If your wedding provides alcohol, an open bar is one of the most popular options. You calculate the tab first and let the guests drink as much (or little) as they like. How much is an open bar for a wedding, and what to expect from having it?
Standard Cost for an Open Bar
The cost of an open bar depends on many factors, from the average price of alcohol in your area to the pricing policy of the catering service. However, you can expect to pay $15 to $45 per guest.
How much is an open bar for a wedding if you serve specific drink options? Here are the general costs for calculations.
Bar Types | Drink Options | Cost per Person |
Limited open bar | Beer and wine (one type) | $15 – $20 |
Limited open bar with extra selections | Beer and wine (two or three selections of each) | $20 – $30 |
Full open bar | Beer, wine, and several cocktail options | $35 – $45 |
An open wedding bar usually serves one drink for every person at every hour. Therefore, if an event lasts for three hours with 100 guests (assuming everyone is drinking), you look at a tab of 300 drinks.
Check if the bar provider has some gratuity cost, usually around 20 percent of the tab. This extra cash goes to the bartenders and servers. However, in the United States, a bar at a wedding may also put a tip jar, per custom.
Why Should You Have an Open Bar?
An open bar provides more flexibility for the guests. Some guests may be sober or not drinking for health and religious reasons. Having an open bar means only the drinking guests will access it, while the others enjoy the non-alcoholic options and not feel pressured to join.
Financially, an open bar is more convenient for the event planner. You only need to pay a flat rate, which you can determine from the start. It is also easier to negotiate the price if you agree to a flat rate.
What to Serve at Open Bar?
An open bar may provide spirits and other ingredients to make cocktails unless you only serve standard options like beer and wine. A standard wedding usually serves two or three cocktail options, and their ingredients affect the cost.
Some of the most popular yet simple options for weddings are:
Gin and Tonic
Gin and tonic are wedding staples, a simple concoction with tart, refreshing flavor. The simple ingredients help reduce the cost, and many guests will appreciate refreshing drinks with their meals.
Whiskey Ginger
Another simple staple, whiskey ginger is bold and fun, perfect for a party atmosphere. It only consists of two ingredients (ginger ale and whiskey), which is less risky even for beginner bartenders.
Gin Martini
A gin martini is perfect for a more sophisticated atmosphere. It consists of gin and vermouth plus garnish-like olives.
Margarita
Margarita is a party pleaser in many events, perfect for a more casual or modern wedding. It is also a simple concoction, with just tequila, lime juice, orange liquor, and salt for the rim of the glass.
Martini
Martini is perfect for a luxurious or black-tie reception. It only consists of vodka and vermouth, plus garnish-like olives.
Manhattan
Manhattan is a slightly more complicated drink but still a classic option. It is versatile and perfect for various types of events. It consists of sweet vermouth, rye or bourbon, bitters, and orange peel.
Tips to Have an Open Bar at a Wedding
Want to make your open bar event fun but still controlled? Follow these useful tips.
Apply Drink Ticket System
Drink ticket helps to control the flow at your open bar and prevent guests from abusing the policy. For example, you can provide each guest with two free drink tickets and provide a price list if they want extra.
Use Fun, Themed Labels
If you can only afford budget spirits for the cocktails, you can use themed labels to disguise them. For example, print fun labels with wordplay or sweet greetings next to the generic name of the spirits. Remember, this is not meant to trick guests by replacing expensive drink labels with cheap ones!
Stick to Signature Cocktails
As shown in the previous part, many signature cocktails have simple ingredients. You can save money by sticking to two or three signature cocktails. You can also reduce the cost of bartenders because beginners can easily make them.
Start a Modified Open Bar
A modified open bar means guests can mix their alcohol if they want. By sticking to signature cocktails, you can reduce the need for bartenders and servers because guests can easily make simple concoctions themselves.
Knowing how much an open bar is for a wedding helps you calculate the price and offer your guests a more flexible option. Use this guide to hold an easy, fun, and cost-efficient open bar for a more festive wedding.