Dry Hire vs Full Service Bar: Which Is Right for Your Event?

"Dry hire" is borrowed from the UK, where it means renting equipment without staff. In the Chicago area, you will see it called bar rental only, equipment-only or self-serve bar. The choice between it and full service is mostly about who carries the risk and the workload on the day.

What each option includes

Dry hire usually includes a bar front, back bar, tables, linens, glassware, ice tubs and delivery. You buy the alcohol, find bartenders and provide insurance if the venue asks.

Full service typically includes bartenders, the bar setup, glasses, ice and sometimes alcohol, mixers and garnish. It may include a license or insurance, and often breakdown and cleanup.

Hybrid. A common middle path is to hire licensed bartenders, who bring their own tools, and rent bar furniture and glassware from a rental company. Ask whether the bar company wants to use your glassware.

Side by side

Costs vary by company and hours, and we do not publish them. Request itemized quotes from both types and compare what is included.

When dry hire works

• A backyard party where the venue is your own property
• A small gathering with a few dozen guests
• A beer and wine only event where self-serve is simple. See beer and wine only bar setup.
• An event run by an organization that already holds the correct licenses

When full service is the safer choice

• Weddings and galas over 75 guests
• Any venue that requires licensed or insured bartenders
• Public spaces, parks and forest preserves where alcohol is tightly regulated
• Events where you sell tickets that include drinks
• Hosts who do not want to be responsible for cutting off a guest

Read the Illinois alcohol rules for private events before you choose, since the venue and city often decide for you.

Questions to ask each provider

A Chicago-area reality check

Many hotels, banquet halls and downtown event spaces have their own liquor license and a bar program, which means a dry hire setup is simply not an option there. Barns, lofts, backyards and private homes are more flexible, but even those may have a venue contract that names approved bar vendors. The most common mistake is to rent the bar first and ask the venue second. Reverse that order: get the venue's written bar policy, then choose dry hire, hybrid or full service, then rent the gear.

Planning the equipment

If you are renting equipment, make a list before you ask for quotes: a bar front and back bar (see mobile bar vs back bar), glasses (see glasses per guest), tubs and ice (see how much ice) and tools (see the bar tools checklist). We help plan the full list and the seating, and point you to partners for what we do not carry.

Get the equipment side planned

We help you list bar equipment, glassware and seating in one conversation. Book a free 15-minute seating call or request a quote.