Cost & comparison
Dry-hire, explained.
The math behind why dry-hire bartending costs $1,500–$3,000 less than a full-service bar at a typical Columbus wedding — and what that buys you, exactly.
The model
You bring bottles.
We bring the bar.
Dry-hire bartending separates the alcohol from the service. You buy the bottles at retail prices — Costco, Total Wine, Kroger, your favorite local shop. We bring everything else: the custom-built bar, the bartenders, the mixers, the ice, the garnishes, the glassware, the tools, the insurance.
The result: same drinks, same service, dramatically lower cost. You skip the 300–400% markup that venues and catering bars add to every pour, and whatever's left at the end of the night goes home with you.
The savings, in numbers
Three real events.
Three real numbers.
60-guest birthday
3 hours
Full-service
$2,200–$3,200
Heavy Pour dry-hire
$850 service fee + ~$450 bottles
You save
$900–$1,900
120-guest wedding
4 hours
Full-service
$5,400–$7,800
Heavy Pour dry-hire
$1,600 service fee + ~$1,500 bottles
You save
$2,300–$4,700
200-guest corporate
4 hours
Full-service
$9,000–$13,000
Heavy Pour dry-hire
$2,500 service fee + ~$2,400 bottles
You save
$4,100–$8,100
Full-service estimates assume $9–$13/drink standard venue pricing. Dry-hire estimates use Heavy Pour's posted rates (heavypourbar.com pricing) plus retail bottle costs from Total Wine and Costco at full-bar split.
Dry-hire vs full-service
The model, line by line.
Common questions
What people ask.
What does dry-hire bartending actually mean?
Dry-hire means you (the host) supply all the alcohol and the bartending service supplies everything else — bar, bartenders, mixers, ice, garnishes, glassware, tools, and insurance. The bartenders pour the drinks; they don't sell or own the alcohol. It's the difference between hiring a kitchen staff and ordering catering.
Is dry-hire actually cheaper than a full-service bar?
For most events, yes — significantly. The math: venues and full-service vendors mark alcohol up 300–400% over retail. A bottle of vodka that costs $25 at Costco shows up on a venue invoice as $75–$100 worth of cocktails. You skip that markup entirely with dry-hire and pay a flat service fee for the bar setup. A typical 120-guest wedding saves $1,500–$3,000 on alcohol alone.
Does my venue allow dry-hire bartending?
Most Columbus-area venues do, but not all. Some venues require you to use their in-house bar; others have liquor licenses that conflict with third-party alcohol service. Before booking, check your venue contract for terms like "outside alcohol," "third-party bartender," or "licensed beverage service." Heavy Pour's intake form asks about this upfront — if your venue can't accommodate dry-hire, we'll let you know before any deposit changes hands.
Do I need a liquor license for a private dry-hire event?
In most Ohio private-event situations, no. Because you (the host) own the alcohol, you're not selling it — you're serving it to invited guests. That falls under social-host rules, not retail liquor sales. Some venues require a one-time event permit; we'll flag that in your quote if it applies. Our $1M liquor liability insurance covers our bartenders' service.
How much will I actually save on a 120-guest wedding?
Ballpark math: a 4-hour reception for 120 guests runs about 600 drinks. At a venue's typical $9–$13 per-drink rate, that's $5,400–$7,800 in alcohol charges alone. With dry-hire, the same alcohol from Costco/Total Wine runs $1,200–$1,800 retail — a $3,000–$6,000 swing. Heavy Pour's flagship dry-hire service fee is a fixed line item separate from the alcohol budget.
What if I have leftover bottles?
They're yours. Send guests home with bottles, save them for the next dinner party, or return unopened bottles to most retailers (Costco's policy is generous). With dry-hire, leftovers become a household-stocking moment instead of a vendor walking off with $400 worth of liquor.