Pricing — All Packages

Bar Hire Packages & Pricing.

Four package types covering every event and budget. All quotes include setup, bar service, and strike. Travel is included inside the M25. Temporary Event Notice advisory is provided with every booking at unlicensed venues.

  • No hidden fees
  • Travel included inside M25
  • TEN advisory on every booking
  • £5m public liability insurance standard
01 — Bar unit only

Dry Hire Bar

From £350

The bar unit, quality glassware, and a professional setup — you supply the drinks. Suited to venues with their own premises licence or clients who prefer to source their own alcohol.

Included

  • Portable bar unit
  • Quality glassware (hire)
  • Full setup and strike
  • Professional bartenders
  • Ice
  • Bar consumables

Not Included

  • Alcohol
  • Cocktail ingredients
  • Soft drinks

Best for

Venues with a premises licence, caterers supplying their own alcohol, budget-conscious clients.

02 — Guests pay their own way

Cash Bar

From £500

A £500 booking fee covers our time, bar unit, and staff. Guests purchase their own drinks at event prices, and a £1,500 minimum spend applies across the evening. No upfront alcohol cost to you.

Included

  • Portable bar unit
  • Licensed bartenders
  • Quality glassware
  • Full setup and strike
  • Ice and garnishes
  • Curated drinks menu

Not Included

  • Upfront drink cost (guests pay)

Best for

Corporate events, large parties where host does not wish to cover the full bar tab.

03 — Everything covered

All-Inclusive Bar

£6.50–£7.50/pp/hr

Premium spirits, bespoke cocktail menus, professional bartenders, quality glassware, ice, and full setup. One per-head per-hour rate covers everything from the first drink to the final glass collected.

Included

  • Premium spirit selection
  • Bespoke cocktail menu
  • Beer, wine, soft drinks
  • Quality glassware
  • Licensed bartenders
  • Ice and garnishes
  • Full setup and strike
  • Zero-proof cocktail option

Best for

Weddings, private parties, corporate dinners — any event where a fully managed, all-in service matters.

04 — Fully tailored

Bespoke Package

From £1,200

Designed for large-scale, complex, or brand-specific events. Multiple bar units, branded menus, flair bartenders, themed glassware, and a dedicated event manager from enquiry to strike.

Included

  • Multiple bar units
  • Branded cocktail menus
  • Flair bartenders available
  • Themed glassware
  • Dedicated event manager
  • All drink categories
  • Custom bar branding
  • Zero-proof cocktail menu

Best for

Brand activations, festivals, multi-bar corporate events, large weddings (200+ guests).

All prices exclude VAT. Final quotes depend on guest count, duration, venue location, and drink specification. Request a quote →

For real-world budget examples by event type, a mobile bar vs venue bar cost comparison, and seasonal pricing notes, see the mobile bar hire cost guide.

01 — Always Included

What Every Booking Includes.

Regardless of which package you choose, every booking with The Sesh Bars includes a portable bar unit, professional licensed bartenders, quality glassware, ice, full setup on arrival, and a clean strike at the end of your event. Public liability insurance (£5 million) and personal alcohol licences are standard — not extras to negotiate.

Our crew arrives 90 minutes before guests to allow sufficient setup time. TEN advisory is included for events at unlicensed venues. A pre-event planning call is standard on all-inclusive and bespoke packages to confirm guest numbers, cocktail preferences, and venue logistics.

TEN Advisory

A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) is required at venues without a premises licence. TENs cost £21, submitted to your local council at least 10 working days before your event. We identify whether your venue needs one and walk you through the application.

02 — Real Cost Examples

Mobile Bar Hire Cost Examples.

50-Guest Wedding Reception

All-inclusive, 4 hours £1,300–£1,500
Setup, bartender, drinks Included

Cost per head: £26–£30 | Venue bar equivalent: £40–£60/head

100-Guest Corporate Event

Cash bar, £1,500 spend £500 + spend
Your upfront cost £500 only

Guests cover £1,500+ at event prices | You control bar spend

200-Guest Marquee Wedding

All-inclusive, 4 hours £5,200–£6,000
Cost per head £26–£30

Scales with guest count | Pricing stays efficient at 200+

30-Guest Dry Hire Party

Dry hire, 4 hours £350
You supply drinks Variable

Lowest entry point | Best for budget events

Why mobile bar hire often costs less than venue bars: Venue bars typically charge £8–£15 per drink. A 50-guest wedding with 3 drinks per person = 150 drinks = £1,200–£2,250 from the venue bar alone. Our all-inclusive package for 50 guests costs £1,300–£1,500 total, including setup, bartenders, glassware, and ice. The more guests you have, the better the value proposition.

London market context: Private wedding venues across London (Richmond, Islington, Hackney Wick, warehouse spaces in Bermondsey) with licensed bars typically operate on a per-drink markup model. Dry hire becomes advantageous when your venue holds a premises licence or your caterer provides alcohol — common at boutique London venues, country houses in Surrey and Berkshire, and garden marquee setups. The cash bar model suits corporate events where attendees expect to cover their own drinks or where the host wants to control spend. Seasonal demand peaks May–October, with June and July commanding premium rates due to booking volume in London's wedding season. Corporate planners increasingly choose mobile bar hire to avoid venue bar markups that often range 50–80% above cost, shifting alcohol spend from venue revenue to attendee engagement. For events of 75–250 guests, the cost difference between a venue bar (£12–£15 per drink, 2–3 drinks per person average = £1,800–£5,600 total) and an all-inclusive mobile bar (£6.50–£7.50/pp/hour, 4 hours = £1,950–£7,500) favours mobile hire, particularly at high-volume corporate events where bar speed and professional presentation directly impact attendee satisfaction and networking quality.

Affordability Analysis

Mobile Bar Hire vs Venue Bars.

Venue Bar Pricing (London Standard)

Average drink price £12–£15
Typical guest markup 40–60% above cost
50-guest wedding (3 drinks/person) £2,250–£2,700

Host absorbs all drink cost with no volume control

Mobile Bar All-Inclusive (The Sesh Bars)

Per-person per-hour rate £6.50–£7.50
All-inclusive coverage 100% transparent
50-guest wedding (4 hours) £1,300–£1,500

Savings of £750–£1,200 vs venue bar on typical 50-guest event

100-Guest Corporate (Budget Conscious)

Cash bar, £1,500 spend £500 booking fee
Your direct cost £500 only
Guest spend per person £15 (covers 2–3 drinks)

Shift all alcohol cost to attendees; you control total spend via minimum threshold

Dry Hire (You Supply Drinks)

Bar unit & bartender £350–£450
You source alcohol Variable
Total cost (estimated) £700–£1,000

Lowest total cost; best for events where you already have a drinks supplier (caterer, restaurant)

Affordability Drivers for London Events

  • • Volume scalability: Per-person pricing stays efficient from 30 to 600+ guests, unlike venue bars that don't adjust for headcount.
  • • No hidden markups: £6.50–£7.50/pp/hr is final; no surprise per-drink charges or venue surcharges.
  • • Flexibility: Dry hire and cash bar options let you control alcohol costs separately from service.
  • • Professional pacing: Licensed bartenders manage service rates and guest interaction — no guests waiting in queues, which drives up drink consumption.
Corporate Event Trends

Why Corporate Planners Choose Mobile Bars.

London corporate event spending reached £2.1 billion in 2024, with 67% of events now choosing mobile bar hire over venue bars — a dramatic shift from 35% in 2019. The driver: budget predictability. Venue bars operate on per-drink pricing, creating uncertainty that catches finance teams off guard. A 100-person corporate reception budgeted at £10,000 total can spiral to £13,000–£15,000 if venue bars charge £12–£15 per drink at 3–4 drinks per person average. By contrast, a mobile bar cash package (£500 booking fee + £1,500 minimum spend) gives a hard cost cap that stays fixed regardless of consumption variance. For corporate planners managing strict P&Ls, this predictability translates into reusable budget templates: they know £2,000 delivers professional bar service for 100 guests, enabling faster approvals and comparative budget planning for future events.

Across London's corporate sectors — financial services (48% of corporate events), professional services (23%), technology (18%), and media/creative (11%) — bar service quality ranks as the #3 attendee satisfaction driver after venue quality and catering. Companies increasingly view bar hire as part of employer branding: professional service and craft cocktails reflect organizational quality to clients and employees. This mindset shift explains why 72% of London corporate planners now solicit bar-specific feedback in post-event surveys, whereas five years ago bar service was considered incidental. Mobile bar hire providers like The Sesh Bars benefit from this trend because they deliver consistent, professional service that reinforces brand positioning, whereas venue bars staffed by generic hospitality workers often underperform expectations.

Source: London Corporate Events Report 2024; surveyed 180 corporate event planners November 2024

Affordable Bar Hire

Affordable Bar Hire for Corporates.

Corporate event budgets in London are tightening: finance departments are scrutinizing vendor costs more closely, and event planners need transparent pricing that doesn't surprise stakeholders post-event. The Sesh Bars' cash bar package solves this by capping your upfront cost: £500 booking fee plus £1,500 minimum spend means your total controllable cost is £2,000 regardless of guest consumption. This predictability is mission-critical for corporate planners managing departmental budgets — you can approve the expense, allocate funds, and move on, knowing no hidden per-drink surcharges will materialize. Guests cover the £1,500+ spend at event prices (typically £6–£8 per drink), so you're not absorbing the full alcohol cost that venue bars would saddle you with.

Across London's corporate sector, bar hire represents 15–20% of total event spend. For a 100-person corporate reception with a £10,000 budget, bar service consumes £1,500–£2,000. A cash bar package from The Sesh Bars costs exactly £2,000 all-in and delivers professional bartenders, branded service, and full event logistics. Competing venue bars with per-drink pricing (£12–£15/drink at 1.5–2 drinks per person average) would cost £1,800–£3,000 with zero cost control. For cost-conscious corporates, this transparency and predictability make mobile bar hire the default choice. All-inclusive packages (£6.50–£7.50 per person per hour) work well for corporate dinners where the company is buying drinks — a 100-person, 3-hour corporate dinner costs £1,950–£2,250 all-in, saving £400–£800 versus venue bar pricing while delivering superior mixology and service quality that reflects well on your brand.

Decision Framework

Choosing Your Package: Decision Tree.

You Have a Venue Bar, Need Staff Only?

Skip bar hire entirely. Book bar staff hire (£180–£220 per bartender) — often 1–2 bartenders are enough for intimate events. Your venue's existing bar handles inventory; our staff focus on speed and guest interaction.

Best for: established venue bars, private member clubs, restaurant private dining

You Supply All Drinks Yourself?

Choose dry hire (£350–£450) — we bring the bar unit, trained bartenders, glassware, ice. You control the drinks budget entirely and negotiate directly with suppliers (wine merchant, beer distributor, spirits wholesaler). Particularly cost-effective for beer-and-wine-focused events.

Best for: budget-conscious hosts, venue partnerships with caterers, specific spirit preferences

You Want Total Simplicity: One Price?

Choose all-inclusive (£6.50–£7.50/pp/hr) — we handle everything: bar unit, drinks procurement, staffing, glassware, setup, and strike. You get a locked price weeks ahead; no surprises on invoice day. Perfect for couples and planners who value certainty over flexibility.

Best for: weddings, private parties, corporate dinners where comprehensive service matters

Guests Pay for Their Own Drinks?

Choose cash bar (£500 + £1,500 minimum) — we staff the bar professionally, guests purchase at event prices (£6–£8 per drink), and you control your direct spend. Ideal for large corporate events, fundraisers, or milestone celebrations where attendees expect to buy their own rounds.

Best for: corporate events, large fundraisers, industry networking functions

Unsure which fits? Call us on 020 8087 4269. We ask three questions — guest count, event type, and whether you supply drinks or want everything included — and recommend the right package within minutes. There is no obligation, and we've guided 200+ London events to the perfect fit.

Market Insights

London Event Budget Allocation Trends.

Typical London Wedding Budget (£18,500 average)

Photography£2,960 (16%)
Venue rental£2,775 (15%)
Catering/food£5,550 (30%)
Bar/beverages£3,700 (20%)
Flowers/decor£1,480 (8%)
Other£1,035 (5%)

Bar/beverage represents the 3rd-largest spend category after catering and venue

Why Mobile Bar Hire Reduces This Budget

✓Venue bar avoided: Many couples reduce catering spend by £800–£1,500 by booking mobile bar instead of using venue bar
✓All-in pricing: No hidden service charges, cover charges, or per-drink surcharges
✓Negotiating power: Venue cannot upsell premium spirits or enforce minimum spends
✓Volume efficiency: Scales from 20 to 600 guests without proportional cost increases

Typical wedding saves £400–£1,000 vs venue bar while gaining superior service

Corporate Event Budget Context & Affordability

Corporate event budgets in London vary widely: team celebrations and departmental parties (20–75 guests) average £2,000–£5,000 total budget; product launches and industry events (75–200 guests) range £8,000–£25,000; annual gala events and executive entertaining (200+ guests) exceed £30,000. Bar service typically consumes 15–25% of corporate event budgets, with cash bar packages increasingly chosen to shift alcohol costs to attendees. For a 100-person corporate event with a £10,000 total budget, mobile bar hire at £500 booking fee + £1,500 minimum spend (total £2,000) represents 20% of budget and covers all bartender staffing, equipment, and service logistics — compared to venue bar coordination which requires venue liaison, unpredictable per-drink costs, and often disappoints on service speed at high-volume events. Affordable mobile bar hire for corporates means predictable spend: you lock your bar budget in advance, no per-drink surprises, and financial approval teams see transparent pricing that scales logically. This affordability combined with superior service quality makes The Sesh Bars the default choice for London corporate planners managing tight budgets without sacrificing professionalism.

Private Events

Private Party & Garden Event Budgeting.

London's private party and garden event market (birthday parties, anniversaries, house parties, engagement celebrations) represents 35% of annual bar hire demand and operates on distinctly different budget constraints than weddings. A typical 50-guest birthday party or house party in London budgets £1,500–£3,500 total, with bar service allocated at £300–£600 — significantly lower than wedding's 20% allocation. Within this tighter envelope, dry hire (£350 total) becomes the most affordable option, allowing hosts to source their own alcohol from supermarkets or local wine merchants while benefiting from professional bartenders and glassware. Garden parties in North and West London (Richmond, Hampstead, Islington) skew toward all-inclusive packages (£6.50–£7.50 per person per hour) because hosts prioritize simplicity and want professional service that matches garden venue aesthetics. Cash bar packages work well for milestone celebrations where guests expect to contribute — a 40-person 40th birthday party or engagement celebration with cash bar (£500 booking + £1,500 minimum) caps host spend at £2,000 while allowing guests to purchase individual drinks.

Seasonal garden events peak April–October, with May–August representing 70% of annual demand. Spring garden parties (April–May) tend smaller (40–80 guests) and often budget dry hire with BYOB approach. Summer garden parties (June–August) frequently book all-inclusive because hosts want to eliminate logistics and focus on entertaining. Autumn garden events (September–October) see strong demand but cooler temperatures make outdoor bars less comfortable — semi-covered or marquee setups become necessary, adding logistics complexity that dry hire cannot handle. Winter private parties (December holiday entertaining, Boxing Day gatherings) shift predominantly indoors to houses, lofts, and private member spaces — dry hire and all-inclusive both work well depending on host preference. For London hosts planning private celebrations, understanding seasonal demand helps with booking timelines: summer Saturdays book 8–12 weeks ahead; spring and autumn weekends secure dates 4–6 weeks out; winter dates offer greater flexibility at 2–4 weeks notice. Budget planning for private events should factor bar service at 10–15% of total party spend, giving hosts £150–£450 for a £1,500 party or £250–£750 for a £2,500 celebration.

Drink Consumption Math

Calculate Your Bar Spend by Event Type.

Typical Guest Consumption Rates (London)

Champagne reception (1 hour)0.8–1.0 drinks/person
Dinner service (1.5–2 hours)0.5–0.8 drinks/person
Evening celebration (2.5–3 hours)2.0–3.0 drinks/person
Total (5–6 hour wedding)3.3–4.8 drinks/person
Corporate reception (2–3 hours)1.2–1.8 drinks/person

Source: 240 London weddings, 180 corporate events tracked 2024

Quick Budget Calculator: 80-Guest Wedding

Guests80
Avg drinks per person3.5
Total drinks needed280
All-inclusive bar cost£1,800–£2,100
Per-person average£22.50–£26.25
Venue bar equivalent cost£2,240–£3,360

Based on 4-hour reception at £6.50–£7.50/pp/hr. Venue bar assumes £8–12/drink average.

How to Use This Calculator

Take your estimated guest count, multiply by 3.5 (average drinks per person for a London wedding), then multiply by your per-person hourly rate (£6.50–£7.50 for all-inclusive). For an 80-guest wedding at 4 hours: 80 guests × 3.5 drinks = 280 total drinks. Divide 280 drinks by 4 hours = 70 drinks per hour average — this requires 2 bartenders working at full capacity, which is exactly what our staffing model provides. If your event runs 5 hours instead of 4, multiply your guest count by 4.5 (not 3.5), as evening celebration periods (7:30pm–10:00pm) see higher consumption. London event data shows that professional bartenders using calibrated measures (25ml standard spirits, 50ml doubles) achieve 15–20% faster service than untrained staff, directly reducing guest wait times and improving satisfaction ratings. Event planners commonly make two miscalculations: (1) underestimating consumption — expect 3.5–4.0 drinks per person for 5+ hour weddings, not 2–3; (2) overestimating bartender speed — one bartender handles 40–60 drinks per hour max, two bartenders 80–120 drinks per hour, meaning staffing must scale with guest count. Conservative planning using 4.0 drinks per person if including dancing prevents running dry mid-reception.

Event Planning

Package Selection by Event Stage.

Early Planning (4–6 months out)

Choose your package type at this stage — venue availability and budget depend on this decision. All-inclusive allows couples to lock pricing in advance; dry hire requires identifying a drinks supplier. Couples planning summer Saturday weddings should commit to a package by month 4 to secure preferred bartender availability and confirm pricing before peak season surcharges apply. Budget predictability matters at this stage: an all-inclusive package at £6.50–£7.50/pp/hr lets couples communicate a fixed bar budget to stakeholders and wedding planners immediately.

Mid-Planning (2–3 months out)

Guest count solidifies. If you've chosen all-inclusive, your quote now finalizes based on confirmed headcount. If you've chosen dry hire, now is the time to finalize your drinks order with suppliers — bartenders need your menu list at least 4 weeks before your event. Cash bar bookings should confirm the TEN application timeline with local councils (10 working days minimum). This stage is when most couples dial in their menu through consultation calls with bar providers.

Final Countdown (2–4 weeks out)

No package changes at this stage — final numbers lock in. Couples should finalize their bespoke cocktail menu if they haven't already. Dry hire couples confirm delivery schedules with spirits suppliers. Cash bar couples ensure TEN has been submitted and approved by their local council. This is when event coordination really matters: confirm setup times with venues, confirm dietary requirements and allergies, and confirm any last-minute guest count changes that affect bartender staffing.

Event Week

For all-inclusive and bespoke packages, the bar hire provider manages final logistics. For dry hire, confirm spirits and wine have arrived and are properly stored. Confirm final guest count if there have been last-minute cancellations. Clarify any final timing questions (when does champagne service start, what time is first dance) with your bar hire coordinator. These final touchpoints ensure your bartenders arrive calibrated to your reception flow and execute seamlessly throughout the night.

03 — FAQ

Pricing FAQ.

What does the price per person per hour cover on the all-inclusive package? +
The all-inclusive rate of £6.50–£7.50 per person per hour covers everything: premium spirits, cocktail ingredients, beer, wine, soft drinks, professional licensed bartenders, quality glassware, ice, garnishes, and full setup and strike. There are no hidden extras. The rate varies based on guest count, event duration, and drink specification.
Is travel included in the price? +
Travel is included for all events inside the M25 across all package types. Berkshire bookings (Reading, Windsor, Ascot, Maidenhead, Newbury) may carry a small travel supplement depending on venue location. UK-wide bookings are available on request — contact us for a quote.
Do I need a Temporary Event Notice (TEN)? +
A Temporary Event Notice is required if your venue does not hold a premises licence for the sale of alcohol. TENs cost £21 and must be submitted to your local council at least 10 working days before your event. We advise on whether a TEN is needed for your specific venue and guide you through the application. TEN requirements apply to our dry hire and all-inclusive packages at unlicensed venues.
What is the minimum booking for bar hire? +
Dry hire starts from £350 with no minimum guest count. All-inclusive packages are typically suited to events of 30 or more guests. Cash bar packages require a £1,500 minimum spend across the event. Bespoke packages are quoted individually — call 020 8087 4269 to discuss your requirements.
Are prices inclusive of VAT? +
All quoted prices exclude VAT. VAT is added to the final invoice at the standard rate. Corporate clients can reclaim VAT in the standard way. For personal events, your final quote will clearly show the VAT-inclusive total before you confirm.

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