Save thousands by supplying your own drinks with dry hire mobile bar service. This comprehensive guide explains how dry hire works, cost savings, and everything you need for successful event bar service in London.
What Is Dry Hire Mobile Bar Service?
Dry hire is the smartest way to have professional bar service while maintaining complete control over your drinks budget. With dry hire, The Sesh Bars provides everything except the alcohol – the bar setup, professional staff, equipment, and expertise – while you supply the drinks. It's the perfect solution for budget-conscious hosts who want premium service without premium markups.
Think of it as hiring a professional bartender for your home bar, except we bring the entire bar with us. Popular across London's diverse neighbourhoods, from Hampstead garden parties to Clapham celebrations, dry hire delivers massive savings without sacrificing quality.
The Financial Benefits of Dry Hire
Real Cost Comparisons
Traditional Mobile Bar Service:
- Bar hire with drinks supplied: £1,500-2,500
- Drinks at wholesale prices: 40-60% venue markup
- Limited control over brands
- Minimum spend often required
Dry Hire Service:
- Bar hire only: £350-750
- Drinks at retail prices: You shop sales
- Complete brand control
- No minimum spend
Typical Savings Example (100 guests):
- Traditional service: £2,000 total
- Dry hire bar: £550
- Your drinks: £600
- Total: £1,150
- Savings: £850 (42%)
Where Your Savings Come From
Retail vs Wholesale Advantages:
- Supermarket wine: £6-10 vs bar price £25-40
- Spirits: £15-25 vs bar price £60-100
- Prosecco: £8-12 vs bar price £30-45
- Beer multipack: £1.50 per bottle vs £5-7
Smart Shopping Opportunities:
- Seasonal sales and promotions
- Bulk buying discounts
- Loyalty card points
- Cash & carry prices
- Duty-free options
How Dry Hire Works: Step by Step
1. Initial Consultation
We discuss your event requirements:
- Guest numbers and demographics
- Event style and duration
- Preferred drink options
- Budget parameters
- Service style preferences
2. Drinks Planning
We provide:
- Detailed shopping list
- Quantity recommendations
- Brand suggestions
- Supplier recommendations
- Shopping timeline
3. You Purchase Drinks
Your responsibilities:
- Buy drinks from your preferred suppliers
- Arrange delivery or collection
- Store until event day
- Keep receipts for returns
4. We Handle Everything Else
Our service includes:
- Complete bar setup
- Professional bartenders
- All equipment and supplies
- Ice and garnishes
- Service throughout event
- Clearing and cleanup
5. Post-Event
What happens after:
- Unopened bottles are yours
- We provide consumption report
- Return options for sealed items
- Leftover stock for future use
What's Included in Dry Hire Service
Professional Staff
- Experienced bartenders (ratio based on guests)
- Smart, uniformed presentation
- Cocktail-making expertise
- Friendly, engaging service
- Setup and breakdown team
Complete Bar Setup
- Mobile bar structure
- Professional appearance
- Lighting if required
- Branded options available
- Weather protection
All Equipment
- Professional glassware
- Cocktail making tools
- Ice bins and buckets
- Cooling equipment
- Service supplies
Bar Supplies
- Ice (lots of it!)
- Garnishes and fruit
- Napkins and straws
- Cocktail ingredients
- Mixers (optional)
Professional Service
- License handling (TEN)
- Insurance coverage
- Risk assessments
- Guest management
- Responsible service
Shopping List Calculator
For 100 Guests (5-hour evening event)
Wine Requirements:
- White wine: 25 bottles
- Red wine: 20 bottles
- Prosecco/Champagne: 15 bottles
- Total wine: 60 bottles
Spirits Selection:
- Vodka: 3 bottles
- Gin: 3 bottles
- Rum: 2 bottles
- Whiskey: 2 bottles
- Tequila: 1 bottle
- Liqueurs: 2-3 bottles
Beer & Cider:
- Lager: 3 cases (72 bottles)
- Ale/IPA: 1 case (24 bottles)
- Cider: 1 case (24 bottles)
Soft Drinks:
- Mixers: 30 bottles assorted
- Juices: 10 litres assorted
- Soft drinks: 48 cans/bottles
- Water: 2 cases
Approximate Cost: £600-800 (vs £2,000+ if supplied by bar service)
Quantity Adjustments
Increase by 20% for:
- Summer events
- Younger crowds
- All-day events
- Party atmospheres
Decrease by 20% for:
- Afternoon events
- Older demographics
- Formal occasions
- Weekday events
Best Places to Buy Drinks in London
Supermarkets
Best for convenience and deals:
- Tesco/Sainsbury's: Regular 25% off six bottles
- Waitrose: Premium selection, good wines
- ASDA: Lowest regular prices
- Aldi/Lidl: Award-winning budget options
Wholesale Options
Best for bulk buying:
- Costco: Membership required, huge savings
- Booker: Trade card needed, wholesale prices
- Makro: Business account, bulk discounts
Specialist Suppliers
Best for quality and selection:
- Majestic Wine: Expert advice, sale or return
- The Whisky Exchange: Premium spirits
- Berry Bros. & Rudd: Fine wines
- Brewery shops: Local craft beers
Online Delivery
Best for convenience:
- Amazon: Next-day delivery available
- Ocado: Premium selection
- Naked Wines: Member discounts
- Master of Malt: Specialist spirits
Dry Hire for Different Event Types
Weddings
Perfect for wedding bar service when:
- You have specific wine preferences
- Family has trade connections
- Venue allows external alcohol
- Cultural requirements exist
- Budget is crucial
Wedding Dry Hire Package: From £650
Corporate Events
Ideal for corporate functions when:
- Company has supplier accounts
- Specific brands required
- Tax advantages exist
- Budget control essential
- Regular events planned
Corporate Dry Hire: From £500
Private Parties
Best for home celebrations when:
- You know guest preferences
- Want specific brands
- Have storage space
- Enjoy bargain hunting
- Planning multiple events
Party Dry Hire: From £350
Professional Tips for Dry Hire Success
Shopping Strategy
Timeline:
- 4 weeks before: Plan quantities
- 3 weeks: Start price watching
- 2 weeks: Make bulk purchases
- 1 week: Final items and backup
- Day before: Fresh garnishes only
Money-Saving Tips:
- Buy wines by the case (10-15% discount)
- Check supermarket wine offers
- Use cashback credit cards
- Stack loyalty points with sales
- Consider own-brand spirits for mixing
Storage Solutions
Before the Event:
- Cool, dark place for wine
- Secure area for spirits
- Refrigeration planning
- Box organisation system
- Inventory checklist
Day of Event:
- We bring cooling equipment
- Coordinate delivery timing
- Designated storage area
- Security considerations
- Backup supplies accessible
Drinks Selection Strategy
Crowd Pleasers:
- House wines: One white, one red
- Popular spirits: Vodka, gin, rum
- Beer selection: Lager plus one ale
- Prosecco: Always popular
- Soft options: Comprehensive selection
Special Touches:
- Signature cocktail ingredients
- Local brewery beers
- Unusual spirits for interest
- Premium options for VIPs
- Cultural considerations
Common Dry Hire Concerns Addressed
"What if I run out?"
Prevention:
- We provide accurate calculations
- 10-20% buffer recommended
- Local shop backup plan
- Emergency delivery options
- Our experience guides you
Solution:
- Guest drink tickets option
- Time-limited open bar
- Beer and wine only later
- Nearby shop runners
- Next-day delivery services
"What if I buy too much?"
Returns:
- Most supermarkets accept returns
- Keep receipts and packaging
- Sealed bottles only
- 30-day window typically
- Online orders vary
Alternatives:
- Future events stock
- Gift to helpers
- Office party supplies
- Christmas presents
- Charity donation
"Is it more hassle?"
We handle:
- All bar logistics
- Guest service
- Cocktail making
- Queue management
- Professional presentation
You handle:
- One shopping trip
- Delivery arrangement
- Simple storage
- That's it!
Dry Hire Cocktail Solutions
Pre-Made Options
- Bottled cocktails: Premium brands available
- Cocktail mixers: Just add spirit
- Batch recipes: We provide instructions
- Garnish packs: We supply these
Our Cocktail Service
Even with dry hire, we create amazing cocktails:
- You supply base spirits
- We bring cocktail ingredients
- Professional mixing and presentation
- Custom cocktail creation
- Mocktail alternatives
Legal and Insurance Aspects
Licensing
- We handle TEN applications
- Private property covered
- Age verification managed
- Legal compliance assured
- Challenge 25 enforced
Insurance
- Our public liability covers service
- Your home insurance unaffected
- Alcohol provision legal
- Professional indemnity included
- Equipment damage covered
Responsibilities
You provide:
- Alcohol selection
- Secure storage
- Age-appropriate event
We provide:
- Professional service
- Legal compliance
- Guest safety
- Responsible service
Dry Hire Package Options
Essential Package
From £350 (up to 50 guests)
- Basic bar setup
- 1-2 bartenders
- 4-hour service
- Essential equipment
- Basic mixers included
Premium Package
From £550 (up to 100 guests)
- Stylish bar setup
- 2-3 bartenders
- 5-hour service
- Full cocktail equipment
- Garnishes included
Luxury Package
From £750 (up to 150 guests)
- Premium bar design
- 3-4 bartenders
- 6-hour service
- Extended equipment
- Full cocktail service
View all packages and pricing.
Real Dry Hire Success Stories
Garden Wedding - Richmond
Saved £2,000 vs venue quote
- Sourced wines from Majestic
- Costco spirits purchase
- Family champagne connection
- Beautiful presentation maintained
Corporate Summer Party - Shoreditch
50% under traditional bar quote
- Company Booker account used
- Specific brand requirements met
- Professional service delivered
- CFO approval achieved
50th Birthday - Hampstead
Saved £800 on 80-guest party
- Waitrose wine selection
- Duty-free spirits stash
- Personalised service
- Guests couldn't tell difference
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dry hire really worth it? If you're comfortable shopping and have storage space, savings of 40-60% make it very worthwhile.
Can you help with shopping lists? Absolutely! We provide detailed lists based on your guest profile and preferences.
What about cocktails? We make professional cocktails using your spirits and our cocktail ingredients.
Do guests know it's dry hire? No difference in service quality – same professional presentation and service.
More answers in our FAQ section.
Ready to Save with Dry Hire?
Dry hire mobile bar service from The Sesh Bars delivers professional excellence at a fraction of traditional costs. Perfect for smart hosts who want quality without compromise.
Get your dry hire quote:
Contact us today:
- Call: 0790 175 1337
- Email: Hemal@theseshbars.com
- WhatsApp: 0790 175 1337
- Instagram: @theseshbars
London's smart choice for professional bar service since 2018. Same quality, massive savings.
