If you're running a mobile bartending business, creating packages is a great way to increase sales because it will make it easier for people to buy. I this article will give you some tips and tricks for crafting the perfect packages for your mobile bartending business. 

Alcohol Not-included

Many mobile bartending businesses will seek a liquor license. As such, the examples in this article assume you are not providing alcohol as part of a mobile bartending package price. Be sure to check the laws of your area to ensure you comply.

Mobile Bartending Package and Pricing Factors

There are several considerations when designing your mobile bartending packages. Depending on your market, you may use any combination of these factors to ensure you are operating profitably and delivering what customers want.

Guest Size

Long wait times is a surefire way to have an unhappy client. To keep wait times reasonable, many mobile bartenders will request estimates for the number of guests for an event. You should provide multiple bartenders for more significant events (75+ people), and offering packages based on the guest size makes a lot of sense.

Length of Event

Knowing how long you'll be working is a key component in estimating costs and supplies. The longer the event, the more you'll need to pay staff working the gig and the more supplies your need for guests.

Indoor/Outdoor Location

It's a good idea to find out if you'll be setting up outdoors or indoors because it may change the requirements. For example, if you need to provide shade and secure a tent for outdoor events. Special accommodations will cost more because you need the equipment and more time to set up.

Travel Fees

Charging travel fees is a common practice for mobile bartender businesses. One will often travel for free within a 25-mile radius and charge a per-mile fee to a venue outside the normal service area.

👉 Tip: Be sure to use a quality mobile bartending CRM like Check Cherry, which include automatic travel fee calculations.

Bar Setup

Your mobile bartending business may have multiple bar setup options. For example, a basic setup that is smaller, easy to transport, yet less impressive will cost less. On the other hand, a horse trailer converted into a bar will command a higher price point. 

Bartender Only

There may be times when the only thing a client needs is a bartender. A "Bartender Only" package will simply provide staff. The client will provide all the related supplies, alcohol, and bar setup.

Included Supplies

It's a good idea to include basic supplies in each package. Commonly included items are plasticware, ice, mixers, garnishes, napkins, and garnishes.

👉 Suggested Article: Mobile Bar Business Plan

Standard Mixers

The number of mixers can also be an important part of your packages. Common mixers include Coke, Diet Coke, cranberry juice, orange juice, tonic water, and soda water. This package setup can be great for clients who do not want a set menu but prefer to have a more generic bar experience.

Custom Cocktail Menu

Creating a craft cocktail menu for the event can be an excellent option for premium packages. It will allow you to be creative and demonstrate that your company is a top-tier service provider. 

Add-ons

Upselling clients with additional add-ons is a great way to increase sales. Common add-ons include premium cups, ice, a coffee bar, more mixers, high-top tables, photo booths, party games, and more.

👉 Tip: The best booking software for mobile bartenders will make upselling with add-ons easy.

It's January, and time for our annual recap from the past year. These highlights are helpful for us internally, and we like to share them publicly with our friends, family, and customers.

Overall, 2022 was an excellent year for our business and customer booking volume. In fact, in just one week during December 2022, customer payments collected surpassed the $1,000,000 mark. We thank all of our customers for helping us reach this milestone. We also appreciate everyone who took the time to provide feedback and help improve Check Cherry. Big and small, they all make an impact.

Here's a rundown of the highlights from 2022:

Expense Tracking

One of the more popular additions to Check Cherry in 2022 was the ability to log and track business expenses. Customers can enter booking-specific fees, payments to staff members and even automate recurring expenses for subscription services such as website hosting. Customers who use cash-basis accounting can now generate Profit and Loss Statements and cancel a separate account software subscription such as QuickBooks.

Designs Feature Refreshed

Photobooth entrepreneurs often use our Designs feature to allow their clients to pick an image overlay from a predesigned collection of templates. In 2022, we took all the great customer feedback and improved our offering. The Designs feature is even more flexible, and Design Collections can now apply on a package-by-package basis. This allows new bookings to have the right design options for clients automatically.

We also added a bulk uploading feature for customers who curate their own collections of designs. For those who use third-party services, we added a pubic API and saw two companies in the photo booth template industry integrated with Check Cherry. We appreciate Bespoke Booth and Photo Booth Graphics for marking the integrations happen.

Calendar Improvements

A core feature of any great booking software is the calendar. Last year Check Cherry feature set was improved in several ways. We enhanced our Google Calendar integration, allowing bookings to be synced at the company or staff account level. Our universal calendar format (.ics file) integration was also improved. One can now sync Confirmed Bookings, Proposals, Leads, Blockout Dates, and Staff Time Off. Furthermore, one can even create separate subscriptions for each event type allowing for color coding in the calendar program of their choice.

Reporting Enhancements

We continued improving Check Cherry's reporting features in 2022. One such addition was the "Most Popular Package Report." It's a great way to find out what sells most for the year. There were several smaller enhancements to reporting.

Staff Assignment Features

In 2022, we added more options for assigning staff to bookings. Customers can now configure their account to allow their team members to claim a booking and automatically be assigned or allow team members to request a booking assignment. Such requests require approval by an admin before they are assigned to the booking.

Google Tag Manager

Savvy online marketers leverage advertising and Check Cherry's online booking engine to drive sales and quality leads. Our Google Tag Manager integration opens up the door for collecting data from any ad platform to track the effectiveness of online campaigns. 

Flex Pricing

We consistently received feedback from customers telling us they wanted the option to surcharge based on the booking's location. Common examples include adding surcharges for high-density areas such as downtown Chicago where traffic and parking are meaningful considerations to the profitability of a booking.

Calendar Widget Improved

We've updated the styling of the embeddable Calendar Widget. The new version is a bit more modern and matches the styling of the calendar picker used during online booking.

Tons of smaller stuff

As usual, there were a lot of small changes. From quick bug fixes to workflow improvements. While these more minor changes don't earn a spot on this list of highlights, it's essential to recognize the little stuff that adds up and makes Check Cherry easier and more enjoyable.

Looking at 2023

We're excited about 2023 and the opportunity to continue improving our service. Check Cherry is maturing, and there are still many great ways we plan to improve our service. Thanks again to our customers who continue to support us and provide quality feedback because it allows us to create a company and service we're proud to offer.

A mobile bar business can be a great way to earn extra money, meet people and turn your love for bartending into a successful entrepreneurial venture. 

Of course, for your business to succeed, you will need to be good at more than mixing drinks. Ultimately you'll be running a business and turning a profit with each booking. In this article, we'll give you some tips for crafting a mobile bar business plan to help increase your chances of running a successful mobile bar business. 

The Service

The mobile bartending business provides a mobile beverage service catering to events such as weddings, corporate functions, private parties, festivals, and other special occasions. The goal is to offer a diverse selection of high-quality drinks, professional bartenders, and a unique experience that exceeds customer expectations.

The Market

The mobile bar industry has experienced significant growth in recent years due to the rising demand for on-site beverage services. Key target markets for your business include event planners, wedding organizers, corporate clients, and individuals hosting private events. Customers appreciate the convenience and customization options offered by mobile bars.

The Business Model

Mobile bar businesses provide a comprehensive range of beverage services, including craft cocktails, wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and custom drink menus. Services are sold with packages and add-ons, and prices can vary by guest count as more staff is needed to keep wait times low.

Additional revenue may be generated through per-drink sales if local liquor laws allow. Collaborations with event venues and potential brand sponsorships also represent revenue opportunities.

👉 Suggested Article: Mobile Bartending Packages and Pricing

Startup Costs

Startup costs will vary. Minimizing startup costs is recommended for those with less experience in sales and marketing event services.

Mobile Bar Setup

A simple portable bar setup can cost $1,000, while a luxury mobile bar trailer can exceed $100,000.

Inventory and Equipment

You're going to need professional equipment which is high quality and durable. Invest in quality bartending tools, coolers, etc. Estiamted at $500 - $1,500.

Vehicle Purchase

It's possible you will need to purchase a vehicle to transport your portable bar setup or mobile bar trailer. The cost of a used vehicle could range from $10,000 - $30,000, depending on your needs.

Licensing and Permits

It is estimated the fees for obtaining necessary licenses and permits for a mobile bar business are $2,000 - $5,000. Naturally, these costs will vary based on your region.

Marketing and Branding

A great logo, website, and marketing materials, such as high-quality photos, will impress potential customers, making closing sales easier. Estimated costs $2,500 - $10,000.

Insurance

General liability and commercial vehicle insurance costs of $1,000 - $4,000 per year.

Marketing and Promotion

To effectively market the mobile bar business, you will employ various strategies such as:

Online Sales

Develop a professional website highlighting services, packages, reviews, and the markets you serve. Utilize social media platforms and online directories to increase visibility and reach potential customers.

Partnerships

Focus on establishing mutually beneficial partnerships by contacting event planners, wedding venues, and corporate event organizers. Offer incentives to increase the chances of getting on a list of preferred vendors.

Networking

Attend industry events, trade shows, and local gatherings to connect with potential clients and industry professionals. Focus on making friends and attending regularly to increase your chances of making genuine connections.

Advertising

Utilize online advertising platforms to target specific demographics and geographical areas.

Referrals

Invest in positive customer outcomes by underpromising and over-delivering. Implement a referral program to incentivize existing clients and event planners to recommend your services.

Licensing and Legal Requirements

Business Registration

Register your mobile bar business as a legal entity (LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.) and obtain a tax identification number.

Alcohol Licensing

Apply for the alcohol licenses and permits the local and state authorities require.

Insurance

Acquire general liability insurance, liquor liability insurance, and commercial auto insurance.

Health and Safety Compliance

Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, including proper food handling practices and sanitation protocols.

Vehicle Regulations

Comply with local regulations regarding vehicle modification, safety inspections, and commercial vehicle permits.

Operations

Staffing

Hire professional bartenders and support staff to ensure efficient and high-quality service delivery.

Event Planning and Logistics

Develop streamlined event booking, scheduling, inventory management, and transportation logistics processes. 

💡 ProTip:: Use a quality booking system designed for mobile bartenders, such as Check Cherry.

Supplier Relationships

Establish relationships with beverage distributors and seek to align your brand with other well-known brands in the industry.