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Beginner May 2019

Open Bar Menu Wording

Erica, on January 27, 2019 at 5:29 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 5

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I know there's lots of discussions about open bars, but I'm needing help with menu wording and I couldn't quite find a forum answer for my situation. My venue only offers open bar packages for a limited amount of time - 1, 2, or 3 hours. We chose the 3 hour package but I'm not sure how to word it on our menu. Soda, tea, lemonade, and water will be offered all night. So I'm wanting to list what beer, wine, and cocktails are available but I definitely want guests to know they're only available for a certain amount of time (So something like "Wine - Available 7 to 10" and then list the options available, "Beer - Available 7 to 10" etc etc, and then "Soda, Tea, Water Available all night long" or should I list the available wines, beers, and cocktails and then in small lettering underneath it all, "Available 7 to 10" and then "Soda, Tea, Lemonade Available All Night" in larger letters underneath that? I'm not sure what would look/sound the best. And I definitely want guests to know it's only available for a certain amount of time, so I definitely want times listed somewhere on the menu so not heading to the bar at 10:05 to get a drink and then unable to. Thanks in advance for your advice!

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5 Comments

Latest activity by Erica, on January 28, 2019 at 12:57 PM

VIP December 2018
Casey · on January 27, 2019 at 5:35 PM
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I would just mock it up a few different ways to see what looks the best. Aesthetically I feel like it would be best to just list everything that’s available and then in smaller print at the bottom, maybe in italics say “Enjoy complimentary Wine, Beer, and Cocktails from 7-10. Soda, tea, and lemonade all night long!”

Also are you having water?

And around 9:30 and 9:45 I’d have your DJ announce when the bar is closing / last call. Or whatever wording if it’s going to be switching to a cash bar (not sure from your wording if it’s switching to a cash bar or just not being offered)
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Beginner May 2019
Erica · on January 27, 2019 at 5:51 PM
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Oh yes, I never even would have thought to have the DJ announce it will be closing soon, thanks! And yes, I'll be having water haha. The bar will stop offering alcohol altogether once the time limit is up, the closest hotels are about 30 miles away from the venue and I think the owners just don't want people drinking all night with no where to go if they get too crazy with it
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Master October 2019
Jolie · on January 28, 2019 at 11:11 AM
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Exactly what Casey said right on the mark! I don't know many weddings that are open bar the entire wedding. Often times the bar closes down for like 1 hour during dinner! Does your reception end at 10? Other times the bar ends 1 hour before the evening ends but I find those more annoying. I think more guests are cool with the no bar for dinner and they get their drink before.
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Master December 2019
Courtney · on January 28, 2019 at 12:49 PM
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I'm not mentioning it all. Unfortunately there are some in both of our families that are recovering, or have problems currently with alcohol. That's not stopping us from having fun, but I'm not advertising anywhere. I don't want people to come just for the free food and booze.
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Beginner May 2019
Erica · on January 28, 2019 at 12:57 PM
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It ends about 11, we figured people would start clearing out once the bar is closed but we kept the DJ until 11 in case there are any stragglers left behind, and for those guests who grabbed a couple more drinks just before the bar closed. And thank you all for your advice, it's been a big help!
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