Hospitality business ideas you can run out and about
41 ideas
These 41 hospitality ideas don't rely on a permanent shop or restaurant. You take the experience to customers, whether that's a mobile bar for weddings and events, a pop-up cider bar, or local day tours for visitors.
Sled dog rides on a partner estate
Offer sled dog rides on an estate, farm park or holiday site that already has visitors, and share the income with the landowner.
- £6k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local boat trip operator
Run sightseeing or wildlife trips from a local harbour, river or lake with one small passenger boat.
- £15k-75k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local day tours for visitors
Put together and run guided day tours of your area for visitors, using local guides, transport and venues.
- £500-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small balloon flight operator
Run your own passenger balloon flights with a pilot and chase crew, selling seats directly to visitors and celebrants.
- £30k-150k
- Part-time
- Out and about
One-boat narrowboat holiday hire
Buy one narrowboat and rent it by the week to holidaymakers on the canals.
- £30k-90k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Bartender for private parties and weddings
Serve cocktails and drinks at parties, weddings and birthdays, using your own kit and skills.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local guided day walks
Lead small groups on guided day walks through the hills and countryside you know best.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Multi-day guided walking holidays
Plan and lead walking trips over several days, with routes, stays and luggage sorted for guests.
- £1k-5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Managing holiday flats for owners
Run several holiday flats for owners, handling guests, cleaning and bookings for a share of the income.
- £500-3k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Whale and dolphin boat trips with your own boat
Run seasonal wildlife boat trips from a coastal harbour using your own small passenger boat.
- £30k-150k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Wildlife trip seller using a local licensed skipper
Market and sell whale watching trips run on a local licensed boat, without buying a boat yourself.
- £1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Guided walking tours for visitors
Lead small groups on themed walks of your town or city, sold online and through booking platforms.
- £200-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Minibus day tours for small groups
Run small-group day trips to scenic and historic spots by minibus, with you as driver and guide.
- £10k-45k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local tableware delivery round
Deliver cups, plates and packaging by van to cafes, food traders and event caterers in your area.
- £2.5k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Weekend bartending courses in hired bars
Run short cocktail and bar service courses in a pub or bar you hire on quiet days.
- £1k-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up dinner theatre nights
Stage a ticketed show and set meal in a pub function room or hall, selling combined tickets to the public.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Murder mystery dinners for private events
Bring an interactive mystery show to parties, clubs and company dinners, working with the venue's own food.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up tiki bar at venues and events
Run a tropical cocktail bar for a night or a season inside existing venues, markets and private events.
- £3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile espresso bar (cart, trailer or van)
Serve espresso drinks from a small cart, trailer or converted van at markets, events and busy spots.
- £6k-30k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Regular club night in a hired venue
Run a monthly or weekly club night in an existing licensed venue, without leasing your own.
- £1k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up afternoon tea room
Run a tea room in hired halls, gardens or shared spaces on set days, without a lease.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile bar for weddings and events
Serve drinks from a converted trailer, horsebox or portable bar at weddings, parties and local events.
- £5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up karaoke bar nights
Test the idea by running a karaoke bar night in a hired room or quiet venue before you commit to premises.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up mahjong club nights
Run regular social mahjong sessions in hired cafés, pubs or halls, with a small fee per player.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
They suit people who enjoy meeting the public, can work evenings and weekends, and would rather test demand cheaply than sign a long lease. Start by thinking about where you'll trade and who gives permission: venue owners, event organisers or landowners. Then look at what licences, insurance and food or alcohol rules might apply to your idea. Costs vary widely, from a few hundred pounds for hired-venue nights to much more for vehicles or boats, so work out your set-up costs and a realistic first event before committing.
More ideas
- Mobile fish and chip van
- Pop-up lounge bar nights
- Fast food van or trailer
- Pop-up standing bar in a borrowed space
- Pop-up wine bar for events
- Pop-up LGBTQ+ bar nights
- Tapas pop-up in an existing pub or bar
- Salsa nights in an existing bar
- Pop-up animal cafe sessions
- Pop-up queer bar nights
- Pop-up piano bar nights
- Pop-up oxygen cocktail stall
- Pop-up karaoke nights
- Pop-up beer hall weekends
- Independent food and drink consultant
- Mobile escape room for events and venues
- Pop-up cider bar for events
Questions
Do I need a licence to run a mobile or pop-up hospitality business?
Often, yes, but it depends on what you sell and where. Check whether you need a premises or personal licence for alcohol, temporary event notices, street trading consent and food business registration with your local council. Ask the council before you buy equipment.
What insurance should I check for before trading at events?
Look at public liability insurance first, as many venues and event organisers ask for proof. Depending on your idea, you may also need product liability, employers' liability if you hire staff, and cover for vehicles, equipment or boats. Ask an insurer to confirm.
How can I test a hospitality idea without a permanent venue?
Start small with a single hired venue night, a market stall or a private event. Check the venue's hire terms, what permissions are needed, and whether your costs are covered. Gather feedback and repeat bookings before investing in bigger equipment or vehicles.