Mobile bar hire in London costs from £350 for a dry hire setup to £6.50–7.50 per person per hour for a full all-inclusive package. The Sesh Bars publishes its pricing openly so you can budget accurately before you enquire. No surprise quotes, no hidden fees. Here is the complete breakdown.
Mobile bar hire in London costs from £350 for a dry hire setup (bar unit, licensed bartenders, glassware, and ice — you supply the drinks) to £6.50-£7.50 per person per hour for a fully all-inclusive package covering premium spirits, cocktails, beer, wine, soft drinks, and all equipment. A typical 80-guest party over four hours costs £2,080-£2,400 all-inclusive. Cash bar packages start from £500 with a £1,500 minimum guest spend. All prices exclude VAT and travel is included inside the M25. This guide covers the full cost breakdown, budget examples by event type, mobile bar vs venue bar cost comparisons, seasonal pricing variation, and regional pricing notes for London and Berkshire. For structured package details, see the packages and pricing page.
Four mobile bar hire pricing models cover every event type. Dry hire is the lowest entry cost — you supply the drinks and we bring everything else. Cash bar transfers the drinks cost to your guests but requires a minimum spend commitment. All-inclusive is the most common choice for private parties: one price covering the bar and all drinks. Bespoke pricing applies to complex multi-bar events, festivals, and large corporate bookings.
| Package | Price | What's Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Hire | From £350 | Bar, staff, glassware, ice — you supply drinks |
| Cash Bar | £500 + £1,500 min | Guests pay per drink, TEN required |
| All-Inclusive | £6.50–7.50/pp/hr | Full bar, drinks, staff, glassware, setup |
| Bespoke | From £1,200 | Multi-bar, festivals, large corporate events |
All prices exclude VAT. Travel included inside M25. Final quote depends on guest count, duration, and specification.
Guest count is the biggest cost driver for all-inclusive bookings — more guests consume more drinks and require additional bartenders. Event duration adds cost linearly: a six-hour wedding bar costs more than a four-hour party bar for the same guest count. Drink specification affects price meaningfully — a prosecco and beer menu costs less than a full premium cocktail list with top-shelf spirits.
Venue access affects logistics cost. Events requiring equipment up flights of stairs, through narrow corridors, or across long distances from a van parking point take longer to set up and sometimes require additional crew. Outdoor events on uneven ground or without mains power add equipment costs (levelling boards, generators). All of these are declared in the quote — not added after you've agreed.
Private parties (house parties, birthdays, garden parties) typically suit an all-inclusive package — one price, no shopping, no running out. Dry hire works best when you already have a drinks supply or a specific brand you want served. Cash bar suits large events (over 100 guests) where the organiser is not covering the full drinks bill.
Birthday, house, garden parties
80 guests, 4hrs, champagne reception
200 guests, outdoor, generator-ready
Venue bars in London charge per-drink prices that add up quickly for larger events. A mobile bar with an all-inclusive package gives you a fixed per-head rate with unlimited drinks — no running total, no surprise bill at the end of the night. Here is how the two models typically compare for a 80-guest, four-hour event.
| Cost Item | Venue Bar | Mobile Bar (All-Inc) |
|---|---|---|
| Cocktails (3 per guest) | £2,880–£3,360 | Included |
| Wine (2 glasses per guest) | £960–£1,280 | Included |
| Soft drinks | £160–£320 | Included |
| Bartender service | Venue staff | Included |
| Glassware | Venue stock | Included |
| Corkage fee | £5–£15/bottle | N/A |
| Estimated total | £4,000–£5,000+ | £2,080–£2,400 |
Venue bar prices based on typical London event venue rates. Mobile bar pricing at £6.50/pp/hr, 80 guests, 4 hours.
These examples reflect typical event costs based on real bookings across London. All figures are for the bar hire element only and exclude VAT. Venue hire, catering, and other event costs are separate.
| Event | Guests | Hours | Package | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden party | 40 | 4 | All-inclusive | £1,040–£1,200 |
| Birthday party | 60 | 4 | Dry hire + own drinks | £350 + ~£800 |
| Wedding reception | 100 | 5 | All-inclusive | £3,250–£3,750 |
| Office Christmas party | 80 | 4 | All-inclusive | £2,080–£2,400 |
| Corporate launch | 200 | 3 | Bespoke | £3,900–£4,500 |
| Festival / outdoor | 300 | 6 | Multi-bar bespoke | £5,800+ |
Estimates based on standard London pricing. Final quotes confirmed within 24 hours. View full package details or request a quote.
The Sesh Bars' package prices stay consistent throughout the year. However, seasonal demand affects availability and venue costs — which in turn affects total event budgets. Understanding the London bar hire calendar helps you plan a cost-effective event.
Peak season (May–September): Wedding and garden party season. Saturday evenings book out 3-6 months ahead. Venue hire costs in Central and West London are at their highest. Fridays and Sundays offer better value with the same bar hire pricing.
December: Christmas party season creates a second demand spike. Corporate bookings dominate weekday evenings. Saturday slots in Zone 1 fill by October.
Off-peak (January–April, October–November): Best availability and widest venue choice. Ideal for engagement parties, milestone birthdays, and corporate events where date flexibility exists.
Bar hire pricing is consistent across London — there is no surcharge for South London, East London, or North London events. Travel is included for all venues inside the M25. Weekend evenings in Central London (W1, WC2, EC2-EC4) carry a £75 surcharge to cover extended parking and Congestion Charge.
Berkshire events (Reading, Windsor, Ascot, Maidenhead, Newbury) carry a mileage supplement of £0.50 per mile beyond the M25. For a wedding in Windsor, this typically adds £15-£25 to the quote. UK-wide bookings are available on request with a bespoke travel supplement.
Generator hire is the most common add-on: if your venue or outdoor site has no mains power, expect an additional charge of £80–£150 depending on generator size. Mileage supplements apply to events outside the M25 — London venues are always included. Event extensions past the agreed end time carry an hourly rate agreed upfront in the contract.
A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) costs £21 and is required for cash bar events at venues without a premises licence. Applications need at least 10 working days — do not leave it late. Premium Champagne upgrades (Moët, Veuve Clicquot, Laurent-Perrier Rosé) are the other common upgrade beyond the standard quote. All of the above are declared before you sign. See the full pricing page for itemised add-on rates.
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