Planning an event comes with plenty of decisions, and somewhere along the way, someone has to figure out what everyone is going to drink.
Vodka? Tequila? Five kinds of beer? Red or white wine? Both? All of it?
Before you head to the liquor store and start filling carts, we're going to let you in on a little secret. A great bar doesn't need to have everything. It just needs to have the right things.
At Liquid Caterers, we help clients navigate this decision all the time. And while there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, there are some pretty simple guidelines that can save you money, make your guests happy, and keep the bar running smoothly.
For our Arizona events, alcohol is not included in your Liquid Caterers package. You purchase the alcohol, and we provide the expertise, service, mixers, equipment, and everything else needed based on your selected package.
Don't worry, though. We're not sending you into the liquor store completely blind.
Our team can help guide you through what types of alcohol to purchase, recommend brands, and help determine quantities based on your event. Ultimately, the selections are yours to make.
And that's actually a good thing! You have the flexibility to choose the brands you love, spend where it matters most, and avoid paying for alcohol your guests aren't likely to drink.
So, what should be on that shopping list?
If you're offering a full bar, our recommendation is to start with the two most popular spirits:
Vodka and tequila.
These two are typically the biggest crowd-pleasers and give guests plenty of cocktail options.
From there, here's how we'd prioritize adding to your selection:
Does that mean you need all five? Maybe, maybe not.
And here's something we really want to emphasize: You generally only need ONE brand of each spirit.
Offering three vodkas, four tequilas, and a small bourbon collection might sound impressive, but in reality, you're giving guests more decisions to make at the bar.
Too many choices create decision fatigue, slow down ordering, and ultimately clog up the line. Not exactly what we're going for.
Now, there are exceptions! If you're serving a signature cocktail that requires something special, for example; Aperol, St-Germain, a flavored liqueur, or another specialty ingredient, by all means, add it to the list. The same goes for specialty cocktails like a premade espresso martini.
The idea isn't to limit what you can serve. It's to be intentional about what you're offering.
And if you're stuck deciding between Tito's and Grey Goose or wondering which tequila makes sense for your budget, we've got you.
When it comes to beer, we typically recommend two to three varieties maximum.
Another great option? Two beers and a hard seltzer.
But before you start picking brands, think about who's coming.
Are your guests Bud Light and Coors Light people? Will they light up when they see a Modelo or Corona? Or are you entertaining a crowd that wouldn't dream of drinking anything other than craft beer?
There's no wrong answer here, but there is a wrong approach: buying beer simply because you think you're supposed to offer it.
If you're paying for it, make sure it's something your guests actually want to drink.
And if you're not quite sure what kind of beer crowd you're working with, we can help narrow down the options.
Our standard recommendation for wine is pretty straightforward:
One red and one white.
For red, Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular and reliable choice. For white, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay are great places to start.
That's it. You really don't need an entire wine list.
Now, if you know you're hosting a group of wine lovers, there's definitely some wiggle room. Adding a second white is perfectly reasonable, and depending on your guests, you might even consider a different red.
But here's where a little strategy comes in.
If you know your crowd gravitates toward wine, maybe you add that extra bottle variety and eliminate one of your beer options.
You're not trying to stock every possible preference. You're trying to stock the preferences that actually matter to your guests.
This is where knowing your people makes all the difference.
Have a group that will be absolutely delighted by a well-made Old Fashioned? Don't forget the bourbon! (And make sure you've selected the appropriate mixer package to go along with it...wink wink.)
Know that practically everyone approaching the bar will be ordering an IPA? There's probably no reason to spend money stocking a bunch of American lagers.
Hosting a crowd that loves margaritas? You may be better off investing in a tequila you really like than adding spirits nobody requested.
The best bar menu isn't necessarily the one with the most options. It's the one that makes sense for the people attending.
And don't forget that the size and type of event matter, too.
If you're hosting an intimate wedding, private party, or gathering of 100 guests or fewer, you likely don't need to offer every alcohol category under the sun.
Not only do you have a smaller group to accommodate, but too many selections can leave you with a whole lot of leftover alcohol.
Smaller, more personal gatherings also give you the advantage of knowing your guests. You can tailor your bar to what your friends and family actually enjoy.
Now, if you're planning a 400-person celebration, things look a little different.
With that many people, you're naturally going to encounter a broader range of tastes and preferences, so offering more variety makes sense.
The same goes for corporate events, conferences, and large networking functions. You may not know everyone's favorite drink, so a more general selection of popular options is often your best bet.
Remember, though, bigger doesn't mean you need ten choices in every category. You still want a thoughtful, manageable menu that keeps people ordering and the drinks flowing.
Here's another reason you don't need to overcomplicate your alcohol selection.
Our team only opens alcohol as it's needed throughout your event.
We're not cracking open every bottle at the beginning of the night just because it's sitting behind the bar.
That means unopened alcohol can potentially be returned (depending on the retailer's policies), saved for your next event, or added to your personal stash.
Shhh. We won't tell.
It's a simple approach that helps reduce waste and gives you a little flexibility when purchasing.
The one that works for YOUR event.
Not every event needs five spirits, three beers, four wines, and a specialty cocktail menu. And not every event should be limited to vodka sodas and light beer.
There's a happy medium, and finding it comes down to understanding your guests, your budget, and the kind of experience you want to create.
At Liquid Caterers, we've served everything from intimate backyard celebrations to massive corporate events, and we're happy to help you figure out exactly what belongs behind your bar.
Whether you already have your drink menu planned or have absolutely no idea where to start, we'll help you make sense of the options, select the right alcohol, and create a shopping list that fits your event.
You bring the alcohol. We'll bring the experience.
Craft Your Event
