Wedding Bar Hire in London – Packages, Pricing & What’s Included

Planning a wedding in London is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming – especially when it comes to the bar. How many drinks do you need? Should you offer an open bar? What does a mobile bar actually include? And how much does wedding bar hire in London really cost?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through wedding bar hire in London step by step – from the different types of bar packages, to typical price ranges, to exactly what’s included when you hire a professional bar team like Viva Bar Hire & Events.

Why a Mobile Wedding Bar Is a Game-Changer

Whether your venue is a barn just outside London, a city-centre warehouse, or a hotel function room, a dedicated wedding bar team can completely transform the guest experience.

Smoother flow of the day – No queues at a tiny hotel bar or one slow member of staff trying to serve 100+ guests.
Professional, consistent service – Trained bartenders who know how to handle busy wedding rushes (post-ceremony, speeches, first dance).
Better drinks – Proper glassware, draught beer, chilled prosecco, cocktails and a curated menu instead of random supermarket bottles.
One less thing to stress about – Your bar team handles stock, ice, glassware, chilling and serving, so you don’t have to.

In a city like London, where venues vary massively, having a flexible mobile bar setup is often the easiest way to make sure the drinks side of your wedding “just works”.

Wedding Bar Packages in London – What Are Your Options?

Most couples start by asking the same question: “What kind of wedding bar packages are available?” Here are the main options you’ll see when looking for wedding bar hire in London.

1. All-Inclusive Open Bar

This is the “we’ve got everything covered” option. You pay a set price per head or a fixed package amount and your guests can drink from a pre-agreed menu without paying for each drink.

Good for:

Couples who want a very generous feel to the day
Smaller guest counts or higher budgets
Corporate-style weddings or black-tie events

Things to consider:

Costs can add up quickly if you want premium cocktails and spirits.
It’s sensible to agree a time limit (e.g. open bar until 10pm) or a maximum spend.

2. Minimum Spend & Cash/Card Bar

One of the most popular options in London is a minimum spend bar. You hire the bar company, who sets up a professional bar with staff, glassware and stock. Guests pay for their own drinks on the night, and you agree a minimum spend that needs to be hit (often easily reached with medium to large guest numbers).

Good for:

Weddings where you want a proper bar but need to control costs
Medium to large guest numbers (80+ guests)
Couples who want to contribute a set amount, then let guests pay the rest

Typical structure:

You pay a booking fee or deposit to secure the date.
Viva Bar Hire sets up the bar, provides staff, glassware and stock.
Guests pay by card or cash on the night, and as long as the minimum spend is reached, there’s no extra charge.

3. Part-Hosted Bar (Tab + Cash Bar)

This is a nice middle ground. You put a certain amount “behind the bar” (for example, £1,000–£2,000) so drinks are free for your guests until that amount is used up. After that, the bar switches to a normal pay bar.

Good for:

Couples who want to treat guests without committing to a full open bar
Evening receptions where you only want to host drinks for a few hours

4. Dry Hire Bar (You Provide the Alcohol)

Some bar companies offer dry hire, where they bring the bar unit, back bar and sometimes the glassware and staff, but you provide all of the alcohol.

Good for:

Couples who have access to discounted alcohol
Venues outside central London where storage and chilling is easy

Things to consider: You’ll need to think about chilling, storage, ice, soft drinks, garnishes and any leftovers. This can be brilliant if well planned, but stressful if it isn’t.

5. “Bar in a Box” – Self-Serve Bar for DIY Weddings

For more relaxed or DIY-style weddings, a concept like Viva’s “Bar in a Box” can work brilliantly. The bar is delivered to you in a crate, ready to set up, and you can then stock and run it however you like – or combine it with staff for a hybrid setup.

Good for:

Smaller weddings or at-home receptions
Couples who like the idea of guests helping themselves
Venues with limited access where a flexible, modular bar is needed

How Much Does Wedding Bar Hire Cost in London?

Every wedding is different, so there’s no single “standard price”, but we can talk about typical price ranges for wedding bar hire in London.

Costs are usually influenced by:

Guest numbers – 60 guests vs 180 guests makes a big difference.
Service hours – a 4-hour bar vs serving from 2pm–1am.
Drinks menu – basic beer/wine/softs vs premium spirits and cocktails.
Location & access – central London rooftop vs an easy-access venue.
Type of package – open bar, minimum spend, or part-hosted.

Example Pricing Scenarios (Guide Only)

Note: These are rough examples for illustration only – every quote from Viva Bar Hire is tailored to your exact plans.

Minimum Spend Bar – 100 Guests
A typical minimum spend bar for 100 guests might see an average spend of £20–£30 per person over the whole evening, depending on the mix of drinks.
Part-Hosted Bar – 120 Guests
You might put £1,500–£2,000 behind the bar to cover welcome drinks, a couple of drinks each during the evening, and then switch to a pay bar once the tab is used.
Open Bar – Smaller Weddings
For smaller guest numbers (for example 50–70 guests), an open bar priced per head can sometimes be more manageable, especially if you choose a focused menu.

The best way to get an accurate price is always to share your guest numbers, timings and style of drinks

What’s Included with Professional Wedding Bar Hire?

When you book a professional mobile bar company for your London wedding, you’re not just paying for the drinks. You’re also paying for:

Bar units and setup – stylish front bar, back bar and layout that fits your venue.
Professional bartenders and bar backs – experienced staff who can handle busy service.
Glassware – wine glasses, champagne flutes, hi-balls, beer glasses and more (or high-quality disposables if needed).
Drinks stock – beer, wine, prosecco, spirits, mixers, soft drinks and garnishes.
Ice and chilling – behind-the-scenes prep to make sure everything is cold and ready.
Licensing support – advice or support with Temporary Event Notices where needed.
Cleanup – clearing glassware from the bar area and packing down at the end of the night.

At Viva Bar Hire & Events, we also work with you on customised drinks menus, so your bar feels like part of your day – not just an add-on.

How to Choose the Right Wedding Bar Package

If you’re not sure which option is right for you, here’s a simple way to decide:

Set your drinks budget
Decide roughly how much you’re happy to spend on drinks overall. This gives your bar company something to work with.
Decide how generous you want to be
Do you want guests to have free drinks all night? Just for a few hours? Or would you rather subsidise the first part and then switch to a cash bar?
Think about your guest list
A younger, more “party-heavy” group will typically drink more than a small family-only reception.
Talk to your bar company early
Once you have a venue and a date in mind, speak to bar teams that specialise in wedding bar hire in London. The earlier you book, the easier it is to secure staff and stock for busy dates.

Wedding Bar Hire in London with Viva Bar Hire & Events

Viva Bar Hire & Events provides professional wedding bar hire across London and the surrounding areas, with flexible packages to suit every style of celebration.

We can help with:

Fully staffed mobile bars for weddings of all sizes
Minimum spend and part-hosted bar options
Custom drinks menus designed around your tastes
Prosecco and champagne toasts
Signature cocktails designed just for your day
Self-serve and DIY options with our “Bar in a Box” concept

If you’re planning a wedding in London and want the bar to be one less thing to worry about, we’re here to help.

✅ Ready to chat about your wedding bar?
Email us at info@vivabarhire.co.uk or visit vivabarhire.co.uk to tell us about your date, venue and guest numbers. We’ll come back with clear, simple options and transparent pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions – Wedding Bar Hire in London

Do we need a licence for our wedding bar?

In many cases, the bar company or venue will handle the licensing side for you. If your venue doesn’t have a licence, your bar provider can often help with a Temporary Event Notice (TEN). It’s always best to check this early in the planning process.

Can we customise the drinks menu?

Yes – at Viva Bar Hire & Events we encourage it. From his-and-hers cocktails to matching drinks with your colour scheme, we can tailor the menu so it feels personal to your day.

How far in advance should we book our wedding bar?

For peak wedding dates in London (summer Saturdays, bank holiday weekends), it’s wise to book in advance if possible. However, it’s always worth asking about last-minute availability – especially outside peak season.

Can you provide glassware?

Yes. We can provide all the glassware needed for the bar, and we’ll discuss options with you during the planning stage. If your venue prefers high-quality disposables for certain areas (for example, outdoor spaces), we can provide those too.

If you’re ready to tick “bar” off your wedding planning list, get in touch with Viva Bar Hire & Events today and we’ll help you build the perfect package for your London wedding.