Liquor for Less

Liquor prices can be quite hefty these days depending on where your reception will take place. Many full-service caterers hold their own liquor licenses & will charge inflated prices to provide this service.

If, however, you are in a position to shop for your own alcohol, consider the wholesale approach. The selection may or may not be limited, but savings may reach as high as 30% below regular retailers.

There are several discounters to investigate.
Sam's Club requires a membership in order to make purchases and they carry a nice selection of brand name beer, wine and hard liquor. Beer is sold inside the main warehouse while the wine/liquor may be purchased in their separate entranced "Liquor Store". Kegs are available.

The second option is local retailer Rite-Aid. The selection of name brands is extensive and discounts vary based on what you are in search of. Most of us look to Rite-Aid for pharmacy and drugstore items, but be sure to seek out their liquor department. Depending on which location you visit, some stores have 4+ aisles dedicated to alcoholic products.

The final option to keep an eye on is Liquor Barn (Lexington). While not considered a wholesaler, this store regularly has sales on varying stock items (particularly wine/champagne) where quantity purchases can add up to substantial savings.

Cash bars are now viewed by many as having your guests "pay" for attending your reception. So make the decision early on in your planning stages to factor in alcohol costs for everyone or skip the alcohol approach entirely.

Helpful Links

Liquor.com
4Liquor.com
800Spirits.com
Wine.com
SamsWine.com