open bar

noun

: a bar (as at a wedding reception) at which drinks are served free compare cash bar

Examples of open bar in a Sentence

They had a buffet and an open bar at the reception.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tickets include an open bar, a buffet, private bathrooms and access to the Tujague's balcony while the parade rolls in front of the restaurant. Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 The night will also feature a dinner, open bar and an afterparty in the NMAAM Rivers of Rhythm and Feature galleries. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2024 Their logic for not having an open bar for the full evening is that the groom has one friend who might drink too much. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 12 Oct. 2024 The first floor of the office was darkly lit like a club, attendees said, with an open bar, hor d'oeuvres and a DJ playing music that was being coded in real-time. Richard Nieva, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for open bar 

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of open bar was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near open bar

Cite this Entry

“Open bar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20bar. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!