Our bar catering menu makes it easy to add beer and wine, beer, wine and spirits, or a cash bar to your event. Nelson’s provides professional bartenders and brings the bar service to weddings, corporate events, galas, private parties, and celebrations throughout Central Illinois. We specialize in off-premise catering, so whether your event is at a venue, your office, or anywhere else, we’ll help you plan a bar setup that works for your event.

Nelson’s Catering is licensed to provide bar service alongside food, and copies of our licenses are available upon request.

Hosted Bar Pacakges

Our hosted bar packages (where you provide drinks for all of your guests) are priced per person and include up to four hours of service. Choose the package that fits your event, then select your beer, wine, and other options from the menu below. Coca-Cola products are included with every package.

Bar Catering Menu

Priced per person, based on up to a four-hour serve time.

Hosted Bar Packages

Basic$10.95 / person

2 domestic beers, 2 house wines, and Coca-Cola products

Beer & Wine$12.95 / person

2 domestic beers, 1 specialty beer, 2 house wines, and Coca-Cola products

Deluxe$16.95 / person

2 domestic beers, 2 specialty beers, 1 seltzer, 3 house wines, call liquor, and Coca-Cola products

Premium$22.95 / person

3 domestic beers, 2 specialty beers, 1 seltzer, 4 house wines, call liquor, and Coca-Cola products

Bartender service is $50 per hour, per bartender, and is required for all bar services. A $250 minimum bartender fee applies to events with fewer than 100 guests.

Beer, Wine & Spirits

Choose your selections based on the package you select.

DOMESTIC BEER

Bud Light · Budweiser · Michelob Ultra · Busch Light · Miller Lite · Coors Light

SPECIALTY BEER

Corona · Heineken · Dos Equis · Sam Adams · Blue Moon · Fat Tire

SELTZERS

White Claw · Topo Chico · NUTRL

HOUSE WINE

Cabernet · Pinot Noir · Moscato · Chardonnay

CALL LIQUOR

Tito's Vodka · Bacardi Rum · Captain Morgan Rum · Malibu Rum · Jose Cuervo Tequila · Dewar's Scotch · Jack Daniel's Whiskey · Bulleit Bourbon · Tanqueray Gin · Amaretto

Cash Bar

Prefer a cash bar? We offer that too. Our cash bar includes Budweiser, Miller Lite, Michelob Ultra, Busch Light, White Claw, house wines, call liquor, and Coca-Cola products. A $500 setup fee applies.

how does a hosted bar work?

A "hosted bar" is when you pay for the alcohol at your bar, rather than guests paying for themselves. Our hosted bar packages included no drink limit (except for safety), and are based on up to four hours of service. We’ll determine the number of bartenders needed based on your guest count and the level of service for your event.

When Nelson’s provides bar service, food must be served (snacks count), and outside alcohol is not permitted. We also cannot leave alcoholic beverages at the venue when our team departs.

Every venue is a little different, so let us know where your event is being held. We’ll help you work through the details before the event.

Bar Service That Comes to You

We provide catering and bar service throughout Central Illinois. Our team works at venues, offices, and event spaces across the area, so we’re used to bringing the food, bar, staff, and service together wherever the event is happening.

Let’s Plan YOur Bar

Tell us about your bar needs using our catering inquiry form, or call us at 217-787-9443. We’ll ask about your date, location, guest count, and what you have in mind for the bar. Not sure which package is the best fit? We’ll walk you through the options and help you choose the right setup for your event and budget.