Buying alcohol for bar, advice?

Maybe Sam's Club or Costco?? We have a cash bar so that's one less stress

For Beer and "girly' drinks I suggest your BJ's Club/Sam's Club/Costo it's cheap and bullk

for liquor check out your local liquor store and see if they can give you a discount for purchasing bulk bottles. I know ours did this for my dad when he had parties

Hi from other Irish Bride!

The most important thing to find out is if in your state, stores will accept returns of unopened bottles. As far as stocking the bar goes, check out the prices in different store carefully. Costco has some great prices on beer and wine, but Total wine has a larger selection and more wine in larger bottles (i.e., usually cheaper). If you have Trader Joe's around, they also have pretty decent and very inexpensive wine.

Lol we had a German/Polish wedding, I hear you!

I would price check Costco/Sams vs. big chain liquor stores in your area that offer delivery.

We did this for our bar - in Chicago, there's a liquor chain called Binny's. We found the prices were very similar to Costco, and they delivered everything, COLD, right on time, so we didn't have to deal with any storage, transport, or temperature issues.

Also - check your state laws to see if you can return unopened cases. That way you can order more than you think you need and not run out. I know at least with the Polish side of the family it's HUGELY embarrassing to run out of anything. And - remember you know your family way better than the liquor store guy or the online calculators. I tripled or quadrupled (can't remember) the amount of Hennessy and Jam-o that our Binny's rep recommended, and we still ran out. But we barely even got through half of the vodka or beer.

We saved tons of $$$$ with this bar setup!

Honestly, talk to the bartenders (assuming they are experienced),they will give you a good idea of what you will need so you don't over stock or under stock, forget mixers, etc. My FH and all his friends are bartenders and they moonlighted at weddings and said that a few times they had a hard time because the bar wasn't stocked correctly. Also they do suggest putting a list up if you are limiting the liquor (i.e. only whisky and vodka, etc.) so that way they can keep the line moving for you and there isn't a pile up of people not ordering quickly because they didn't know the bar was limited.... You do know your family so make sure you adjust accordingly, for us it would be making sure the vodka and whisky are extra stocked...

Just wanted to add... I totally agree with calling around, we usually order from Costco or Beverages and More.

Oh I forget that other states can sell wine and liquor in the store and not just liquor stores like in NY sorry!

Our venue requires us to have a licensed bartender. Does yours not? I would definitely look at Sam's Club or a wholesale store first. We ended up going to our local liquor store and worked out a deal with him. He's basically letting us buy our alcohol at cost. Also, check with your caterer to see if he/she recommends anything. Have you thought about a keg? That would probably be the most inexpensive way to go about it. I'm sure you could disguise it well. That's what we're planning on doing. The bar top at our venue is pretty high, so no one will notice. Plus, it's free! Who cares. Our bartender told us to stick to beer, wine, and one signature drink. Things can get complicated when you offer a stocked bar plus the alcohol tends to go quicker. Just some thoughts, hope it helps!

Oh and also - we didn't do any signature drinks. Our crowd usually just goes for wine, beer, or straight booze on ice. Occasionally with a splash of soda. So we just got what our crowd generally likes. That helped us keep it simple.

We had:

4 types of beer (2 light, 1 pilsner, 1 specialty), vodka, gin, cognac, Irish Whiskey, and Seagrams.

sweet red wine, riesling, cava (sparkling), sauvignon blanc, red wine (cab maybe, can't remember)

mixers: red bull, OJ, cranberry juice, sprite, coke, diet coke, seltzer, tonic, and limes/lemons for garnish.

Easy-peasy.

@Krisalicious: AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! yes, yes, and thank you.

our crowd definitely *needs* full bar selection. because of demanding family, FH's parents are covering the bar. they spend $3500 on FSIL's open bar at her chic "club" wedding. Needless to say, ours is much more low key, and I honestly don't think we will use the $3500 they offered. I mean, I want people to be able to stand up after the reception. ha

We're traveling out of state to go to Total Wines and buy there! It's cheaper and you can return unopened bottles! We're also only doing beer and wine since we have to buy it all ourselves. Our 'signature drink' will just be a pumpkin beer since our wedding is last weekend of October! Hoping cutting out the cocktails will cut down costs, though still don't know how much we should be buying!

You should definitely have a signature drink!! Make a Margarita but call it "My Fair Lady" or something like that. What My fiance and I did was have a Stock the Bar Engagement Party where people that attended brought either Vodka or Tequila to help stock the bar for the wedding. It turned out great!!!! And now all we are stuck with buying is wine for our Cocktail Hour !!

We have been watching sales and so far the best prices have been at Total Wine if you have one.

Also - we got extra wine at Trader Joes for late night back up. Serve the good stuff early - late night incase we run out, we have options LOL

They offer a 10% discount by the case. I picked up a ton of good champange post NYE on the cheap for Piper, Moet and Veuve for me and my close girlfriends who I know love good champers. That will be tucked away

We have been buying liquor for over a year and will keep the rest after as we have a ton of parties here. Plus - we are staying at the beach for 4 days with a ton of people flying in. I DOUBT we will have anything left.

Keep checking ad's - many liquor stores will price match!!

Sams Club and winco for the wine, they have our favorite for 8.00 a bottle and if you buy 6 you get 10% off Yay!