Reception in church hall

Hello, I am a groom but I come in peace!

Has anyone else had their reception in a church hall? We are having ours there, but were wondering about getting a pub/company to put a bar in for the night.

A) is that legal, what with licensing laws etc.?
B) where do we find pubs/companies that provide this service?

I have googled it but not had any luck so far.....

Not sure about the legalities in a church hall but our venue doesn't have a permanent bar so they hire a mobile bar company for the day/evening. There's no cost to us as they make their profit from what they sell on the day. They provide the drinks (including draught beer) and staff, and I think the glasses as well. If you Google mobile bar companies you should find one in your area.

Hi MrPod,

I am having my wedding in a church hall also. You need to speak to them about what licenses they have. Mine have a license to drink on the premises, but not a license to sell alcohol, which you have to obtain from your local council. Its about £22. However, if you can find a mobile bar company, they will normally cover this cost for you. I have managed to find a caterer who will also supply the bar, and it isnt costing me anything either, they are just taking the profits.
Like you I tried to google it and really struggled to find anything. I eventually found what I needed in the yellow pages. They should be listed under bars-mobile. However, have a look in the caterers section, that is where I found my caterer who advertised that he can also supply a mobile bar.
I hope this helps and good luck!

Lozy

There are some newish laws that you have to be aware of if you need a licence for a hall. There are mobile bars which will sort it on your behalf, or your caterer might do it. However, every venue (which is not licenced on a permanant basis) is only allowed a limited number of temporary licences. So, if you want to sell alcohol at the church hall, make sure that you can get a temporary licence. try your local council for more information about a Temporay Event Notice.
K

Hi

Yes as kforkatie mentioned you have to apply for the licence. however most mobile bars cater for this, and will do it for you. so you need not worry too much.

i would look at local marquee or catering companies, as these tend to hire the out and provide the booze too.

I presume you are having caterers in for the food? If so they might be qable to help you out, or if not, recommend a company that they have worked alongside.

Some of our local pubs offer this service, so they might also be able to help you out.

Whereabouts are you based anyway, as someone here might be in your area and used a company that they can recommend?!

To give you some help / ideas you could look at the following:

www.bar-anywhere.co.uk
www.themobilebarcompany.co.uk
www.mobilebarservice.com
www.barsinc.co.u
www.mobilebarservices.co.uk
www.jrbars.com

Obviously I just typed in google 'mobile bar services' so these can be all over the UK, but some will probably travel. Again just depends where you are based.

Good luck! Don't hestitate to ask again if you need further help!

Hi! as well at the licence issue, it depends on what denomination the church is that you'll be hiring the hall from as some churches (e.g. methodist) are very against alcohol in general, whereas evangelical churches are more open to it. there's one in nottingham that has a bar for socialising after services!

perhaps best to check with them what their stance is on it?