Mobile bar hire in London costs between £350 and £4,000 for most events. The final price depends on service type, guest count, hours of operation, bar style and drinks selection.
This guide breaks down every cost factor for mobile bar hire across London in 2026 — from dry hire at £350 to full-service wedding packages at £4,000+. All prices reflect current London market rates from The Sesh Bars, which has delivered 900+ events across all 32 London boroughs since 2018.
The three main service types for mobile bar hire in London are dry hire, cash bar and open bar. Each defines who pays for the drinks on the night, which is the single biggest factor in total cost.
| Service Type | Price Range | What’s Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry hire | £350–£800 | Bar unit, glassware, ice, bartenders, setup and breakdown. You supply the drinks. | Budget-conscious hosts who want to source their own alcohol |
| Cash bar | From £500 | Full bar setup and staff. Guests buy their own drinks at the bar. | Large events, casual parties, events where guests expect to pay |
| Open bar (flat fee) | £1,200–£4,000 | Bar setup, staff, and all drinks included. Guests drink freely. | Weddings, corporate events, premium private parties |
| Open bar (per head) | £15–£35 per person | Same as flat fee, priced per guest. | Events where guest count is confirmed |
| Tab/hybrid bar | From £500 + tab | Pre-loaded spend by host, switches to cash bar when tab runs out. | Hosts who want to treat guests to a set number of drinks |
Dry hire is the most affordable option. You supply the alcohol — often purchased at wholesale or supermarket prices — and the bar hire company provides everything else. This can save 30–40% compared to an open bar package. Read the full dry hire mobile bar guide for a detailed breakdown.
Open bar packages include all drinks, which simplifies budgeting. One flat fee covers everything with no surprises on the night. This is the most popular option at London weddings.
The type of event affects mobile bar hire cost because it determines guest count, service hours and drinks complexity.
| Event Type | Typical Guest Count | Typical Cost | Average Per Head |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birthday party | 30–60 | £500–£1,200 | £15–£25 |
| Garden party | 20–80 | £350–£1,500 | £12–£20 |
| Wedding reception | 80–150 | £1,200–£4,000 | £20–£35 |
| Corporate event | 50–200 | £500–£5,000 | £15–£40 |
| House party | 15–40 | £350–£800 | £15–£25 |
| Festival/outdoor event | 100+ | £1,500+ | £10–£25 |
Wedding bar hire in London is typically the most expensive because it requires longer service hours (5–7 hours), premium drinks menus and additional elements like welcome drinks and cocktail masterclasses. See wedding bar hire packages for full details.
Corporate event bar hire varies widely — a 2-hour drinks reception costs less than a full evening conference dinner with branded cocktails.
Five factors determine the final cost of mobile bar hire in London:
1. Guest count — More guests means more bartenders, more glassware and more drinks. The standard staffing ratio is 1 bartender per 50–75 guests.
2. Service hours — Most packages cover 4–5 hours. Extended service until 2am adds £150–£300 per hour depending on staffing levels.
3. Drinks selection — House wine and beer costs less than a full premium cocktail menu with champagne service. Signature cocktails and bespoke menus add £100–£300 to the package.
4. Bar style — A standard white bar is included in base packages. LED bars, vintage wooden bars and custom-branded setups carry a premium of £100–£400.
5. Location — Travel within the M25 is typically included. Venues in Berkshire and other areas outside Greater London may incur a delivery fee of £50–£150.
Four ways to reduce the cost of mobile bar hire without cutting quality:
Every mobile bar hire package from The Sesh Bars includes:
There are no hidden costs. Equipment hire, transport within the M25 and staff are included in the quoted price. View all mobile bar hire packages and pricing.
A fixed venue bar typically charges £8–£14 per drink with a minimum spend of £1,500–£3,000. A mobile bar with an open bar package covers unlimited drinks for £15–35 per head — which works out cheaper for events where guests consume 4+ drinks each.
The main cost advantage of mobile bar hire over a venue bar is flexibility. Dry hire venues charge no corkage, so combining a dry hire venue with a mobile bar and self-supplied alcohol is the most cost-effective setup for a London event. Read the full mobile bar vs venue bar comparison.
Every event is different. Guest count, venue, drinks preferences and service hours all affect the final cost. Request a free quote from The Sesh Bars for an accurate price based on your specific requirements.
Call 020 8087 4269 or WhatsApp 0790 175 1337 for an immediate response.
