Host Bar Service…flexible and easy!

At The Brightside, your bar service is designed for maximum flexibility for you and your guests while providing you with ultimate budgetary control.   Most Brightside couples choose our Host Bar Option, which is essentially opening a tab to a budget limit that you set!

• No Prepayment - Just bring a credit card the day of the event and confirm the budget limit with our bar staff. All of our prices include tax, 20% service fee will be added to the Host Bar tab.

• Easy OPTIONS - Select the price range of drinks included in your Host Bar, and then your guests will have access to all of our offerings that fall into that price range {Domestic Beer & Wine ($3 - $5.50), All Beer & Wine ($3-$6), All but Top Shelf liquor ($3 - $8.50), All bar items ($2 - $8.50)}. Check out our menu to see the options in each of these categories.  We even offer non-alcoholic beer and draft options!

• Flexibility of Bar Times -  We start serving at the time you request, and we serve on your tab until your budget limit is met, which often lasts the whole evening (6-hour service limit).  Once the limit is met, we transition smoothly to a cash/credit bar, unless someone else like a fun uncle decides to open that tab back up on his credit card (we find this happens pretty regularly at our events).  No need to watch the clock or count heads, so our staff can focus solely on customer service!

• Non-Alcoholic Drink Options - The Brightside provides coffee and a self-serve water station as part of our bar service,  and then we only charge for the actual sodas consumed.  Or, you are welcome to have your caterer bring lemonade or iced tea. You can even choose to bring your own soda station if you prefer.

• Bar Calculator - This handy Bar Calculator is also an included tab in your Online Brightside Planner, but we have also included it here for you to get an estimate of what your guest count and “party personality” might anticipate.

BAR FAQ’s

What if we want a Signature Cocktail?

Signature Cocktails are absolutely possible at The Brightside, with some limitations. If, for example, you select a Signature Drink that we can make from our standard inventory with no additional supplies needed, the answer will always be a resounding, “YES!” If you want something a little more complicated, submit the inquiry to our team, and based on needed supplies and details relating to your bar service, we will do our best to accommodate you.

We want to do a Champagne Toast. Do we arrange for Brightside to do that or our caterer?

The Brightside must be the only source of alcohol, including Champagne. We can provide a Champagne toast for just the two of you, for you and your wedding party, or even for all of your guests.

We’re really into Craft beers. Can we add our own bottles, cans, or draft favorites to your bar menu?

We are into Craft beer too, so you will find a nice variety of them on our menu in bottles, cans, and draft options. If you have a favorite you do not see on our menu, submit your request to our team, and based on supplier requirements and details relating to your bar service, we will do our best to accommodate you!

Do we need to supply bar glasses? What kind do you have?

We provide all the glassware for your bar service. We have cocktail tumblers, 12 oz. glasses, and champagne flutes. Please note, glassware does run out from time to time during some events and in this case, we use a high-quality plastic cup.

What all is included with your bar?

The Brightside bar is a fully-stocked permanent bar, so your bar service is fully supported through the entire evening. We provide all ice, setups, mixers, garnishes, and glassware. We also provide a self-serve water station and coffee for any guest who wants it or needs it (and our bartenders have a good sense of when someone needs coffee instead of another cocktail). We have all the necessary liquor liability insurance and the bartending staff needed for your event!

We know that we (the renter) or our caterer has to clean up food and the kitchen before the end of our rental, but what about drinks and bar clean-up?

Our bar staff will bus all of the bar glassware from all tables and deal with all bar-related trash and clean-up.

Is tip/gratuity included in the host bar? If so how much is it?

A 20% service fee is added to your Host Bar tab at the end of the night, which covers all items relating to maintenance and hourly staffing. If you are thrilled with your service, we invite you to add a tip to thank your bartending team. Click HERE for a complete Gratuity Guide.