You have decided the event needs a proper bar. Good call. Now the quotes come in, and half of them do not spell out what you are actually getting.
That gap is where events go wrong. A cheap bar hire package and a proper one can read the same on a one-line quote, then look nothing alike on the night. So before you sign anything, know what a real package includes.
Here is the breakdown.
The Bar Setup Itself
Start with the obvious bit that people still forget to check. The physical bar.
A professional package brings the actual station, not just a person standing behind a folding table. Proper counter, back bar, the works, sized to your space and your guest count. It should look like it belongs at your event, not like it got wheeled in from a warehouse.
Ask what the bar physically is before you ask about anything else. If the answer is vague, keep asking.
The Drinks and What Counts as Included
This is where quotes quietly split. Some packages include the drinks. Plenty do not.
Sometimes you are paying for the setup and staff only, and the drinks are a separate line you find later. Sometimes it is a fixed drinks list with no room to move. A good package is clear from the start about what is poured, how much of it, and what happens when it runs low.
Get the full picture. What is the drinks list, is it a set menu or built for your crowd, and who tops it up mid-event. In Dubai the licensing side adds another layer, which we cover in our guide on hiring a bar in Dubai for an event.
Trained Bar Staff, Not Just Someone Pouring
The people behind the bar make or break the whole thing. A package should include trained bartenders who know service, speed, and how to read a room, not a warm body handing out cans.
Numbers matter here too. One bartender for a hundred guests means a queue all night. A professional package staffs the bar to your headcount so guests are not standing around waiting for a drink while their food gets cold.
Ask how many staff, and ask what they are trained to do.
The Glassware, Ice, and Kit Nobody Thinks About
The small stuff is what separates a real package from a cheap one. And it is always the small stuff that runs out.
Proper glassware for each drink. Enough ice, which in Dubai’s heat means a lot more than you would guess. Mixers, garnishes, shakers, the tools of the job. A serious bar setup brings all of it and brings backups. A cheap one brings just enough to look right at 8pm and nothing left by 10.
Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic Options
Not every guest drinks, and a good bar treats that seriously. A proper package builds in mocktails, fresh options, and soft drinks that are not an afterthought.
This matters more in Dubai than most places. Between the heat and a mixed guest list, your non-alcoholic side often gets more traffic than the rest. Guests who cannot find a good drink they can actually have remember it. Make sure the package covers them.
Setup, Service, and Cleanup
The last piece is the part that saves your evening. Who sets it all up, who runs it, and who clears it away.
A professional package handles the full cycle. They arrive early, set up without you managing it, run the bar all night, and pack it down after. You should not be lifting a crate or chasing anyone. That is the whole point of hiring pros. The night is yours to host, not to manage.
If setup and cleanup are not clearly in the quote, ask where they went.
Why Book The Art of Hosting
The Art of Hosting, has won Events Catering Team of the Year at the Caterer Middle East Awards five times, in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
We run bar and catering as one operation, so your drinks, food, and service all land together instead of you juggling three vendors. From private events to full corporate functions, every package is built around your event, not trimmed to look cheap.
So tell us the date, the guest count, and the venue, and we will put together a bar package that actually holds up. Get in touch or message us on WhatsApp to start planning.
