What Does an Open Bar Cost in Massachusetts? (2025 Guide)
🥂 What Does an Open Bar Cost in Massachusetts? (2025 Guide)
If you’re planning a wedding or event in Massachusetts, one of the first questions that comes up is:
“How much does an open bar actually cost?”
It’s a fair question — and with so many variables like guest count, hours, drink selection, and venue rules, it can feel like a mystery.
That’s why we created this 2025 Open Bar Pricing Guide, based on real pricing from Another Round Bar, a licensed and insured mobile bar service serving weddings and events across Massachusetts.
💰 Average Open Bar Costs in Massachusetts (2025)
At Another Round Bar, our pricing is $13 per guest per hour, with staffing and gratuity added separately. Most couples book 4–5 hours of bar service, but we keep it flexible to fit your event.
Estimated Bar Pricing (4 Hours)
50 guests — $2,600 (approx. $3,200–$3,800 total with staffing & gratuity)
100 guests — $5,200 (approx. $6,500–$7,800 total)
150 guests — $7,800 (approx. $9,500–$11,000 total)
200 guests — $10,400 (approx. $12,000–$14,000+ total)
✅ Included in the base price:
• Premium spirits, mixers & garnishes
• Cups, napkins, ice
• Setup & breakdown
• Licensed and insured bar service
Staffing and gratuity vary depending on event size, service style, and location. We build every quote to match your event’s vibe and budget.
💡 Unlike per-drink or BYOB setups, our flat hourly pricing makes it easy to budget your bar without any surprises.
🍸 Open Bar vs. Cash Bar vs. Mixed Bar
When couples plan their bar service in Massachusetts, they often choose between three main options:
1. Open Bar
You host the bar for the entire event. This gives guests a full open-bar experience — ideal for weddings and private events where you want the drinks flowing all night.
2. Cash Bar
Guests pay for their own drinks. This keeps your costs lower but creates a different guest experience and can feel less personalized.
3. Mixed Bar (Our Most Flexible Option)
With a mixed bar, you set a fixed number of hours for hosted service, and after that, we switch to a cash bar for the rest of the night.
For example:
🍾 3 hours of open bar during cocktail hour and dinner
🪩 Cash bar afterward for guests who want to keep the party going
✅ Benefits of a mixed bar:
• Keeps your budget controlled
• Ensures a premium hosted experience during peak hours
• Lets guests enjoy drinks later without extra cost to you
This option is especially popular for weddings of 100+ guests and larger corporate events.
🏡 Backyard Weddings & Private Events in MA
Hosting your wedding on private property or at a non-licensed venue?
State law requires alcohol to be served by licensed professionals — that’s where we step in.
Another Round Bar provides:
• Full liquor liability insurance
• TIPS-certified bartenders
• Setup and cleanup
• Everything needed to run a safe and legal bar service
You bring the celebration. We bring the bar.
🪄 Upgrade the Experience with Planning + Tech
For couples looking for a stress-free, all-in-one event experience:
✨ Our sister company 5 Senses Events + Design can handle full-service planning and design.
One team. One timeline. One beautiful event.
🧠 Behind the scenes, we use Harpsen, our event management software, to keep everything organized — quotes, vendor timelines, payments, and reminders all in one place.
You won’t just get a bar — you’ll get a smooth, professional system backing it up.
📍 Local Pricing Tip for Massachusetts
Bar costs can vary slightly by region:
• Berkshires / Western MA: More flexibility with venues, often lower costs
• Boston & Cape Cod: Premium pricing at upscale venues
• Backyard weddings: Ideal for fully customizable bar service
No matter where in MA your event is, we’ll tailor the quote to fit your location and vision.
🥂 Ready to Get a Quote?
Whether it’s a Berkshire barn wedding or a Boston black-tie reception, Another Round Bar makes your bar service elegant, effortless, and unforgettable.
