Starting any business is a wide-ranging topic that will vary from situation to situation, depending on many different factors such as location, budget, personal experience, goals and more.
This post is designed to provide a general overview on what someone who has dreams of starting a mobile bar business should think about before they embark on the journey, the challenges they may face and the business decisions that they will have to make.
It also covers the upside of being a mobile bar owner!
Starting a mobile bar business means joining an amazing community of likeminded entrepreneurs, taking part in both extravagant and intimate events, putting a smile on your clients’ faces and hopefully building a profitable business that makes you some money along the way!
The mobile beverage industry is wide ranging, with folks operating smaller vehicles like Piaggio Ape cocktail carts or Vespa bars, all the way up to huge Airstream wine trailers.
Thus, this post is written to get you thinking about the broad questions you’ll need to strategize on.
Answers to those questions will be unique to you and your entrepreneurial journey but should help to get your business mind whirring and your creative juices flowing.
We’ll be covering 7 main topics in relation to how to start a mobile bar business:
This order of thinking is recommended but not necessarily right for everyone.
Maybe you already have a trailer, or maybe you’ve started on branding before buying your mobile bar. That’s OK.
You’re also likely to be working on many of these things at the same time.
Wherever you’re at on your journey, you should still find the following framework helpful in thinking about how to start your mobile bar business.
Well, a mobile bar is basically exactly what you would think - a stocked bar that can travel to almost any venue and serve almost anything, from wine, beer, and cocktails to mocktails, coffee and donuts.
The best part about a mobile bar? It brings the party right to you!
Gone are the days of boring cloth covered table set-ups.
Mobile bars come in all shapes and sizes, from shiny, refurbished airstreams and converted horse trailers to reclaimed campervans and vintage vehicles turned tap walls.
These wonderful, quirky vehicles are now used to serve drinks and snacks at events such as weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, corporate events, festivals and more.
Mobile bars are a much more aesthetically pleasing alternative to a standard event bar and are always a hit with guests, as well as providing awesome photoshoot and Instagram opportunities.
Mobile bars are also versatile, able to fit into all manner of spaces, outdoors or indoors, and are usually pulled into an event behind a car or truck.
Some mobile bars such as Piaggio Apes and VW Campervan bars can be driven into place themselves!
Depending on local regulations, mobile bars can typically serve pre-purchased alcohol and whip up custom cocktails for your guests (more on this later).
They can of course also serve non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.
Mobile bars usually include bar staff as part of their packages so customers and their guests can enjoy their big day without worrying about drinks service.
So now we have the basics out of the way, here’s what to think about first when starting a mobile bar business.
It can be tempting to run out and buy that old camper or horse trailer that you’ve been lusting over on Facebook Marketplace, but it’s always best to lay out a business plan first.
A good old-fashioned pen and paper is your friend here.
Sit down, pour yourself a glass of something and begin to brainstorm.
Below are some examples of key questions to ask yourself:
Weddings are an obvious choice of event for mobile bar businesses.
The majority of wedding receptions need a bar, they take place year-round, and couples are happy and willing to pay for someone to take care of this aspect of their big day.
To get an idea of the money to be made within the industry, the US market alone is set to be worth over $50 billion in 2022!
But the wedding category is also super competitive.
Could you diversify and work at other types of events?
Maybe you’d prefer to serve coffee at community functions or maybe you have a network of corporate contacts who would be willing to splash out on catering for their employees.
There’s no need to confine yourself to any one event type, but it’s good to think about the areas you may want to specialize in as this can help you nail down your marketing and branding strategy, and give you some focus when getting started.
It may seem obvious. If you’re going to start a mobile bar business, you’ll be serving alcohol, right?
Well, probably, but there are still questions around the types of drinks that you’ll be offering to your clients.
Will your beer and wine be served by the bottle and can?
This can be cost-effective for your customers, and easier to serve, but some may want to elevate their drink packages.
Kegged drinks look great being poured from your mobile bar’s taps, but you’ll need to provide additional glassware and be on hand to change out kegs as necessary.
Personalized cocktails can be an awesome way for clients to wow their guests and make their bar menu unique.
Plus, the more intricate your beverages the higher price you can charge for them.
However, complex cocktails take more time to make and could prove tricky for bar staff serving at larger events.
These types of beverages can open up event opportunities to include charity days, store openings and underage events.
They can also help your mobile bar operate throughout the seasons.
Winters can be slower for outdoor events but providing hot drinks packages may solve that problem.
On the other hand, you may need to purchase more equipment, partner with different suppliers, learn how to make the perfect latte and contend with coffee snobs!
The answer to this question may influence the type or style of bar that you purchase.
If you’re travelling long distances, for example, you’ll need a trailer that is able to make the journey.
Make sure that you’re researching mobile bar options that are able to navigate the terrain and weather conditions that you’ll encounter in your area.
Whilst an airstream bar looks glorious as the centerpiece of large outdoor events, it’s not going to be the best fit (or fit at all!) for intimate, indoor micro-weddings.
These are just a few questions to think about when creating your initial brainstorm.
There are no right or wrong answers at this point and with each subject you’ll think of pros, cons, and probably more questions!
The goal right now is to get everything down on paper so that you can think through each of them logically.
Now that you have a good idea of the type of mobile bar you want to operate, the types of events you’ll be working, what you’ll be serving and the audience you’ll be targeting, it’s time to ponder the financial investment needed to get this thing up and running.
Start-up costs for a mobile bar business can vary wildly. Your trailer alone could run anywhere from a few thousand dollars up to tens of thousands depending on the particular make, model, vintage, and condition.
You may then have to spend similar amounts on the refurbishment itself. More on buying and converting your mobile bar later in this post.
Outside of the bar itself, there are some other aspects of your mobile bar business that you will need to budget for.
You should set aside costs for a website, email address, logo design, professional photos, business cards, social media advertising, Google Adwords, and enhancing your online presence on directories such as Roll To.
More detail on marketing your mobile bar business later in this post.
You should always have cash reserves in place for ongoing costs and unexpected occurrences such as repairs, breakages, equipment maintenance, replacing/buying new equipment, cancellations, gas, and other travel costs.
Will it solely be yourself working events for your mobile bar business or will you hire outside help?
If so, how much will you pay your staff? You should also check on local employment laws around minimum wage requirements, tip allocations and tax implications for your business.
There are several ways to kick-start funding for your business.
You may want to consider a small business loan and/or opening a line of business credit.
Shop around for the best deals from the major banks and make sure to speak to experts in the field for advice on loans and credit.
Crowd or family funding is another option.
Would you be willing to partner with friends or family on your venture so as to spread the financial (and time) commitment?
You could even offer shares in your business in return for early investment.
Again, it’s always best to speak with a financial expert if making contracts such as these with outside parties.
With all of the information on budgeting mentioned above, you should begin to make some rough financial projections around your business.
After coming up with a rough starting budget, you can start to think about the price you’ll need to charge for your services and time, and how many events you’ll need to work each year to turn a profit in the mobile bar industry.
This can be hard to judge initially but you should roughly consider the following equation:
Average price you charge for an event - Average event costs = Average event revenue
Average event revenue x Amount of events per year = Yearly revenue
Yearly revenue - Ongoing yearly costs = Yearly profits
This rough estimation should give you an idea of how long it will take you to pay off your start-up costs and begin to turn a profit.
So, how much do mobile bars actually make?
The answer, inevitably, is that it depends.
The events industry can be lucrative but it’s important for new mobile bar business owners to be ambitious but realistic.
Revenue can be impacted by factors like your location, the local weather and yearly climate, how much competition is in your area, the types of events you’re working, how much time you can commit to the business and more.
Not to mention unforeseen circumstances such as a global pandemic!
Your new business venture will also take time to become successful.
Depending on your circumstances, it could take many events and several years for you to gain enough traction to see consistent revenue and profit.
If you’re concerned about the financial side of things, it may be worth reaching out to mobile bars from other parts of the country that are similar to what you aim to set-up.
The mobile bar community is extremely helpful, and many founders are happy to share their experiences and give honest insight into the realities of mobile bar financials.
It’s extremely important to research the relevant permits and licenses you may need to operate a mobile bar within your state.
As a general rule of thumb, alcohol cannot be sold by mobile bars without the appropriate liquor license.
That means your clients will need to supply the alcohol and you and your staff only serve it.
Even then, depending on where you are operating, different restrictions on you and your team may apply.
Laws vary from location to location, and it is best to check with your local alcohol or liquor Commission/Board/ABC (different states have different names) on what restrictions may or may not be in your area.
Find your local regulations using this online directory.
If you are operating across multiple states, then make sure to check with each relevant governing body.
As a final step, and for extra peace of mind, consult a lawyer who is well versed in your state’s liquor laws.
Another legal aspect that you will want to take a look at is insurance.
As a minimum, you should acquire General Liability Insurance.
This should help to cover your business against claims involving bodily injuries and property damage resulting from your products, services, or operations.
Another policy you should look into is Liquor Liability Coverage.
This can help cover claims of bodily injury or property damage that an intoxicated customer causes after a company served them alcohol.
A Commercial Car Insurance policy that covers your personal car is another must have.
Make sure this policy protects you whilst travelling to and from events.
As laid out in this article by Nolo, an LLC provides its owner or owners with limited liability.
This means that you—the LLC owner—are generally not personally liable for any debts incurred by your LLC business or most business-related lawsuits.
Nolo also delve into further benefits of forming an LLC for your mobile bar business such as Pass-Through Taxation, Simplicity and Flexibility in Ownership within the same article.
For legal areas such as insurance, company structure and taxes, you should always consult a professional.
Just as with any vehicle, there are so many options when it comes to finding and buying a mobile bar.
If you’re going the DIY route, then there are plenty of online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, RV Trader, and Trailers USA to provide inspiration and an idea of what your rig might cost.
Private sellers may be more cost effective but always conduct due diligence before making a deal with someone online.
You should always check out what you’re buying in-person before sending money, preferably with a professional who knows what they're looking at.
If you’re searching for something ready-made and good to go from day one, you may want to check out specific mobile bar manufacturers such as Hudson Trailer Company, Aero Build Co., Nomad Custom Trailers, Vintage Truck Purveyors and Silver Side Design.
I’d recommend spending an ample amount of time trawling the online listings to get an idea of what your dream mobile bar might cost to purchase, make comparisons between different brands and get a feel for the market.
Here at Roll To we also have a For Sale section that includes trailers ready for conversion, ready made mobile bars and mobile bar building companies.
If you’re not opting to buy your mobile bar fully made and ready to roll from one of the pros listed above, then it’s time to get to work on building the thing yourself.
This is no easy feat so if you don’t have conversion experience yourself, it’s always best to consult with somebody who does.
Check out our All Listings page for a diverse range of mobile bar inspiration and what can be achieved with your mobile bar build.
Things to think about when building your mobile bar:
The shell of your mobile bar needs to be structurally sound.
Make sure that the walls, roof, floor, doors and windows are properly refurbished and safe to transport and work in.
Above all else, your mobile bar needs to be functional and easy to serve from.
If serving from inside your bar keep in mind that you’ll need ample space for staff members, equipment, stock and other important miscellaneous items.
Serving windows/doors should be easy for customers to approach and grab their drink!
Kegged drinks and tapped walls should also be easy to access and use for your servers and guests.
Of course, your mobile bar needs to look great. It’s going to be the centerpiece of your client’s event and has to wow their guests.
You can also offer add-ons like balloon garlands, lounge furniture, vintage accessories, outdoor games and custom signage.
Check out our All Listings page for a huge variety of mobile bar inspiration.
Check our full list of must have mobile bar equipment, as recommended by real mobile bar owners.
Check our full list of must have accessories for your mobile bar, as recommended by real mobile bar owners.
Now you know what type of bar you have - the shape, size, year and style, and you have a business plan, it’s time to build out your brand.
First things first, you’ll need a name.
Make sure that the name of your mobile bar business is unique, something that isn’t already taken, is easy to find (i.e. spell) and is social media friendly.
A quick check of Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok will confirm whether your proposed business title is already in use or if social media handles are already taken.
Your name should represent you as an owner as well as what your mobile bar business is trying to represent and has to offer.
Many bars incorporate the type of vehicle that they've converted.
Run through our All Listings page for plenty of inspiration.
If you’re confident in your own art skills then you can design your own logo using software such as Canva or Photoshop.
If not, then you can easily, and relatively cheaply, have a freelance designer produce you a logo via websites such as Fiverr, Upwork or Freelancer.
When thinking about branding it’s also important to settle on the general aesthetic of your mobile bar business.
Which colors and visuals will you predominantly use in your marketing material and social media campaigns?
They should ideally tie in with the colors of your trailer and be consistent.
In this day and age, a large part of your business success will depend on the quality of your online presence, starting with your website.
Website builders such as Squarespace, Wix, and GoDaddy have ready-made templates that you can use to get things off the ground.
All you need to do is drop in images and copy as necessary.
These are great for simple sites that require little upkeep but still look great.
If you’re trying to build something a little more complex that even has booking capabilities, you may want to check out advanced website builders such as Webflow or Wordpress.
Digital.com have put together an excellent comparison feature on the various website hosts that you might want to consider.
Must have features on your website include an About Me/Us section, a gallery of photos of your bar, packages you offer, Pricing, and a Contact page.
Here’s our deep dive in to How to Market a Mobile Bar Business.
This covers everything you’ll need to know on spreading the word, promoting your new business to your first customers, and securing those early event bookings.
The basic marketing channels you’ll want to think about are social media, online forums, conferences, conventions and fairs, SEO, email marketing, word of mouth, networking, referrals, online marketplaces/directories, blogging, PR, and partnerships.
Read our advice on each of these channels in the How to Market a Mobile Bar Business blog post.
Although marketing is the last point on our list today, it should really be something that you are working on from day 1.
You can start taking part in the mobile bar community and building your own following early on in your business journey.
Keep people updated on the status of your build, let people know how they can contact you and start making connections!
If you really show folks your vision, you may even be able to nail down some pre-bookings to serve at events after your proposed launch date.
So, that’s our roundup of the key things to think about when starting a mobile bar business.
We covered:
It’s important to remember that every founder’s journey is unique and can vary widely.
I hope that the questions posed throughout this post help you to get started with your journey and consider the various factors that go into starting a mobile bar business.
If you have any questions or would like to chat more about getting your business off the ground, please contact us here.
Ready to start promoting your mobile bar business? Check out an in-depth guide to marketing your mobile bar business.
And create a Roll To profile to start showcasing your mobile bar business.