What a margarita bar is
A margarita bar is a dedicated drinks station serving margaritas and other Mexican drinks, usually with bar staff. It pairs naturally with tacos and street food, and it gives guests somewhere to gather. It can run alongside your venue’s bar or replace it, depending on what the venue allows.
What to serve
- Classic margarita: tequila, lime and orange liqueur, shaken and served over ice, with or without a salted rim.
- Fruit margaritas: made with fruit such as mango, passion fruit or strawberry.
- Paloma: tequila with grapefruit and soda. Lighter and less sweet.
- Mexican beer: served cold with a wedge of lime.
- Aguas frescas: alcohol-free drinks such as agua de jamaica (hibiscus), horchata, tamarind and fruit waters.
Keep the list short. Three or four drinks plus alcohol-free options keeps the bar moving.
Alcohol-free options
A good drinks bar looks after everyone, including drivers, children, pregnant guests and anyone not drinking. Aguas frescas are a natural choice, and an alcohol-free margarita made with fresh lime is popular. Make sure water is always available and easy to find.
Licensing
If alcohol is being sold at your event, the event needs the right licence. Selling alcohol includes charging for drinks at the bar, and can include alcohol bundled into a ticket price. Many venues already have a premises licence, so check what your venue’s licence covers and whether it allows an outside bar.
For sites without a licence, such as a field or private land, a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) may cover the event. TENs are for smaller events of fewer than 500 people at any one time and are given to the local council in advance. Check the gov.uk page for the current rules, deadlines and fee. Drinks given away at a private party with no charge are treated differently, but if you’re unsure, ask the council.
If you book our Mexican drinks bar, we’ll check the licensing with you before the event.
Serving responsibly
- Age checks. It’s illegal to sell alcohol to under-18s. Many bars use a Challenge 25 policy, asking anyone who looks under 25 for ID.
- Don’t serve people who are drunk. Selling alcohol to someone who is drunk is an offence.
- Measure the drinks. Consistent measures help guests know what they’re drinking.
- Food and water. Make sure food is available and water is offered.
- Close the bar on time. Agree a last-orders time with the venue and stick to it.
How much to plan for
Drinks quantities depend on the length of the event, the time of day, the weather and how much your guests drink. Some events offer a set number of drinks per guest, others a time-limited bar. Talk it through with your bar provider, and give them your timings and numbers.
Glasses, ice and garnishes
Margaritas need a lot of ice, more than most people expect, so plan where it will be stored and kept cold. Decide whether you want glassware or disposable cups, and check what the venue allows, as some don’t permit glass outside. Fresh limes, salt for rims and fruit for garnishes all need to be prepared. A clear drinks menu board saves time at the bar and helps guests with allergies.
Where the bar goes
Put the bar away from the food queue so the two don’t merge. It needs a level surface, shade or cover, somewhere for ice and stock, and bins for empties. Ask about power if blenders or fridges are needed.
Getting a quote
Tell us your date, venue, numbers and whether alcohol is being sold, and we’ll talk through options. Contact us for a quote through our quote form, and read our Mexican drinks guide for more ideas.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll suggest a menu and send a quote for your event.