Open Bar or Consumption? Need Opinions.

Schroeder246

We just got the menu from our venue, and we had been planning on going with the "Standard" open bar package for 4 hours.

However, looking at the prices, we were kind of shocked at what the price was for open bar as compared to the "per drink" list.  I know we have to kind of take a gamble on how much people are going to drink, but our guest list is heavy on the kids and older people, and not so much people our age.  Also, our reception is a luncheon from 1-5 on a Sunday, so I feel like people will be less apt to drinking heavily at that time.

Keeping that in mind, and looking at the prices below, what would you do?

Standard Open Bar - $32.00 per person (apparently including kids!)

Consumption:

Mixed Drinks $6-8

Martini $10

House Wine $6

Domestic Beer $5

Imported Beer $6

Soft Drink $2

Bottled Water $3

Cordials $8-10

Thanks everyone!

lisalou402

I have a horror story...but first a question?  Did you ask to negotiate the under 21 rule?  That's a ridiculous amount to pay for a 6 year old who may only be drinking juice.  You have enough kids that it will really make a difference. 

A friend of mine got married in Dallas and opted to go consumption.  They calculated 3 drinks per person, and in the end it wound up around 7 drinks per person.  In the end, she felt that she had no handle on what was ordered in general.  There was no way to keep track of how many drinks were really poured
In any open bar situation this is common. 

Add this to the fact that at most catering places they do pick up those glasses pretty quick.  How many times have you been at a wedding and you turned around and your drink was gone.  Probably a lot.

Good luck!

mica178

I'd ask to negotiate the under-21 price.  If they won't do that, find out if they can remove the martini and cordial option, and do a consumption bar.  Yes, there might be a couple Sunday afternoon binge drinkers, but between the 44 kids and however many older guests, I think the consumption will work in your favor.

The standard drink calculation is: 2 drinks the first hour, 1 drink per hour thereafter.  For a 4 hour reception, that'd be 5 drinks per person.  The average alcoholic beverage at your reception is $6, so that'd be $30.

But again, I don't think most people would drink 5 alcoholic beverages on a Sunday afternoon, not if they're there with their kids and grandma.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

If you use the rule of thumb - 5 drinks per person per 4 hour period - you end up spending $35 per person, if you estimate the average drink price is $7 (which it is - that accomodates those few people who drink 4-5 martinis). If you think they'll have 4 drinks, it drops to $28pp, but really, it's a judgement call. for peace of mind, I'd probably stick with the pp price since consumption prices can vary so wildly. (In fact, when I booked my venue, I made sure I would not be paying based on consumption.)

Edit: if you factor in 44 kids not drinking and you end up with all 200 guests, it makes it $41/per adult guest for drinks.

This is hard. But like I said, I'd be more comfortable with a definite number than consumption.

carrieoz_76

We're at a restaurant, so we can only do consumption.  One way to limit your expsosure with consumption is to a) only cover nonalcoholic drinks + beer and wine or b) have the bar let you know when you reach $X so you can cut off the open bar (gasp, I know) or at least know how far over budget you're going. 

We're considering option a, although b would also probably be ok since we're only at the restaurant for 2 hrs.

parker624

My cousin's wedding was on a Sunday afternoon (reception ended at 5:00 PM).  I am pretty sure I had 10 drinks and I know for a fact one cousin did 13 shots alone.  Not including any wine or beer he might have had.

If your family is as wild as mine, I'd stay stick with the per person and try to negotiate your numbers down to eliminate cost for kids.