How Much Does an Open Bar Cost at a Wedding in 2026?

Written by Oscar Sanfelix, founder of Plannful. · Published 25 June 2026

If you are pricing drinks for your reception, here is the short answer: an open bar averages $15−$45 per guest in 2026. For a 100-guest wedding that works out to roughly $2,000−$4,500 for the bar alone, before tax and gratuity. Where you land in that range depends on how you pay (per drink, per person, or a flat package), what you pour, and whether you bring your own alcohol. Below we break down every option with hard numbers so you can plug them straight into your budget.

The three ways venues price an open bar

Per-drink (consumption): the venue counts every glass poured and bills you after. Cocktails run $9−$15 each, beer and wine $7−$11. Guests average 2 drinks the first hour and about 1 per hour after, so a 5-hour reception lands near 6 drinks each. At $10 a drink that is $60 per guest — risky for thirsty crowds but cheap for light drinkers.

Per-person (per head): a flat charge for unlimited drinks over a set window. Expect $25−$45 per guest for 4−5 hours of full bar, or $18−$28 for beer and wine only. This is the most predictable line item and the one most planners recommend.

Flat package: a fixed bundle (for example $3,500 for up to 120 guests, 4 hours). Great for large lists because the per-head cost drops as guests rise.

Bar options compared: 2026 costs

Corkage and bartender fees you cannot skip

If your venue lets you bring your own alcohol (BYO), they almost always charge a corkage fee to pour it: $1.50−$3 per bottle of beer, $15−$25 per bottle of wine or spirits. On 60 bottles of wine at $20 corkage that is an extra $1,200 — so always run the math before assuming BYO is cheaper.

Bartenders are separate too. Plan on $35−$50 per hour per bartender, with one bartender for every 50 guests. A 100-person, 5-hour reception needs 2 bartenders, roughly $350−$500 total, plus an 18−22% gratuity on the full bar tab.

How to cut the bar without a cash bar

A cash bar saves money but many guests read it as tacky, and it does not match an otherwise hosted celebration. Better ways to trim the line item in 2026:

• Limit the menu: beer, wine, and two signature cocktails instead of a full liquor rail can cut 25−40% off a per-head package.
• Shorten the window: close the bar during dinner and the last 30 minutes. Two fewer hours can save $8−$15 per guest.
• Go BYO where allowed: buy wholesale and return unopened bottles. Even with corkage you can save $800−$1,500 at 100 guests.
• Switch to consumption pricing for a lighter-drinking crowd and cap the tab.

Whatever option you choose, build it into a single plan you can adjust as your guest count moves. Our wedding budget spreadsheet templates let you toggle per-guest bar costs and watch the total update instantly, and you can grab the same tools in our Etsy shop. If you just want a fast estimate first, run the numbers through our free wedding budget calculator before you book a single vendor.

The bottom line for 2026

For most couples, a per-person beer-wine-and-signature-cocktail bar at $18−$32 per guest hits the sweet spot: hosted feel, predictable cost, and no cash register at the reception. Budget the full $2,000−$4,500 range for a 100-guest full open bar, add $350−$500 for bartenders and 20% gratuity, and you will have a number that survives the final headcount.

Drinks are rarely a one-night expense. If you are also hosting the night before, plan the rehearsal dinner budget alongside the bar so the two do not compete for the same money. Not sure how much to actually buy? The free wedding alcohol calculator turns your guest count, reception length and drink mix into a shopping list with quantities and an estimated total.

Frequently asked questions