Tips and Tricks to Choosing Your Bar Service

While our food is designed to steal the show, no event is complete without a bar package!  Nelson’s has five bar service packages, along with additional options for cash bar and special requests!  We provide bar service at a number of locations, although it is always worth checking with your venue to confirm they permit outside drinks.  Outside of venue permissions, bar service is flexible and can be chosen based on your event and guest types.  Read on for guidelines and tips for selecting your bar!

As a base line, bar packages include four hours of service, with additional hours able to be added.  We staff bars with experienced Nelson’s bartenders for the entire event.  Any draft beers can be replaced by Coors Light, and our house wines come in both red and white varieties.  In addition, we create and style signature drinks to emphasize the big event and put the cherry on top of your bar service.  Overall, Nelson’s Bar service packages are priced per guest.

The following breaks down the details and value of our packages, also found in our wedding and special events menus:

Cash Bar

Domestic Beer: $4/bottle

Wine: $4/glass

Signature Drink: $5

Call Brands: $5.00

Premium Brands: $6.00

  Bar Package One

Included: Our first bar package includes unlimited draft beer (Bud Light and Miller Lite), four types of Sycamore Lane wine, and Coca-Cola products.  

Timeline: 4 hours

Pricing: $7.95/guest

Overall Value: 2 drinks per guest, with potential to enjoy more servings up to the 4 hour limit

 Bar Package Two

Included: Our second bar package includes unlimited bottled beer (Bud Light, Miller Light, Michelob Ultra, Corona, Corona Light, Heineken, Blue Moon), four types of Sycamore Lane wine, and Coca-Cola products.

Timeline: 4 hours

Pricing: $9.95/guest

Overall Value: 2.5 drinks per guest, with potential to enjoy more servings up to the 4 hour limit

 Bar Package Three

Included: Our third bar package includes unlimited call liquor (Skyy Vodka, Bacardi Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, Dewar’s Scotch, Captain Morgan Rum, Jim Beam Whiskey, Seagram’s 7, Beefeaters Gin, Amaretto), unlimited bottled beer (Bud Light, Miller Light, Michelob Ultra, Corona, Corona Light, Heineken, Blue Moon), four types of Sycamore Lane wine, and Coca-Cola products.

Timeline: 4 hours

Pricing: $13.95/guest

Special: Includes 1 signature drink of your choice

Overall Value: 3 drinks per guest, with potential to enjoy more servings up to the 4 hour limit

 Bar Package Four

Included: Our fourth bar package includes unlimited craft liquor (Tanqueray Gin, Brown Royal, Jack Daniels, Ketel One Vodka, Glenlivet, Appleton Rum, Cuervo Silver Tequila), unlimited bottled beer (Bud Light, Miller Light, Michelob Ultra, Corona, Corona Light, Heineken, Blue Moon), four types of Sycamore Lane wine, and Coca-Cola products.

Timeline: 4 hours

Pricing: $17.95/guest

Special: Includes 2 signature drinks of your choice

Overall Value: 4 drinks per guest, with potential to enjoy more servings up to the 4 hour limit

 Bar Package Five

Included: Our fifth bar package includes unlimited craft beers (Boulevard Wheat, Founders IPA, Dogfish Head APA, and seasonal options), premium liquor, four types of Sycamore Lane wine, and Coca-Cola products.

Timeline: 4 hours

Pricing: $21.95/guest

Special: Includes 2 signature drinks of your choice

Overall Value: 4 drinks per guest, with potential to enjoy more servings up to the 4 hour limit

PHEW!  That’s a lot of information to process!

Here are some key questions to help you start narrowing down your options!

*Is your event adult or family centered?

*Is liquor service a priority for you?

*Do you prefer draft or bottled beer more than the other?

*Do you have a signature drink you want to share with your guests?

Ways to make it work for you:

*Add hours for longer evenings or cocktail hour + dinner combinations.  This can be done at a discounted rate!

*Purchase a package that includes beer and wine, and select a cash bar for liquor needs.

*Set a dollar amount of bottled alcohol you will buy, then open the cash bar after the dollar amount is surpassed.

*Purchase beer by the keg and have the option to use one that is held on reserve on the night of your event.  This gives you flexibility if you are unsure how much alcohol you will need.

*Always ask questions about any special alcohol requests, as we can work to incorporate or substitute options with price adjustments

Finally, always keep a bar budget in mind while planning an event menu, and use your event coordinator as a resource to help execute the best option for you and your guests.  

Whether you decide on a host package, cash bar, or a combination of the two, Nelson’s Catering bar service will definitely bring the party to your event!