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Super March 2020

Limited Bar

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kymarmck, on July 26, 2019 at 12:20 PM

So, here is our situation.

At our venue we have to purchase a set amount of alcohol and then they serve it until they run out. At the point where it runs out, it turns into a cash bar.

We have talked with our venue and ordered what they suggested but I'm afraid that we may run out because of heavy social drinkers in my family. (They don't get drunk, they can just knock back quite a few beers lol).

Do we put on our invites or reception card something about the bar potentially turning into a cash bar? I would just hate to buy what was recommended to us and have them run out and no one has cash on them.

Or should we just suck it up order more alcohol? I'm struggling because it's definitely not cheap to order more and we don't get a refund if there's any left over. The venue would just take it down to their restaurant area and use it.

Thanks in advance!

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33 Comments

Expert October 2020
Sara · on July 26, 2019 at 1:46 PM
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It sounds like double dipping which I guess isn't illegal everywhere, but is considered unethical.
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Super March 2020
kymarmck · on July 26, 2019 at 1:50 PM
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Thanks everyone! I think we're just going to up the amount we're ordering to make sure we have enough
For the not refunding part - they do serve it complimentary in the restaurant as far as I know so they're at least not charging anyone for it. I'll look more into refunding though and see if it's a hard no or if they can work with us to get a refund
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Super March 2020
kymarmck · on July 26, 2019 at 1:52 PM
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Unfortunately for the beer we want it would be more expensive per bottle than keg Our beers are considered "specialty" beers since the two kinds we are serving are made locally!
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Master August 2018
Nemo · on July 26, 2019 at 3:44 PM
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It seems unfair that you don't get refunded if they don't use it all, so I would push back on that if you can. What is their reasoning for that? Would it be possible for you to leave your credit card on file with them so they can charge that if it turns into a cash bar? At least then it won't get wasted and you don't waste any money.
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Super October 2019
Cassi · on July 26, 2019 at 3:53 PM
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We hired a bartending company and we have to provide the alcohol and this is what they suggested to us (and we are purchasing a little extra than this):
Here are my suggested amounts for the average crowd of 100, open bar for approx 5 hours:
Bottled/Canned Beer = 6 cases total (1 case = 24 beers) I would get 3 different flavors at the most, 2 cases of each.
Wine = 3 cases total (1 case = 12 regular 750mL bottles OR 6 magnum 1.5L bottles) I would get 1.5 cases white wine, 1.5 cases red wine.
Liquor = 2 handles (1.75L bottle) of each: vodka, gin, whiskey, rum + 1 (1L) bottle of vodka & whiskey as backup. (NOTE: Bottles that are not opened can typically be returned.)
Champagne = 1 case (12 bottles)
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Devoted November 2019
Tessa · on July 26, 2019 at 3:56 PM
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If the venue is suggesting that low, they probably make more money when they charge by consumption. They want you to run out and turn into a no host bar to charge more $$$. Like others have said, I would buy as much as your budget allows. Once it does run out, the venue should have a debit/credit card reader for everyone to purchase more if they'd like. I think the term cash bar is just referring to no host, pay when ordering, rather than meaning only takes cash. If they are heavy drinkers like you mentioned, they will come prepared with a wallet I'm sure! I'd never assume unlimited free booze. it's a nice treat, but it's not something that should be expected.
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Dedicated August 2019
Megan · on July 26, 2019 at 4:01 PM
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I would recommend ordering more if you can with your budget! Definitely try one of the event/alcohol calculators. I think it would be difficult to warn everyone and people might forget if it’s just on the invite lol.
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Champion June 2019
Gen · on July 26, 2019 at 4:33 PM
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We did exactly this, we didn’t formally “warn” people in advance, but we did mention it to some relatives/friends if it came up. We also had an afternoon wedding so knew people wouldnt drink as much... We put enough money in to cover 2 drinks per person, but we knew several of our guests don’t drink at all, and some are heavy drinkers so we figured it would balance. Our cocktail hour started/bar opened at 12:30pm and was set to close at 4pm. With our limit, I think it ended up turning into a cash bar around 3pm. So basically it was 3.5 hours of open bar and then the last hour was cash bar. By then everyone who wanted to drink had had at least 1-3 drinks on us and didn’t mind paying for an extra one on their own if they wanted. 🤷🏻‍♀️
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Super August 2020
Kimberly · on July 26, 2019 at 4:46 PM
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Why don't you allot a set number of drink tickets per guest that within your alcohol budget? Once people use up their tickets I think it's obvious if they want another at which time they'd have to pay for it themselves
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Devoted November 2019
Kayla · on July 26, 2019 at 4:48 PM
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I would trust the venue! You also have those who don't drink, some DD's that won't drink, and instead of in the invitation I would put it on the wedding website and maybe have your mom/mother in law tell the family members that can drink a bit.
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Master October 2020
Mandi · on July 26, 2019 at 4:54 PM
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This exactly. I've never seen a cash bar warning. It's just assumed that the bar will be a cash bar.
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Master October 2020
Mandi · on July 26, 2019 at 4:56 PM
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If it's a keg and it's already open, they can't refund it and they can't allow open alcohol to leave the venue. If its unopened, they SHOULD be allowed to return it. But if it's open they're kinda out of luck, and the venue is definitely allowed to do this.
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Expert October 2020
Sara · on July 26, 2019 at 5:19 PM
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Hmmm. I was at an event and the host had to supply the alcohol and they deffinatly took there open, half used bottles back home but maybe that's because they physically brought all the supplies in.
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