open bar

American  

noun

1. a bar at a reception that serves drinks whose cost has been borne by the host, an admission charge, a sponsor, etc..

   Before the banquet there will be an open bar from 5 to 7 p.m.

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Etymology

Origin of open bar

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

In an era of increasingly coy, event-specific signature cocktails — and the quiet pressure of an open bar — there’s something deeply charming about a punch bowl.

From Salon • Feb. 3, 2026

The music, the women, the open bar, the outfits—Armani meets Miami Vice—gave the soiree a Wolf of Wall Street vibe.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

Visitors there on Saturday sipped sparkling wine and cocktails from an open bar, decorated Christmas cookies and munched on pizza and tacos from food trucks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 7, 2025

Higher-tier packages add perks such as gourmet dining, open bar access and reserved viewing areas.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2025

There was no open bar, because the place had no liquor license.

From The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by Johnson, James Weldon