The question we hear most after "How much alcohol should I buy?" is a simpler one: "What does dry-hire actually mean?" Here's the plain version.
Dry-hire means you buy the alcohol, and we do everything else. You supply the beer, wine, and spirits for your event. Minkxology brings TIPS-certified bartenders, a polished portable bar setup, professional bar tools, fresh garnishes, and a personalized drink menu built around your celebration — then handles setup, service, and last call.
Why hosts love it: you keep control of the bar bill. With a venue bar package, you usually pay a per-person or per-bottle price set by someone else, and you don't keep what's left over. With dry-hire, you buy the alcohol yourself — at retail, from a store that takes back unopened bottles — and anything unopened at the end of the night is yours to keep. No per-bottle markup, no paying for drinks nobody ordered.
What we bring vs. what you buy
We bring: bartenders, the portable bar, bar tools, fresh garnishes, and your personalized menu — including custom signature cocktails and nonalcoholic options so every guest has something crafted in hand.
You buy: the alcohol, following the shopping list we build for you from your guest count, hours, and menu. We coordinate mixers, ice, and cups with you in advance so nothing is missed. (Our guide to quantities is here: How Much Alcohol to Buy for a Wedding or Party)
Who dry-hire is best for
Venues without a bar of their own — backyards, barns, estates, and community halls.
Hosts who want a signature cocktail menu, not a generic well bar.
Anyone watching the budget who'd rather spend on the drinks their guests actually want than on a venue markup.
It works for weddings, corporate events, and private parties across Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, and Kern counties. We coordinate with your venue, caterer, and planner from setup through last call.
Let’s plan your bar. Tell us your date, guest count, and venue for a fast, exact quote.
