For our information about servicing weddings

Thistle Midlands Bar Services

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established in 1998

Wedding & function bar catering for your big event

For over 22 years, Thistle Bar Services has been providing an experienced, professional and friendly bar service for corporate events and functions in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and beyond.

taking care of you and your GUESTS

We know how exciting and stressful wedding and event planning can be. That’s why we’re here to make your life easier. We’ll help you decide on the right bar service, drinks list and features such as pre / post-ceremony drinks options to suit your unique wedding / event and budget.

We are bar and drinks catering specialists that have been serving the KZN Midlands events industry since 1998.

a bespoke service based on your unique requirements

This includes:

Flexible bar setup options.

Pre-ceremony drinks – in plastic or glass bottles on ice in white painted wheelbarrows or half wine barrels. If you supply artwork, we can organise plastic bottles to have your own personalised labels at an extra R2 each.

Sherry station – Served from our vintage sherry barrel on tap (perfect for winter weddings in the Midlands).

Gluhwein- To warm the soul at a winter wedding! Served in white
enamel mugs. Hot Chocolate is a non alcoholic alternative.

Champagne bar and infused water stations.

Post-ceremony / canapé drinks – Ice-cold bottled / canned drinks of your choice placed in white wheelbarrows filled with ice; signature homemade lemonade; a wine bar; a champagne bar; a gin bar, a sherry station; Pimm’s and lemonade station; and on-tap infused waters mixed in pretty glass dispensers.

Creating an unforgettable experience

Our biggest priority is to help you make your big day or special event unforgettable.

Here are some ways we can help you achieve this:

A bespoke G&T bar – Our G&T bar is the perfect addition to your wedding or big event and always proves a hit with guests. We offer both Pink and Natural Gin, presented in pretty glass dispensers with a range of seasonal fruit and garnishes.

His and her cocktail bar – His and her bespoke and unique cocktail dispensers on tap.

Beer keg draught bar: A choice of craft or commercial beer in a 30 litre keg (90 servings)

Cider keg draught bar: Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime from Sweden in a 30 litre keg (100 servings)

Wheelbarrows- We offer white painted wheel barrows containing a
variety of bottled/canned beers, ciders, soft drinks and water. You may choose the quantities or place a financial limit on this if you like. We supervise these and top up as required

Tropical Fruit Punch- Our non-alcoholic signature home-made fizzy
fruit punch, served in an 8 litre glass dispenser on tap (40 servings)
Home-made Lemonade or Passion Fruit and Lemonade are other non alcoholic alternatives, served in the same way.

Water Station- We provide an infused water dispenser containing our own spring water. This will be kept topped up throughout the night.

Cash Bar- We sell beers, ciders, house wine and soft drinks to the guests. (Card and Zapper facilities available)

Photos Hamper: take away for photo shoot
We offer a drinks basket for the bride and groom to take with them when they go off to have their photos taken. Please order what you
would like packed, and we will have it ready for the Best Man to collect. You only pay for what is consumed. A R400 charge will be levied for the non-return of the hamper.

Reception Bar: inside the reception venue
Our service ends at the cut-off time that you have arranged with the venue. There are a number of options available to you on how we operate the bar:
Open Bar: (Set-up fee of R20 per guest, only applies if your tab is less than R125 per guest) The guest’s drinks are for your tab. This normally begins when the bride and groom enter the reception, and closes when they leave. You may specify which drinks are to be provided and we will sell the exclusions for cash.

Open Bar With A Limit: (Set-up fee of R20 per guest, only applies if your tab is less than R125 per guest) Guest’s drinks are for your tab until it reaches a maximum limit that you have set with us, and then becomes a cash bar. You may increase the tab on the night if you wish. You may specify which drinks are to be provided and we will sell the exclusions for cash.

Cash Bar: (A set-up fee of R30 per guest applies)
We sell drinks to the guests for cash. You may run an account for yourselves and certain guests and family members. You may wish to give these guests something that allows us to identify them to prevent abuse of the account. Bank card and Zapper facilities are provided for guests. No beverages from other sources may be brought to the venue without prior arrangements, and guests are not permitted to bring their own beverages to the function venue, its grounds or the parking area.

Wedding Games

We offer the following outdoor games for hire to offer your guests some
fun entertainment while the Bride and Groom are away having their
photoshoot at R200 each: Giant Jenga, giant Pick-Up-Sticks, giant
Dominoes, Giant Snakes and Ladders, giant Connect-4, Golf clubs with
hole-in-one mat and croquet. Photo Booth props are also available for a
hiring fee of R600.

Bespoke Activities

Hot air Ballooning

We are also Natal Midlands official booking agents for Hot Air
Ballooning South Africa. If you would like to incorporate this fantastic
experience into your wedding, we can gladly make all the arrangements
for you. Flights take place at sunrise and are priced from R2600 per
person, inclusive of arrival tea and coffee, breakfast, champagne and a
commemorative certificate. A minimum of 6 passengers is required.

The Merry Mare: A stunning retro, wood panelled horse box
converted into a serving bar available for hire to set your wedding apart
from the rest.

Testimonials

"Hi Sean and team. We just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for everything. Our special day went off without a hitch. You were all so patient and attentive, and it showed in the incredible wedding we experienced. Your staff were helful, friendly and completely on the ball. The gin bar was a complete hit and we are so grateful all the wine was finished. I kept going back for the lemonade. Thank you once again for everything. We are so incredibly grateful."

Mr and Mrs Uys

"Thank you so much to Sean and staff for doing our wedding at Thorpe Lodge. You guys did an absolutely fantastic job! We ere so impressed! Salute you guys for putting up with our English, Afrikaans and German crowd. Highly recommend!!"

Carryn Jade van Niekerk

"Your staff are really such rockstars! I never waited more than a minute if that long before being served. They had such lovely manners! Keep well Sean! And once again thanks for all your efforts. You really contributed to our event being a success."

Zelda Saayman

"We just want to thank you and your staff for the great service. All the staff were friendly, helpful and very efficient. We will definitely recommend your services to others."

Jan-Abraham Joubert

"Dear Sean. Let me express my sincerest appreciation for helping to make our day go perfectly. Thank you."

Jaid Limbert

"Thank you Sean and staff for doing our wedding at Haycroft. Wow you guys were awesome! Thank you for holding the day together through all the rain. So professional. We would highly recommend your team."

Casey Pereira

how our bar service works

Bespoke quote for your event

Interested in hiring us? Fill in the enquiry form below and we’ll get back to you to discuss your requirements. We then create a bespoke drinks catering package just for you. Please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Planning

We work closely with you and your event venue / event planner to figure out the best plan of action for your big day. This involves a visit to the venue before the event to establish the layout of our bar / drinks set up.

Set up

We set up the bar facilities on the day before or morning of the event to ensure everything is ready and waiting well before your guests arrive.

The Big Event

We provide a professional, efficient and friendly drinks and bar service to you and your guests throughout the event, closing the bar at a time decided by you when you signed up for the package.

drinks pricing & service guide

Download a copy of our drinks pricing and service guide for 2021.

terms & conditions

View our terms and conditions of service.

we're here to serve you

enquire now

Please fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you to discuss your requirements and quote you accordingly. Please book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Email: info@thistlebarservices.co.za

Weddings and Events bar service in the KZN Midlands.