5 Mistakes People Make When Planning Drinks for Their Event

We’ve seen a lot of events. The ones that go beautifully and the ones that hit a snag somewhere around hour two when the bar situation starts to feel chaotic.

Here are the five mistakes that show up most often and how to avoid them.

• Not accounting for non-drinkers.
  This one trips people up more than any other. A significant portion of your guests might not drink alcohol but they still want something to sip. A proper mocktail menu isn’t just thoughtful, it’s necessary. Nothing makes a guest feel invisible faster than standing at a bar and being handed plain juice.
  
  
• Underestimating how much people drink at evening events.
  Daytime events are more forgiving. But for a night party, especially one with good music and good company, consumption goes up. Always build in a buffer.
  
  
• Leaving drinks planning until the last minute.
  Your cocktail vendor needs enough lead time to plan the menu, source ingredients, and align with your event brief. Last-minute bookings often mean limited options and rushed execution.
  
  
• Not briefing your vendor properly.
  “Just do cocktails” is not a brief. The more context you give (your theme, your guest profile, the vibe you’re going for),  the better the experience your vendor can create. The best results come from real conversations, not WhatsApp voice notes three days to the event.
  
  
• Choosing purely on price.
  The cheapest option rarely delivers the best experience. And at an event where every detail is meant to reflect your taste and effort, a disappointing bar experience is noticeable. Think about value what are you actually getting for what you’re spending?
  
  

Planning an event and want to get the drinks right from the start? OTRwithB would love to help. Reach out on WhatsApp and let’s talk through your event.