Planning an open bar for your wedding or event? Calculate exactly how much beer, wine, and liquor you need - plus get a cost estimate.
Quick Answer
An open bar for 100 guests at a 5-hour wedding typically costs $2,000-4,500 ($20-45 per person). You'll need approximately 10 cases of beer, 28 bottles of wine, and 6 bottles of liquor. Use our free calculator below for exact quantities based on your guest count and event details.
| Guests | Beer (cases) | Wine (bottles) | Liquor (750ml) | Mixers | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 4-5 | 12-15 | 4-5 | 10L | $1,000-2,200 |
| 100 | 8-10 | 25-30 | 8-10 | 20L | $2,000-4,500 |
| 150 | 12-15 | 38-45 | 12-15 | 30L | $3,000-6,500 |
| 200 | 16-20 | 50-60 | 16-20 | 40L | $4,000-8,500 |
Based on 4-hour event. Use our calculator for exact numbers.
How many people are coming?
How long is the bar open?
Beer lovers? Wine crowd?
Quantities + cost estimate
Choosing the right bar style is one of the biggest decisions for your event budget. Here is how the three main options compare.
Host pays for everything
Beer, wine & 1-2 signature cocktails
Guests pay for their own drinks
| Feature | Open Bar | Limited Bar | Cash Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per person | $20-45 | $12-25 | $0-5 |
| 100-guest total cost | $2,000-4,500 | $1,200-2,500 | $0-500 |
| Guest experience | Excellent | Very good | Mixed |
| Drink selection | Full bar - everything | Beer, wine, 1-2 cocktails | Full bar (guest pays) |
| Wedding appropriate? | Yes - preferred | Yes - growing trend | Not recommended |
| Planning complexity | Moderate | Low | Low |
Your per-person cost depends on the quality and variety of drinks you offer. Here is what to expect at each price point.
| Tier | What's Included | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Beer & wine only | $12-18 |
| Mid-Range | Beer, wine, basic liquor | $20-30 |
| Premium | Full bar, top-shelf options | $35-50 |
| Ultra Premium | Craft cocktails, premium spirits | $50-75+ |
Prices based on a 4-5 hour event with DIY alcohol purchasing. Venue bar packages may cost 50-100% more.
Having enough bartenders prevents long lines and keeps your guests happy. The ratio depends on the type of bar service.
1 bartender per 50 guests
Simpler pours mean faster service. Self-serve beer stations can reduce this further.
1 bartender per 35-40 guests
Mixed drinks take longer to prepare. Add a dedicated beer/wine station to speed things up.
| Guest Count | Beer/Wine Bar | Full Bar |
|---|---|---|
| 50 guests | 1 bartender | 1-2 bartenders |
| 100 guests | 2 bartenders | 2-3 bartenders |
| 150 guests | 3 bartenders | 3-4 bartenders |
| 200 guests | 4 bartenders | 4-5 bartenders |
Professional bartenders typically charge $150-300 each for a 4-5 hour event, plus tips.
Standard estimates for common guest counts (4-hour event)
| Guests | Beer | Wine | Liquor | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 7 cases | 15 bottles | 3 bottles | $500-800 |
| 100 | 14 cases | 28 bottles | 6 bottles | $1,000-1,500 |
| 150 | 20 cases | 42 bottles | 9 bottles | $1,500-2,200 |
| 200 | 27 cases | 56 bottles | 12 bottles | $2,000-3,000 |
Estimates based on mid-range pricing. Use the calculator above for your event.
Planning a wedding in the UK? The terminology, costs, and logistics work differently. In the UK, an "open bar" is more commonly called a "free bar" or "hosted bar," and many venues operate differently from US ones.
Most UK couples provide welcome drinks and wine with the meal, then offer a cash bar for the evening reception. A fully hosted free bar is a generous option but less common in the UK than the US.
For a DIY open bar with 100 guests at a 5-hour event, budget $2,000-$4,500 total ($20-45 per person), depending on drink quality and bar tier. A budget beer-and-wine bar runs $12-18/person, mid-range with basic liquor is $20-30/person, and a premium full bar is $35-50/person. Professional bartending adds $150-300 per bartender (plan for 2-3 at this size). Our calculator gives you exact quantities and costs.
Use the 1-drink-per-person-per-hour rule. Multiply guests by hours to get total drinks. For a 100-guest, 5-hour wedding, that is 500 drinks. Split into beer (40%), wine (35%), and liquor (25%), then convert to bottles and cases. For 100 guests you will need approximately 10 cases of beer, 28 bottles of wine, and 6 bottles of liquor. Our calculator does this math for you instantly.
An open bar (host bar) means the host pays for all drinks at $20-45 per person. A cash bar means guests pay for their own drinks, costing the host only $0-5/person for bartender and setup. A third option, the limited bar, provides beer, wine, and 1-2 signature cocktails at $12-25/person. Open bars are preferred by 85% of wedding guests and are traditional for formal events. Cash bars are more common at corporate events.
For 150 guests, you need 3-4 bartenders for a full bar with cocktails, or 2-3 for beer and wine only. The standard ratio is 1 bartender per 35-40 guests for full-service bars and 1 per 50 guests for beer/wine. Adding a dedicated beer/wine station can reduce wait times at the main bar.
Yes, buying your own alcohol (DIY open bar) is typically 40-60% cheaper than a venue-provided bar package. A venue charges $45-75 per person, while a self-supplied open bar averages $20-35 per person for comparable quality. The key savings come from wholesale/bulk pricing and returning unopened bottles. However, you will need to arrange bartenders ($150-300 each), glassware, ice, and mixers separately.
A standard open bar includes: 2-3 beer options (light lager, domestic, and a craft/IPA), red and white wine (Cabernet and Chardonnay at minimum), vodka, whiskey/bourbon, rum, and basic mixers (tonic, soda, cranberry juice, and citrus). Premium bars add gin, tequila, and top-shelf options. Always include non-alcoholic choices like sparkling water and mocktails. Budget about 40% beer, 35% wine, and 25% liquor by drink volume.
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