Cocktail table hire is what makes a standing event work. Tall poseur tables, about 110 cm high with a small round top, give guests a place to rest a glass and a plate, and gather in small groups. They suit launches, drinks receptions, the cocktail hour at a wedding and networking evenings, often dressed with a stretch cover tied at the waist. Tell us the number of guests, the venue and the date, and we pass it to independent event hire firms in your area. They quote you directly. The request is free, with no obligation to accept any quote.
Poseur tables, bar tables and covers
- Poseur tables: about 110 cm high, a round top of 60 to 80 cm, often on a folding steel base
- Bar tables: the same height, sometimes square or long, to pair with bar stools at about 75 cm seat height
- Stretch covers: spandex covers in white, black or colours, pulled tight and tied at the waist, sometimes with a sash or band
- Timber, glass or steel tops for a modern or rustic look without a cover
How many cocktail tables you need and where they go
Plan roughly one table for every 6 to 10 standing guests: closer to 6 if food is served and guests need space for plates, closer to 10 for drinks only. For 120 guests at a launch, 12 to 20 tables is a fair range. Spread them out, leaving a clear path from the bar and the kitchen, and keep a few near the edges for guests who want to lean on something. If some guests will want to sit, add a few bar stools or a lounge set. A cocktail-hour wedding usually has both.
Setting up, wind and grass
Cocktail tables are tall and narrow, so they tip easily. On a lawn, the base sinks and the table leans; ask for tables with wide bases or put them on paving, a deck or flooring. Wind catches a stretch cover like a sail, so on the coast or in a south-easter, keep them under a marquee or against a wall. Check each base is locked open before you put anything on it. Stains and burns on covers are charged, so wipe spills during the event.
What affects the price and what to ask
Tables are usually priced per table, with covers and sashes per cover. The number, the top and base, the cover colour, delivery and set-up all count. Ask:
- What height and top size are your tables?
- Are covers included, and in which colours?
- Can the tables stand on grass, or do I need flooring?
What to include in your request
- Number of guests, standing or seated
- Number of tables if you know it
- Cover colour and any sash
- Venue and floor surface
- Delivery and set-up times
Cocktail Table Hire for different events
- Families and home celebrations: a 40th or an engagement drinks party on the patio with guests standing
- Weddings and engagements: the cocktail hour while the couple has photos, near the bar and lounge
- Funerals, memorials and unveilings: a few tall tables for tea and refreshments after a memorial service
- Companies, conferences and functions: product launches, networking evenings, expo stands and year-end drinks
- Churches and faith gatherings: a fellowship tea or a fundraising evening in the church hall or garden
- Schools, colleges and universities: an alumni evening, a fundraiser or the drinks before a matric farewell dinner
- Municipalities, clubs and communities: a mayoral reception, a festival VIP area or a sponsors' function at a sports day
- Venues, caterers, decorators and planners: caterers and venues adding standing tables for a large drinks reception
Frequently asked questions
How much does cocktail table hire cost?
How many cocktail tables do I need for 100 guests?
Can cocktail tables stand on grass?
What height is a cocktail table?
Cocktail Table Hire by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg