Self-purchased open bar costs (where you buy the alcohol yourself and host the bar at your house or at a venue with no fee) range from:
Venue-provided bar packages typically run 40–80% higher than buying your own alcohol. (See chart below.)
Open bar costs are one of the most asked-about (and most misunderstood) aspects of event planning. The range is enormous — from a casual backyard beer-and-wine setup that costs $10 per person to a venue-catered open bar that runs $80+ per head. Understanding why that range exists helps you plan something that fits your budget without cutting corners where it matters.
Your biggest cost lever is whether you buy your own alcohol or use the venue's bar service. This single decision affects costs more than any other factor.
You buy the alcohol at retail prices, hire a bartender separately (if needed), and manage the logistics yourself. This is almost always the more cost-effective option for private events. The main trade-off is time and coordination.
The venue sells you a per-person bar package that covers alcohol, bartenders, glassware, and setup. Convenient and simple, but you're paying a significant markup. Many venues also require you to use their bar service as a condition of booking.
| Bar Type | Self-Purchased (per guest) | Venue Package (per guest) |
|---|---|---|
| Beer & Wine Only | $8–$18 | $22–$38 |
| Signature Cocktail + Beer & Wine | $12–$22 | $28–$45 |
| Full Open Bar (mid-range spirits) | $18–$30 | $40–$65 |
| Full Open Bar (premium spirits) | $28–$45 | $55–$90+ |
These figures include alcohol only for the self-purchased column. Add $30–$50/hour per bartender (typically one per 50–75 guests when spirits are served) and any rental fees for glassware if you don't own enough.
Both examples below use the quantities from our calculator and the mid-range prices in its Cost Estimate (spirits $24.99, wine $13.99, beer $27.99 a case), so you can reproduce them yourself.
The difference between a well bar and a top-shelf bar can be $15–$25 per bottle per spirit. For the 100-guest full bar above, moving all 26 bottles from mid-shelf (~$25) to top-shelf (~$43) adds roughly $470. For a cocktail party where spirits are heavily mixed, mid-range is almost always the better choice.
If you're hosting at a venue that doesn't provide glassware, renting glasses typically runs $1–$2 per glass per day. For 100 guests needing 1.5× coverage, that's 150 glasses × $1.50 = $225 — a cost that surprises many first-time event planners.
Some venues allow outside alcohol but charge a "corkage fee" per bottle opened on premises — typically $15–$35 per bottle. Always ask about this before assuming BYOB is automatically cheaper than the venue package.
A champagne toast for 100 guests (about 85 drinkers) takes about 15 bottles at six pours each. At $18–$30 per bottle for a decent sparkling wine, that's $270–$450 for a few minutes of service. Many hosts switch to prosecco or cava ($10–$16/bottle), which brings it to $150–$240 with no perceptible difference in guest experience.
For beer-and-wine events up to about 40 guests, self-service typically works fine. Beyond that, or any time spirits are involved, a professional bartender is worth every cent. A good bartender keeps the line moving, manages consumption pacing, handles difficult guest situations, and makes the whole experience feel polished.
Budget for one bartender per 50–75 guests for a full bar. Rates vary by market — expect $30–$50/hour in most U.S. cities (more in major metros), usually with a 4-hour minimum, plus a 15–20% tip or a flat gratuity worked out in advance.
Calculate precise quantities first — then you'll know what you're actually pricing out.
Open the Calculator →