Types of Bar Service for Private Events
When planning an event with bar service, you have to decide the type of bar service that you want to provide for your guests. This is a large detail in events that is usually overlooked until later in the planning process.
The biggest question to ask yourself when deciding what type of bar service you want to provide for your guests is this: Do you want to profit off your bar or not?
We are going to go over four different types of bar services - Open Bars, Capped Bars, Cash Bars, and Consumption Bars. These are all common and viable options for private events, the decision is really just up to your personal preference.
Open Bars
An open bar is a bar that is provided at no cost for your guests. Open bars are extremely popular amongst guests for obvious reasons. Open bars allow guests to drink as much or as little as they desire for no cost at all.
Open Bars are great for events with your friends and loved ones or anyone who you want to provide a free service for. Your guests can drink as much as they want with no fees and no obligations.
Open bars are the most expensive option you can go for when selecting bar service. Open Bars are paid for upfront by the client / party host. In doing this, you should plan or calculate how much you estimate your guests to drink so you do not over purchase.
Hiring an experienced bar production company is your best bet for this. Bar production managers are able to utilize their experiences and knowledge to estimate the perfect amount of mixers and liquors that you should order for your bar.
Open bars are most commonly seen at weddings, art galleries, gifting suites, and promotional events. They are generally used at events used to celebrate with individuals who you would not necessarily want to charge to have a drink at your event.
Capped Bars
If you have ever been to an event that has given you a drink ticket or two and then you have utilized a caped bar. Capped bars are bar services that are free up until a certain drink count or portion of the event. This is a great option for someone who doesn’t want to make their guests pay, but also does not want to spend an arm and a leg on their bar.
There are a few ways to approach a capped bar. You can give your guests drink tickets and then, once they run out, turn the bar into a paid bar. You can also offer an open bar until a certain point in the night, and then afterwards begin charging for drinks.
Hosting a capped bar takes on the approach of both an open bar and a cash bar. The bar begins as an open bar and then at the point where it is switched to a cash bar, it is now capped. You will need to utilize either a POS System, or a cash bank system.
Cash Bars
A cash bar is a type of bar service where guests are required to pay for their own drinks. Unlike open bars where drinks are complimentary - at a cash bar, guests purchase their drinks directly from the bartender.
Why do event hosts prefer cash bars?
Guests pay for their own drinks.
Offers a wide variety of drink options.
Can help control costs for the host or event planner.
Provides flexibility in budgeting for the event.
How Cash Bars Work:
Guests approach the bar and place their drink orders.
The bartender prepares the drinks and informs the guest of the price.
Guests pay for their drinks either in cash or with a credit/debit card.
Cash bars are great for corporate events, fundraisers, galas, and large parties. They are suitable for events where guests are comfortable paying for their drinks and where the host wants to control costs while still providing beverage options for attendees.
Consumption Bars
A consumption bar is commonly known known as a tab bar or host bar. It is a type of bar service where the host or event organizer pays for the drinks based on consumption. Instead of guests paying for their drinks individually, the host is billed based on the total consumption at the end of the event.
Guests enjoy this type of service because they could essentially think that this is an open bar. They do not have to pay for their drinks individually, the drinks are billed to the host after the event.
Offering a consumption bar provides flexibility in budgeting for the event and encourages guests to enjoy the event without worrying about drink costs.
The host or event organizer keeps track of the drinks consumed throughout the event. At the end of the event, the host is billed based on the total consumption. Some consumption bars may have a minimum spending requirement.The cost can vary depending on the number and type of drinks consumed by guests.
Ideal Events for Consumption Bars:
Corporate events
Business conferences
Networking events
High-end social gatherings
Consumption bars are suitable for events where the host wants to provide drinks for guests without the need for individual payments. It allows for a seamless and enjoyable experience for attendees while providing flexibility in budgeting for the host or event organizer. This type of service is not as common anymore in 2024, but certain bar production companies can accommodate it if you inquire!
Choosing the Right Bar for Your Event
When planning your event and deciding which bar service you would like to provide, there are three things you should take into considering:
Budget
Event type and size
Attendee preferences
Conclusion
Choosing the right bar service for your event is an important decision that can impact the overall experience of your guests. Whether you opt for an open bar, capped bar, cash bar, or consumption bar, each option has its own benefits and negatives. Consider your budget, event type and size, and attendee preferences so you can select the bar service that best suits your event vision.