In most instances, the law requires a license when alcohol is being sold or entertainment is being offered. If you're hosting a private event and the drinks are complimentary, a license may not be necessary. However, it’s always wise to confirm with your local authorities if you're unsure. If we’re managing the bar for your event, we’ll handle the application for a Temporary Event Notice (TENs) to cover both the alcohol and entertainment for the day. There may be a small fee for this, so feel free to reach out for more information.
What time will you serve until?
The closing time will depend on factors like the venue’s location, nearby residents, and access restrictions. In most cases, serving until midnight is generally acceptable. It’s possible to request later extensions, though these can be harder to secure and may involve additional costs.
Do you supply glasses?
If we’re managing the bar or supplying drinks, including corkage, we will provide the necessary glassware. However, for larger events, we may not have enough glasses for the entire duration without on-site washing facilities. In these cases, access to a washing area with power and water will be required.
Do you use glass or plastic ‘glasses’?
We typically provide glassware unless otherwise specified. If needed, we can offer plastic cups, which are often required in certain settings like horse or livestock paddocks—just ask us for pricing details. For larger events or where the atmosphere is expected to get lively, we recommend switching to plastic cups after 7pm for safety reasons.
Can I hire the Bar unit on its own?
Feel free to contact us for details on bar unit rentals and our current pricing. We offer a range of items for hire, including bar units, glassware, ice buckets, tongs, measures, pumps, and optics.
Can I hire your services to run a free bar or where I provide the drink?
Yes, we offer a complete service for running a free bar and can provide staff, bar units, glassware, cleaning services, and more. Feel free to contact us for a tailored quote.
Can I hire glasses from you?
Absolutely! We offer a variety of glassware for hire and would be happy to provide you with a quote.
Can I bring my own table wine or toast drinks?
While we offer a corkage service for convenience, you're welcome to supply your own table wine or toast drinks if preferred. Generally, we don’t operate the bar or have staff on-site while you're serving your own drinks due to cost limitations. However, we can arrange for staff to be present and open the bar for a one-time fee of £400. If we’re managing the bar (either free or paid), we’ll need to agree on the quantity of wine in advance to ensure proper alcohol control for legal reasons and to protect our service from unforeseen costs.
If you decide to provide your own drinks, please keep the following in mind to avoid any challenges on the day of your event:
1. Storage space at the venue may be limited, so plan accordingly for storing the drinks before placing them on the tables.
2. We cannot be held responsible for the security of your drinks before or during the event, so please ensure you have a secure area to store them.
3. If your drinks require chilling, consider delivering them already cold, as we may not have spare refrigeration unless pre-arranged.
4. We handle our own event waste, so please arrange for someone to collect and dispose of empty bottles responsibly.
5. Glassware is essential for serving. We offer glassware hire, subject to availability, but if you bring your own, consider how to store, clean, and manage it.
6. Make sure someone is present to receive any deliveries of drinks or glasses, as we cannot guarantee staff will be available to sign for them.
7. If hiring glasses from elsewhere, note that they may need to be returned clean. Washing facilities may not be available unless previously arranged.
8. Wine glasses will need to be set out before the event, and caterers may not always be responsible for this.
9. All waste, including bottles and glasses, should be collected and disposed of properly before midday the next day.
10. Bar staff may not be responsible for clearing tables if you're providing your own glassware, so allocate someone to handle this during the event.
11. If providing reception drinks, consider if you need additional items like tables, serving staff, trays, ice, etc.
While bringing your own drinks may seem appealing, our corkage service or drink supply options can often provide a more convenient solution.
Do you offer Corkage?
Yes, we provide a corkage service that simplifies the process of supplying your own drinks. Our service includes:
1. Chilling and refrigerating your drinks on the morning of the event (note: refrigeration may not be available prior to the event).
2. Arranging and placing the drinks as needed.
3. Supplying and delivering glassware, with collection after the event.
4. Setting out and polishing the glasses.
5. Clearing glasses during and after the event.
6. Washing the glasses (additional fees may apply).
7. Handling the removal of waste and broken glass.
Please contact us for corkage rates and availability.
Can my Caterers supply the table wine?
Absolutely! We offer a variety of glassware for hire and would be happy to provide you with a quote.As mentioned earlier, caterers frequently offer arrival drinks and table wine. However, it's important to note that selling alcohol requires a proper license. Your caterer must possess a valid premises license to sell alcohol beforehand or obtain a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to serve on the day of the event. Please keep in mind that only one TEN can be active at a time in the same location, which might impact the bar service arrangement.
Do you serve pump or bottled beers?
We can provide either option or a combination of both, depending on your preferences and the number of guests. If we supply cask or barrel beer, we need to ensure there's sufficient demand, as our pricing is designed to be reasonable and we want to avoid any losses during the event. For larger guest counts, we can offer barrelled lager or ale, which is a great option. However, for smaller gatherings, we typically suggest a selection of bottled beers to guarantee a variety for your guests. If you'd like to have tap beers but expect a lower turnout, we can certainly accommodate that; however, there will be a £98 deposit for the first barrel of ale or lager, which is refunded at £1.00 for every pint sold.
What spirits do you offer?
We offer a diverse range of spirits, including all the well-known brands you’d typically find at a bar, such as Gin, Vodka, Whisky, Brandy, Tequila, Jägermeister, Malibu, Amaretto, and more. We prioritize reputable brands like Smirnoff, Gordon’s, and Baileys, ensuring quality for your guests. Before the event, we’ll discuss your preferences to curate a selection that suits your occasion. Occasionally, we might vary our suppliers—for example, opting for Absolut Vodka instead of Smirnoff—but we always strive to accommodate your requests whenever possible.
Do you serve cocktails?
Yes, we can provide a selection of basic cocktails upon request. Our standard offerings include drinks like Baby Guinness and Jägerbombs. We will prepare cocktails if time allows, typically during quieter periods at the bar, such as after the initial arrival of guests, to ensure prompt service. This helps us maintain a smooth operation and keeps wait times to a minimum.
What wines do you offer?
We offer a variety of standard wines, including Pinot, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, White Zinfandel, Merlot, Malbec, and Prosecco, which can be purchased by the glass or bottle. Additionally, we have an extensive wine list for table selections that can be ordered in advance or included in an upgrade package. If you're interested in selecting table wines, we also provide wine tasting packages—please feel free to ask for more details!
Do you take the waste away?
Absolutely! If we provide it, we will also take it back.
When will you set-up?
We prefer to set up well in advance, ideally at least 2 hours before the event starts. If we’re bringing in the bar unit, we may need even more time. Additionally, some ales require a resting period of over 8 hours before serving, so earlier access may be necessary on certain occasions.
When will you clear everything away?
Generally, we will clear and remove everything promptly after the event concludes. However, bar units may be picked up at a mutually agreed-upon time or date.
How many staff members will be on the bar?
The number of staff we assign depends on the number of guests in attendance. We aim to minimize waiting times but also need to manage staffing levels to keep our prices affordable. For a typical event with around 120 guests, we generally provide 3 to 4 staff members who will alternate between serving at the bar and clearing tasks.
Can you provide drinking water?
Yes, by regulation, a serviced bar is required to offer drinking water free of charge whenever possible. If we are at a venue with tap water, we are happy to fulfill this requirement. However, if there is no piped drinking water available, we will need to use container water for washing and cleaning. While this water is safe to drink, it may have an unpleasant taste. Therefore, we also sell bottled water at the bar as an alternative.
Additionally, we can provide water in jugs with ice or offer water upon arrival; please feel free to ask for pricing details.
Can my guests bring their own drinks?
Unfortunately, guests are not allowed to bring their own drinks. When we operate under our licensing, especially with a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) in place, we have a responsibility to manage the alcohol served. If guests bring their own beverages, we cannot effectively monitor their consumption, which could lead to issues such as disruptive behavior or safety concerns. This would violate the terms of our license.
We require a £100 deposit to secure your booking, which will be refunded if your guest numbers are close to the original estimate and if they do not bring outside drinks. We cannot permit unregulated drinking within the licensed premises, nor do we typically participate in events that allow unregulated drinking outside of the licensed area (for example, in a garden or adjoining paddock). If you plan to include self-provided alcohol, please discuss it with us in advance so we can make an informed decision about our service.
Are you strict about age checks?
As a professional bar company, we adhere to rigorous licensing regulations. Our policy is to verify the age of anyone who appears to be under 21 years old when attempting to purchase alcohol.We require a £100 deposit to secure your booking, which will be refunded if your guest numbers are close to the original estimate and if they do not bring outside drinks. We cannot permit unregulated drinking within the licensed premises, nor do we typically participate in events that allow unregulated drinking outside of the licensed area (for example, in a garden or adjoining paddock). If you plan to include self-provided alcohol, please discuss it with us in advance so we can make an informed decision about our service.
Will you ever close the bar early?
We reserve the right to close the bar early if it becomes unviable due to reduced guest usage. While this situation is rare, there may be times when only a few guests remain at the end of the night, making it difficult to justify ongoing staffing costs. In such cases, we will provide ample notice and give guests the opportunity to "stock up" before closing.
Additionally, we may close the bar without prior notice, similar to a typical pub, if there are any disturbances within the licensed area, if drug use is detected on the premises, or if our staff feels uncomfortable in any way.
We require a £100 deposit to secure your booking, which will be refunded if your guest numbers are close to the original estimate and if they do not bring outside drinks. We cannot permit unregulated drinking within the licensed premises, nor do we typically participate in events that allow unregulated drinking outside of the licensed area (for example, in a garden or adjoining paddock). If you plan to include self-provided alcohol, please discuss it with us in advance so we can make an informed decision about our service.
Can I come and see you?
The address listed on our website refers to our storage unit located in Revesby Estate. If you would like reassurance or wish to discuss any specifics regarding your event, we would be happy to arrange a site visit. This way, you can see the location where the bar will be set up and clarify any details in person. Please let us know a convenient time for you, and we'll coordinate accordingly!We require a £100 deposit to secure your booking, which will be refunded if your guest numbers are close to the original estimate and if they do not bring outside drinks. We cannot permit unregulated drinking within the licensed premises, nor do we typically participate in events that allow unregulated drinking outside of the licensed area (for example, in a garden or adjoining paddock). If you plan to include self-provided alcohol, please discuss it with us in advance so we can make an informed decision about our service.
Can I tailor the Drinks Package?
Absolutely! We offer the flexibility to tailor your drinks package to fit your needs. You can explore our available packages on the homepage, and we're happy to mix and match options to create a customized selection for your event.
Do I need to apply for a TEN Licence?
If your event requires a license, we gladly take care of the application process on your behalf. The associated fee is already included in your package, ensuring there are no additional costs for you.
How Far In advance do I need to book?
To secure your preferred date, we recommend making your reservation as early as possible. We will hold your date once we receive the deposit. Currently, we have ample availability for 2023 and 2024, and we are also taking bookings extending into 2025. However, keep in mind that cancellations can occur occasionally.
Do you need a power supply?
Yes, we do require access to an electricity supply to run our fridges and flash cooler effectively.
Do you accept Card payments?
Definitely! We accept both card and cash payments without any extra charges for card transactions. Your convenience is important to us!
Welcome To Raise the Bar
Enjoy an Array of Fantastic Experiences
With a commitment to quality, a love for creating memorable moments, and an eye for rustic elegance, Raise the Bar transforms any venue into a celebration space.