Converting a horsebox trailer into a bar is an exciting and creative business opportunity that blends entrepreneurship with a passion for events.
These unique bars are becoming more common across the UK, so don’t be surprised if the next wedding, festival, or corporate event you attend features cocktails served from a converted horsebox.
We believe their rising popularity stems from offering a stylish, practical, and flexible solution with distinctive charm.
So, if a converted horse trailer is on your wish list this year, we’re here to explain the process – from careful planning, intricate design details, and licensing requirements for your mobile bar.
Designing your mobile bar
The first step in converting a horse trailer into a mobile bar is choosing the right trailer—one of the most exciting parts of the process!
At this stage, it’s essential to select a trailer that suits your setup, the types of drinks you’ll be serving, and the variety of items you’ll need on hand.
For instance, if you’re offering cocktails, you’ll require space for various spirits, mixers, and juices. On the other hand, if your focus is on prosecco and champagne, the stock requirements will differ.
You’ll also need to think about equipment and how many staff members you need, ensuring there’s enough space for everyone to work comfortably. At the same time, the trailer should be compact enough to transport easily to different venues.
After selecting your equipment and supplies, take into account the weight of your trailer to ensure it can be safely transported and meets UK road regulations.
Planning the interior layout
The interior design of your horse trailer is key to making it both a functional mobile bar and an inviting space for customers.
Serving
You’ll need to plan for a bar counter where drinks can be prepared and served. When choosing counters, it’s important they are sturdy, waterproof, easy to clean, and visually appealing from the customer’s perspective.
To optimise space, consider adding a fold-out counter or a bar hatch to serve customers directly from the side of the trailer.
Storage
Making the most of vertical storage is essential for keeping everything organised and accessible. You could consider hanging wine or champagne glasses, using hooks for mugs, and neatly stacking bottles of prosecco or beer in their crates.
Refrigeration
Keeping drinks cool is crucial to customer satisfaction—no one wants warm champagne! Ensure your Horsebox bar has reliable, compact, and energy-efficient cooling solutions to keep beverages at the perfect temperature.
Lighting
Good lighting plays a key role in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, especially during the colder months when it can make a huge impact. Well-placed LED lights, both inside and outside the trailer, can make a big impact, especially when using warm tones to create a cosy, comforting vibe.
Decor
You might also consider adding decorative touches like fairy lights, reclaimed wood if you’re going after a rustic vibe, or vintage décor if that is the chosen aesthetic.
The design of the horsebox bar trailer will need to comply with accessibility regulations, making it safe for staff to work and easy for customers to approach and place their orders.
Planning the exterior design
The exterior design is your opportunity to showcase your brand and make your mobile bar stand out. This could be in the form of a logo or colour palette that makes it clear what your horsebox trailer bar is selling, and make it recognisable too.
The colours you choose can transform your horse trailer from an ordinary horsebox to a showstopping, unique, professional-looking mobile bar.
Signage
The exterior design on your horsebox bar should allow for signage that highlights your business name, logo, and services. This is really important to increase your visibility at events, especially if your potential customer has a lot of choices – this will make sure you stand out.
To display drink menus, consider using removable signs or chalkboards to display drink menus. There are artists out there who will design your chalkboard so it fits in line with your branding, looks smart, and helps you sell your products with eye-catching designs.
Seating
To elevate the experience at your horsebox bar, consider offering social outdoor seating that complements the overall aesthetic of your décor, if space permits.
Providing a comfortable place for your customers to relax could encourage them to linger longer—and maybe even order another drink!
Licensing and legal requirements
Operating a mobile bar in the UK involves navigating several licensing requirements to ensure your business is compliant. Whilst this is probably the least ‘fun’ bit, it’s definitely one of the most important.
You’ll need licences, including a Personal Alcohol Licence (APL) and a Premises Licence. The APL requires passing an exam on UK alcohol laws, while the Premises Licence involves obtaining a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for each event where you serve alcohol.
Additionally, ensure you have a food safety and hygiene certificate if you plan to serve snacks, cocktails with perishable ingredients, or other food items, as your trailer may require inspections by the local environmental health office.
Insurance is also essential to protect your business, trailer, and staff. You’ll need to find out if you require liability insurance for the public, employers, and products to protect against injury, damage claims, and product-related issues.
Ensure you also have vehicle and trailer insurance to cover towing, business use, accidents, theft, or damage.
If you have any questions regarding the above, don’t hesitate to ask our team for guidance.
Health and Safety Compliance
Your horse trailer bar must comply with health and safety regulations to ensure the safety of staff and customers.
This includes installing fire safety equipment, such as a fire extinguisher and fire blanket, ensuring all electrical installations comply with UK regulations and may require a PAT (Portable Appliance Test), and managing a clean water supply for hand and utensil washing, along with proper waste disposal.
Setting up your mobile bar business
Finding the right events and locations
Once your mobile bar is ready, finding suitable events and locations is essential.
In some places, you might be the sole vendor, in others, you might have a lot of competition to contend with.
Popular options for horsebox trailers include:
- Weddings and private parties: These are lucrative, as people often look for unique experiences for their celebrations, and the business is guaranteed. To be a success in this industry, it’s crucial to develop relationships with wedding planners and event coordinators so you are their first choice when it comes to selecting a horsebox trailer for their customers.
- Festivals and food markets: Applying to trade at festivals and food markets is a great way to showcase your bar to large audiences. You will need to make sure your bar stands out from the competition and that you have a strong offering to persuade them to buy from you. Take your time to research popular events in your area and apply early to secure a spot.
- Corporate events and brand activations: Many companies hire mobile bars for product launches, team-building events, or promotional activities to add to the fun factor. You could consider reaching out to corporate event companies to get added to their preferred supplier lists so you’ll be front of mind once an opportunity appears.
Marketing and branding your mobile bar
Building a strong brand identity and crafting an effective marketing strategy is essential for making your horsebox trailer bar stand out and succeed.
Ensure potential customers can easily find you online. Your website should align with your Horsebox branding, and you should establish social media channels where you can share the events you attend. By consistently posting quality content, you are showcasing your popularity and demand—making your bar more attractive to potential clients.
When posting on social media, make sure you are showing off what your brand does and why you are different. Professional photography of your vehicle is a good investment to get your business off the ground to attract high-quality bookings.
The secret to success in this industry is based on the relationships you build. Event organisers, planners, and wedding coordinators can help you secure consistent business throughout the year, so it’s important to make positive connections.
Getting involved with local business groups, attending networking events, and advertising in local publications to promote your mobile bar business, can also make you front of mind when selecting a vendor for an opportunity.
Convert your Horsebox bar with Big Coffee
Converting a horse trailer into a mobile bar is an exciting business opportunity that allows you to be creative while providing a unique service to your customers.
From designing the perfect layout to navigating licensing and setting up your business, careful planning and attention to detail are key to making the launch of your horsebox bar a success.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating a stylish mobile bar business in the UK and we can’t wait to hear all about it.
If you’re looking for support or someone with experience to guide you, reach out to us today and let’s work together to turn your dream of owning a Horsebox bar into a reality. Cheers to your new venture!
