How much alcohol do you need?

A reasonable starting point is $15-25 per guest for a 4-hour event with a full bar at retail prices. Costco/Total Wine pricing for 100 guests typically lands at $1,500-2,500 in alcohol. This doesn't include bartender labor — Opulentt bartenders run $50-65/hr per bartender depending on your city.

It depends on the crowd and the venue. Beer + wine only is simpler, cheaper, and works well for daytime, family, or work events. A full bar feels more polished and is standard for evening weddings, fundraisers, and brand launches. If you're unsure, do beer + wine plus 1-2 signature cocktails — captures most of the upside without the complexity.

Always have non-alcoholic options on hand — sparkling water, soda, lemonade, and a non-alcoholic 'mocktail' or two. Plan for ~25% of guests to choose a non-alcoholic drink at some point during the event. Pregnant guests, designated drivers, and people pacing themselves all need this.

Yes — Opulentt bartenders work with whatever alcohol you supply. We don't sell alcohol; we supply the bartenders to serve it. Your captain can review your shopping list before the event and flag anything missing (mixers, garnishes, glassware) so there are no surprises.

It happens. The 10% buffer in this calculator helps prevent it. Worst case, your bartender or captain can run to a nearby store if it's that kind of venue — but plan to over-buy slightly. Most retailers will accept returns of unopened bottles, so the cost of having extras is much lower than the cost of running out.

If your venue doesn't supply it, yes. Plan for ~2.5 glasses per guest over a 4-hour event (people set down drinks, get fresh ones). Disposable plastic ware works for casual events; rented or owned glassware is standard for weddings and brand events.