Bar | Island View Waterfront Weddings

Bar Guide

Island View Waterfront provides all bar service in-house, handled by our licensed and experienced team.

We offer a range of bar packages designed to fit different styles, guest counts, and budgets —

so you can choose what feels right for your day.

To keep things seamless (and compliant), outside alcohol isn’t permitted.

All menus, pricing, and selections are set by Island View and may change, so be sure to review the current options below. All packages will include tax (sales tax 6% or alcohol tax 9%) and production fee 20%)

Scroll down to explore our bar packages, see sample menus, and finish with FAQs at the bottom of the page.

Bar Options

Hosted Bar

Our Per Person Package offers a simple, hosted bar experience with clear, upfront pricing.

You pay a flat, per-person rate based on your final guest count, and our team takes care of the rest — smooth service, no tabs, no surprises.

Choose from our hosted bar options, including Beer & Wine, Signature Bar, Premium, and Standard Bar Packages, designed to suit a variety of event styles.

Hosted bar packages are priced per person at a fixed hourly rate for guests 21 and over.

A non-alcoholic beverage package is required for any guest under 21 or for sober guests.

This package is required for weddings and ensures consistent service and an easy, well-run bar throughout your celebration.

Outdoor bar at Island View Waterfront, Essex MD

Hosted Consumption Bar

AVAILABLE FOR SOCIAL EVENTS ONLY,

NOT AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS

In addition to the Bar Setup Fee listed below, a hosted bar tab is not prepaid and is instead paid the night of the event.

You set a predetermined dollar amount as your hosted bar limit and provide a credit or debit card to the bartender or on-site coordinator before bar service begins. A running hosted tab will be maintained throughout the event, and only drinks ordered by your guests will be charged to this tab. Once the hosted bar limit is reached, or bar service ends (whichever comes first), the card on file will be run for the final hosted amount and, unless otherwise arranged, the bar will transition to a guest-paid cash bar for the remainder of the event.

The cardholder or an authorized representative must be present when the transaction is processed.

BAR SETUP FEE

2 hours | $125

3 hours | $150

4 hours | $200

5 hours | $250

6 hours | $300

The wedding party celebrates with a toast at the outdoor bar

Guest-Pay Bar

AVAILABLE FOR SOCIAL EVENTS ONLY,

NOT AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS

A guest-pay bar is where guests are responsible for purchasing their own drinks via card or cash.

If you are interested in a guest-pay bar, the only fee you will need to cover would be the Bar Setup Fee listed below, which fluctuates depending on the duration you would like the bar to be open.

BAR SETUP FEE

2 hours | $125

3 hours | $150

4 hours | $200

5 hours | $250

6 hours | $300

Bar Packages, Menus, and Enhancements

Frequently Asked Bar Questions

Helpful Links :

Catering Guide

Linen Guide

1. Can we bring our own alcohol?

Unfortunately, due to Maryland regulations, you may not provide your own or consume any alcoholic beverages that do not come through Island View Waterfront on the entire property.

Furthermore, no one other than Island View bar staff may serve guests any alcoholic beverages.

That said, we are more than happy to work with you to ensure special requests for particular brands or cocktails are honored wherever possible.

2. Can I request a specialty brand not listed on your menu?

You certainly can! For an additional fee, we have the ability to order specialty brands from our suppliers.

However, these brands may only be available during specific seasons or must meet a minimum price to order, so we cannot guarantee everything. It’s our pleasure to work with you on every request to ensure your event meets your vision!

3. Do we need to hire bartender?

No. Bartender(s) are included in our packages.

4. Do we need to bring cups and ice?

No. Disposable cups and ice are included in our packages.

6. Can we have glass instead of plastic?

Yes. We can rent glassware for additional fee.

6. Can we do shots?

Unfortunately, no.

7. Can we hire a mobile bar?

Yes, they would be considered a dry hire or bartending service.

They must be licensed, insured, and submit their valid Certificate of Insurance (COI) to Island View.

Alcohol must still be ordered from Island View but we can help to customize a package specific to a mobile bar.

8. Will the caterer provide alcohol, or do I need to handle the bar separately?

No, Island View will provide the alcohol and the bar will be separate from the catering.

You will discuss all bar packages and payments with Island View.

9. Can we name the signature drinks?

Yes! You can name them anything you want!

10. How long can the bar be open?

Our bar packages are designed for up to 5 hours. You can choose from 1-5 hour packages.

11. Do we need our IDs?

Island View Waterfront reserves the right to ID guests. If they do not have valid Identification, they will not be served.

12. I have guests that do not drink, do I have to include them in the bar package?

All guests over 21 will be accounted for in any alcohol packages

Guests under 21, expectant mothers, and known sober guests do not need to be included in your drinking guest count.

Any guest not included in the bar package must purchase a soft drink package.

13. Do we have to order alcohol?

No. you can have a dry wedding.

14. Can we just buy alcohol by the bottle or case?

Yes. We can help you customize your bar. Please note that prices are not like a liquor store and may not be a 'cheaper' option.

15. Can we take home alcohol that wasn't used?

No.

16. Is there a last call?

We begin closing the bar 30 minutes before your contracted end time. But we do not announce it.

17. Is a tip included? Is there a tip jar?

9% MD Alcohol Tax and 20% production fee will be added to the final invoice.

Gratuity is at the discretion of each client. A tip jar can or cannot be placed on the bar; that is up to each client.

No outside alcohol is allowed on the property for any day of your rental.

We reserve the right to refuse service.

We reserve the right to remove outside alcohol not purchased or served by Island View Waterfront.