How much do open bars typically cost?

An open bar means the party host pays for all the alcohol their guests drink. Open bars are common at weddings, birthday parties, corporate events and other celebrations. The price of an open bar for a party or wedding reception can range anywhere from $200 to $15,000.

How much does an open bar cost per person?

Appropriate per person open bar pricing: Limited open bar — beer and wine only: $15-$20 per person. Full open bar with limited beer and wine options: $20-35 per person.

How are open bar prices calculated?

Alcohol Budget By using the above rule of thumb of two drinks during the first hour and one drink thereafter per guest, you can assume that the average drink costs you $5. Multiply the cost by the number of guests by the number of hours for your open bar to get the total cost.

How much is an open bar for 150 guests?

If you wish to offer premium liquor like Macallan, Johnnie Walker, and Hennessy to your invitees, an open bar would roughly cost $18 to $95 per individual. Accordingly, the anticipated cost for a total of 150 guests is between $2,700 and $22,500.

Is an open bar free?

An Open Bar is paid for at an hourly rate in addition to a bartender fee. For a set amount of time and rate (e.g. $20 to $25 for the first two hours), your guests will enjoy unlimited beverages.

How much beer and wine do I need for 100 guests?

So to recap, for 100 guests you would need: 70 bottles of wine. 175 bottles of beer.

Is an open bar worth it?

If you’re wondering whether or not you’re required to offer an open bar, the answer is absolutely not. Just as serving a three-course dinner or having a tiered wedding cake are traditional but are in no way must-haves, providing all-you-can-drink cocktails isn’t something you have to do.

Are open bars profitable?

Yes, opening a bar can be a good investment. The average net profit of a successful bar is more than the average annual return from the stock market. This does not take into account the large upfront costs opening a bar requires, though. This only takes into account annual profits once a bar is up and running.

Is a cash bar at a wedding tacky?

It’s not tacky—it’s simply safer. But as Stephanie points out, asking guests to pay for their own booze will (likely) mean they drink less—and stay safe. “But when you have a cash bar, your guests will drink less—or at least be better aware of how much they’re drinking—simply because they have to pay for it.”

What does open bar include?

“Your typical open bar should include the basics, 2 or 3 beer choices, 2 or 3 wine choices and your basic liquors such as whiskey, bourbon, vodka, rum, gin, scotch and tequila. Along with your basic mixers such as juices, tonic, club soda, assorted sodas, sweet and sour, and garnishes.