Guides
Dry-Hire Mobile Bars: What the Host Buys and What the Bar Team Handles
A straightforward guide to dry-hire mobile bar service, including how to divide purchases, menu planning, and questions to ask before your event.
By BeeHive Mobile Bar ··5 min read
A dry-hire mobile bar means the host purchases the alcohol and the mobile-bar team provides the service and the agreed bar setup. It is a simple model once everyone knows their role. The host keeps control of alcohol selection and budget; the bar team can focus on a workable menu, service flow, and the equipment or supplies included in the chosen package.
At BeeHive Mobile Bar, alcohol is not included. Clients purchase it, and a detailed shopping list is available on request. That distinction should appear in your event budget from the first draft.
What may be included in dry-hire service?
Always read the specific proposal, because inclusions vary by provider and package. BeeHive’s published packages include a mobile bar, bartending service, menu consultation, standard or premium garnishes depending on the tier, and menu features such as signature cocktails and mocktails. Silver also lists mixers, ice and coolers, a shopping list, soft drinks, and water. Alcohol remains the host’s purchase.
| Host purchase | Coordinate with the bar team |
|---|---|
| Spirits, wine, beer, sparkling wine, and any alcohol for cocktails | Final quantities, bottle sizes, and menu recipes |
| Venue-required permits or approvals, if any | Venue access, setup time, and service schedule |
| Specialty alcoholic ingredients | Which mixers, garnishes, ice, or glassware are included |
Start with the menu, not a warehouse cart
Choose a short, appealing menu before buying alcohol. Two signature cocktails, a familiar beer or wine option, nonalcoholic choices, and water can be easier to purchase and serve than a long list of one-off drinks. If a champagne toast is part of the plan, use the champagne toast calculator as a planning aid. For food quantities, the party food calculator keeps the refreshment plan connected.
Tell your bar team about dietary needs, a zero-proof option, color theme, and any cocktails you love early. Menu consultation is part of BeeHive’s published packages, so it is an opportunity to make a shorter menu feel intentional rather than limited.
A dry-hire purchase checklist
- Confirm the final guest count and service hours.
- Ask for the shopping list after the menu is settled.
- Check what your chosen package supplies before buying mixers, ice, or soft drinks.
- Confirm where alcohol can be delivered, stored, and staged at the venue.
- Keep receipts and a simple inventory list for whoever will receive the purchase.
Quantity calculators are estimates, not guarantees. Consumption changes with event length, weather, meal timing, drink strength, and how many guests choose nonalcoholic beverages. Use the alcohol calculator to form a starting list, then review it with the team serving your event.
Book with clarity
BeeHive asks for a 25% deposit to secure a date. The remaining balance is due before the event. Share your date, guest count, location, service window, and menu direction when you request a quote. For a side-by-side view of the current service tiers, visit packages.
Dry hire works best when it is treated as a division of responsibilities, not a mystery discount. The host buys the alcohol; the bar plan should spell out the rest. For a broader backyard setup, read backyard party bar ideas.
Worked example: a hosted dinner
A host plans a four-hour dinner gathering for 40 people. They choose two signature cocktails, one mocktail, wine, and water. Before buying anything, they ask the bar team for the menu and shopping list. The list identifies alcohol the host will buy and nonalcohol items already included in the selected service. That prevents duplicate cases of mixers or a last-minute shortage of an ingredient needed for the signatures.
The host also asks the venue or property owner where alcohol can be delivered, how it will be stored, and who can receive it. If the gathering is at a venue, the host confirms that the proposed alcohol arrangement is permitted. California rules and venue requirements can depend on the situation; dry hire by itself is not a universal answer. California ABC publishes a licensing FAQ, but the event’s venue and appropriate authority should confirm the specific arrangement.
Final dry-hire check
Write down the delivery time, receiver, storage location, final menu, and a single day-of contact. Confirm the package’s inclusions against the shopping list one last time. That five-minute check is the best way to catch a missing bottle, a duplicate mixer purchase, or an unanswered venue question before service day.
Keep this plan visible to the people setting up and serving. A shared, current checklist is more useful than relying on memory when the event becomes busy.
Dry-hire questions answered
Does dry hire mean alcohol is included?
No. With BeeHive, the host purchases alcohol. The service team helps plan and serve the agreed experience.
Can a dry-hire bar still feel complete?
Yes, when the menu, shopping list, service hours, and package inclusions are settled together. The guests experience one bar; the planning roles simply remain clear.
When should we buy alcohol?
After the menu and guest estimate are confirmed, leaving enough time to coordinate delivery and storage.
