From classic rock to bumpin' new pop songs, here's a curated list of crowd-pleasers.
Updated Mar 06, 2025How to Avoid Long Bar Lines at Your Wedding Reception
Because nothing kills a buzz more than waiting too long for a drink.
You want your guests dancing and having fun at your wedding reception—not waiting in obscenely long lines for a simple gin and tonic. Here's how to make sure your bar lines stay in check (so your guests can stay on the dance floor longer).
Have multiple bars located in different areas of your venue.
Make sure you have more than one bar in your reception venue. Having only one location to order drinks—with one bartender—is a comedy of errors waiting to happen. Scatter them strategically throughout your space (and if you have room in your budget, have multiple mixologists at each). We'd recommend two to four bars, depending on your guest count (for every 80 to 100 guests, have a bar with two bartenders)—and if you don't have room for that in your venue, try "extending" the bar you do have so you can fit more bartenders to tend to your guests.
Choose a batch signature cocktail.
Whether your large-batch cocktail is self-serve or simply on deck for your bartender to ladle out for your guests, a premade signature cocktail will save your bartenders tons of time that otherwise would be spent stirring and mixing. (Get large-batch signature cocktail inspiration here.)
THE KNOT ORIGINAL VIDEO
Leave ice buckets of beers and sodas out.
An ice bucket full of beers might not be the most glamorous or aesthetically pleasing option, but think of how much easier it'll be for your guests to "grab and go" rather than wait in line for a bartender to simply hand it over. That way, the only people waiting in line will be those ordering cocktails or wine.
Make sure drinks are readily available from the start.
You can leave drinks at each seat, put bottles of wine on each table, or even use beers as escort cards (get drinkable escort card inspiration here). That way, guests will have drinks in their hands from the get-go—and won't be rushing to the bar to overwhelm your bartenders with orders.
Serve only wine, beer and champagne.
It's common sense: Instead of having to stir and concoct different cocktails for guests, your bartenders will simply have to pour prosecco into a glass or open a beer bottle. (A major time-saver, right?) If you don't mind limiting the drink options, it'll undoubtedly speed things along at the bar.
