Lately, there has been a trend toward using bars that create more of a statement than just their practical use. Often, your bars (and the bathrooms) will be the most visited spot at your wedding or event, so why not make it a key focal point. We have taken note of this and have crafted and purchased new bars we think will be perfect for just that!

So how do you make the bar area a “wow” at your event? Start with the bar itself. What is the theme of your event? Is it more modern or more rustic? How many guests are you anticipating? Your guest count will determine how many bars you will need. A good rule of thumb is 1 bar per 100 people (give or take). So, if your guest count looks like it will be around 100 people, you would be fine to have one bar with two bartenders. If your guest count is closer to 150 people, it would be best to have two bars with three bartenders. For 200 people, you would need at least two bars with four bartenders. The more guests you anticipate, the more bars and bartenders you will need.

Take a peek at some of our newest additions and see if any of these bars fit your event and give you the feels.

For practicality and extra working space at the bar, or perhaps to add some depth to your bar, choose from some of our bar back options:

Placement of the bars at your event is also something to consider. You wouldn’t want to put a bar right in the front entrance. Doing this will encourage guests to gather in the entrance instead of moving into the room. Be sure to take note of the kitchen area as well as you will have servers coming in and out often. Be sure to place the bar away from that area so that your guests and your staff are not in each other’s way. You also want to keep bars away from specialty tables (like the cake table) where someone could accidentally knock something important over. If you have multiple bars, you can space them out around the venue so that not any one bar seems to be overcrowded at any time.

From there you can jazz up your bar selection(s) and really play into your theme or color scheme. Using things like flower garlands or greenery, signs that say “cheers” or marquee light up letters will really draw your guests in and add that something extra to your bar. Here are some ideas for inspiration, taken from Pinterest, to help you see how it can all come together and really be a focal point:

Planning on stocking the bar yourself? You may want to chat with your caterer to see what they recommend as far as purchasing what and how many, but here is a good resource we’ve found and refer to our clients when asked:(https://www.theknot.com/content/how-to-stock-the-bar-at-your-wedding). The counts listed here are for a guest count of 100 people and acts as a good starting point for anyone purchasing their own alcohol. Obviously, you know your guests the best so don’t be afraid to tweak the counts. If you don’t have that many scotch drinkers, but have a ton of beer drinkers, then heavy up on the beer and lower down the scotch.

Keep in mind that if you are providing the alcohol yourself, and not doing so through your venue or caterer (if that is an option) you’ll want to ask about re-corking fees, if any.

Once you are ready, you can find a full list of our bars, bar backs and pricing by following this link: http://premiereeventsonline.com/product-category/bars-beverage-service/

We hope to see you bellying up to one of our bars soon!