Following on from our last two blogs on things to take into consideration this blog will look at Kitchen and Bar Use.

• Are you going to require a kitchen for your event?

If you are going to be prepare food at your party are you going to require a  kitchen. It might be that you are going to be making food such as sandwiches or have a catering company come in that will require some preparation area.

• If you do then is there an extra cost to use?

As mentioned before some halls will charge extra to use their kitchen spaces so check this beforehand.

• What items are available for you to use such as oven, microwave and also crockery and cutlery.

If you are able to use the kitchen check what items will be available for you. It might be that you can use the kitchen but not the items. Also don’t forget that you will probably need to take cleaning items such as washing-up liquid and tea towels.

• Rubbish

You will need to check with the venue if the rubbish needs to be left in a designated area or that you need to take home and dispose of it.

Ensure that you take black bags and recycling bags with you as these they may not be available.

Bar

• Does the venue you have a bar?

Some halls now have a bar that you will be able to use but you need to ensure the following:

• Following on from our last two blogs on things to take into consideration this blog will look at Kitchen and Bar Use.

   

• Are you going to require a kitchen for your event?

• If you are going to be prepare food at your party are you going to require a  kitchen. It might be that you are going to be making food such as sandwiches or have a catering company come in that will require some preparation area.

• If you do then is there an extra cost to use?

• As mentioned before some halls will charge extra to use their kitchen spaces so check this beforehand.

• What items are available for you to use such as oven, microwave and also crockery and cutlery.

• If you are able to use the kitchen check what items will be available for you. It might be that you can use the kitchen but not the items. Also don’t forget that you will probably need to take cleaning items such as washing-up liquid and tea towels.

   

• Rubbish

• You will need to check with the venue if the rubbish needs to be left in a designated area or that you need to take home and dispose of it.

  Ensure that you take black bags and recycling bags with you as these they may not be available.

  Bar

• Does the venue you have a bar?

• Some halls now have a bar that you will be able to use but you need to ensure the following:

• If yes, will the bar be stocked and staffed? 

• If the hall does have a bar then you need to find out if it will be stocked with drinks, and also staff and do those staff require paying or is it included in the cost of the hall hire.

• What is the cost of drinks?

• Are the drinks cheaper than a local pub. Ask for a price so you can compare prices between venues.

• Will it be a free bar and if so how will you manage the cost?

• If you are going to have a free bar you need to be able to mange the cost. There are few ways that you can do this: 1) Put a set amount behind the bar and once that amount has gone then guests have to pay for their drinks. 2) As above but only serve single shots of alcohol and no multiple rounds. 3) To give tokens for 2 free drinks and then guests pay thereafter. 4) Free drinks for certain guests only such as family.

• If no bar can you bring a mobile bar into the venue?

• There are many companies now where you can hire a mobile bar. It can be a bar that you stock yourself or that comes fully stocked with a choice of drinks. Another option is to have a bar that is actually a converted vehicle or horse box. Check with your venue as to what you would be allowed to have.

• Will you make a bar yourself with tables?

• If none of the above options are available or possible then you can make a bar yourself which you can either have someone serve your guests or have the drinks laid out in the table and guests help themselves. Make sure that the tables are able to take the weight of the drinks. You will also need to provide glasses or plastic cups for the drinks. Keeping drinks cold is very simple you can purchase some plastic tubs and fill with ice that you can buy from the supermarket or off-licence. I always put a large bin for people to put their empty cups and bottles in so it’s easy to dispose of. 

  Alcohol 

• Are you allowed to have alcohol at the venue?

• You will need to check if your venue allow this as some church halls will not allow alcohol. You may also find they may charge corkage which is a charge made by the venue for serving alcohol that has been brought in by a client. It may vary from charge per person or per bottle.

   

  Checklist

  Do You Require a Kitchen?

  Cost of Kitchen Use:

  Items Available for Use:

  How to Dispose of Rubbish?

  Items to Take:

• Washing Up Liquid and Sponge
• Tea Towels
• Black Bags and Recycling Bags
• Other:

• Does the venue you have a bar?

  If Yes:

• Is it stocked?
• Are staff included?
• Price of Drinks?

• If No:

• Are you allowed a mobile bar?
• Are suitable tables and space available?

• Are you having a free bar?

  If Yes:

• What is your budget?
• Are you putting any rules in place?

• If No:

• Are giving giving any free drinks?

• Is Alcohol allowed at the venue?

  Do you need to pay corkage? 

If the hall does have a bar then you need to find out if it will be stocked with drinks, and also staff and do those staff require paying or is it included in the cost of the hall hire.

• What is the cost of drinks?

Are the drinks cheaper than a local pub. Ask for a price so you can compare prices between venues.

• Will it be a free bar and if so how will you manage the cost?

If you are going to have a free bar you need to be able to mange the cost. There are few ways that you can do this: 1) Put a set amount behind the bar and once that amount has gone then guests have to pay for their drinks. 2) As above but only serve single shots of alcohol and no multiple rounds. 3) To give tokens for 2 free drinks and then guests pay thereafter. 4) Free drinks for certain guests only such as family.

• If no bar can you bring a mobile bar into the venue?

There are many companies now where you can hire a mobile bar. It can be a bar that you stock yourself or that comes fully stocked with a choice of drinks. Another option is to have a bar that is actually a converted vehicle or horse box. Check with your venue as to what you would be allowed to have.

• Will you make a bar yourself with tables?

If none of the above options are available or possible then you can make a bar yourself which you can either have someone serve your guests or have the drinks laid out in the table and guests help themselves. Make sure that the tables are able to take the weight of the drinks. You will also need to provide glasses or plastic cups for the drinks. Keeping drinks cold is very simple you can purchase some plastic tubs and fill with ice that you can buy from the supermarket or off-licence. I always put a large bin for people to put their empty cups and bottles in so it’s easy to dispose of. 

Alcohol 

• Are you allowed to have alcohol at the venue?

You will need to check if your venue allow this as some church halls will not allow alcohol. You may also find they may charge corkage which is a charge made by the venue for serving alcohol that has been brought in by a client. It may vary from charge per person or per bottle.

Checklist

Do You Require a Kitchen?

Cost of Kitchen Use:

Items Available for Use:

How to Dispose of Rubbish?

Items to Take:

• Washing Up Liquid and Sponge
• Tea Towels
• Black Bags and Recycling Bags
• Other:

Does the venue you have a bar?

If Yes:

• Is it stocked?
• Are staff included?
• Price of Drinks?

If No:

• Are you allowed a mobile bar?
• Are suitable tables and space available?

Are you having a free bar?

If Yes:

• What is your budget?
• Are you putting any rules in place?

If No:

• Are giving giving any free drinks?

Is Alcohol allowed at the venue?

Do you need to pay corkage?