Ideas About a Self-Serve Alcohol Dispenser

jclinch · December 2011

Hi Brides!

I am a student at Elon University doing a marketing product on generation Y brides. Our group is creating a new product for brides to use. It would be a self-serve alcohol dispenser, distributed by Island Oasis, to replace an open bar at weddings. Brides could choose from a variety of package levels, with the most popular package being 3 dispensers- 1 for the bride's signature drink, 1 for the groom's signature drink, and one other drink of choice. Drinks could be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

Since Island Oasis as a company only provides the alcohol mix and not the alcohol, the caterer or venue for your reception would be the one providing the alcoholic portion of the mixed drinks. We expect that many venues have standards that they are the only ones allowed to provide alcohol, so this would make the venue more willing to work with this product!

My question is do you think that you would consider using this type of dispenser to replace an open bar? Our hopes would be that it would fit with a key trends of having an individualized and unique wedding and having alternative forms of food/drink at weddings. Let me know what you think!

harpsdesire · December 2011

At most venues only caterers can serve alcohol, and this kind of system would not be allowed.

It also removes the safety factor of having a caterer or bartender who is trained to know when to stop serving a guest who has overindulged.

That said, I might use it if it was allowed at my venue, since I know my guests and who might need a ride home at the end of the night, and that (probably) no one would overdrink enough to be dangerous as long as they didn't have to drive.

jclinch · December 2011

I meant to mention the part about caterers. I worked at a venue that hosted many weddings this past summer, and realized that that would be a potential issue. Therefore, we were thinking that since Island Oasis only provides the alcohol mix without the alcohol, the caterer or venue would be the ones providing the alcoholic portion of the mixed drink! Hopefully that clarifies it a bit more.

tldh · December 2011

As an attorney I will say that there is not a chance in hell I would ever use something like this. You need a bartender there to cut people off and carry liability insurance. If a couple sets one of these up and somebody causes an accident, guess what. The B&G in most states are going to be financially liable for any damages - and accidents caused by drunk drivers are not cheap.

harpsdesire · December 2011

So people would line up to fill a cup with mixer, and then line up to get the alcohol added it? And then somehow it would have to be stirred...? I guess decorative swizzle sticks would work.

No, that doesn't sound like something I would like, personally, although it does make an interesting chance for people to make custom combinations. (Take a mixer, and then add rum, tequila or vodka depending on preference, for example.)

Or maybe you didn't mean 'SELF' serve, and that actually the bartender would be serving the drinks out of the oasis units and handing them to guests? That would be cool in that case, it's what both my sister did to serve a huge batch of sangria with a dispenser we got at Wal-mart.

Sydney91 · December 2011

In Canada, this would be illegal with huge fines and the marriage licence can be revoked in some cases. Only licenced employees can serve alcohol as they have a plethora of other responsibilities to go with serving alcohol (stopping/slowing service to people, calling cabs/relatives and arranging safe transport home, ensuring all laws regarding liquor are upheld, and ensuring no minors are served alcohol).

This is entirely too impersonal at a very personal event.

Not to be too negative: I love this idea for serving non-alcoholic drinks such as virgin cocktails. I can also see this as useable for bartenders serving the signature drinks to reduce prep time. I would market the product to venues and bartenders rather than brides though. Many vendors do things their way and charge extra for the bride and groom to change up the system.

NOLAbridealmost · December 2011

That sounds like at best a big pain in the butt for what it's worth and at worst a disaster waiting to happen.

brides-mother · December 2011

I dont' understand how this is any different from a normal drink dispenser. And no, I would never in a zillion years allow guests to serve alcohol to themselves. Nightrmare about to happen.

RailWayWife · December 2011

My concern is people who have been drinking can be sloppy and stupid. I can see this turning into a mess. Glasses being over filled. Taps being left on, All I can see is disaster.