How to Start a Mobile Bar Business in 8 steps

If you’re looking to turn a profit while sharing your love of cocktails, beer, and wine with the world, you might need to know how to start a mobile bar business. A mobile bar offers flexibility, lower startup costs, and the chance to be your own boss. 

Plus, you can cater to a variety of events, from weddings to corporate functions. Here’s a detailed look at what a mobile bar business entails.

What is a mobile bar business?

Imagine setting up a chic, portable bar that can pop up at weddings, corporate events, or even private parties and festivals. A mobile bar is a portable bar service that caters to events. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar bars, a mobile bar can set up shop at various venues, offering a unique and flexible service. Knowing how to manage a bar might be an asset, but isn’t necessary.

You can serve a range of beverages, including cocktails, beer, wine, and even coffee. Some mobile bar businesses may even serve snacks to accompany their drinks, or focus on a specialty beverage or branding. Attendees of the event come up to your mobile bar cart business and purchase their beverage of choice to enjoy. 

Benefits of starting a mobile bar business. 

Starting a mobile bar business offers several advantages that make it an attractive venture. Here are some reasons you might want to choose a mobile bar set up over a traditional brick-and-mortar bar: 

• Set your own schedule. Since you get to be your own boss, this flexibility allows you to balance work with personal commitments and choose the events you want to cater to. 
• Kick off with low initial investment and low overhead costs. Unlike a traditional bar, you don't need to lease a space or invest in extensive renovations. Your primary expenses include the vehicle, bar equipment, and necessary permits like a mobile bar license, which are generally more affordable.
• Cater to a variety of events. From weddings and corporate functions to private parties and festivals, the opportunities are endless. This diversity not only keeps the work interesting but also allows you to tap into different markets and revenue streams. 
• Stand out in a crowded market. You can design a unique mobile bar setup, create signature drinks, and develop a brand that stands out. This creativity can attract a loyal customer base and set you apart from competitors. 
• Benefit from higher profit margins. With lower overhead costs and the ability to charge premium prices for specialized services, you can achieve a healthy profit margin.

{{banner-cta}}

How to start a mobile bar business in 8 steps.

The thought of starting a new business can be overwhelming, but breaking down how to start a mobile bartending business into parts will make it less daunting. 

Step 1: Conduct market research. 

First, define your target market and the types of events you want to serve. Are you aiming for weddings, corporate events, private parties, or festivals? Knowing your audience helps you tailor your offerings and marketing efforts.

You’ll want to learn about trends in the bar space to learn what’s popular and what’s fallen out of favour. And you’ll want to know if there are local competitors who might already fill the niche you’re looking to carve out. Use online research, surveys, and focus groups to gather consumer data as well as external sources like industry associations to help make informed decisions about business strategy, menus, and pricing. 

Step 2: Create a business plan. 

Every business needs to start with a business plan, and your mobile bartending business is no different. Your mobile bar business plan should include some basic fundamentals like: 

• What your business is, and who it serves
• How you intend to make money
• Who your target market is (and where) with an analysis of the market potential
• Your primary competitors
• Your sales and revenue projections
• Your sales and marketing strategy
• Key milestones, goals, and timelines for growth
• Strengths, weaknesses, strengths, and opportunities for your business (SWOT)

All of this information helps guide your business strategy and communicate why your mobile bar cart business is worth investing in. 

Step 3: Secure funding. 

Even with lower overhead, your mobile bartending business will still require some funding to get it off the ground. So how do you get the funding for starting a mobile bar business? Fortunately, there are many resources available to small business owners, so you should maximize your use of the following: 

• Business loans (term loans, SBA loans, equipment financing, short-term loans, or a line of credit) 
• Grant funding through a non-profit or local government
• Partnering with a private investor for a share of profits
• Crowdfunding through GoFundMe or Kickstarter 
• Personal savings and the support of friends and family 

Step 4: Obtain permits and licenses. 

Every small business requires a range of permits and licenses, but if you’re working with alcohol, you also have to think about your mobile liquor license. Not to mention, you’ll want to ensure you have mobile bar insurance to cover any potential mishaps. 

This might include health department permits, vehicle inspections, and zoning approvals. Ensure your vehicle meets all safety and health standards to avoid any legal issues. Secure liability insurance. This protects you in case of accidents or damages during events. Look for policies that cover both general liability and liquor liability.

Other than that, do your research about what local laws require of small businesses. Common licenses you might need to obtain include: 

• EIN (Employee Identification Number)
• Business license
• “Doing Business As” License (DBA)
• Retail Food Service License
• Resale License for Sales Tax
• Sign Permit
• Insurance
• Food Handler’s Permit
• Building Health Permit

​​Step 5: Establish supplier relationships and obtain your supplies.

Besides obtaining the vehicle itself and outfitting it with all the equipment you need, you’ll also want to build supplier relationships to acquire the supplies for your mobile bar. That means everything from the beer and wine you might serve at different price points to the liquor and mixers used for cocktails. And if you’re serving coffee or other non-alcoholic drinks, you’ll have to source those too. 

This is where the type of event you work might become an important factor too. If your target audience has particular preferences for what you keep in stock, you want to make sure that your bases are covered. You’ll also want the equipment so that how to charge as a mobile bartender is easy and painless for customers. Consider this a starting checklist: 

• The right vehicle for the size and type of events you’ll serve, such as a trailer, truck, or cart. 
• Bar tools like mixers and shakers, glassware, and other drink-making equipment
• Refrigeration and food preparation equipment if needed
• Point of Sale (POS) system‍
• Inventory management tools 

Step 6: Design your mobile bar business. 

Maybe this is the part you started with, since your mobile bar ideas probably didn’t come out of nowhere. But when it comes to actually designing your mobile bar business, there are a few important things to consider. 

First of all, you’ll want to stand out from the crowd. Through your market research, you should understand what your competitors are already doing, so that you can avoid being too similar. Design an attractive and functional bar setup. Your bar should be visually appealing to attract customers and functional to ensure efficient service. Consider the layout, lighting, and branding elements. 

Creating a unique menu is crucial for attracting and retaining clients. Decide on the types of beverages to offer based on what your target market enjoys. If you’re catering to weddings, craft cocktails might be popular. For corporate events, a mix of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options could be a hit. The key is to offer a variety that appeals to your audience. A well-rounded menu should include classics and unique offerings, as well as account for dietary restrictions like gluten-free drinks. 

Consider offering signature drinks or themed menus. Signature drinks can become a hallmark of your brand. Themed menus can also add a fun twist to your offerings. For instance, a tropical-themed menu for summer events or a cozy, spiced drink selection for winter gatherings. 

Finally, determine if you'll offer additional services like bartending classes or tastings. These services can add value and attract more clients. Bartending classes are a great way to engage with your audience and share your expertise. Offer them as part of private events or as standalone experiences. Tastings can introduce clients to new drinks and create a more interactive experience. These add-ons can differentiate your business and provide additional revenue streams. 

Step 7: Hire and train staff. 

Depending on your setup, you will need fewer staff than a typical brick-and-mortar bar. However, you’ll likely still have to hire hourly employees to staff events. Consider using templates like this barback job description or this bar manager job description as a starting point, but remember you’ll need to adapt for your mobile bar. 

You can also use hiring and onboarding tools like Homebase to help you find the best candidates. Once they’re hired, you’ll want to provide ample training on how to make drinks, serve customers, and follow policies surrounding event catering. 

Emphasize the importance of creating a positive customer experience, from greeting guests to handling food allergies or complaints. Regular training sessions keep staff skills sharp and up-to-date. A knowledgeable and friendly team enhances the overall experience and ensures your customers leave satisfied. 

Step 8: Create a marketing and opening strategy.

Opening your business means more than just setting up shop and hoping customers come by. You’ll want to promote and market ahead of time, especially if you’re booking public events or looking for clients. Use social media to showcase beautiful cocktails, fun events, and behind-the-scenes content, or get creative by showing off drink recipes and client testimonials. 

At launch, you can consider a special discount for your opening months so that clients are more likely to bring you in for their events. You can also encourage word-of-mouth marketing with incentives for customers or refer friends or clients. And you can partner with local venues, event planners, and brands for mutual cross-promotion. 

Finally, host a grand opening with special deals and free samples so that your local community learns about your services. You can even feature live music or entertainment so that your grand opening is the first event you work. 

Boost your bar business with Homebase. 

Now that you know how to start a mobile bar business, you might find yourself ready to leap into action. But before you jump into the deep end, think about all the people and tools that can help you keep your business afloat. 

Homebase was designed to support small business owners like you. From scheduling to time-tracking, payroll, and more, you can use our all-in-one team management app to automate time-consuming tasks so that you can focus on growing your business. 

Ready to simplify your mobile bar business operations? At Homebase, we make employee scheduling, time tracking, and payroll management a breeze. Let's make work easier—get started today.