Pricing for Open Bar?

asoho0704

Hey guys,

I'm getting quoted around $25 for just a beer/wine open bar per person -

at all of your venues you've chosen, what are you guys getting charged - approx - per head for your open bars?  please let me know because i'm going to try to negotiate a little bit.

Any former pearl brides have any input here?

jendem8

I received about the same from different caterers.  We're at the Budleigh though and are BYOBing.

asoho0704

Thanks for the input!   I think we tried for the Budleigh but something didn't work out.. 

ksj10032782

Anna- is that a billed by consumption bar, or a flat fee per person? At our wedding at the Sanderling, we've elected to go with beer, wine and a signature drink, we were quoted at $20 on average per person. Just a side note, wine is included in our package during dinner and after dinner, just not the cocktail reception. That price is an average by consumption. If that's a flat fee per person, I would select to go the by consumption route, because you may have some people who won't drink at all, and some people who will drink more.

asoho0704

They do bill by consumption.  The avg. of $25 per person is basing off of choosing two reds and two whites, and Stella ($5 per beer); assuming each person on average has 5 drinks. 

I didn't like that pricing very much, but they seem firm on their bottle list pricing, so we'll just go with cheaper wine I suppose..

jendem8

Ok, if that's based on consumption then it seems high... especially for no liquor.  Through Argyles I know that I was quoted $25 (per head - not consumption) and it included beer, wine, liquor, and all soft drinks, mixers, etc.

asoho0704

Ours does include mixers, but it's $4 just for bottom shelf per drink for liquor.

jenniferwhitlow

Do you have to go through your venue to do alcohol?

asoho0704

I believe so yes, but that's actually a good question, LOL!! 

jenniferwhitlow

We don't, so we are saving SO much money there.  Actually, my sister is throwing us a stock the bar party, so I feel really good about it.  Alcohol can be so expensive. 

sangriaMaria

We supplied the alcohol and our caterer supplied the bartenders and mixers @ $6.50 per person.

Bar Service & Set-ups

 

Ice, Bar Fruit, Juices, Mixers, Sodas, Bottled Water,

 Sweet & Dry Vermouths, Lime Juice, Grenadine & Coolers

Coffee, Lemonade, Iced Tea

 

$6.50 ++ per person

 

*Client Provides All Beer, Wine and / or Liquor*

ms_teach

Sorry I just now saw this.  We spent about $35 per person for our open bar without any restrictions.  Looking at the receipt it was a mix of wine, beer, and whiskey mostly. That was for about 2 hours.