A cash bar at a wedding means guests buy their own drinks at the bar rather than the couple covering every round. It is the most common bar format for UK evening receptions and the most budget-friendly way to offer a full drinks service without a five-figure bar bill.
A cash bar (also called a pay bar or no-host bar) at a wedding is a bar service where guests pay for their own individual drinks. The couple pays a booking fee — typically £500 plus a minimum spend of £1,500 — which covers the bar unit, licensed bartenders, glassware, ice, and full setup. Guests then buy drinks at set prices, usually by contactless card or cash. Cash bars are standard at UK evening receptions and are not considered rude when communicated clearly. The alternative is an open bar (hosted bar) where the couple covers all drinks, or a hybrid format combining both. For full pricing across all bar formats, see the mobile bar hire cost guide.
The couple books a mobile bar hire company that offers a cash bar package. The company brings a portable bar unit, licensed bartenders, glassware, ice, and a drinks menu. On the day, bartenders serve drinks to guests who pay individually — usually by contactless card, Apple Pay, or cash.
The couple pays a booking fee upfront (from £500) plus commits to a minimum spend (typically £1,500). If guest purchases exceed the minimum spend, the couple pays nothing extra. If purchases fall short, the couple covers the difference. This model gives couples cost certainty while offering guests a full bar experience.
Booking fee (from £500) + minimum spend guarantee
Per-drink pricing, contactless or cash
Bar unit, bartenders, glassware, ice, setup
Beer £5-7, wine £6-8, cocktails £8-12
There are three main bar formats for weddings. Each suits a different budget and guest experience. Many couples combine formats — open bar during the reception, cash bar for the evening party.
| Format | Couple Pays | Guest Pays | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash bar | Booking fee + min spend | Per drink | From £500 |
| Open bar | Everything | Nothing | £6.50-7.50/pp/hr |
| Hybrid | First 2hrs or drink tokens | After limit | From £1,200 |
| Dry hire | Bar + staff only | Supplies drinks | From £350 |
For a full breakdown of every option, see our packages and pricing page. For dry hire details, see the dry hire mobile bar guide.
Cash bars are widely accepted at UK weddings — particularly for evening receptions. The etiquette is straightforward: be upfront with guests. A simple note on the evening invitation or wedding website mentioning "evening bar available" is enough. Most guests expect to buy their own drinks at the evening party.
A popular middle ground is to provide a welcome drink and wine with the wedding breakfast (open bar), then switch to a cash bar for the evening reception. This covers the formal part of the day while keeping costs manageable for the evening party, where drink consumption is highest. Some couples also provide drink tokens — giving each guest 2-3 free drinks before the cash bar kicks in.
The only real faux pas is surprising guests. If the bar is cash-only (no card payments), mention this in advance. If there is a minimum spend that limits the menu at certain times, communicate that too. Clear expectations make for happy guests.
A cash bar package from The Sesh Bars starts from £500 booking fee plus a £1,500 minimum spend commitment. The booking fee covers the bar unit, licensed bartenders, quality glassware, ice, full setup, and strike. The minimum spend is the total value of drinks guests must purchase — if guest spending exceeds this, the couple pays nothing further.
For a 100-guest evening reception, guest spending typically exceeds the minimum spend comfortably. For smaller events (under 50 guests), an all-inclusive package may offer better value since you avoid the risk of covering a minimum spend shortfall. See the full mobile bar hire cost breakdown for all options.
Booking fee + £1,500 min spend
All drinks covered by couple
Bar + staff, you supply drinks
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