Shipping Containers

Shipping container bars, restaurants and pop up retail shops

Advantages of Using Containers for Construction

Shipping containers make excellent construction materials due to their corrugated iron walls and reinforced frames.

They are:

Cost-effective: Building a bar with a shipping container is often significantly less expensive than traditional brick-and-mortar construction.
Modular and versatile: Containers are easy to modify, stack, and transport, making them ideal for various concepts.
Widely available: Containers are readily accessible and can be customized to suit specific needs.

Their industrial aesthetic lends a unique style to your mobile business concept, whether you keep the raw, rugged look or customize the exterior with paint or coatings in your brand colors.

Thanks to their modularity and mobility, shipping containers are perfect for pop-up bars, pop-up retail shops, and event catering facilities.

How Much Does a Shipping Container Bar Cost?

Base Container Costs

Used containers: Starting at $2,500.
Good-quality used units: Around $3,000–$4,000.
Brand-new containers: $6,000–$7,000 or more.

These prices are consistent for 10-, 20-, or 40-foot containers, including high-cube containers (those with raised ceilings). You can often find bargains locally if businesses need to offload inventory quickly. Hudson Trailer Company can help source high-quality containers at competitive prices.

Total Project Costs

The overall cost of a shipping container bar depends on design, materials, inventory, and labor:

Custom builds: Costs can exceed $100,000 if engineering, permitting, and advanced features are required.At Hudson Trailer Company, we offer 3D renderings, precise calculations, and detailed site assessments to provide an accurate quote tailored to your vision.

Code Complaince and Structural Design

The shipping container’s base unit is inherently robust, but modifications—like service windows, fold-out walls, or hydraulic lifts—require careful planning to maintain structural integrity.

Code compliance: Ensuring the structure meets local safety standards.
Customization: Features like rooftop bars or fold-out sides must be carefully engineered for safety and usability.

Our team evaluates whether an actual container or a custom-built corrugated steel structure is the best fit for your requirements.

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Popular Uses for Shipping Containers

Shipping Container Coffee Shop or Café

A hip, modular aesthetic that appeals to a younger demographic. The flexibility to move locations if needed. Weather proof and easily securable when not in use. Even major brands like Starbucks are embracing container designs for their unique appeal and efficiency.

Shipping Container Bar or Beer Garden Transformations are also on the rise and are a great addition to an empty space on your property.

Shipping Container Build outs are:

Durable and secure: Lockable and nearly indestructible.

Quick to set up: Ready in hours and easy to position.

Highly adaptable: Can be outfitted with multiple taps, refrigeration, cooking equipment or retail set ups.

Explore Endless Possibilities with Hudson Trailer Company. From craft beer bars to drive-through restaurants, we provide customized, durable solutions tailored to your vision. Whether for permanent installations or mobile ventures, our expertly crafted containers are designed to stand the test of time.

Browse our popular concepts to spark inspiration for your next project!