The practice of using a mobile bar to sell alcohol at indoor or outdoor venues is known as portable or mobile bartending. A mobile bartending business will need to acquire alcohol licenses and permits, bartending tools, source beverages, and find venues. Once these have been taken care of, a mobile bartending service can operate.
Alcohol Permits
The first step to setting up the business is to obtain a permit or liquor license to serve alcohol, regardless of what jurisdiction you’re in. Beer and wine typically require separate permits to hard liquor, with hard liquor often requiring additional checks and bureaucracy to sell, depending on the state. An application might require background checks or the submission of financial documents and business plan. Additional requirements may be enforced by local cities or counties, as well. It’s important to understand exactly what you need before you start your business as operating a business without permits is a crime.
The Basics
A business plan is good practice regardless of the industry. This would cover how you plan to operate your business and what supplies you will need so you can plan around the costs of starting a bartending business. It should also include financial projections and estimated revenue and costs and allow you to plan for any loans you may need. Liability and business insurance are also a must, as is obtaining the necessary licensing.
Material and Equipment
Any bar requires a panoply of equipment alongside the bar and dispensing systems for the beer. You will need a variety of glasses for different beverages, a full set of cocktail equipment, and an electric blender. Finally, you will need a transport system. While the simplest set up might be a truck and trailer to carry the equipment, some mobile bartenders have vehicles that incorporate the bar into the body of the vehicle, making traveling between venues much easier. Transportation choices directly impact your profit margin because the cost of petrol will be one of your biggest expenses.
Wholesalers
Your bar will need a good variety of beers, wines and liquors to sell as is and in cocktails. This should be sourced from wholesalers rather than retailers. These can include microbreweries, online wholesale distributors, or large discount or bulk retailers. Once your business is established and the realities of your operation become clear, it is beneficial to form supplier contracts to make managing your business and supply easier.
Venues
Mobile bars are prevalent in corporate events such as team-building exercises or conventions, as well as celebration venues without permanent bars. Locating potential sales venues should be done through promoting your bar by personally contacting venue owners and discussing the details of your service and a potential contract. Offering free tastings of cocktails, wines, or craft beers can also be helpful in promoting your mobile bartending service business and making a name for yourself in the industry.
