A portable bar for events needs four things planned before the truck is loaded: enough clean ice kept apart from chilling ice, cold storage for what you pour, a way for bartenders to wash their hands, and carts to move it all from the truck to the bar. Get those right and the bar front, tools and glassware are the easy part.
Shop the equipment in this article: bar ice chest, catering trolleys and carts and glass and dish racks. Freight is included on every order.
Rules for temporary events vary widely by city, county and venue, so call the local health department and the alcohol licensing authority before you book. They have the final say.
Start with the event, not the equipment
- Guest count and hours of service.
- Menu: beer and wine only, a signature cocktail, or a full bar.
- Indoors or outdoors, and the expected heat.
- What the venue supplies: power, water, a sink, a dumpster, a loading door.
- Distance from the truck to the bar, including stairs and doorways.
Keep a record of how much ice, glassware and product each event actually used. After a few events those numbers are a better guide than any rule of thumb.
Ice: the biggest job
The Food Code treats ice as food. Ice used to cool the outside of bottles, cans or other packaged items may not then go into drinks. So a portable bar needs two separate supplies:
- Drink ice in a clean, covered bin with a scoop, used for nothing else.
- Chilling ice in tubs for bottles and cans.
For drink ice, our stainless ice chest with a sliding lid has a 22 x 15 x 12 inch insulated bowl in 20 gauge 304 stainless steel, with a 1 inch NPT copper drain. Our drop-in bar ice chest with a sliding lid and foamed-in-place insulation comes in 18 x 12, 18 x 24 and 18 x 30 inch sizes and sets into a portable bar top; its product page suggests the 18 x 12 for a single bartender and the larger sizes for busy bars. Both need a plan for melt water, such as a drain line to a bucket the venue allows.
If you run events every week, making your own ice at a commissary can be cheaper than buying bags. The Coldline ICE400M-HA is a 22 inch modular half cube machine paired with a 275 lb bin.
Moving equipment
Ice chests, cases and glass racks are heavy. Good catering trolleys and carts save backs and time.
- CART-TUC-2133: a 3 shelf stainless cart, 33 x 21 x 33 inches, with solid shelves, 4 inch casters (two with brakes) and a capacity of about 260 lbs.
- PWTC-2030: a cart with a 1.75 inch solid wood top of 20 x 30 inches, two stainless undershelves, four locking 4 inch casters and a 440 lb top capacity. At 35 inches high it doubles as a back bar or garnish station at the event.
Check the door widths and any ramps at the venue against the cart sizes before the event.
Handwashing at a temporary bar
Most health departments expect handwashing at a temporary bar. Depending on the jurisdiction that means a portable hand sink, or an approved setup with an insulated water container with a spigot, a catch bucket, soap and paper towels. Ask for the temporary event requirements in writing before the event.
Soft drinks and water
A beverage dispenser frees bartenders from pouring every lemonade or iced tea. The Coldline CBD-2 is a refrigerated dispenser with two 3 gallon bowls and a stirring system, so two drinks sit side by side. Plan an outlet for it.
Glassware or disposables
Real glassware looks better but has to be racked, transported, counted and washed. Either bring enough clean glasses to last the event or plan a wash station that meets the venue’s and the health department’s rules. Disposables are simpler but some venues do not allow them. Racks for transport are in our glass and dish racks.
Portable bar packing list
- Bar front or table with a skirt.
- Covered drink ice bin with a scoop, plus separate chilling tubs.
- Carts for stock and ice.
- Handwashing setup that meets local rules.
- Beverage dispenser for water and soft drinks.
- Glass racks or disposables.
- Bar tools, cutting board, garnish containers with lids.
- Trash cans, liners and a bus tub for empties.
- Extension cords and a fire extinguisher if the venue asks for one.
Mistakes to avoid
- Chilling bottles in the drink ice.
- Scooping ice with a glass.
- Leaving the ice bin open in the sun.
- Arriving without the handwashing setup the health department asked for.
- Carts that do not fit the service door.
Frequently asked questions
Can I chill bottles in the same ice I serve?
No. Under the Food Code, ice used to cool packaged items such as bottles or cans may not be used as food afterward. Keep two supplies.
Do I need a hand sink at an outdoor bar?
Most health departments require some form of handwashing at a temporary bar. What qualifies varies, so ask them before the event.
What size ice bin works for a portable bar?
For one bartender, an 18 x 12 inch drop-in bin is the size our product page suggests. Busier bars use the 18 x 24 or 18 x 30 inch sizes, or a freestanding ice chest.
Do I need a liquor license for a catered bar?
Usually a license or event permit is needed, and the rules vary by state and city. Check with your state alcohol authority before each event. Browse our bar equipment once the plan is set.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
Stainless Steel Ice Chest with Sliding Lid – Large Ice Bin 19″ x 24″
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Stainless Steel Ice Chest 19″ x 24″
- 22″ x 15″ Bowl – Stores ice & drinks.
- Insulated – Keeps ice cold.
Drop-in Ice Bin Chest Cooler: Commercial Stainless Steel
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Commercial Drop-in Ice Bin Chest
- Insulated Keeps ice cold
- Durable Rust-resistant steel
Coldline ICE400M-HA 22″ 400 lb. Modular Half Cube Ice (model ICE400M-HA)
- Brand: Coldline
- Machine with 275 lb. Bin
- Air Cooled System
- Durable Stainless Steel
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
3 Shelf Utility Kitchen Metal Cart 33″x21″X33″ Commercial (model CART-TUC-2133)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- 3 Shelf Utility Kitchen Metal Cart
- Strong 18-gauge steel
- Spacious 3 shelves
PWTC-2030 20″ X 30″ Stainless Steel Utility Trolley Cart (model PWTC-2030)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- 20″ X 30″ Stainless Steel Utility Trolley Cart
- Wood Top Work Cart
- Durable Genuine Hevea Hardwood Top
Coldline CBD-2 Double 3-Gallon Bowl Beverage Dispenser (model CBD-2)
- Brand: Coldline
- Refrigerated, Stirring System
- High-performance, durable
- Easy maintenance, food-grade
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Thunder Group ASGD057 1.5 Gallon Beverage Dispenser, 22-5/8″ Height, Stainless Steel (model ASGD057)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold individually.
- Thunder Group model ASGD057.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Thunder Group PLTC044G 44 Gallon, 23-5/8″ Diameter x 31-1/4″ Height, Round Trash Can, Gray Color, High-Density Polyethylene (model PLTC044G)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold individually.
- Thunder Group model PLTC044G.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.