Open bar or cash bar?
Who pays for the drinks, and how much, under each setup.
Open bar — host pays
0
Drinks poured
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Cash bar — guests spend
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How it works
The math, in the open.
Both setups start from the same drink count. With an open bar the host pays for every drink at the per-drink cost a caterer quotes or the price of bottles divided by servings. With a cash bar guests pay the bar directly and the host usually covers only staff and setup. People often drink less when they pay, so the cash-bar figure is an upper bound.
| Step | Formula |
|---|---|
| Drinks | guests × % who drink × (hours + 1) |
| Open bar | drinks × your cost per drink |
| Cash bar | drinks × price per drink, paid by guests |
Example: 100 guests, 4 hours, 75% drinking: 375 drinks. Open bar at $5 a drink costs the host $1,875; at a cash bar guests would spend about $3,000 at $8 a drink.
Cost tables
What the host pays, by guest count.
| Guests | Drinks (4 h) | Open bar at $5 | Open bar at $8 | Limited bar* | Bartender wage cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 188 | $940 | $1,504 | $752 | $89 |
| 100 | 375 | $1,875 | $3,000 | $1,500 | $178 |
| 150 | 563 | $2,815 | $4,504 | $2,252 | $178 |
| 200 | 750 | $3,750 | $6,000 | $3,000 | $267 |
Pros and cons
Choosing a setup.
Open bar
Simplest for guests and usually expected at a wedding. Caterers price it per person per hour, per drink consumed, or by the bottle opened. Ask which: per-consumption billing rewards a light-drinking crowd, per-person packages reward a heavy one.
Limited or beer-and-wine bar
Cuts cost without asking guests to pay. Many couples add one signature cocktail. It also speeds the line, so you may need fewer bartenders.
Cash bar
Cheapest for the host but not free: the bar still needs staff, and some venues charge a fee or minimum. Selling drinks can also change the legal picture. In many states, whoever sells alcohol needs a license or an event permit. Selling drink tickets can require a license or event permit; check your state page.
Hybrid
An open bar for the first hours then a cash bar, or drink tickets for each guest, caps the bill while keeping the welcome.
Ask the caterer
Five questions that change the number.
- Is the bar billed per person, per drink or per bottle? Is there a minimum?
- Is the bartenders' time included, and for how many hours, including setup?
- Are service charge, tax and gratuity added on top?
- For a cash bar: who holds the license or permit to sell, and who keeps the revenue?
- Can you bring your own alcohol, and is there a corkage fee?
FAQ
Questions people ask.
Is a cash bar rude at a wedding?
Etiquette varies by region and family. Common compromises are a limited open bar (beer and wine only), an open bar for the first hours, or drink tickets.
Do I still need bartenders for a cash bar?
Yes. The bar needs the same staff either way. Use the bartender cost calculator for that part.
Does selling drinks need a permit?
Often, yes, if you or a nonprofit sell the drinks rather than a licensed venue or caterer. Check your state event liquor permit.
Is an open bar more expensive than a cash bar?
For the host, yes: you pay for every drink. For 100 guests over 4 hours, that is roughly 375 drinks.
Do I need a permit for a cash bar?
It depends on your state and on who sells the drinks. A licensed venue or caterer sells under its own license; a private host or nonprofit selling drinks may need an event permit.
How many drinks per guest should I budget for?
About 2 in the first hour and 1 each hour after, for guests who drink.
Related
Keep planning.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025 — Bartenders, national · Federal data (BLS), checked Oct 8, 2026
Estimates for planning, not quotes or legal advice. Formulas tested Oct 8, 2026.