Pop-up standing bar in a borrowed space

Locals and visitors looking for something different, plus groups attending the event or venue you are working with.

Drinks sales on the nights you trade, often with a revenue share or fixed fee agreed with the venue. You can also add snacks or ticketed themed nights.

• Customer service and bar work
• Negotiating simple deals with venue owners
• Marketing through social media and local networks
• Organising stock, kit and setup quickly

• Alcohol licensing: check with the local council whether the host's licence covers you or whether you need your own permissions
• Temporary Event Notices have limits on how often they can be used, check the current rules
• A personal licence holder may be needed to authorise alcohol sales, check who must hold it
• Public liability insurance, and check whether the venue's cover includes your activity
• Food hygiene and allergen rules if you serve snacks
• Agree in writing who handles cleaning, security, closing times and breakages

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your stock, kit, setup and insurance. Check whether the venue's insurance covers your activity, and agree in writing who handles cleaning, security, closing times and breakages.

Check with the local council whether the host's licence covers you or whether you need your own permissions. Temporary Event Notices have limits on how often they can be used, and you should check who must hold a personal licence.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on how many nights you run, the venue and your drinks range. It can take as little as around 10 hours a week, so it suits testing demand before taking a lease.