What is Wet Hire?

Wet hire is renting a venue or equipment with the owner's staff, technicians and services included, so the hirer gets a ready-to-run space rather than an empty room. The venue provides its own crew, such as sound and lighting technicians, front of house, bar staff and security. In some UK venues, wet hire also means the venue runs the bar and keeps the bar income.

How wet hire works

A wet hire usually follows these steps:

  1. Enquiry: the client explains the event, numbers and technical needs.
  2. Quote: the venue prices the space, staff, equipment and services as a package.
  3. Contract: the client signs and pays a deposit, and the venue holds the date.
  4. Plan: the venue's team agrees timings, layout and technical details with the client.
  5. Deliver and invoice: the venue team runs the event, and extras are added to the final invoice.

Wet hire packages bring together space, staff and extras, which venues can bill accurately with invoices in Crescat.

Wet hire vs dry hire

In a wet hire, the venue supplies staff and services. In a dry hire, the client rents just the space and brings everything else. Wet hire costs more up front but is simpler for the client, and the venue keeps control of its equipment and building.

What a wet hire usually includes

  • The space for the agreed hours
  • In-house sound, lighting and staging
  • Technicians to run the equipment
  • Front of house, security and bar staff
  • A duty manager for the event
  • Catering or bar service, depending on the venue

Frequently asked questions

Why do venues prefer wet hire?

Their own trained staff run the equipment, which protects it and keeps the event safe and within the licence. Wet hire also adds income from staff and services.

Is wet hire more expensive than dry hire?

The headline price is usually higher, but the client avoids hiring separate crew, equipment and catering. For many events, wet hire works out simpler and similar in cost.

What does wet hire mean for bars?

At some UK venues, a wet hire means the venue runs the bar and keeps the takings, sometimes with a lower hire fee or a minimum bar spend.

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