Quick answer: An open bar charges one flat rate per guest so everyone drinks free for a set number of hours, giving you predictable costs but paying the same whether guests drink a little or a lot. A consumption bar bills you only for drinks actually poured, which can save money with lighter-drinking crowds but carries more cost uncertainty unless you set a cap. Most Metro Manila weddings lean open bar; many corporate events lean consumption bar with a cap.
This is one of the first questions we get from hosts once they’ve decided on a mobile bar: pay one flat rate so everyone drinks free, or pay only for what’s consumed? Both are common in the Philippines, and the right call depends less on your budget size and more on your guest list and event type.
How an open bar actually works
With an open bar, you agree on a rate per guest (or a flat package rate) that covers a defined drink menu for a set number of hours — typically 3 to 5 hours for a wedding or party. Guests simply order at the bar with nothing to sign or track. The rate is fixed whether your crowd barely touches the bar or drinks steadily all night, which is exactly what makes it attractive for hosts who want one predictable number to plan around.
The catch is that “open bar” almost never means unlimited premium everything. Most packages specify the drink menu — house spirits, a curated cocktail list, beer, and wine — with top-shelf labels as an upgrade. Always confirm exactly what’s poured under your package before you sign.
How a consumption bar actually works
A consumption bar (sometimes called a “per-drink” or “tab” bar) means the bartender tracks every drink served, and you settle the bill based on actual consumption — either at the end of the night or against a running tab you monitor as the event goes. Pricing is usually per drink or per bottle, with different rates for cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits.
The main advantage is you don’t pay for drinks nobody ordered. The main risk is an open-ended bill if you don’t put guardrails on it, which is why almost every consumption bar in practice is paired with a spending cap or a maximum drinks-per-guest limit that the host sets in advance.
Cost comparison in practice
For a typical 100-guest Metro Manila wedding running a 4-hour reception, an open bar with a house-spirits-and-beer menu tends to land in a similar range to a capped consumption bar for the same crowd — the difference shows up at the extremes. If your guest list is largely non-drinkers, elderly relatives, or a lunch reception where people eat more than they drink, a consumption bar usually comes out cheaper. If your crowd is younger, evening, and cocktail-forward, an open bar’s fixed rate often beats paying per drink once consumption climbs past roughly 1.5 drinks per guest per hour.
| Open Bar | Consumption Bar | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Fixed rate per guest/hour | Billed per drink actually served |
| Budget predictability | High — known cost upfront | Moderate — needs a cap to stay predictable |
| Best for | Weddings, evening parties, cocktail-forward crowds | Corporate events, lunch receptions, lighter-drinking guest lists |
| Guest experience | Order freely, nothing to sign | May need to sign a tab or show a drink ticket |
| Risk | You may pay for drinks that go unordered | Costs can run up without a cap |
Why weddings usually go open bar
Filipino wedding culture leans heavily toward hospitality — the host is expected to make sure no guest, especially older relatives (tito, tita, ninong, ninang), ever has to ask twice or pay for their own drink. An open bar removes any friction at the bar station and matches that expectation. It also simplifies planning: your bar cost is locked in months before the event, which matters when you’re already juggling catering, styling, and a dozen other wedding vendors with their own quotes.
Why corporate events usually go consumption bar
Corporate hosts are typically working from an approved events budget with a hard ceiling, and HR or the events team needs to justify the spend afterward. A consumption bar with a peso cap gives finance a clean number to approve upfront while still letting the actual spend come in under budget if turnout or drinking is lighter than expected — something a flat open-bar rate can’t do. It also produces an itemized bill, which is easier to reconcile against a purchase order than a flat package fee.
A hybrid approach worth considering
Many hosts split the difference: open bar for the first two or three hours while most guests are present and the program is running, then switch to a capped consumption bar or close the bar once the crowd thins out. This works especially well for events with a clear “peak window,” like a wedding reception program or a company year-end party, where drink volume drops sharply once speeches and dinner wrap up. Ask your mobile bar provider whether they support switching bar models mid-event — Inomoto does, and it’s one of the more effective ways to control cost without sacrificing hospitality during the hours that matter most.
Questions to ask before you choose
Before locking in a model, get clear answers on the drink menu included (and what counts as an upgrade), whether the rate is per guest or per hour of service, what happens if the event runs long, whether a consumption bar tab can be capped and topped up on the spot, and how the final bill is verified and settled at the end of the night. A provider who can answer all of these clearly, in writing, before the event is one you can trust to not spring surprises on you afterward.
Not sure which model fits your event?
Tell us your guest count, event type, and budget, and we’ll recommend the pricing model and package that makes the most sense for your night.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, open bar or consumption bar?
It depends on your guests. Open bar is usually cheaper per head if your crowd drinks moderately, since the rate is fixed regardless of consumption. Consumption bar can be cheaper if your guest list is small or skews light-drinking, since you only pay for what’s actually poured.
Can we set a spending cap on a consumption bar?
Yes. Most mobile bar providers, including Inomoto, let you set a peso cap on a consumption bar. Once the tab hits that amount, the bar can either switch to cash bar or you can top it up on the spot.
Do open bar packages have any limits?
Almost always, yes. Open bar is typically open bar on a defined drink menu for a set number of hours, not unlimited premium liquor all night. Check exactly which labels and drink types are included before you book.
How do we track consumption bar costs during the event?
A good mobile bar crew keeps a running drink tally at the bar station and can give you a live count or estimate if you check in partway through the event, so there are no surprises at settlement.