Frequently Asked Questions.

The Sesh Bars recommend booking 8-12 weeks ahead for weekday events. Weekend dates during peak season (May-September) book out 3-6 months in advance. Saturday evenings in June and July fill quickest. Call 0118 449 3066 to check availability for your date, last-minute bookings are sometimes possible.

Open-bar rates are £6.50 per adult per hour without alcoholic cocktails and £7.50 with alcoholic cocktails, for the first four hours, and £4.50 per adult per hour after that. There is no separate bar-hire fee. The standard minimum is 100 chargeable adults and four hours, so a four-hour event starts at £2,600 without alcoholic cocktails or £3,000 with. No VAT is added on top of these rates. Smaller events, dry hire and bespoke packages are quoted individually. A cash bar has a £500 hire fee and a £1,500 minimum bar sales, and the £500 fee includes VAT where applicable. See our full breakdown on the packages and pricing page.

The Sesh Bars include a portable bar unit, professional bartenders, quality glassware, ice, full setup on arrival, and a clean strike after the event on every booking. Public liability insurance (£5 million) is standard on all bookings. Open-bar packages also cover premium spirits, beer, wine, soft drinks and garnishes, with cocktail ingredients and a bespoke cocktail menu on the £7.50 rate.

The Sesh Bars offer both options. Dry hire means you supply the drinks, we bring the bar, bartenders, and glassware. Open-bar packages cover premium spirits, beer, wine and soft drinks, with alcoholic cocktails on the £7.50 rate. Cash bar packages allow guests to purchase their own drinks at event prices, with a £1,500 minimum bar sales.

At licensed venues we work under the venue's premises licence. For unlicensed venues, we advise on Temporary Event Notice requirements (see below).

A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) is a legal requirement when selling or supplying alcohol at a venue that does not hold a premises licence. TENs cost £21 and must be submitted to your local council at least 10 working days before the event. We identify whether your venue requires a TEN and guide you through the application process. Many private properties, gardens, marquees, village halls and warehouses require one. Hotels, licensed restaurants, and dedicated event venues typically already hold a licence and do not need one.

Our bar setup works in any venue with a flat surface of at least 3m × 1.5m. We operate in private gardens, warehouse spaces, marquees, rooftops, country houses, office atriums, loft apartments, function rooms, and festival fields. We bring our own bar unit, power leads, and all equipment, nothing needs to be provided by the venue.

One bartender per 50-75 guests for cocktail-focused events. One per 75-100 guests for beer and wine service. For large events (150+ guests), a second bar unit and additional staff are recommended. We calculate the right team size based on your guest count, event format, and drinks menu, and include our recommendation in every quote.

Yes. Open-bar bookings on the £7.50 rate and bespoke packages include a cocktail menu consultation. We design a list matched to your theme, dietary requirements, and preferences, including a named signature cocktail for the event if you want one. Zero-proof cocktails are included for non-drinkers at no extra charge. See our services page for more on what a consultation covers.

Yes. A zero-proof cocktail menu is included as standard on open-bar packages at no extra charge. Our non-alcoholic options use the same flavour profiles as the main menu, citrus and elderflower, herbal, fruity, so non-drinking guests receive something worth raising a glass to. Dedicated mocktail bar hire is also available as a standalone service for events that are fully alcohol-free.

Cancellations made 14 or more days before the event date receive a full refund of any deposit paid. Cancellations between 7 and 14 days receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the event are non-refundable. All cancellations must be submitted in writing by email to [email protected]. Full terms are on our terms and conditions page.

We are based in Reading and cover Reading, Windsor, Ascot, Maidenhead, Henley-on-Thames, Wokingham, Bracknell, Newbury, and the wider Thames Valley. Any travel charge is confirmed in your quote. UK-wide bookings are available on request. Our location page has a full breakdown of areas served.

Setup time depends on the bar and venue access; a simple setup takes around 90 minutes and a full bar two to three hours. Strike (pack-down) typically takes 45-60 minutes after the bar closes. Venue access requirements are confirmed at the booking stage, we coordinate directly with your venue.

Guest count changes are accepted up to three weeks before the event at no extra charge. Changes affect drink quantities and bartender staffing, we adjust both. Updates inside three weeks may carry a small restocking fee if quantities have already been ordered. Always over-estimate slightly rather than under, running short mid-event is avoidable.

It depends on how your guests drink. A venue bar charges for each drink, so the total rises with every round. If most guests drink beer and wine, a venue bar can cost less; if many want cocktails, the open bar usually costs less. Our open-bar rates are a set price per adult per hour: £6.50 without alcoholic cocktails or £7.50 with, for the first four hours, with no VAT added on top. For 100 adults over four hours that is £2,600 or £3,000. Smaller events are quoted individually. For a detailed cost comparison, see the mobile bar hire cost guide.

Our bar units are weather-resistant and operate under gazebo cover for outdoor events. Light rain does not affect service. In the event of severe weather that makes outdoor service unsafe, we relocate inside the venue or under a marquee if one is available. We discuss contingency plans at the booking stage for all outdoor events.

Yes. All cocktail ingredients are listed on the menu card and our bartenders know the allergen profile of every serve. Vegan cocktails, gluten-free options, and sugar-free alternatives are available on request. For guests with severe allergies, we can build a bespoke menu that avoids specific ingredients entirely, confirm requirements at the consultation stage.

Our standard booking deposit is a fixed £250, not a percentage of the booking value. Your booking is confirmed once the quotation has been signed and the deposit received, and the balance timing is set out in your quote. Call 0118 449 3066 or see our cancellation policy above for more detail.

Yes. Small parties are priced individually for your guest count; our standard open-bar rates (£6.50 per adult per hour without alcoholic cocktails, £7.50 with, first four hours) apply from 100 adults. A bartender-only option suits smaller gatherings where you do not need a full bar unit. Call 0118 449 3066 to discuss the right setup for your guest count.