Tonic, soda, cola, lemonade, ginger ale — 60–80 cans/bottles
- Fresh juices, lime, lemons, mint, sugar syrup
Soft drinks and water
- Bottled still and sparkling water — 80–100 bottles
- Soft drinks for drivers and non-drinkers — 30–40 servings
- Non-alcoholic cocktail ingredients (seedlip, elderflower, etc.)
What you do NOT need to buy
- Glassware — supplied by the dry hire team
- Ice and ice buckets — provided as part of the bar setup
- Cocktail tools, shakers, pourers, strainers
- Bar fridges or cooling equipment — usually included
- Garnishes for cocktails — often part of the service
How much does a dry hire bar cost?
Dry hire bar costs are split into two parts: the service fee and the drinks you buy yourself.
- Small private party (30–50 guests): £400 – £800 service fee
- Wedding (80–120 guests): £900 – £1,600 service fee
- Large event or corporate party (150+ guests): £1,500 – £2,800+ service fee
- Drinks spend: £8 – £15 per guest depending on how generously you stock the bar
Combined, a dry hire wedding bar for 100 guests typically costs £1,700 – £3,000, whereas a fully supplied open bar package can be £3,000 – £5,000+ for the same crowd.
Licensing and venue rules
If your venue is already licensed (most hotels, restaurants, and barn venues), a dry hire bar simply operates under the venue's licence.
If the venue is unlicensed and you want to sell drinks to guests, you need a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) from the local council. The bar supplier or venue can usually handle this. If the drinks are free as part of the event hospitality, no licence is required.
Choosing the right bartender team
Even with a simple setup, the bartenders make the difference. Look for:
- Experience with dry hire events and your guest numbers
- Public liability insurance and personal licences
- A clear list of what is included in the hire fee
- References or photos from similar weddings or events
- Willingness to help build your shopping list
Tips for a smooth dry hire bar
- Overstock slightly: leftover bottles keep; running out kills the mood.
- Keep the menu short: three cocktails, two wines, two beers and a couple of spirits keeps queues short.
- Buy soft drinks in bulk: guests drink more water and low/no options than you expect.
- Confirm delivery times: supermarkets and wholesalers need advance notice for large orders.
- Plan storage: ensure the venue has a cool space for wine, beer and mixers before service.
Ready to plan your dry hire bar?
Velvet Bar & Events provides dry hire bars across the UK for weddings, private parties and corporate events. We bring the bar, glassware, ice, and skilled bartenders; you bring the drinks and keep the savings.