Should we not offer a cash bar if we are having Signature Cocktails?

L O V E · June 2013

The package the we got with our wedding venue for 100 guests currently includes wine service with dinner (1 1/2 pours), and a champagne toast. We are also going to add on 2 signature cocktails. Each one is a 3 gallon dispenser and serves 92 drinks. So this comes out to 184 drinks in total for the cocktails. We may add on a third dispenser if we get low since these are a lot less expensive than hosting a bar ($3 a drink vs. $10 a drink).

Since we will probably have enough alcohol with just these options, should we not even offer a cash bar? I have heard that they are perceived as tacky so maybe it would be better to just leave it out. As a side note, the cash bar has a $500 minimum or a $150 bartender fee will be charged.

Also, anyone have recommendations for signature cocktails that most people like? My Fiance and I are fans of tequila and rum. Our friends are happy with any type of drink and my family members like margaritas.

Blue_Bird · June 2013

Do not have a cash bar, period. You should not offer anything that you can't or aren't willing to pay for.

As for signature cocktails, I know I like fruity crap that basically tastes nothing like alcohol, lol.

L O V E · June 2013

NYUgirl100 said:

By 1 and 1/2 pours do you mean 1 and 1/2 glasses of wine? Seems low to me, even with the champaign and signature drinks. . But in no event, would not have cash bar.

Yes, it is 1 1/2 glasses of wine- a very random cutoff by the venue.

It is at a country club. Thank you for drink the suggestions Harry87! =]

Thank you for the advice everyone! We will not do a cash bar and I'll have to see if beer can be a possibility if we don't have a bartender. I'm not sure how that would work.

QueerFemme · June 2013

Another vote for not having a cash bar. It's tacky and rde.

LuckyAloha · June 2013

I'm a big rum and tequila fan, so there are a couple favorites. Mojitos are very refreshing, sometimes it can be difficult to make in large batches because of the mint. Mai Tais are pretty fun, daiquiris, bahama mama, and I know it sounds strange but my parents swear that making lemon drops with lemon rum is 100 times better than with vodka (I'm sure its personal preference.)

For tequila there is obviously the margarita, but you could also do tequila sunrise, or Moscow mule.

aurianna · June 2013

I'm a rum or tequila girl. Malibu & Pineapple juice is my favorite.
I can't do vodka anymore... bad lemon drop experience. eek.

zitiqueen · June 2013

L O V E said:

The package the we got with our wedding venue for 100 guests currently includes wine service with dinner (1 1/2 pours), and a champagne toast. We are also going to add on 2 signature cocktails. Each one is a 3 gallon dispenser and serves 92 drinks. So this comes out to 184 drinks in total for the cocktails. We may add on a third dispenser if we get low since these are a lot less expensive than hosting a bar ($3 a drink vs. $10 a drink).

Since we will probably have enough alcohol with just these options, should we not even offer a cash bar? I have heard that they are perceived as tacky so maybe it would be better to just leave it out. As a side note, the cash bar has a $500 minimum or a $150 bartender fee will be charged.

Also, anyone have recommendations for signature cocktails that most people like? My Fiance and I are fans of tequila and rum. Our friends are happy with any type of drink and my family members like margaritas.

Is there any reason why you couldn't provide beer and wine instead of trying to come up with signature cocktails that are universally loved?

Jen4948 · June 2013

You should not offer a cash bar, period. Regardless of whether or not there are signature cocktails, whatever you offer at a bar has to be offered free of charge to your guests.

TheBaysideBride · June 2013

I agree w/ an above posted - try to get the beer and wine down to the price of the signature cocktail. If you can offer a red, a white and a neutral beer, your guests will be fine.

southernbelle0915 · June 2013

Yup - no cash bar. I like @zitiqueen 's idea of hosting just beer and wine the whole time versus 2 signature cocktails. If that doesn't work out budget wise for any reason, I think vodka and rum are generally crowd pleasers for cocktails.

NOLAbridealmost · June 2013

I would skip the champagne toast and signature cocktails and switch to unlimited beer and wine instead. I think you'll find that those are more universally liked than champagne or any two cocktails you could conceive. When it's time for the toasts, guests can use whatever they're already drinking. Good job with reconsidering the cash bar! Stick around!

AddieCake · June 2013

All I read was your title. My answer is you should never have a cash bar.

[Deleted User] · June 2013

I echo everyone else. Beer and wine. I may be bias because I don't drink liquor, but I think your guests would be happier with just that instead of some mixed drink you came up with. It's a cute idea, but if you can only do one or the other, skip the signature drinks.

Sierra524 · June 2013

Im think its a good idea to have beer, wine & maybe just 1 cocktail. That way you have something for everyone. Some people dont like beer or wine and would want the cocktail. Either way, dont do the cash bar. Offer what you can afford.

L O V E · June 2013

TheBaysideBride said:

I agree w/ an above posted - try to get the beer and wine down to the price of the signature cocktail. If you can offer a red, a white and a neutral beer, your guests will be fine.

Well, hosted beer and wine for an hour would be an extra $1,800 and hosted beer and wine for 3 hours is $2,400. We have one signature cocktail for free and the second is $300. Each additional one that we add is $300, so it seems more cost effective. It may be possible to do, but it just feels like a rip-off in comparison. Hm, it looks like we could also do wine on the table starting at $31 a bottle for house sparkling wine. They have a few types to choose from: champagne, sparkling wine, white zinfandel, pinot grigio, chardonnay, pinot noir, and merlot. $31each x 10 tables= $300.

[Deleted User] · June 2013

I would never do the cash bar, but I'd look at cutting things out to make for a higher alcohol budget if you want to serve alcohol. 184 drinks for 100 people-- there's a very good chance you'll run out.

happyfor25 · June 2013

Definitely wouldn't do cash bar. Would the venue credit you the $300 for the free signature cocktail they are offering. Then your cost for hosted beer and wine would drop to $2,100. Then if you skip the champagne toast, that money could also be applied to the hosted beer and wine. One bottle of wine per table would not be enough so you run the risk of running out or of paying for more which could end up costing more than the hosted unlimited wine and beer option. Cutting favors and programs and taking the flowers down a notch would give you some more room in the budget to make up any difference in price.

kaos16 · June 2013

The limit of 1 1/2 glasses of wine also seems bizarre to me. I imagine that being awkward for the waitstaff too. They come around to refill and only pour 1/2 glass. . . . I know that I would think it was strange and i'm sure there are guests that question them on it.

Maybe the signature drinks are so much cheaper because they anticipate a drink with at least one mixer in it where they can make them weak and still make money off you by showing you that you are getting pitchers, meanwhile you are really paying for mostly juices and ice.

TheBaysideBride · June 2013

I'm afraid they'll water down your signature drink. I agree, good booze and good music and generally the top priorities for a party in my book. If you can cut back on flowers or favors or something, I'd do that. 100 people is a nice turnout.

If you do stick with the signature drinks, I would suggest that one be a champagne cocktain, and the other be something not terribly sweet. Maybe a vodka lemonade drink?

MsYeck · June 2013

If you where planning on buying 2 signature drinks ($600) and getting one for free ($300), plus champagn (guesstimate $500 that shit is expensive) it maybe an idea to get rid of them and apply that $1400 towards the $2400 for unlimited beer and wine. Fruity drinks go too quickly I think you will find it will all be one in the 1st hour and once the booze iss gone people have a tendency to disappear and leave early.

Kate61487 · June 2013

So I'm biased b/c I think beer and wine are both gross and I feel like most people can get behind a rum punch or vodka lemonade. I'd also cut the champagne and re-allocate that budget elsewhere (and I love champagne) just because people aren't going to want to mix 3 different alcohols (champagne + their 1.5 glasses of wine + mixed drinks when the wine runs out, if there's any left)

Regardless of what you're serving I think the quantity you're talking about is nowhere near enough. In 3 hours I'm going to drink at least 3 drinks; more like 6 if H is driving and I'm with friends who are drinking. You need at least 3 bottles of wine per table *just* for dinner if you actually want everyone at a 10 person table to get a glass of wine (b/c people pour more than a "glass" when they're serving themselves).

NOLAbridealmost · June 2013

Kate61487 said:

Regardless of what you're serving I think the quantity you're talking about is nowhere near enough. In 3 hours I'm going to drink at least 3 drinks; more like 6 if H is driving and I'm with friends who are drinking. You need at least 3 bottles of wine per table *just* for dinner if you actually want everyone at a 10 person table to get a glass of wine (b/c people pour more than a "glass" when they're serving themselves).

This. Obviously offer only what you can afford, but I think you need to find room in the budget to increase the alcohol quantities if you're hoping for a dance party lasting several hours. A good rule of thumb is 2 drinks for the first hour and then a drink per hour per guest.

NOLAbridealmost · June 2013

How many guests are you having? It sounds like each " signature drink" is basically a 3 gallon canister.....that's more like 64 drinks (at 6 ounces a drink) per canister. You are going to need a lot more than that. The free one will be great if you're offering other things, but if you are hoping to get by with just signature drinks and a small amount of wine, I don't think the money for signature drinks will get you as far as you're thinking it will.

Should we not offer a cash bar if we are having Signature Cocktails?

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