Speed test for Adelaide's first mobile pub for house/private parties

Adelaide's first fully licensed bar on wheels is bringing the pub home for private parties.

VW Bars, owned by Dan Melia and Nicky Stuut, has helped add the sizzle to close to 40 backyards, garages and driveways since being granted a special circumstances licence by the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner.

Their two Volkswagen Combi vans-turned-mobile bars are allowed to serve food and alcohol, including spirits and cocktails.

Business owners Nicky Stuut and Dan Melia.

Mobile bars operate in Victoria, but is the first one in South Australia to get the all-clear licence.

The application was unusual, but added to the vibrancy of Adelaide, Commissioner Paul White said.

"I have an obligation to ensure the safe and responsible service of alcohol. At the same time, I welcome innovation and entrepreneurs with new ideas.

"This is the same rationale that has seen us introduce Small Venue Licences, and to provide special circumstances licences for operators like this as well as pop-up venues that help add to the vibrancy of Adelaide."

The business was licensed in May last year, but is beginning to pick up now, says Dan, 34.

"Getting the licence and getting people to understand what we do has taken some time because it hasn't been done here before.

"And there are strict rules governing the mobile bars.

"No drinks to minors, drunks or gate-crashers. If there is an issue with any of this, we just shut shop," he says.

The host has to also make an all or none deal - so no other alcohol is served when the mobile bar drives in and food has to be served on the premises at the same time.

So far there has been a mix of requests for birthdays and special occasions with outdoor weddings, sited at wineries or on any other privately-owned land, were also picking up.

"The business has picked up. It was tough going last year, but we are now revamping our third Combi," Ms Stuut says.

"It was tough going at the start trying to manage the business with our other two ventures. But it's picking up now."

Nicky, 32, also owns Say Cheese Cakes, which sees her baking through the week to meet the growing orders.

Both also own a digital design and website business called Interslice.

"We travelled overseas for a while and once we came back, we decided we wanted to work for ourselves, setting up businesses that can run alongside," she says.

VW Bars was conceived after a trip to Thailand, Mr Melia said.

"We got inspired by something similar but getting it to fit within the Australian rules and regulations has been a learning process."

Nicky and Dan have completed cocktail mixing and Responsible Service of Alcohol courses.

Dan says VW Bars has national potential and is not worried about competition.

"It's not a wage earner for us. The money that we make from Combis will go back into making more Combis. We are not competing with anyone."

The existing mobile bars can serve up to 300 patrons but there are strict parking and other requirements.

Source: The Herald Sun, 14 September 2013