What’s the justification for the cash bar?

Question

How is it anything short of rude throw a party and then charge for refreshments? I’m not saying that alcohol is a necessity. Just why bother offering it if you can’t pay for it?

If it’s an issue of cost, why not choose a different venue or not serve alcohol at all?

Answer 1

Neither my husband nor I drink.  Why should we pay for other people to get wasted??  We chose to still have alcohol available to those who wished to pay for it themselves, we just didn't see the need.

Think of it this way, if some of the people invited liked heroine, for example, but we don't, why should we pay for them to do it???

We respect personal choice, but we don't need to pay for other peoples choices.  And because it was a cash bar, people ended up drinking less than if it was an open bar, and we didn't want drunks there.

Answer 2

IMO, alot of people don't think of it as a party without alcohol so people try to find a way to offer it without footing the bill.

I think the best reason for having a cash bar is often overlooked - - By having guests pay for it themselves, you are reducing the liability if one of them gets hammered then gets into an accident and hurts or kills someone later.

There are plenty of hosts of parties who have been sued for providing alcohol to someone who later killed someone with their car 'cause they drove drunk.  And those people have been found to be some part liable for the death or injuries to the victim.

I really don't see it as a big deal if there is a cash bar.  I see it as a competent couple lowering their liabilities.  Plus if people know its free they tend to drink more than if they were paying for it.

Answer 3

Some people cannot afford to pay for all of their guests to drink. A lot of people offer the cash bar because they know that their guests like to drink and are willing to pay to do so.

My friend couldn't afford to pay for everyone to get drunk at the wedding. The paid for everyone to have a champagne toast - that was it. Not everyone has that kind of money...but a lot of people feel that it would be better to offer alcohol that people have to purchase themselves rather than offering no alcohol at all...

Answer 4

I could not agree more.

Answer 5

well sweetheart... lets say the average drink is $7.00 and you have 100 guest are you really willing to spend $700.00 on alcohol? that would only be 1 per person now lets say you have some in your group who are big drinkers that is very costly and you have to pay for the champagne also. Don't you think that $700.00 is better spent elsewhere?  

Answer 6

I'm not really a drinker, but I agree that it's kind of weird to not pay for all the guests' food and drink at a wedding.

They come, most often go out of their way to attend, pay travel expenses if necessary, bring a gift and spend practically the whole day there. They deserve to have their food and drink paid for. I, personally, would never host a wedding where guests were expected to pay for the alcohol. I don't think it's right unless you don't serve alcohol at all, which might even be worse.

To me, paying for the food an drink is my way of saying thank you for attending, and that I really appreciate their presence. If I wasn't able to afford the booze bill, then I would use a cheaper venue or caterer.

Answer 7

In some parts of the country, cash bars are accepted. In others, they are not.

The justification for a cash bar is that usually the couple cannot afford to pay for the alcohol, but they know some guests might want to drink.

Choosing another venue might not be an option because maybe they are already at the cheapest place they can be.

I would never not have alcohol for my guests. However, I drink. We are doing full open bar.

Answer 8

definately have the cash bar, almost everyone is used to it.  the best part about it is that the venue servicing the cash bar is responsible for anything that happens and or anything that happens if someone leaves and gets in a crash and all.

Answer 9

The justification is that there are people who would object to there not being alcohol. Not everyone is as sensible about it as you.

Answer 10

Yeah i really hate that too, and dont really understand (aside from money and even still, i think if there is a cash bar at least a free round of drinks might work better than none) so for my wedding i plan on having an outdoor reception, and we will provide the basic alcohols. I would have a keg for the beer drinkers, and then take a trip to the states to get cheap vodka, rum or rye, and maybe a few others. But most people who want to drink will be able to choose from that. I would also hire someone to drive people home as it is much more safe. Im not even engaged yet so i dont have any clue as to if i would need a license or something... but its my idea anyways.

Answer 11

I believe you don't invite someone then tell them they have to pay for their beverages so if alcohol is an issue...have a dry wedding..you don't need booze to have a good time. if you do, you have a serious problem.

Answer 12

Most people who have a cash bar offer free soda and non-alcoholic cocktails, but charge for alcohol.

It saves the couple lot of money, and it absolves you from any legal issues if your guests leave the party drunk (that's an issue in some states), but the guests can still drink without bringing flasks.

Answer 13

At our wedding we're paying for soda, alcoholic drinks and one type of beer. We Refuse to pay for 400 people to get smashing drunk on top shelf liquor on our penny. The way I see it if they're not satisfied with a non-alcoholic drink or with a simple beer then they can pay for the good stuff for themselves.

Answer 14

MWA to you, and Violet Pearl! Not hosting your guests to everything on your wedding day is so very wrong! What next, you won't feed them dinner?

I totally agree - either have a dry wedding, or full open bar. We had the latter, for 200 guests - no problems with people getting drunk or out of hand.. I guess you just have to know your family and guests!

For those who thought there was a liability difference - there is NONE. You are still hosting the event, whether the guests pay for their drinks or you do.

Answer 15

My fiance and I are having a cash bar for a number of different reasons. We aren't big drinkers, so we don't want to have an open bar for everyone else when we won't even be drinking. We also don't have enough money for an open bar. And we also don't want to be responsible if someone drives home drunk and gets in an accident.

Answer 16

Are you talking about a wedding?

Sodas, tea, water and punch are items that should be taken care of for the guests. That to me is rude when those simple items aren't done. BUT Alcohol?...whats the big deal?

I don't go to weddings/party's just to get free alcohol.

For me if its free, great! If not, no biggie. I'll buy it myself.

Now days people are on a budget and can't afford it sometimes along with everything else a party/wedding costs.

Whats the difference from not serving alcohol then making people buy it? Either way your not doing it.

Answer 17

It's one of many the ways to stick it to your guests!  Here are some great ideas that would complement the cash bar:

Charge for alcohol

Charge admission to the reception, at least $50 a head

Make people buy their own dinner.

Charge $15.00 per piece of wedding cake.

Charge for photo opps

Pass around a collection plate like they do at church

Collect $10 for each wedding favor

Demand $20 per couple cover charge for dancing (call it an entertainment surcharge)

Tax everyone 10per cent for "gratuities"

Make everyone pay $25 for parking

Charge $30 a head for children under 15

Add a $100 "catch" fee - the woman who catches the bouquet pays for it.

Answer 18

I agree. I think it is very rude. I don't drink alchol at all but even I find it rude. I would think it was rude as well if I went to a wedding and had to pay for my soda.

We are not serving alchol at my wedding because my fiance's family and so other people I know think a wedding is an excuse to literally drink one drink after another and get so drunk that you either throw up, fall down/pass out or have to be taken to the emergency room. I was my future aunt-in-law's wedding and my future father in law got so drunk that he was hitting on the bride (his sister!) and threw up on her dress.

Don't want to have to deal with that.

Plus alchol is very expensive.

Answer 19

Amen,

right on christine

We are not sure if we can afford alcohol  if not we will not serve alcohol. I agree with you why would you say  come to my party but pay for your drink.

I have an aunt who does not drink at all and feels  there should be a cash bar, i do not understand she is not paying for anything. She said alcohol is too expensive i do not understand why she cares or insits on a cash bar.  

Answer 20

Not everyone goes to a wedding expecting free alcohol.  At my wedding, we had complimentary champagne, beer, sodas, water and coffee.  If people wanted cocktails or hard liquor they had to pay for it.  We had better things to spend our money on that to pay for other people to get sloshed on OUR wedding day.

I have NEVER gone to a wedding expecting free alcohol...free water, coffee, soda, yes, but not free alcohol of any type.  I think it's selfish to assume that the bride and groom should pay for you to drink.  They are paying for your meal, your dessert and most likely have other beverages available to you for free.

Answer 21

liability.. if you paying and something happens.. like a drunk accident.. they can come back on you for alowing someone to get drunk and etc.. if cash bar.. its between the bartender and the customer..

Answer 22

I agree with anyone else, and I think you are spoiled and a brat to think that you should have all your alcohol paid for at a wedding.  Supplying a drink, yes is a necessity.. BUT alcohol is not a necessity.  If they want to have expensive drinks with alcohol and not the non-alcoholic drink that you provide, that is their issue, and not yours.  A person holding a wedding is NOT responsible to support all the people that want to drink.  Don't go if you have a problem with it!