Planning the drinks for an event often starts with one simple question:
Should you supply everything yourself or leave it to the bar company?
Dry bar hire sits somewhere in the middle. It gives you the freedom to choose what your guests will drink while leaving the running of the bar to experienced professionals.
At Elite Events, we’ve helped deliver bars for weddings, private parties, corporate events and festivals for more than 20 years. Dry bar hire is one of several options we offer, but it is not always the right choice for every event.
This guide explains how it works, what is usually included and when another bar package might be a better fit.
What Does Dry Bar Hire Mean?
Dry bar hire usually means you provide the drinks and your bar supplier provides the bar itself, together with the agreed equipment and support needed to serve your guests.
Exactly what is included depends on the package you choose. Some suppliers simply deliver the bar, while others include everything needed to run it professionally, from bartenders and glassware to refrigeration and setup.
Here at Elite Events, we always make those responsibilities clear before the event, so you know exactly what you’re providing and what we’ll take care of.
What Is Usually Included In Dry Bar Hire?
Every supplier approaches dry bar hire a little differently, so it is worth checking the details rather than assuming every package is the same.
In many cases, the service includes the mobile bar, delivery, setup before guests arrive and pack-down once the event has finished. Professional bartenders, glassware, refrigeration, ice and the equipment needed to serve drinks may also be included, depending on the package you’ve chosen.
Before booking, ask for a breakdown of what is covered. Knowing who is responsible for each part of the service avoids confusion later and makes it much easier to compare different suppliers fairly.
If you’re still deciding who to book, our guide to the 10 Questions to Ask Your Mobile Bar Provider is a useful place to start.
What Do You Need To Provide With A Dry Bar?
In most cases, you’ll be responsible for supplying the alcohol, soft drinks and mixers. That also means deciding how much stock to order and making sure it reaches the venue on time.
Storage is another important consideration. Drinks need to be kept in the right conditions before service begins, particularly during the warmer months or at outdoor events. If you’re using a marquee or a venue without permanent bar facilities, it is worth checking how much refrigeration is available before placing your order.
It also helps to think about your guests rather than simply buying a wide selection of drinks. A wedding reception is likely to have different requirements from a corporate event or birthday party, and planning the menu around the people attending usually leads to less waste.
We’re always happy to offer practical advice on stock quantities and planning, even when you’re supplying the drinks yourself.
Dry Bar Hire Vs Wet Bar Hire: What Is The Difference?
The biggest difference comes down to who provides the drinks.
With dry bar hire, you purchase the alcohol before the event and we provide the bar service around it.
With a Pay Bar, we supply the stock and guests buy their drinks throughout the event.
All Inclusive and Hybrid Bars sit between those two options, giving organisers different ways to cover the cost.
| BAR OPTION | WHO SUPPLIES THE DRINKS? | WHO PAYS? | BEST SUITED FOR? |
| Dry Bar | You | You purchase the stock in advance | Events where you want full control over the drinks menu |
| Pay Bar | Elite Events | Guests pay for their drinks | Larger celebrations where the host doesn’t want to fund every drink |
| All Inclusive Bar | Elite Events | The host pays an agreed package | Events where drinks are included for guests |
| Hybrid Bar | Elite Events | Cost shared between host and guests | A balance between hosted and paid drinks |
If you’re comparing the different options, you’ll find more information on our Bars & Drinks page, where we explain each package in more detail.
There isn’t a single right answer. Some organisers enjoy choosing every bottle that will be served, while others would rather leave stock management to us and focus on the event itself.
Is Dry Bar Hire Cheaper?
Dry bar hire can work out to be the more economical option, but it shouldn’t be chosen on price alone.
Buying your own drinks can save money in some situations, particularly if you’ve already found a good supplier or have a very clear idea of what your guests will drink. On the other hand, there are still other costs to think about, including glassware, refrigeration, staffing and the practical side of running the bar.
It is also easy to overlook how much time goes into organising the drinks. Ordering stock, arranging deliveries and estimating quantities all take planning, and buying too much can leave you with far more than you need once the event has finished.
Rather than looking for the cheapest package, we encourage clients to think about the overall experience they want to create. For some events, dry bar hire offers the right balance of flexibility and value. For others, a pay bar, all inclusive bar or hybrid bar may prove to be the simpler choice.
We’ll always talk through the options before recommending a package, so you can choose the one that suits your venue, guest numbers and plans rather than paying for services you don’t need.
When Is Dry Bar Hire A Good Choice?
Dry bar hire is ideal if you want more control over the drinks being served. It allows you to choose the alcohol, soft drinks and mixers while leaving the bar service to experienced professionals.
It’s particularly popular at venues that allow outside alcohol, including marquees and private venues. If you’re happy organising the drinks beforehand, it offers flexibility without compromising on service.
When Might Another Package Be Better?
Dry bar hire isn’t always the simplest option. Ordering drinks, arranging deliveries and estimating quantities all take time, so some organisers prefer us to manage everything.
A pay bar, all inclusive bar or hybrid bar can remove much of that planning while still providing a fully staffed, professional mobile bar.
Do You Need A Licence For Dry Bar Hire?
Licensing depends on how alcohol is being supplied rather than the type of bar you’ve chosen.
If drinks are being sold, a premises licence or Temporary Event Notice may be required. If you’re unsure what’s needed for your venue, we’ll happily point you in the right direction.
Dry Bar Hire For Weddings, Parties, Corporate Events & Marquees
Dry bar hire can be adapted to a wide range of occasions. While the way the bar operates stays the same, the drinks you choose and the level of support you need often depends on the type of event you’re planning.
Dry Bar Hire For Weddings
Wedding dry bar hire gives couples complete control over the drinks menu while leaving the bar service to experienced bartenders. It’s a popular choice for venues that allow couples to supply their own alcohol.
Find out more on our Wedding bar hire page.
Dry Bar Hire For Parties
From birthdays to anniversaries and family celebrations, dry bar hire lets you buy the drinks that suit your guests while we run the bar throughout the event.
Visit our Party bar hire page for inspiration.
Dry Bar Hire For Corporate Events
Corporate dry bar hire works well for launches, awards evenings and hospitality events where businesses want more control over the drinks being served.
Learn more on our Corporate bar hire page.
Dry Bar Hire For Marquee Events
Marquee celebrations often need a temporary bar setup, refrigeration and experienced staff. Dry bar hire gives you the flexibility to supply the drinks while we take care of the service.
See our Marquee hire page for more information.
How We Can Help
At Elite Event Group, we offer Dry Bar, Pay Bar, All Inclusive and Hybrid Bar packages to suit different events and budgets.
With more than 20 years of experience and over 60 trained hospitality professionals, we’ll help you choose the right package and make sure your bar runs smoothly from the first drink to the last.
Dry Bar Hire FAQs
What is dry bar hire?
Dry bar hire means you supply the drinks while the bar company provides the bar together with any agreed equipment, staffing and support.
What is included in dry bar hire?
Depending on the package, this may include the mobile bar, setup, bartenders, glassware, refrigeration, ice and serving equipment.
Do I provide the alcohol?
Yes. In most cases, you’ll supply the drinks, while the bar provider manages the service.
Is dry bar hire cheaper?
It can be, depending on your event and the drinks you choose to supply.
Do I need a licence?
If alcohol is being sold, licensing may be required. This depends on the venue and the event.
Speak To Elite Events About Dry Bar Hire
Whether you’re planning a wedding, private party, corporate event or marquee celebration, we’ll help you decide if dry bar hire is the right option.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your event, and we’ll recommend the package that best suits your venue, guest numbers and plans.
To discuss your requirements, you can call us on 01704 227811, email us at info@eliteevent.group, or fill in our online enquiry form.