Beverages

No matter what kind of event you are organizing, drinks are a universal need. Everyone gets thirsty, and an easy way to bring your guests closer to satisfaction is to provide an ample variety of beverage options. Whether your event is alcohol-free, open bar, or pay per drink, there are plenty of options available for you to choose from when looking for a source for beverages. However, there are so many options available on the consumer market today that it can be overwhelming, which is why we at Event Planners Unite have compiled a list of our top 5 preferred stores for sourcing beverages for planned events.
At any of these stores, you will find the following types of beverages:
Soda
Juice
Tea
Water
Seltzer
Beer
Wine
STATE LAW DEPENDENT*: Liquor & Liqueurs
NOTE: Depending on the law in the state you live in, you may or may not be able to purchase liquor/liqueurs at these stores. In some states, you will need to go to a state-run liquor store for those items.

Wholesale Membership Clubs

One of the beautiful things about Costco when we’re talking about planning events is that they sell items at bulk pricing. This means that you get more bang for your buck, and your guests get more drinks to enjoy. In addition, if you’re lucky enough to reside in a state that does not mandate state-run liquor sales, then you can enjoy the Kirkland brand liquors. These liquors are high quality, but sold at a discount! The only downside to shopping at Costco is that you must pay for a yearly membership.

Much like Costco, you can get beverages in bulk at Sam’s Club. Much like Costco, you will need a paid membership to shop at Sam’s Club, but if you are like us and plan lots of events, the membership pays for itself very quickly.

BJs is another big name in the bulk retail store business. As with Costco and Sam’s Club, you can get beverages at bulk pricing to save money. Just like those stores, however, you will need a paid membership card to shop there.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE A BULK RETAIL STORE MEMBERSHIP/DON’T WANT TO OBTAIN ONE, WE RECOMMEND THESE SOURCES FOR FAIR PRICING ON BEVERAGES

Walmart does the best they can to keep prices down on all their merchandise, including beverages. While they do not offer bulk pricing, they do offer competitive pricing and often will have items on sale, so that you can save money on your event. They also have store brand beverages that can save you even more on a tight budget.

If you are in a region that has a Kroger, they are one of our favorite options for beverage sourcing. As well as offering competitive pricing, they usually have a larger variety of beverage selections than their competition in most cases. They also have their own store brand, which a lot of people say is just as good as name brand.

Remember, this is only our Top 5 list – if you are in a region that does not have any of these options, be aware that there are literally hundreds of other places that are considerations when deciding on where to purchase your beverages from. Don’t panic, there will be a store that meets your needs somewhere nearby. Look for the criteria we’ve pointed out – low prices, sales, and store brands if you really want to penny pinch – and you will do just fine. Good luck with your upcoming event!