Bar Etiquette

haleyk620

My FI and I are having a medium size wedding (about 200 guests). We are providing beer, soda & water as options at the bar, and I am aware that cash bars are tacky! Should we create signs for our bar so guests know what is available to them, or should the bartender be letting guests know what their options are? 

Please help! 

thisismynickname2

First, is the venue going to hide/cover any other types of alcohol so guests cannot see that other options exist in the building?

If not, then I'm a fan of a sign. "Please enjoy beer, soda and water courtesy of [happy couple]." That way there are no surprises. 

Maggie0829

My answer will depend on whether or not the bar will be fully stocked (such as they have liquor displayed and will not remove it)?  If so, then creating a sign/signs would be best.  If nothing but what you are offering will be seen then a sign will be helpful but if the beer and soda are displayed on the bar, then it is pretty self-explanatory what is available.

haleyk620

I'll have to check with the venue to see what their protocol is on this. I appreciate the insight! Thank you!

banana468

I'll ditto the others that if they can't hide what you're not hosting then go with the sign.

I know that guests shouldn't complain about what isn't available but if you're able to add some basic wine to the list I think it would go over well with your guests.   Unless you're inviting a ton of beer only drinkers, the options you have may not please those who either can't tolerate beer or who just won't drink it ( like many women in my family).   You don't *have* to but I suggest it. 

haleyk620

banana468 said:

I'll ditto the others that if they can't hide what you're not hosting then go with the sign.

I know that guests shouldn't complain about what isn't available but if you're able to add some basic wine to the list I think it would go over well with your guests.   Unless you're inviting a ton of beer only drinkers, the options you have may not please those who either can't tolerate beer or who just won't drink it ( like many women in my family).   You don't *have* to but I suggest it. 

I'll look into this. For the most part, both my FI's family and my own family aren't big drinkers at all. But we may look into adding a wine option if possible for our friends who may not be big on the beer. Thanks for the suggestion!

southernbelle0915

The line will go faster if the menu is posted. And the bartender will probably be more cheerful if s/he doesn't have to say the same. damn. thing. over and over and over again. 

I'm all for posting a list of what you're serving.

novella1186

southernbelle0915 said:

The line will go faster if the menu is posted. And the bartender will probably be more cheerful if s/he doesn't have to say the same. damn. thing. over and over and over again. 

I'm all for posting a list of what you're serving.

This. We made a simple bar menu and put it on the bar, just so it was clear which types of beer, wine, liquor, and mixers we had. That way people didn't have to stand there and ask, and the bartenders didn't have to keep saying the list over and over. Just seemed to make things a lot easier for everyone. 

haleyk620

Thank you all for the help! I think I'm going to go ahead and make a sign for the bar once we have nailed down exactly what we are offering.

Jen4948

Posting your menu would be fine.