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Open Bar vs. Cash Bar: Cost, Etiquette & Middle Options
By Jared Waterworth · Updated July 2, 2026 · 6 min read
The bar is where hospitality and budget collide most directly. Here's what hosting actually costs, why a cash bar reads the way it does, and the middle grounds worth a look.
The verdict
An open bar typically costs $15–$30 per guest in alcohol (roughly $1,500–$3,000 for 100 guests), while a cash bar costs the couple almost nothing but is widely considered poor etiquette at U.S. weddings. In between sit a few options: a beer-and-wine-only bar, a limited signature-cocktail menu, or hosting the first few hours before switching to cash.
Skip to the numbers
Use the bar cost calculator for your wedding.
The bar is one of the biggest swing items in a wedding budget, and one of the few where etiquette, not just money, shapes the decision. Here's what each option really costs, what guests expect, and the middle grounds that keep everyone happy. When you're ready for exact numbers, the drink cost calculator prices your bar bottle by bottle.
How much does an open bar cost?
A self-supplied open bar typically runs $15–$30 per guest in alcohol for a 5-hour reception (about $1,500–$3,000 for 100 guests), plus bartenders (roughly $150–$300 each, one per 50–75 guests) and any corkage fee. Venue and catering packages priced per head often land higher, at $30–$60+ per guest, because they bundle labor, glassware, and liability. The drivers are simple: hours of service, your crowd's drinking pace, and whether you pour liquor or stick to beer and wine.
What does a cash bar really cost you?
A cash bar costs the couple almost nothing (maybe a bartender fee and setup) because guests buy their own drinks. The real price is social: at U.S. weddings, the strong norm is that the hosts provide refreshments, and asking guests (who may have traveled and bought gifts) to open their wallets reads as ungracious to many. Norms differ in some communities and countries, but if most of your guest list expects a hosted bar, a cash bar is the one line item they'll remember.
What are the middle options?
- Beer and wine only. Hosted, unlimited, but no liquor, which typically cuts alcohol cost 20–40% and simplifies the bar.
- Signature cocktails. Beer, wine, and one or two batched cocktails. Feels curated rather than restricted, and batching keeps liquor costs predictable.
- Hosted first hours. Open bar through cocktail hour and dinner, then switch to cash (or close the bar) for the final stretch. Guests drink most early anyway.
- Capped bar tab. The bar is open until a set dollar amount is reached — common at restaurant venues.
Open bar vs. limited bar vs. cash bar
| Open bar | Limited bar | Cash bar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost, 100 guests | $1,500–$3,000 alcohol + staff | $1,000–$2,000 alcohol + staff | ~$0 (staff/setup only) |
| Guest experience | Anything they want, all night | Free drinks from a curated menu | Guests pay per drink |
| Etiquette | The U.S. norm; always safe | Fully acceptable — hosted is what matters | Widely seen as a faux pas |
| Best for | Couples with room in the budget | Most budget-conscious couples | Casual events where norms allow it |
How do you decide?
Start from your per-guest budget. If $25–$30 per guest fits, host a full bar. If not, drop to beer and wine plus a signature cocktail before dropping to cash; guests notice hosted vs. not hosted far more than the selection. However you land, plan quantities with the alcohol guide, price it with the drink cost calculator, and see the full bar-cost picture in how much an open bar costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an open bar cost for 100 guests?
Plan on $15–$30 per guest in alcohol — roughly $1,500–$3,000 for 100 guests over a 5-hour reception — plus bartenders (about $150–$300 each, one per 50–75 guests) and any corkage or bar-setup fee. Venue-run packages priced per head often run higher.
Is a cash bar tacky at a wedding?
At U.S. weddings, most etiquette experts say yes — guests are invited, so asking them to pay for drinks reads like charging for hospitality. If a full open bar doesn't fit the budget, a limited hosted bar (beer and wine only, or signature cocktails) is considered gracious; a pure cash bar is the last resort.
What is a limited or partial open bar?
Any hosted bar that isn't unlimited: beer and wine only, a short signature-cocktail menu, hosting the first two or three hours, or a capped bar tab. These keep drinks free for guests while cutting cost 20–40% versus a full open bar.
Is it cheaper to supply your own alcohol?
Usually, if your venue allows it — buying retail and hiring licensed bartenders often beats per-head packages, especially if the store takes back unopened bottles. Budget for ice, mixers, glassware, and corkage, and confirm your venue's liquor-liability rules first.
Last reviewed June 2026 by Jared Waterworth. Estimates use widely accepted wedding-planning rules of thumb — see how we estimate. Numbers vary by region, season, and vendor, so verify before you book or buy.