Everything You Need to Stock for a DIY Bar (And Why a Mobile Bar Service Is Easier)

Planning a DIY bar for your wedding or event sounds simple… until you actually sit down and make the shopping list. Most couples and event planners are shocked by how much goes into it. As a mobile cocktail bar, we see it all the time—people start out thinking, “We’ll just buy alcohol and mixers,” and pretty quickly realize there's way more involved.

If you’re debating between going full DIY or hiring a mobile bartender, here’s everything you need to know (and everything people usually forget).

Step 1: Alcohol Quantities — The Part Everyone Overthinks (or Underestimates)

Let’s start with the big one: how much alcohol do you actually need?
A solid rule of thumb for weddings or private events is:

• 1 drink per guest per hour

• Split roughly into: 40% liquor, 35% wine, 25% beer

But here’s the part most people don’t realize: Total Wine and Costco both take returns on sealed bottles, which saves a ton of stress. This is also why Garnished Bartending never pre-opens bottles—we want our clients to keep their flexibility and return anything they don’t use.

Or you could hold on to it for your next celebration.

For a more detailed breakdown, check out this post.

Step 2: Mixers, Garnishes & Specialty Cocktail Ingredients

This is where DIY bars get messy because mixers add up FAST—juices, simple syrups, bitters, herbs, garnishes, sodas, tonics… you get the idea.

At Garnished Bar, we make all of our syrups in-house, which is honestly what elevates our drinks. Pre-made mixers from grocery stores can be super sugary and artificial, so making our own keeps cocktails fresher, brighter, and more balanced.

Our habanero syrup is a crowd favorite, especially in our spicy margarita. It’s got that perfect mix of sweet heat, and we always get asked if we sell bottles of it (maybe one day, keep an eye out!).

When you DIY, you either have to make a ton of these things or buy them—both are time-consuming and pricier than people expect. Doing them as a part of a business model allows us the benefit of scale and batching larger amounts all at once— something that might not be worth your time for a single event.

Step 3: Bar Tools & Equipment Most People Forget

These are the items you don’t think about until your bartender is standing there asking where the tools are:

• Shakers + strainers

• Jiggers (for accurate pours)

• Bottle openers + wine keys

• Ice bins

• Bar mats

• Cutting boards + knives

• Trash bins

• Towels

• Coolers

• Garnish containers

A professional mobile bartender brings all of this with them. When you're DIY-ing, you end up buying or borrowing way more than you planned.

Step 4: Ice, Cups & Barware — The Logistics Nobody Warns You About

Ice is the #1 thing people underestimate—especially in Arizona.
We recommend 1–2 pounds of ice per guest, depending on the season and if your event is outdoors (Unfortunately this included a beautiful wedding in Glendale one early November with unseasonably warm temperatures.)

You’ll also need:

• Rocks cups

• Wine cups

• Beer cups

• Backup cups

• Napkins

• Straws or stir sticks

• Garnish trays

Running out of cups or ice is one of the fastest ways to tank the guest experience. Meanwhile, a mobile cocktail bar arrives with all of this dialed in perfectly.

Step 5: Setup, Service Flow & Safety Considerations

A bar isn’t just a table with drinks on it.
A professional setup includes:

• A logical flow for guests

• Space for bartenders to move efficiently

• Safe storage of alcohol

• Keeping minors away from bar access

• Monitoring consumption so no one gets overserved

Bartenders for hire handle all of this automatically—DIY setups usually don’t, and for larger events you’ll be grateful for a service that includes general and liquor liability insurance.

The peace of mind alone is worth it.

How a Mobile Bartender Makes Events Stress-Free

When you hire Garnished Bar, we handle it all so your event looks polished and runs smoothly. You get:

• Custom-crafted syrups and cocktails

• Precise shopping lists

• Professional tools + equipment

• Full setup and teardown

• Friendly, professional bartenders

• A seamless, elevated guest experience

If you’re planning an event in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, or Peoria, hiring a mobile bartender keeps things stress-free and way more enjoyable.

Check out our Transparent Pricing here.

Ready to Skip the DIY Stress?

Reach out to Garnished Bar for bartenders for hire, mobile cocktail bar packages, and customized drink menus that make your event unforgettable.