A Guide To Bar Options For Boston Weddings

Planning an event comes with its fair share of decisions, and if you're providing drinks, you'll need to decide the kind of bar you want to host. Whether it's a wedding, corporate event, or a social gathering, the type of bar arrangement can significantly impact your budget and guest experience. That's why we decided to share A Guide To Bar Options For Boston Weddings.

Should you provide an open bar where everyone drinks at your expense? Or perhaps a cash bar, where guests pay for their own drinks? Maybe there's a middle ground with a consumption-based bar. To help you decide what's best for your event, let's break down the three options.

​Before we begin, we’d like to take a moment to introduce ourselves and warmly welcome you to our family-owned wedding and event venue. Family is at the heart of everything we do, and we take immense pride in treating our couples—and their guests—as part of our extended family. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that prioritizes you and makes you feel truly welcomed & appreciated, you’ve found the perfect New England wedding venue. 
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​What is an Open Bar?
An open bar is precisely what it sounds like: drinks are "open" to guests, and you, as the host, take care of the entire bill. Your guests are free to order any available drink without worrying about the cost. Open bars are a popular choice for weddings and larger celebrations because they allow guests to relax and fully enjoy the event without hesitation.
Pros of an Open Bar:

• Enhanced guest experience: Your guests will appreciate the generosity and simplicity of having free access to drinks.
• Convenient and seamless: It eliminates the need for guests to carry cash or worry about bills during the event.
• Social and festive atmosphere: Guests tend to mingle and enjoy themselves when drinks are freely available.

Cons of an Open Bar:

• Higher costs: Open bars are generally the most expensive option because you're covering unlimited drinks.
• Potential for overconsumption: With drinks being free, some guests may indulge more than expected, which could lead to additional issues.

Best for: Weddings, milestone events, and celebrations where guest experience is the highest priority.

A Guide To Bar Options For Boston Weddings

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What is a Cash Bar?A cash bar, on the other hand, requires guests to pay for their own drinks. You'll provide the bar setup, but the financial responsibility rests with each guest. This option is often used when the budget is tight or when the host feels the guests would prefer to control their own drink choices.
Pros of a Cash Bar:

• Cost-effective: You, as the host, won't have to cover drink costs, which can save a significant amount of money.
• Controlled consumption: Guests will typically drink less when they have to pay for each drink, avoiding overindulgence.

Cons of a Cash Bar:

• Potential guest dissatisfaction: Some guests may be unhappy about paying for drinks, especially in more formal settings like weddings.
• Disrupted flow: Lines and cash transactions can slow the bar service and disrupt the event’s flow.

Best for: Casual gatherings, corporate events, or when you need to stay within a tight budget.

What is a Bar on Consumption?A bar on consumption, also known as a consumption-based bar, offers a balanced middle ground. With this setup, the host pays for the drinks consumed, but the cost is based on the actual number of drinks ordered during the event.
You might set a budget cap (e.g., $1,500), and once that cap is reached, the bar can either close or transition to a cash bar.
Pros of a Bar on Consumption:

• Budget management: You can estimate costs more effectively than with a fully open bar.
• Win-win approach: Guests have access to free drinks, but you only pay for what they actually consume.
• Personalized experience: This setup feels generous while still giving you control over expenses.

Cons of a Bar on Consumption:

• Variable costs: It can be hard to predict exactly how much your guests will consume, which may result in unpredictable expenses.
• Monitoring required: You’ll need to work with the bar staff to keep track of consumption and ensure the cap isn’t exceeded.

Best for: Smaller or mid-sized events, or when you want to offer free drinks but also manage your budget carefully.

What is a Bar with Beer & Wine?
A bar with beer and wine is a type of bar service that offers a limited selection of alcoholic beverages, typically including various types of beer and wine. This option is often seen at events such as weddings, corporate functions, or private parties.
Pros of a Bar with Beer & Wine:

• Simplicity: This type of bar service is easy to set up and manage since it only involves serving a few types of drinks.
• Cost-effective: Beer and wine are generally less expensive than other types of alcohol, making this option more budget-friendly.
• Flexibility: With a limited selection, you can still provide options for guests while keeping costs under control.

Cons of a Bar with Beer & Wine:

• Limited selection: Some guests may be disappointed if their preferred drink is not available.
• Restrictive for cocktail-themed events: For events that are focused on cocktails, a bar with only beer and wine may not fit the theme.

Pros of a Premium Open Bar:

• Variety: With a larger selection of drinks available, guests can try different types of alcohol and have the opportunity to taste high-end liquors.
• Accommodates all preferences: Guests with specific drink preferences or dietary restrictions will be able to find suitable options at a premium open bar.
• Elevated experienceElevated experience: A premium open bar can add a touch of luxury to a wedding or event, making guests feel special and pampered.
• Suitable for larger events: If you are hosting a large number of guests, a premium open bar may be more appropriate as it can accommodate a wider range of drink preferences.
• Customizable packages: Premium open bars usually offer customizable packages where hosts can choose specific liquors or cocktails to be included in the bar menu.

Cons of a Premium Open Bar:

• Higher cost: As mentioned earlier, a premium open bar will come at a higher price compared to a standard open bar. This added expense may not fit into everyone's budget.
• Limited time frameLimited time frame: Most venues that offer premium open bars will have a set time frame for the service. This means that if your event runs longer than the designated time, you may have to switch to a cash bar or end the open bar early.
• Limited drink options: Although premium open bars offer a wider range of alcohol options, they may still not cater to everyone's preferences. For example, some guests who prefer non-alcoholic drinks may not find many suitable choices at a premium open bar.
• Excessive drinking: Unlimited access to premium drinks can sometimes lead to excessive drinking and intoxicated guests. This could result in potential liabilities for the host and create an unsafe environment for other guests.

What is a Cash Bar? A cash bar is a type of bar service commonly found at events and parties where guests are required to pay for their own drinks. Unlike an open bar, where the host pays for all the drinks, a cash bar requires guests to purchase their own alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
How does it work?At a cash bar, guests are given the option to buy drinks from a designated area or counter. They can choose from a selection of pre-defined drink options and pay for them using cash or credit cards. The prices of drinks are usually set by the venue or event organizer and may vary depending on the location and type of drink.
Pros and ConsJust like any other service, there are advantages and disadvantages to having a cash bar at an event.
Pros

• Cost-effective: A cash bar can be more affordable for both the host and guests as they only pay for what they consume.
• Variety of options: With a cash bar, guests have the freedom to choose from a variety of drinks and pay for what they prefer.
• No additional fees: Unlike open bars where hosts have to pay a per person or hourly rate, cash bars do not come with any additional fees.

Cons

• Additional cost for guests: Some guests may not be prepared or willing to pay for their drinks at the event, which can lead to disappointment or strained relationships.
• Limited drink options: With a cash bar, the drink options may be limited to what the venue or bartender offers, whereas an open bar allows for more variety.
• Additional logistical planning: Hosting a cash bar requires additional planning and coordination with the venue and bartenders to ensure smooth operations and proper handling of payments.
• Potential wait times: Depending on the setup and number of guests, there may be longer wait times at a cash bar compared to an open bar where drinks are readily available.
• Negative perception: In some social circles, having a cash bar at an event may be seen as cheap or not hospitable. This could lead to negative perceptions of the host or event itself.

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