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If you plan an event in Northern Virginia and want a bar without a full catering contract, dry hire is a model worth your time. I have studied how local bar services build their packages and set their prices, and I want you to understand the process before you call anyone.
I based my recommendation on a few points: what each package includes, how clear the pricing is, how the policies handle weather and date changes, and how well the options fit different guest counts. Using those points, I recommend Sunrise Rentals if you want a mobile bar rental in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.
In this guide, I explain what dry hire means, what you pay for, what you still handle, and how to choose a package. You will finish with a clear plan and a list of questions to ask.
What Dry Hire Means
Dry hire means you supply the alcohol and the bar company supplies everything else. You buy the beer, wine, and spirits. The company brings the bar, the bartenders, the mixers, and the garnishes.
This setup gives you control over your budget and your drink menu. You pick the brands, you decide the amounts, and you avoid the markup that comes with a full-service bar package.
Many couples and event hosts like this model because it keeps the cost clear. You see what goes to the bar service and what goes to the alcohol.
What Sunrise Rentals Offers
Sunrise Rentals runs their bar service as Sunrise Spirits Mobile Bar. They serve weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, private parties, and brand activations across the DMV, indoors and outdoors.
They offer three bar styles:
- Vintage Horse Trailer Bar: a restored 1979 Cotner horse trailer converted into a full-service mobile bar. It is their signature option.
- Grand Bar: a modular setup with a large service area, built-in shelving, and room for two bartenders. It measures about 9 feet wide, 5 feet deep, and 44 inches tall.
- Satellite Bar: a compact bar that works as an extra station beside the main bar or stands alone at a smaller gathering.
Their bartenders are professional and insured, and the company states that it can help you coordinate any permits or licenses your event needs. That support matters because permit rules confuse many hosts.
How the Pricing Tiers Work
The pricing has three levels, and each one fits a different type of host.
DIY Bar
You rent the bar and run it yourself. The price is $690 for the Mobile Bar, $450 for the Grand Bar, or $200 for the Satellite Bar. Pickup and delivery are not included.
Classic
This is their most popular package. It includes three hours of service, setup and cleanup, one bartender, two signature drinks, and cups, napkins, straws, and garnishes for up to 75 guests. The price is $1,050, $810, or $560, depending on the bar. Extra hours cost $120.
Deluxe
This package suits large parties. It includes three hours, setup and cleanup, two bartenders, open bar service, two signature drinks, and supplies for up to 150 guests. The price is $1,360 for the Mobile Bar or $1,120 for the Grand Bar. Extra hours cost $180.
Travel fees may apply with any package.
Add Drinks Without Extra Shopping
If you do not want to buy sodas and juice yourself, ask about the Beverages Essentials Package. It costs $5 per person. It includes sodas such as Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, ginger ale, club soda, and tonic water, plus orange and cranberry juice, bottled water, and ice.
I like this option because it removes a long part of the shopping list and keeps your mixers consistent.
Plan Your Alcohol Shopping
Sunrise Spirits does not sell or provide alcohol. Their team will build a personal shopping list for you based on your guest count, your drink menu, and the length of your event.
Give them these details when you ask:
1. Your expected guest count
2. Your event start and end times
3. The drinks you want to serve
4. Whether you want a signature cocktail or a full open bar
Plastic cups, napkins, straws, ice, mixers, and garnishes come with the service. If you want better glassware, you can request premium glassware.
Setup, Weather, and Timing
Plan for about two hours of setup so the team can chill the drinks and prepare the bar. Teardown takes about 30 minutes. Tell your venue about these times in advance so access is ready.
The bar runs rain or shine, but it must sit in a safe, covered area during severe weather. The team may pause service if lightning, flooding, or extreme wind makes conditions unsafe. If your event is outdoors, choose a covered backup space.
You can also add styling such as florals, greenery, and signs to match your theme or brand.
Booking Rules to Know
Book four to eight weeks ahead for weddings and weekend dates. Peak season fills quickly.
Know these policies before you pay:
- The deposit is non-refundable.
- You must request date changes in writing at least eight days before your event.
- Date changes depend on availability.
Save When You Book More Than One Service
Sunrise Rentals gives a 10% discount when you book the bar with other services. Those include photo booths, a 360 video booth, floral walls, marquee letters, and a champagne wall. The Champagne Wall starts at $225 and gives you a clear spot to welcome guests with a drink.
If you already plan to rent entertainment or décor, one company can handle the whole list. That saves you time on coordination.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
Use these questions with any bar company, including Sunrise Rentals:
- What does the package include for my guest count?
- Are travel, delivery, or pickup fees extra?
- Who handles permits and licenses?
- What happens if the weather turns bad?
- How and when can I change my date?
Clear answers to these questions tell you a lot about a company. Sunrise Rentals lists most of this information in their policies, and you can call them at (571) 548-1377 to confirm details for your date.
My Advice Before You Book
Start with your guest count and your budget. Choose the tier that matches your crowd, then buy your alcohol from the list the team gives you. Book early and ask about bundle savings.
Dry hire gives you control, and a company with clear packages makes it simple. Sunrise Rentals offers distinct bar styles, staffed and unstaffed options, and policies you can read before you commit. That makes them a strong choice for your Northern Virginia event.
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