Toonie bars?

If it's common in your area, I don't see it as a huge problem. We are providing our own alcohol and then have an $11/per person corkage fee. But, our guests won't be charged.

In America it's illegal to bring in your alcohol and sell it without a liquor license.

I personally am not bothered by cash bars (as long as the bar is nicely stocked), but I don't agree with the idea of bringing in alcohol to sell it for personal profit/coverage.

Well in Canada's you still need a liquor licence, which is very easy to obtain.

I've only ever heard of toonie bars for stag and does, never for a wedding. I live just outside of Toronto. I'm of the belief drinks for guests should be complimentary, so it's not something I would do.

So people in Canada get a liquor license just to sell alcohol at their own wedding?

I WISH I could do one! I'm from canada too & I think it's the best way to go! I'm in Oklahoma now & our venue won't allow it - either cash bar or open

No reguardless if you sell it or not you still need a liquor liscence to serve alchohol. If you have your wedding at a venue that does not serve their own alchohol say at a hall.

I went to seven weddings last summer and two this summer every single wedding we went too was a Toonie bar. That just puts into perspective how common they are.

Yes @EricaTx, we have to get a liquor license to sell alcohol at our own wedding. Even if we have an open bar, we still need to get a license.

ETA: I know this is how it is in Ontario.

I'm guessing it's like a day pass liquor license. Never heard of it, nor would I do it.

@Christine: You or your bartender would have to get a license for an open bar? Just curious. I would assume the bartender would already have a liquor license.

I'm from Winnipeg and people rarely have them here. Full open bar, baby.

I've never heard of a Toonie Bar, but I have been to weddings where the bride and groom provide the alcohol. They didn't charge the guests though.

In Indiana we have to get a one day permit to serve alcohol at our venue and have a licensed bartender to serve. We are buying our own beer to have the bar tender serve it. I guess if we wanted to be super tacky we could have the bartender charge people for their drinks - but we are just going to have the beer and cider free flowing until it is gone lol!

The idea of bringing in your own alcohol and STILL charging your guests for a drink is awful. I can't believe people do this. You are getting a HUGE discount by being able to buy your alcohol. Stop being cheap and just let your guests enjoy an open bar without having to fork over cash. And just because something has been done before does not mean it is polite or ok. Why not be the ONE person out of your social group who is a good host. Start a new trend.

I'm in Halifax and I've never heard of this. Every wedding I've been to has been a cash bar. However, we also wouldn't need a liquor license, only the venue does.

Very well said, Emily.

We were able to get a one day event license to serve our own alchohol at our reception. We had to get wedding insurance to be able to do it. So no, it's not illegal, but you can't just do it willy nilly. We will have wine, beer and hard ciders. We're not charging any money.

If you are providing the liqueur (open bar or not) you need a license in Ontario. If you are using the venues supply then they already have a license.

Toonie bars I have seen, I'm good either way. I would rather see a toonie bar and bring $30 for fh and I and have change then pay $5 to $7 a drink at cash bar.

I'm honestly curious about all of this.

If you get a liquor license for a toonie bar, do you also have to get a sales tax permit since you're selling something?

@EricaTX- apparently you do need to buy a sales tax permit thing. You just buy it at a liquor store and it costs around 150.00