Tips to help you pick the bartender hire service that gives you the best value for money

Mobile bar hire is a great way to ensure that your guests have a wonderful time. That’s because it gives your attendees easy access to professionally-made and delicious drinks served efficiently. But it is critical to understand that not all services are the same. Some provide bare-bone services only, meaning they only offer certain drinks. Also, some providers may not have much experience. Different bars provide varied value for money. In this article, we have compiled nine useful tips to help you pick the right mobile bar for your event. Getting a top-notch provider like Bar Brothers Events is sure to add a touch of luxury to any event.

Check What is Included in the Package

Different hire services offer different functionality and equipment. Before you put pen to paper, ask the provider for the specifics as this allows you to know if the bar can meet your aspirations and offer value for money. Some of the things you will want to find out include:

• How many drinks does the package include? 
• What are the quality spirits being served?
• What will it cost to hire one bartender? 
• Do they have bar games?
• Can the bar be customised to suit your specific event?
• How many cocktail choices do they have?
• Are you allowed to offer your own cocktail recipes?
• Are the sinks and prep areas spacious enough?

Check if They Provide your Favorite Drinks

Long gone are the days when bars provided only a limited range of drinks. Today, customers expect to be served a wide range of gins, craft beers, and all kinds of interesting and delicious drinks. 

But the problem is that not all portable bar operators have come to this realization. Therefore, if you want your guests to be served specialty gins, craft beers, or unique cocktails, make sure that the provider you are considering hiring can meet your needs.

Also, the ingredients used vary greatly in quality. Choose a mobile service that uses seasonal and fresh ingredients in their cocktails. 

Do they Provide Hosted and Non-Hosted Bars?

There are many options offered by different vendors. Some of these include: 

• Fully staffed mobile bar

 The package includes bar equipment, a minimum of one bartender, and drinks. The bartender service caters to prep work, drink making, and ensuring that the area is clean.

• Bar and drinks

As the name suggests, the bar and drinks package contains the drinks and also bar equipment. It’s the best option if you have someone skilled in bartending who will take care of serving the drinks. Otherwise, you might want to take the above option. 

• Bar only 

 This package gives you the bar equipment only. There are no drinks or staff. The responsibility of preparing the drinks and serving them falls on your shoulders.

Make sure that the vendor whose services you are hoping to hire offers the package that you want for your event. 

What does the bar look like?

If you want to host an event with an exact design aesthetic, for example, a party or wedding, you must ensure that all the elements will match your aesthetic. 

Portable bars can be made by a whole host of materials which include timber, bamboo, stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic. Understandably, each material type has a different look, which may suit or not suit your event’s look. 

Check to ensure that the vendor offers a suitable bar. Other vendors also have several design options or give you a bar that you can decorate to suit your event.

Does the Provider Respond to Requests Promptly?

Communication is a critical element in everything. A good provider should respond to phone calls and messages within hours. If they are dodgy, they are not professional enough. The best thing to do is to look elsewhere. 

Get a Quote

Ask a vendor to put down the services they will provide in writing. You will want them to include the specifics of their service offerings, which include:

• The full cost of mobile bar hire and the details about the payment (payment terms including deposits)
• The total number of drinks you will get for the price
• The duration that the services will be available
• The hours of operation of the portable bar at your party
• The course of action to take in case they do not arrive on time
• Types of drinks to be served

Taste Their Drinks

Good vendors are not afraid to have you sample the drinks made by their bartenders. This way, you will know if they have the skills needed to concoct special cocktails you want to be served at your event.

Check Their Reviews

Customer reviews enable you to have an idea about what people think about the vendor that you are thinking to hire. Sites like Trustpilot, Yelp, and Yell enable you to get a feel of what customers think of the vendor. The reviews will enable you to know if the vendor is reputable at making successful events or not. 

Check Licensing

Another indicator of professional vendors is if they are licensed. In the UK, mobile bar owners must be armed with a personal alcohol license. Also, they need to have a TEN (Temporary Events Notice) if they operate in a venue that is not licensed at the moment. 

Conclusion

Many event organizers are thronging to mobile bars today as a way to ensure their guests have the most unforgettable experience. It explains why mobile bars have mushroomed everywhere these days. While there are good portable bars that offer value for money, others have inefficient services and poor and untrained bartenders. That’s why you must do your due diligence to get the best pick. The above are some of the things you need to take into account when choosing a mobile bar vendor.