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UNIT / Insights / Planning

What to ask your event bar supplier
before you sign anything.

Eight questions that separate professional event bar operators from ones who will let you down on the day.

Topic

Planning

Read time

4 minutes

Category

Supplier briefing

Published

May 2026

01

Why the questions matter.

Context
Why the questions matter.

Most event bar hire suppliers look similar on a website. The difference shows up on the day - when the machine breaks down, the barista does not know the venue access procedure, or the cups arrive unbranded despite being paid for three weeks ago.

Before you commit to any event bar hire supplier, ask these questions. The answers will tell you everything you need to know about whether they will perform on the day.

02

The eight questions.

What to ask
The eight questions.

What machine do you use? A professional event coffee bar runs on a commercial espresso machine. If the answer is a domestic machine or a bean-to-cup unit, quality will not be consistent at volume. Who is the barista - the company's own trained staff or a freelancer sourced per event?

What happens if the machine breaks down? A professional supplier has a contingency. Have you worked at this venue before? What is included in the quote, in writing? What are your power requirements? Can you provide references from similar events? What is the cancellation policy?

03

Reading the signals.

What answers tell you
Reading the signals.

A supplier who hesitates on the machine question, cannot name a contingency plan or has never been to the venue is carrying risk into your event. These are not trick questions - they are the basic operational questions any professional event bar operator should be able to answer without pause.

04

FAQs.

Planning

Questions

Eight questions that separate professional event bar operators from ones who will let you down on the day.

What machine should an event coffee bar supplier use?+
A professional event coffee bar runs on a commercial espresso machine - a La Marzocco, Synesso or similar. If a supplier uses a domestic or bean-to-cup machine, the quality will not be consistent at volume.
What power does a coffee bar need at an event?+
A commercial espresso machine typically draws 13-16 amps on a dedicated circuit. UNIT confirms power requirements with the venue before every event and brings its own power cable.
How do I compare event coffee bar hire suppliers?+
Ask about the machine, the barista, the contingency plan, venue experience and what is included in the quote in writing. A professional supplier answers all of these without hesitation.

Talk to
UNIT Coffee Co.

We are happy to answer all eight of these questions directly. Get in touch with your event details.

UNIT is based in London and operates across the UK for the right event.

hello@unitcoffee.co 07825 159240