Help! How much does an open bar cost?

Our open bar for 100 people will cost about $3000.

The vendor should be able to help you with that split if you explain. Some charge per head, some by consumption meaning if the open a bottle, you pay for it. Just ask the vendor. I'm so glad I'm at an all-inclusive resort so the wedding package was not too expensive. They have to provide food and drink to them anyway but I'm being charged for the private event on the beach which requires dedicated staff. They gave me a price for extra hours of open bar beyond our package but it would be different for every vendor. Aside from food, it's one of the most expensive costs of a wedding. Your guest list will impact it as well. Probably in the thousands depending on the options available *premium, well drinks, beer/wine, etc). Good luck.

Any venue should be able to give you an itemized breakdown of the per person cost.

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Thank you!

My venue broke it down by food, alcohol, fees, taxes. They should be able to do the same for you. Don’t forget about liquor tax!

Our open bar will be $50 per person with our venue.

Our venue includes dinner and alcohol, and pretty much everything else. When we went over pricing and things they broke down the per person price into how much was dinner and how much was for alcohol. For us it ended up being about $29 pp for alcohol and 60 for food.

We’re paying $54/person for top shelf open bar. Our venue actually broke it down per hour since you could choose how long to keep it open, and it was cheaper per hour later in the event.

I've never heard of a venue including an open bar in the price unless it's an all inclusive venue that includes everything (food, decor, DJ, dessert, tables, chairs, flowers, etc.). Our full open bar cost $5,500 for 125 guests and a champagne toast.

Ours is $40 a head for open beer/wine including fees/gratuity in the Boston area.