Getting Ready for a Big Day at the Hellenic Museum

Some venues set the tone before a single guest arrives. The Hellenic Museum, in the old Royal Mint on William Street, is one of them: a heritage building with a courtyard lawn that suits a ceremony and a long afternoon of drinks. This is our cart on that lawn, sign up, getting ready for a big day.

Setting up at a heritage venue

Heritage venues have rules about where things go and what can touch the building, so we plan the set-up with the venue beforehand: where the bar sits, how stock comes in, where the ice lives. On the day the cart arrives early and is dressed and stocked well before the first guests.

A bar that fits the day

For a wedding or engagement we usually run a welcome drink as guests arrive, cocktails and wine through the reception, and espresso martinis when the dance floor opens. Everything comes with us, from the mobile bar itself to the glassware and the bartenders.

What a wedding bar service includes

• Bartenders who are RSA-certified, with a liquor licence and public liability insurance
• All stock, mixers, ice, glassware and bar tools; the branded physical bar is optional
• Arrival one to two hours before service for set-up and styling
• Pack-down, cleaning and responsible handling of beverage waste

Working with your venue

We talk to the venue coordinator about access, where the bar sits, water and power, and any rules about the building. Heritage and museum venues often need a liquor permit for the day; we tell you what applies and help with it. For the run sheet, plan a welcome drink as the ceremony ends, the full menu through dinner, and espresso martinis or a nightcap when the dancing starts.

Questions people ask

Can we have a signature cocktail? Yes. A his-and-hers pair is the most popular choice; our mixologists design them to your taste and colours.

Can the bar match our styling? The bar, signage and glassware can be styled to your palette and theme.

How far ahead should we book? Two to six months is ideal, more in spring and summer; last-minute dates are worth asking about.

Watch the moment: see this event on our Instagram.

Planning a wedding at a Melbourne venue? Tell us about your event and we'll put the right package together: free quote, no obligation.