Open bar vs beer and wine

It does seem weird. Is it open bar for everything for cocktail hour and then guests can have beer and wine during dinner for open bar and not liquor or how would it work?

We we decided to do an open bar wine and beer only the whole night and then people who want liquor will have to pay for that. The beer and wine alone was much cheaper than an open bar featuring everything and our crowd would still be pleased.

Another thing you can look into is a consumption bar. Set the price your willing to spend on drinks and after your guests reach that number it switches to cash bar.

hope that helps!

I don't like switching to cash bar, guests will find it more confusing than saying open bar during cocktails, wine and beer during dinner

Can you just do an open beer and wine bar for the whole time? We had that plus the option for the guests to purchase liquor at the hotel bar if they wanted something harder. We saved $500 doing it that way

The company that we’re using for our bar actually recommended that we don’t have an open bar during cocktail hour as it will create a long line because it takes more time to make mixed drinks and in such a short amount of time not everyone will get a drink. They recommended that we do only beer & wine or only signature drinks for our cocktail hour and then switch and do whatever we wanted for our reception

Just do open beer and wine the whole time.

Another vote for providing just beer & wine all evening.

I'd just do beer and wine for the entire event. I'd be annoyed if I could get a mixed drink at cocktail hour, but not at dinner.

I would just do beer and wine all night. If people start drinking liquor the. Go back for another after cocktail and have to pay for it they will be annoyed.

I would just do beer and wine the entire time

View Quoted Comment I would be. I thought it was weird.

View Quoted Comment That's a good idea too

I don't think I'd do liquor for only part of the event but that's me. We did beer, wine, and a signature drink. Our guests had multiple options and everyone seemed to have a great time.

I think you'd save money that way, so if you are looking to do that it makes sense. I'd just make two signs so people know what is hosted & what is cash bar. I've seen an open bar at cocktail hour then cash bar at reception but that's it.

Just do beer and vine, or if u really want u can add 1 custom cocktail but that's it, cuz it's a bit weird to have open bar during cocktail hour and beer and vine just for dinner, i went to a wedding that had champagne (1 glass per person )during the cocktail hour and then just beer and vine it was still awesome.

I've seen this at tons of wedding. Usually they just have wine on the table and the bar is close for dinner. If you need more wine for the table a server will get one. It's not my preference, but as long as you're not switching to a cash bar at any point, I think it's ok.

When dinner is over and dancing starts, the bar always opens back up.