Weddings are a great opportunity to bring families and friends together. And if we are being honest, nothing gets the party started like a well-stocked bar.
These days, however, just any old bar with a generic menu will simply not do anymore. The bar is now part of the wedding decor; with a line of cocktails and drinks to go with the whole theme of the event!
These are called mobile bars, a portable bar you can hire along with mixologists, creating a unique experience for your guests. They are chic, trendy, and an absolute delight at your wedding.
We know, we know! Now you have got to get one for your upcoming nuptials. But where do you start looking? We’ve combined a list of different mobile bars that you can hire for your reception.
Before we start, though, let us clear up a few things, you may be unaware of exactly what mobile bars are. They do have some key differences from traditional bars that you get with an indoor venue at weddings.
These features are:
Mobile bars, as the name itself suggests, are mobile. Meaning, they can be moved and set up wherever it is most convenient — and pretty.
The bars can be customised to fit your wedding theme, whether it is retro, funky, or cottagecore.
The drinks served can be altered to your needs, allowing you to customise the menu and even ensure that only vegan drinks are being served.
Some mobile bars are known to offer entertainment as well, allowing guests to mix their own drinks or do mixology shows.
All in all, mobile bars would truly add that extra flair to your wedding, creating a wonderful experience for you and your guests. So without further ado, let's get to 10 creative ways to set up a mobile bar for weddings in 2024!
One of the most popular ways to set up a mobile bar is in the vintage style. Wolfpig Mobile Bar, who converted a 1957 Ford into a bar, can be a great inspiration when you are trying to set up one.
Their sleek black truck, wood and steel interiors, and mason jar glasses are only small details that add to the whole vibe.
However, even these little things go a long way in creating the vintage feel that could be a great fit for your wedding!
If you are a couple who is more eco-conscious, there are many eco-friendly mobile bars available for hire to match your needs. Many mobile bars in the UK, such as Bar None and Mambo, operate sustainably.
One way you can ensure that the mobile bar you are hiring is ethically sustained is to check how it operates.
They could be using materials and ingredients that are biodegradable and reused and/or donating leftovers to charity.
In fact, they could even be planting 25 trees per event to offset their carbon emissions as Bar None is known to do.
If you are crafty and handy with tools, you could actually set up your own bar at your wedding.
It is a great way to save money when you are having an intimate reception that helps reduce waste and keeps the event guests-only.
There are many guidelines that you can find online, such as Sugar and Cloth’s easy hack. Since you will be creating it yourself, you can design and decorate it to your heart’s content.
You can also create the full drink menu from scratch and even have your wedding party and guests volunteer.
Themed Bars would be a great choice for a pop-up at your wedding, especially if the wedding is themed too. Whether at a beach or at the city centre, you will surely find vendors that cater to your vision.
The Quirky Group offers a variety of themed pop-up bars, from the most common ones to the absolutely unique ideas.
You can get a retro bar to go with your Hollywood-themed wedding with a hired tribute act to match. Or you can get the apothecary bar that uses cosy decor and natural herbs for their drinks!
Making the entertainment at your wedding interactive is a great way to create amazing memories for you and your guests.
You could get singing waiters and professional mixologists hired for your event to set yourself apart.
Mixologists can add that extra flair to your reception. Mr. Flavour, for instance, offers various shows including bottle juggling, flipping, close-up tricks, and even fire-breathing!
Sometimes, less is more. Minimalist-themed designs often add that extra edge to great weddings, and mobile bars are the same.
A simple monochromatic mobile bar with warm lighting and chic glassware can raise the bar for your look (yes, pun intended!). The Aero Bar is the perfect example of this.
Their clean and simple matte black look gives away a classy look. However, in no way does it define the drinks they serve.
Offering both cocktail and barista services, making the non-alcohol drinkers included in the party, it sets a great example for what you can go for!
Outdoor weddings are an absolute dream when the weather is right. Adding a mobile bar that goes with it can definitely enhance your wedding reception though!
For these, a floral or greenery-themed mobile bar could work great with your decor. Add a wedding harpist beside the bar and tie the whole theme together with the perfect bow!
Some great inspirations for these outdoor-themed mobile bars could be the Thirsty Filly, Travelling Spirit, and Roving Bar.
These small bars are perfect for an outdoor reception gathering, keeping your drinks cool and your guests satisfied!
A speakeasy-style bar is a clever yet unique choice for a mobile bar for weddings.
Staying in line with the Prohibition Era style, you can hide the bar behind a small bookshelf. This can be pulled back and the bar revealed to your delighted guest at the perfect time!
You could also have passwords for secret drink orders and even have the staff dressed up in 1920s costumes, the way Mobile Speakeasy Bar does. There are several ways to take this idea and customise it to your own needs!
A great way to help small businesses is by hiring local vendors for your wedding. It adds the small-town charm and can familiarise you with some amazing places for you and your guests.
A mobile bar fits into this role by using local sources for the drinks and ingredients. The Kings Arms and Toots, Sweets and Co are such an example.
Providing a curated selection of local beers, ciders, wines and spirits, these bars are a great help to businesses dear to you. You can create your own menu and provide your guests with a unique experience!
Mobile bars that support and design Augmented Reality menus will definitely pique everyone’s interest. This simple but fascinating idea can add some much-needed depth to your experience when drinking.
The Alchemist, for example, offers this service for their fantasy-themed menus — think Butterbeer from the Harry Potter franchise!
A tablet or QR code can be provided for the guest perusing the menu. You can also add a history or fun fact about all the drinks offered at the bar. A simple scan, and everything the guests need to know will pop up.
Another way would also be to preview a 3D model of the drinks. The screen could also show videos on how their drinks are made, while the guest waits for their order.
And so, this is where we leave you!
We are sure you are brimming with ideas at the moment; especially if the speakeasy mobile bar or DIY pop-up bars on this list caught your eye.
We also recommend hiring entertainers for your reception to match the theme of the bar. A Rolling Stones tribute band, for instance, would complement the vintage or retro-style mobile bar!