open bar

noun

1. a bar at a reception that serves drinks whose cost has been borne by the host, an admission charge, a sponsor, etc.:

   Before the banquet there will be an open bar from 5 to 7 p.m.

Word History and Origins

Origin of open bar¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

The open bar seemed of less interest to most than the works themselves.

From Time

The couple is having a rather large wedding with a live band, flowers, open bar and all the trimmings.

From Washington Post

Drinks were flowing from the open bar, and every guest left with plenty of Juul swag.

From Time

The depleted stockpile, the brokers and scams, the open bars and sports stadiums, the insistence on ignoring science, the resistance to wearing masks showed the limits of what Americans would sacrifice to protect themselves and each other.

From ProPublica

“Some kinks need to be ironed out with the intoxicating open bar at the Mile High Club,” wrote Dowd.

From The Daily Beast

There will be 20 TVs to watch the game, an open bar, and food stations presided over by Chef Mina Newman.

From The Daily Beast

We stood for two and a half hours munching on deli food and enjoying the open bar.

From The Daily Beast

Senior McCain aides Mark Salter and Steve Schmidt had—reluctantly—joined a few reporters at the nearest open bar to the hotel.

From The Daily Beast

In all that State there is not, now, a single distillery or brewery in operation, nor a single open bar-room.

From Project Gutenberg

The X chromosome in the male is represented by an open bar, the Y chromosome is bent.

From Project Gutenberg

All the mature eggs of such a female contain one white-producing X chromosome represented by the open bar in the diagram.

From Project Gutenberg