You need a personal licence to sell alcohol in the UK. Local authorities strictly regulate liquor licensing. With a personal licence, you can get more temporary event notices (TENs) to cover individual events.
Basic Requirements and Operations
To start a mobile bar business you need:
- A bar
- Glassware
- Racks
- Licenses
Prices range from £600 to £20,000 depending on event size and location. Providing bartenders earns more business.
A mobile bar combines catering and bartending. You can focus on cocktails, beer, wine or a general selection. It involves taking a bar to venues and events.
You need insurance such as:
- Liability
- Liquor liability
- Commercial auto
This covers transporting equipment, accidents, and lawsuits from alcohol incidents.
UK mobile bars are like pop-up pubs that must follow alcohol and safety laws. As movable establishments, they struggle to meet licensing standards, but some models legally work around these obstacles.
Decisions and Business Plan
Decide whether to sell from a truck, trailer, horsebox or pop-up bar. Trucks seem more professional and are easy to set up. Trailers offer flexibility but may look less appealing.
Hiring a mobile bar brings a personal touch to events, providing comfort, entertainment, and guest satisfaction.
A business plan charts objectives and strategies and helps attract financing, covering:
- Purpose
- Target markets
- Competition
- Marketing
All bars need a license to sell alcohol, with mobile bars requiring the owner’s personal license plus TENs for each location. Liability insurance is also compulsory.