Everything You Need to Know About BYOB at BRICK

At BRICK in San Diego, we believe your event should feel like yours from start to finish; and that includes the bar. Our BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) program gives you the freedom to purchase your own alcohol while still enjoying a fully staffed, professionally run bar experience. If you’re planning an event at BRICK and want to understand how the process works, here’s what you need to know.

What BYOB Means at BRICK

Choosing BYOB at BRICK means you supply the alcohol, and we’ll take care of the rest. Through our in-house service, BRICK Beverage, we provide everything needed to execute a seamless bar: licensed bartenders, setup, cups, ice, mixers, and more. You won’t pay per-drink pricing or be limited to a fixed menu. Instead, you get control over what’s served and how much you want to spend.

How It Works

BRICK Beverage is structured to prioritize flexibility, compliance, and transparency. You bring your beer, wine, and spirits (within our guidelines), and we handle the professional bar service. Even though you’re supplying the alcohol, we still require use of our licensed bartenders. That’s because California law mandates that all alcohol at events be served by professionals with proper certification and insurance. We’ve built our program to ensure compliance while keeping your event safe and easy to manage.

Common Questions About Beverage Service at BRICK

• Can we personalize the bar? Absolutely! From multiple bar stations to signature cocktails, themed drink menus, and table-side champagne toasts, we can help you create a bar setup that fits your event’s style.
• What do we bring—and what do you provide? You bring the alcohol. We provide everything else, including sodas, mixers, garnishes, cups, ice, and all necessary tools and supplies. You’re welcome to bring custom napkins or cups, but the bar package price remains the same because the full setup must still be in place.
• How many bartenders do we need? Our standard is one bartender per 75 guests. BRICK Beverage will work with you to tailor the staffing to your event’s unique needs.
• Is it possible to set up more than one bar? Yes, you can have multiple bar locations throughout the venue.
• Do we have to host an open bar? Yes, the BYOB structure requires an open bar. Alcohol cannot be resold at private events unless you’re a nonprofit with the proper licensing. This ensures compliance with California regulations and allows us to maintain safe service for all guests.
• Can we use the Beer & Wine package but also bring liquor? The Beer & Wine package is designed for beer and wine only. Once liquor is added, the bar package must shift to Full Bar since additional supplies, mixers, and tools are required. If you’re looking to keep things simple while offering variety, we recommend beer and wine service with a couple of pre-batched cocktails or stylish canned drinks to elevate the experience without complicating the setup.
• Can we place bottles of champagne at guest tables? For safety and compliance, we don’t allow self-serve alcohol at guest tables. All drinks must be poured and served by our licensed team. However, champagne toasts and table-side service are available as add-ons to keep your event elevated and compliant.
• Is water included? Most caterers provide water for dinner service. If you’d like water stations or non-alcoholic beverage setups, we can include that as an additional service. Guests can always request bottled water, juice or soda at the bar.
• What do the extra fees cover? Your proposal may include line items like service fees, operations fees, or additional bartender hours. These cover setup, breakdown, staffing, and bar materials—especially if you’re extending service for an afterparty. The operations fee supports the infrastructure behind the bar program, while the service fee is a built-in gratuity for your bartenders. Tip jars are optional, but highly recommended to help reduce upfront costs. Any timeline changes or extended hours will affect supply needs and staffing costs, and all of this will be itemized on your BRICK Beverage proposal.
• Can we host an after party? Yes! Please reach out to your Client Concierge/828 Planner for guidelines on hosting an after party at BRICK. If you plan to have the bar open during the after party, licensed bartenders must be on duty.

Why BYOB at BRICK Works

Weddings and events come with plenty of costs, and BRICK’s BYOB model allows you to save without cutting corners. Buy your favorite drinks at wholesale prices, create a bar menu that fits your style, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with professional service. You control the budget, the drinks, and the experience; we handle the rest.

If you have questions, we’re happy to walk you through a sample proposal and help you build a bar plan that works for your event. Contact us today to get started!