Mobile Bars

Guidance for mobile bar operators and people hosting private events with a mobile bar in Montana.

A mobile "bar" is a portable bartending setup, not a licensed bar, that can be brought to a private event such as a backyard party, wedding, or venue that isn’t licensed to serve alcohol. They make it easy to serve drinks to guests at a private event.

In Montana, mobile bar operators and rental companies may not pre-stock the mobile bar with alcoholic beverages. The alcoholic beverages used in the mobile bar must be purchased separately by the host of the private event.

What Mobile Bars May Look Like

  • Refurbished RVs and vehicles.
  • Decorated carts and trailers.
  • Refurbished horse trailers and food trucks.

What a Mobile Bar Can Do

  • Be rented and used with a hired bartender or event coordinator.
  • Be stocked with mixers, glassware, and similar non-alcoholic supplies.
  • Be stocked with alcoholic beverages, but only if the private event host purchased them.
  • Be used at a private event where guests are not charged for drinks.

What a Mobile Bar Can’t Do

  • Be fully stocked with alcoholic beverages by the operator or rental company — it’s a “dry” bar until the host stocks it.
  • Serve alcoholic beverages to the public. Private events only.
  • Charge attendees for alcoholic beverages.

Exception — catering endorsements: a mobile bar may be fully stocked with alcoholic beverages only if it’s owned or used by an alcoholic beverage licensee with a catering endorsement. See the Catering Endorsement page.

Licensees may be hired by the event host to cater alcoholic beverages with the mobile bar. Only the licensee and their employees may sell and serve alcoholic beverages — not contract companies or their employees.

Questions?

Contact DORCARDEducation@mt.gov.

Legal References

All licensees must comply with all federal and Montana alcoholic beverage laws and rules. See 16-6-302, MCA (selling alcoholic beverages without a license).

Updated July 2025. Information in department communications may have been modified, superseded, or made obsolete by changes in federal or state law or the Administrative Rules of Montana. To verify the current validity of any Department of Revenue communication, please contact DORCARDEducation@mt.gov.