How to Choose the Best Portable Bar for Your Occasion

Portable Bar Header

From banquets and beaches to parks and patios, portable bars are designed to serve patrons at a diverse range of locations. These units enable users to store and serve beverages without limiting service to one static area. They come in various styles to accommodate the unique needs of different events, though many portable bars share these common features:

  • Enabling units to move between locations, casters or wheels are a staple of portable bars. Wheels spin on a single axis, meaning they can only roll in one direction at a time, while casters are equipped on a mounting system that holds the wheel in place. Some casters are fixed; others can swivel.
  • Portable bar shelving holds bottles of alcohol, streamlining access to beverages for fast service. Some units are equipped with built-in shelves, while others have attached speed rails.
  • Built-in ice bins or sinks are crucial components of portable bars because they prevent employees from constantly going back and forth between locations for ice. In place of a bin, some units are equipped with removable ice buckets.
  • All portable bars are designed with some type of storage area at their base. This space might be used to hold additional bottles of alcohol, glass racks, or other essential beverage-serving equipment.

Different Types of Portable Bars

When it comes to choosing a portable bar, it's important to be aware of their cornerstone components so you can differentiate units and make an informed decision for your business. Most portable bars have all the previously discussed features, but each unit incorporates them in a unique way.

Enclosed Portable Bar

Storage

While many portable bars are designed with additional storage at their base for extra ingredients and equipment, these spaces often are left open to facilitate access. However, units are available with storage protected by a lockable door – ideal for events where security is a concern, as they prevent unauthorized access. Some portable bars compensate for the lack of accessible underbar storage by providing a larger workboard or extra speed rails, but if you're not concerned about items being stolen and want to give bartenders as much access to product as possible, go with an open storage design.

Work Area

All portable bars have a workstation where bartenders make drinks, though these beverage-preparation areas are available in different materials – the most popular of which is stainless steel because it resists corrosion from cleaning chemicals and spilt drinks. Some units are more aesthetic than functional; rather than have a separate top and workstation, the two are combined into a single area made of one material. These configurations are for low-volume settings.

Wooden Portable Bar
Portable Bar with Lockable Doors

Mobility

Whether it's built with casters or wheels, mobile designs are an important consideration for deciding on portable bars for events. Units with swivel casters are simple to navigate across rooms but may not be necessary if you'll only be pushing the portable bar straight from one side of a small area to another; in these cases, wheels or fixed casters will suffice. If you're concerned about the unit striking fixtures or walls during transportation, portable bars with bumpers, rounded corners, and shock-absorbent compartments are available.

Drink System

If you'd like to offer carbonated beverages along with alcohol, look into portable bars with post-mix drink systems. These units are equipped with soda guns that quickly dispense beverages with little foam. However, this system occupies precious space you may prefer to use for liquor bottles and glass racks, so you'll have to decide which beverages takes preference. If you'll be serving mostly family-friendly events, you likely won't need as much space for alcohol.

Portable Bar with Open Storage Area
Portable Bar with Shelves

Ice

All portable bars are equipped with an ice sink or bucket. These are made to hold ice alone or use ice to keep bottled beverages chilled before service. Insulated ice bins retain cold air, inhibiting ice from melting over long periods, but not all ice sinks are created equal; some portable bars lend more space to drink systems or storage areas. The first thing to consider is whether your ice bin will be used to add ice to drinks or to chill liquor bottles. If you're serving a high-traffic location and need to chill several bottles at once, you'll need a bigger ice sink; smaller configurations are suitable for low-volume operations. Additionally, larger configurations keep drinks cooler for longer periods of time.