Smart Beverage Solution · Sydney

The true cost of doing drinks yourself

See the real cost, time, and effort before you decide

Get your personalised event plan

Full drink quantities, package recommendation and pricing — sent within 2 hours.

Takes 2 minutes · No obligation

The true cost calculator

Tell us about your event

Adjust the inputs below. We apply real market data across three retail price levels — because the honest answer depends on what you’d actually buy.

Retail buying level

Choose your retail estimate

guests

Guests consuming alcohol only

hours

Total hours of service

$ /hr

Sydney average $65–$85/hr

SBS package

Select the managed package to compare against DIY.

You spend approximately 8 hours managing drinks yourself. At your rate, that equals $520.

DIY — Self managed

$0

$0 per head · true total

Drinks at retail $0
Excess stock 20% $0
Your time $0
Ice and chilling equipment $0
Cups and service items $0
Transport and delivery $0
Leftover stock $0
Risk cost $250

SBS — Planned and delivered

$0

$0 per head · all-inclusive

Precision-calculated drinks $0
Excess stock Returned
Your time Included
Ice, buckets and chilling Included
Cups and service items Included
Delivery and setup Included
Unopened stock Collected
Running out Guaranteed

True cost comparison

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What you're really paying for

SBS isn’t always cheaper. It’s smarter.

For daytime events at budget retail, DIY drinks cost can be genuinely lower. The real question is what surrounds the drinks — the 8 hours of your time, the leftover stock, the setup, the risk. That’s where SBS earns its place.

Built on 15+ years of supply chain precision

Every order is calculated the same way a supply chain professional manages stock — to the bottle, not estimated. Backed by DrinkSpot’s licensed distribution network across Sydney.

No guest runs dry. Ever.

Our zero-shortage guarantee is the output of precision forecasting. We build in a safety buffer on every order — so the bar never runs out, even if your crowd drinks more than expected.

We set up the bar. You enjoy the event.

SBS delivers, sets up and hands over a fully operational bar. If you need a bartender to run it, that’s available as an add-on. Either way, you don’t touch a box, a bucket or a bottle.

Designed to integrate with venue operations — not disrupt them. SBS coordinates directly with venue managers on delivery windows, setup areas and responsible service standards. Built for seamless venue partnerships across Sydney.

Side by side

Everything an event needs who provides it

DIY means you own every item on this list. SBS Classic means you own none of them.

What every event requires DIY SBS Classic $27/head In practice
Drink quantity calculation Your estimate Precision model DIY hosts over-purchase by 15–25% on average
Product selection and sourcing 3–5 hrs your time Handled Multiple trips, decisions under pressure
Delivery to venue Extra cost Included Van hire or multiple car trips, avg $80–$150
Ice and chilling management Extra cost Included $60–$120 for ice and equipment hire
Bar setup at venue 1–2 hrs event morning Included SBS sets up a fully operational bar — you just arrive
Bartender service Your problem Optional add-on Available from SBS — ask when enquiring
Running out on the night Your problem Guaranteed SBS safety buffer built into every order
Pack-down and collection You pack up Included End of a long day — SBS handles everything
Unsold / unopened stock Sits at home Collected by SBS Average 15–20% of DIY purchase never consumed

Smart Beverage Solution · Sydney

Ready to plan your event properly

Share your details and we’ll put together a no-obligation event plan — drink quantities, package recommendation and full pricing — within 2 hours.

Takes 30 seconds · No obligation · Limited availability for peak weekends