Bar

A bar is a counter where alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served. Bars often serve drinks to guests during a wedding reception.

Contents

[edit] Types of Bar Service

Open Bars

  • Premium/top shelf liquor, wine, beer
  • Shelf/Well Liquor, Wine, Beer
  • Limited Bar - Specialty drinks, wine, beer
  • Wine and Beer Bar

Cash Bars

  • Cash Bar - A fully stocked bar where guests pay for drinks.
  • Partial Cash Bar - A fully stocked bar where the bride and groom typically provide wine and beer and guests pay for liquor drinks.

[edit] Costs

Whether or not a wedding has an open bar or a cash bar, the venue will charge for drinks in one of several ways:

  • Consumption Bar - Charge per pour.
  • Per Person Bar - Flat-rate per person charge.
  • Per Person/Per Hour - Flat-rate per person charge per hour. Often they don't have to be continuous (i.e. can break for dinner).

[edit] Stocking Your Own Bar

The following is a general guideline for 100 guests. Quantities should be adjusted for lighter or heavier drinking crowds.

Standard

  • Beer: 6 cases (light, domestic, imported)
  • Red Wine: 2 cases
  • White Wine: 3 cases
  • Champagne: 1-2 cases
  • Vodka: 5 bottles
  • Gin: 2 bottles
  • Scotch: 2 bottles
  • Light Rum: 2 liter bottles
  • Blended Whiskey: 2 bottles
  • Bourbon: 2 bottles
  • Tequila: 1 bottle
  • Dry Vermouth: 1 bottle
  • Sweet Vermouth: 1 bottle

Optional Specialty Liqueurs

  • Bailey's Irish Creme
  • Kahlua
  • Grand Marnier
  • Chambord
  • Amaretto
  • Brandy
  • Cognac

Set-ups For The Bar

  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Cherries
  • Olives
  • Lime juice
  • Lemon mix
  • Milk
  • Orange juice
  • Cranberry juice
  • Club soda
  • Tonic water
  • Coke, Diet Coke, 7-Up, Ginger Ale
  • Ice, cocktail napkins, cocktail stirrers
  • Optional: Pineapple juice

[edit] Budget Tips

  • Have a couple of signature cocktails with wine and beer instead of a full open bar.
  • Only have a champagne toast instead of serving it all night long. Or skip the champagne entirely and just allow the guests to toast with whatever they already have at the table.
  • Bringing in your own alcohol, if your venue permits it, is a great way to cut costs.
  • Try to purchase liquor from a store that will deliver the alcohol to your venue and offer refunds for any unopened, unchilled bottles.
  • Limit your bar offerings to beer and wine only. Most guests will be happy with that and you can even spotlight local wine/beers.
  • While some feel that a trained bartender lends a touch of class, many weddings (particularly smaller ones) do just fine with a willing friend filling the role, or by having guests serve themselves.

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