How Much Does Mobile Bar Hire Cost in Melbourne?

The cost of mobile bar hire in Melbourne depends on how you want to pay for the drinks, how many guests you have, how long the bar runs and what you pour. This guide explains each of those, so you can compare quotes properly and choose the option that suits your event and budget.

Short answer: there’s no single price, because a backyard 30th for 40 friends and a 300-guest corporate launch need very different bars. The quickest way to an exact figure is a free mobile bar hire quote with your date, guest numbers, venue and hours.

The four ways to pay for a mobile bar

Most Melbourne mobile bar companies, us included, price drinks in one of these ways:

• Per-head drinks package. A set price per guest for a set number of hours and drinks list. The cost is known before the day, which suits weddings and corporate budgets. Guest numbers are confirmed beforehand and head counts are taken during service.
• Bar tab. You set a limit and guests drink from the menu until it’s reached, then the bar can switch to cash. See our bar tab hire for how it works.
• Consumption bar. You pay for what’s actually poured. Good when you’re unsure how much guests will drink.
• Cash bar. Guests buy their own drinks. A minimum spend may apply to make the booking worthwhile for both sides.

You can also combine them: for example a per-head package for the first hours and a bar tab or cash bar afterwards.

What changes the price of mobile bar hire

1. Guest numbers

More guests mean more drinks, more glassware and more bartenders. Per-head packages scale directly with numbers; a bar tab or consumption bar scales with how much your crowd drinks.

2. How long the bar runs

Service time is a big part of the price: staff hours, plus setup and pack-down. A three-hour cocktail party costs less than a five-hour wedding reception.

3. What’s on the menu

Beer, wine and soft drinks cost less to serve than a full spirits list. Freshly made cocktails take more skill, time and ingredients, so a cocktail catering menu usually sits above a beer and wine package. Mocktails are a good way to look after guests who don’t drink.

4. Staff

You need enough RSA-certified bartenders to serve your guests without queues, and larger events may also need waiters. Weekday functions can book our bartender hire on its own if the venue already has a bar and drinks.

5. The bar itself and extras

The style of bar, glassware and add-ons such as a champagne tower, a coffee cart or fairy floss all affect the total. A coffee cart is a popular addition for daytime events, conferences and the end of a wedding night.

6. Date and location

Saturdays in spring and summer book out first. Travel outside Melbourne, venue access (stairs, long carries) and late finishes can also change a quote.

Mobile bar vs a venue’s own bar

A mobile bar can be the cheaper option, because you avoid venue corkage fees and minimum spends and pay only for the drinks and service you choose. If you need a space as well, our Heaven 7 Cafe venue hire has no venue hire fee when you book a food and drinks package.

How to get an accurate quote

Send us these details and we’ll come back with a clear, itemised quote:

• Your event date, start and finish times
• The number of guests, and roughly how many drink
• The venue or suburb
• How you’d like to pay for drinks (package, bar tab, consumption or cash)
• Any must-haves: cocktails, a coffee cart, a champagne tower

Call 0431 027 027 or send an enquiry. Quotes are free and without obligation. You can also read our mobile bar hire page, see current offers, or check our frequently asked questions.

Mobile bar hire cost: common questions

Is a per-head package or a bar tab cheaper?

It depends on your crowd. A per-head package gives you a fixed cost; a bar tab or consumption bar can cost less if guests drink lightly. Tell us about your event and we’ll suggest the better fit.

Do I have to supply the alcohol?

No. Our packages include the drinks, the bar, glassware and the bartenders.

Is there a minimum spend?

A minimum spend may apply to bar tabs, consumption bars, cash bars and coffee cart hire. We’ll tell you up front if one applies to your quote.

How far ahead should I book?

Two to six months ahead is best, especially for Saturdays in spring and summer. We’ll always try to help with last-minute requests.