How Much Does An Open Bar Cost?

Last Updated on August 28, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Offering an open bar at your wedding, private party, corporate event or other special occasion provides unbeatable hospitality, creating a lively social atmosphere for guests to enjoy. However, providing unlimited complimentary alcoholic beverages for hours on end also carries a very significant price tag that must be thoroughly budgeted for to avoid massive financial surprises.

While certainly not an inexpensive prospect, a well-planned open bar adds tremendous celebratory value to special events by setting a fun, festive tone when mindfully incorporated as part of the broader experience. Using reasonable limits and proactive controls allows all your guests to enjoy the open bar perks without excessive overconsumption or spending.

How Much Does An Open Bar Cost?

The cost to host a full open bar spans approximately from $20 to $100 per guest . But numerous factors beyond basic headcount affect the final bill including types of drinks served, duration, and gratuities.

Basic Beer and Wine Only Open Bar – $15 to $40 per person

Full Well Liquor Open Bar – $20 to $60 per guest

Premium Top-Shelf Liquor Open Bar – $40 to $100+ per attendee

The final per-person costs depend heavily on the generosity of drink offerings the host decides on providing, as well as actual guest drinking speed and consumption habits during the function.

According to Wedding Spot, a limited open bar with beer and wine only typically costs between $15 and $20 per person, while a full open bar with limited beer and wine options ranges from $20 to $35 per person. For a full, premium open bar, the cost can be as high as $35 to $45 per person.

Lifelongweddingceremonies provides a more detailed breakdown of open bar costs. If you have 150 guests at a wedding, the cost of an open bar per person can range from $11 to $23 for 4 hours, resulting in an overall cost of $1,650 to $3,450.

However, if you choose to serve a variety of alcoholic drinks such as beer, vodka, rum, brandy, gin, whiskey, tequila, etc., the cost per person can increase to between $15 and $90, leading to an overall cost of $2,250 to $13,500.

Nearlywed reports that in 2023, the average cost of an open bar at weddings in Michigan ranged from $20 to $40 per person, with some venues offering package deals or consumption-based pricing models.

Across the United States, the average cost of an open bar at weddings in 2023 was between $25 and $50 per person, with urban areas and popular wedding destinations typically having higher costs compared to rural or less-populated regions.

Other Open Bar Expenses

Bartender Fees – $30 to $75 per hour per bartender depending on experience

Glassware Rentals – $3 to $10 per guest based on types needed

Gratuities – 15% to 20% tips on the total bar bill

What Is an Open Bar?

An open bar refers to a bar setup at an event where guests can freely order alcoholic drinks of their choosing without having to pay individually per beverage. Instead, all drinks consumed by attendees are added to a master tab that is ultimately covered by the event host at the conclusion of the function. Types of open bar offerings include:

• Full Open Bar – Typically offers a full selection of beer, wine, cocktails, and call brand liquors available upon request giving attendees the most inclusive drinking options. This highest-end setup comes with increased costs.
• Limited Bar – Only certain categories of drinks are provided such as beer, wine, and possibly a signature cocktail drink. This approach reduces the open bar costs substantially by limiting higher-priced mixed drinks.
• Drink Tickets Offered – Guests receive a specified number of drink ticket vouchers which they can redeem with bartenders for prepared beverages of their choice. This effectively rations consumption and caps costs.
• Cash Bar – Guests must pay cash individually per drink ordered at their own expense. The host only covers soft drinks, water, ice, equipment, etc.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a bottle of Cristal Champagne, beer truck rental, or dry ice.

Factors Affecting Open Bar Costs

Several pivotal elements directly sway the total price tag of hosting an open bar:

• Number of event attendees and invited guests – more people results in greater collective drink volume and alcohol costs.
• Duration of the open bar and total hours of operation – providing complimentary drinks for 6 hours incurs far higher tabs than just 2 or 3 hours.
• Premium top-shelf liquor brands offered versus lower cost well liquors and basic beer – quality has a cost.
• Bartender fees based on an hourly wage rate plus tips – industry standard is $25 to $50+ per hour per bartender
• Geographic area and general overhead costs of the event venue play a major role in open bar drink menu pricing. Urban areas cost more than rural.

Carefully estimating each of these contributing cost factors based on your specific event parameters is crucial to creating an accurate open bar budget and setting reasonable expectations.

Should You Set Open Bar Time Limits?

Yes, strategically limiting open bar hours is a wise tactic to help control spiraling costs. Time-based options to consider include:

• Only offer the full open bar during the active cocktail hour, then switch to just beer and wine for the main event reception.
• Have the full premium open bar for the first 2 or 3 hours when guests arrive, then scale back to only serving beer, wine and simple mixed drinks after that.
• Provide specialty signature cocktails and full drinks just during dinner service when guests are seated, closing the bar during dancing and cake cutting when consumption may spike.
• Clearly communicate last call will commence 30 minutes prior to the scheduled event conclusion and end times. Then close the bar decisively at the predefined time.

Proactively work with your catering director or wedding planner to structure optimal limited bar operational hours scaled to your budget and event timeline.

Open Bar vs. Cash Bar

Open Bar Pros

• Creates a lively celebratory social ambiance that guests appreciate
• Attendees aren’t limited or inhibited when ordering drink choices
• Convenient experience without needing to handle cash at the bar

Open Bar Cons

• Very expensive operational costs, especially with heavy drinkers in attendance
• Higher risks of overconsumption without prudent planning and controls

Cash Bar Pros

• Guests only pay individually for what they actually consume and nothing further
• Naturally limits excessive drinking since patrons fund their own orders

Cash Bar Cons

• Considered far less festive and inhibiting for special occasions
• Requires budgeting for securing cash, making change, and handling transactions

Evaluating guest expectations along with your budget priorities will steer you toward determining whether an open, cash, or combination bar model fits best.

Tips for Saving on Your Open Bar

Here are some proven tricks to reduce your bar tab spent without sacrificing a lively ambiance:

• Only offer beer, wine, and one or two simple signature cocktails rather than full mixed drinks with shots.
• Buy cases of wine, kegs of popular beers, and basic liquors in bulk quantity from warehouse clubs.
• Limit top-shelf premium liquor offerings to just the most requested specialty drinks like Manhattans or Negronis. Provide rail liquors and well drinks otherwise.
• Proactively set defined caps on maximum per person consumption by using branded drink ticket redemption systems.
• Use venue house bartenders already on staff for events at lower negotiated hourly rates.
• Inquire about open bar discount bundle packages when booking your venue or caterer.
• Whenever possible, rely on commercially pre-made mixer ingredients like margarita mix rather than custom blends.

Getting creative with these types of controls helps trim expenses without sacrificing the upbeat social atmosphere guests hope for.

Hidden or Overlooked Fees

Bartender Charges – Ask about base hourly wages, minimum hour commitments and any prep/closing fees. Don’t forget 20%+ gratuities.

Glassware Rentals – Fees add up quickly for needing wine glasses, pint glasses, rocks glasses and cocktail glasses.

Corkage Fees – Venues charge these per bottle fees for any alcohol not purchased through them.

Loss/Breakage – Replacing broken glassware and spilled bottles runs 10-15%+ of bar total.

Insurance – Events may need special liability coverage when alcohol is served.

Licensing – Temporary liquor licenses and permits are needed in certain areas.

Firm Budget Caps

Establishing a clear pre-approved dollar limit or tab cap for the bar is recommended to prevent uncontrolled overspending, even if you have to gradually cut off guests as the limit nears. Tactics to close out the bar tab include:

• Switch to lower cost beer and wine only once the tab hits 85% of the budgeted max.
• Eliminate top shelf liquors and specialty cocktails as the limit approaches.
• Change to cash bar only for the final hour if still approaching the cap.
• Enforce a last call at least 30 minutes before the hard cutoff point.

Setting expectations avoids having to pay highly inflated bills that derail your whole event budget. Just communicate courteously.

Final Words

Planning and executing a full open bar for birthday parties, corporate events, weddings and other functions typically entails a large per guest price tag, costing anywhere from $30 up to $100 per person depending heavily on the offerings.

However, applying prudent controls around drink selections, durations, and volumes paired with smart negotiating can lead to substantial savings. The most important is striking the perfect balance between enjoyable hospitality and staying within your budget. With some good strategies and reasonable expectations, an open bar can be an affordable addition creating the perfect celebratory vibe.

Answers to Common Questions

What is included in an open bar?

A full open bar normally includes beer on tap, a selection of wines by the glass, liquor pours like vodka and whiskey, and supplies for mixed drinks and cocktails.

How much does an open bar drink cost in Ireland?

In Ireland, open bar drink costs average around €5-7 for beers, €7-12 for cocktails and mixed drinks, and €5-15 for glasses of wine depending on the brand and vintage.

What is the average price of beer at bars in the US?

As of 2024, the average pint of domestic beer costs $5 to $8 at most bars in the U.S., while imported or craft draft beers average around $7 to $12 per pint, excluding any tips or gratuities.