A bar where there wasn't one at lunchtime.
Portable cocktail bar hire across Sydney, set up on a lawn, a deck, a driveway or a warehouse floor, and gone by morning.
- Up in 90 minutes
- Two flat metres
- No plumbing
- Power only for frozen
What the bar needs from you
A flat patch about two metres wide. That is most of the requirement, because the bar carries its own everything and none of it needs plumbing.
A power point within reach matters only for frozen drinks, since the blender is the one thing that can't run off ice. Grass, pavers, tiles, timber decking and concrete all work. Sand we'll ask about first.
Service needs another metre in front for people to stand in. That is the measurement people leave out when they pace a courtyard.
Setup runs about ninety minutes and pack-down about forty-five. Neither is counted in your service hours.
The bar itself
Fluted front
White, about 1.8 metres across, lit from inside once it gets dark.
Back bar
Bottles, ice wells and the working mess, all facing away from the guests.
Scalloped umbrella
For the two hours of the afternoon when the sun is in everyone's eyes.
Bins
Behind the bar all night, in the van at the end of it.
The bar is the part people picture, and it is also the part you can skip. A bartender working off your kitchen bench pours the same drinks, and the money goes into what's in the glass instead. Ask for both prices.
Where it goes up
Backyards
Lawn, deck, or the flat half of a driveway.
Warehouses and studios
Launches and shoots, where there's power and no bar. Corporate and activations.
Holiday houses
Pittwater and the peninsula, for the one night of a long weekend that everything is built around.
Backyard · Warehouse · Venue · Holiday house
Price the bar and the night together
The bar, the bartender and what goes in the glass are quoted as one thing, so the range below is the whole job rather than a hire fee with extras after it.
Reviews of the pop-up bar
“We had Coastal Cocktails serve drinks at our wedding just over a month ago, and we couldn’t recommend Ollie more highly! He went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. We were also so happy with how the setup looked. It added such a beautiful touch to our day!”Jam · Wedding
“Ollie was amazing. From listening to what I wanted for our event, the tastings, and then on the night worked so hard to pump out the cocktails without it impacting the quality or taste. They were amazing.”Estella · Private event
“Thank you Ollie and your staff for everything you did on our special day. The setup was amazing and the way you looked after all our guests was incredible! They loved your vibe and your cocktails were delicious. We will definitely be using you for all future events.”Samantha Giles · Wedding
Questions about the pop-up bar
How much space does it need?
About two metres wide and a metre deep on something flat, plus a metre in front for people to stand.
Can it go on sand?
Usually, with boards under the feet. Tell us first so the boards are in the van.
Does it need power?
Only for frozen drinks. Everything else runs off ice.
Can it be branded?
Yes. The front panels take a decal and the menus can carry your logo.
What happens if it rains?
The bar is fine wet. The bartender is less so. Anything with cover, even a carport, keeps service running.
How long does setup take?
About ninety minutes before service and forty-five after, and neither counts as service time.
Tell us where the bar would stand
Send the address, the date and roughly how many are coming.