Hospitality business ideas you run out and about
37 ideas
These 37 hospitality ideas have no fixed dining room or front desk. You work at events, on trails, on the water, or at someone else's venue.
Single houseboat rental on a lake
Buy one used houseboat and rent it by the weekend or week to vacationers at a nearby lake or river.
- $30k-120k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small-boat sightseeing and charter tours
Run scenic, wildlife or sunset trips for small groups from a local dock on your own licensed boat.
- $15k-75k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Hot-air balloon flight operator
Fly paying passengers in your own balloon with a small crew, selling seats and private flights for tourists and celebrations.
- $90k-200k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile bartending classes
Run short bartending courses in rented venues, bars or event spaces, with no permanent classroom to pay for.
- $1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small-boat whale watching tours
Run small-group whale and dolphin trips from your own boat for tourists in a coastal town.
- $25k-120k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Whale watching trips on a partner's boat
Sell your own whale watching trips using a chartered or partner-owned boat, with no boat to buy.
- $3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Fast food truck or trailer
Serve a short menu of quick, affordable meals from a truck or trailer at lunch spots, events and breweries.
- $30k-120k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local walking tour guide
Lead small group walking tours of your city's history, food or neighborhoods and sell spots online.
- $300-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small-group van sightseeing tours
Drive visitors to the best sights in your area in a van, with commentary and set pickup points.
- $35k-120k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Dog sled rides at lodges and winter events
Bring a small team of sled dogs to resorts, lodges and festivals and sell short rides to their guests.
- $10k-45k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up dinner theater at local venues
Stage a show with a meal at restaurants and banquet halls that already have the kitchen and seats.
- $2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local guided walking or van tours
Lead small-group tours of your town's history, food or sights for visitors and locals.
- $500-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local day hike guide
Lead small groups on guided day hikes on trails near you, on weekends and evenings.
- $500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Guided multi-day hiking trips
Run weekend and multi-day hiking trips for groups, with route, logistics and safety handled.
- $8k-30k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Mobile bartending for private parties
Work as the bartender at weddings, birthdays and parties, serving guests while hosts supply or order the drinks.
- $400-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Event bar company with a small bartender team
Run a bartending company that staffs weddings and corporate events with a few trained bartenders and a full bar setup.
- $2.5k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Pop-up live music night series
Host regular ticketed live music nights in a rented hall, restaurant or bar room, without a lease of your own.
- $1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Restaurant operations and profit consultant
Work inside struggling restaurants and bars to tighten staffing, ordering, waste and service so they make more money.
- $1k-5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local vacation rental manager
Manage a few nearby short-term rentals for owners: bookings, guest messages and turnovers, for a commission.
- $500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Short-term rental co-host and manager
Manage Airbnb-style rentals for owners: listings, guests, cleaning turnovers and upkeep.
- $500-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up afternoon tea events
Run a tea room without a lease by hosting afternoon tea at rented venues on set dates.
- $1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Espresso cart or kiosk
Serve espresso drinks from a compact cart or kiosk at markets, offices and busy walkways.
- $8k-45k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile tiki bar for events
Bring a themed tiki bar and tropical cocktails to weddings, parties and local events.
- $8k-40k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up mahjong club in local venues
Run paid mahjong nights in cafes, bars and community rooms, bringing your own tables and sets.
- $600-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
They suit people who like meeting guests, enjoy being outdoors or on the move, and would rather start small than sign a long lease. You could run local guided walking or van tours, set up a pop-up beer garden for events and markets, or offer mobile bartending for private parties. Before you pick one, think about where you will operate and who controls that space. Check which permits, alcohol rules, insurance and vehicle requirements apply in your state and city, since these vary a lot. Also consider seasonality, weather and how you will find your first customers.
More ideas
- Pop-up cocktail bar in a host venue
- Recurring LGBTQ+ dance night at a host venue
- Pop-up beer garden for events and markets
- Recurring club night in a rented venue
- Weekly salsa night at a local bar
- Mobile pop-up escape room for events
- Queer bar pop-up nights
- Pop-up LGBTQ+ bar nights
- Pop-up cat cafe events
- Pop-up wine bar nights
- Pop-up oxygen foam drinks stand
- Tapas pop-up nights at a host bar
- Pop-up beer hall at local venues
Questions
Do I need a permit to run a mobile or pop-up hospitality business?
Often, yes, though it depends on your city, county and state. Check whether you need a business license, a food or temporary event permit, a vendor permit at markets, and approval to operate on public or private land.
What should I check before serving alcohol at events or parties?
Alcohol rules differ by state and sometimes by city. Check whether you need your own liquor license, a temporary event permit, or can work under a host venue's license. Also look into liquor liability insurance and server training requirements.
How do I choose between a tour business and a pop-up event business?
Compare startup costs, seasonality and how you will find customers. Tours may need vehicles, boats and commercial insurance. Pop-ups often need event bookings and equipment. Pick the one that fits your budget, local demand and the hours you want to work.