Bar Extension

Antigone05

myself and the missus are about to put a deposit down on a nice venue tomorrow.

Looking through the small bits we noticed that they are asking for 500euro for the bar extension , til 1:45 ???

for just over a hour extra? am i right to think thats crazy?

Toots

There's been a few threads on this over the last while. Personally I think it's outrageous to charge for the bar extension. Any cost to the hotel for getting their licence extended would be more than covered by the amount of drink sold. This would be first on the list of things to negotiate with the hotel on. When I was at the stage of booking the hotel, we had it down to a choice of two, we were really undecided but then when we started talking hard figures, one of the hotels steadfastly refused to waive the bar extension fee (€550) so we walked away. The hotel we chose does not charge for it, which we were happy with.

I will say this though, if you are to do any negotiating, do it before the deposit is paid, because once it is, your hands are pretty much tied. If they do agree to any discounts etc, make sure you get it in writing before you hand over any money.

snuggles09

we were told 450 euro but we're marrying on a Friday and bar doesnt close til 12.30 ish anyway plus the residents bar is there til 4am..wont be getting bar extension..will just tell everyone to order 2 or 3 drinks at last orders

chriscross1

hi there, we got married last december, the hotel were lookin for €200 for the bar extension which we were happy with but the next day we paid the total bill they scrapped the bar exemption altogether, they must have made their money at the wedding, this was The Lady Gregory Gort Co.Galway.

Antigone05

thanks for the feedback. its a definite worrying figure.

its for the Liffey Valley House in Leixlip.

good advice on doing it before i sign anything off. Ive heard that the bar extension licence last for the year and they are just netting pure profits?

BC

They do have to apply to the courts for a licence on your behalf, thats usually what the cost is for. However, considering they make most of their money on the bar its madness that they try to pass the cost on. They'll easily cover it.

ThePiedPiper

Hotels were getting away with this sort of thing a couple of years back. Most don't pass on the charge anymore. Fight them hard on it. If they're brazen enough to charge you for that, you can be sure that there is lots of room for negotiation on all other aspects of your deal.

penirose

Hi All, we are currently negotiating with a 5 star hotel in Booterstown on the Stillorgan Dual Carriageway (not sure if I can name names here this is my first post) for our wedding reception in July. We met them yesterday and they won't budge on a 716euro charge for a 1 hour bar extension on a Thursday. They gave us a breakdown of their costs, which was: stamp duty €410; registered post €5.25, swearing €10, agents fees €48.50, professional fees €200 + VAT. They said they never waiver the total cost of €716, which I find very, very hard to believe. Does anyone have any ideas if we are being 'had'?
Many thanks

janbaby

Antigone05 wrote: »

thanks for the feedback. its a definite worrying figure.

its for the Liffey Valley House in Leixlip.

good advice on doing it before i sign anything off. Ive heard that the bar extension licence last for the year and they are just netting pure profits?

We're getting married in Balyna House and we don't have to pay for a bar extension cos its classes as a private residence. The bar actually stays open till 4pm. I'm sure Liffey Valley house should be the same considering its not a hotel!

Kooli

penirose wrote: »

Hi All, we are currently negotiating with a 5 star hotel in Booterstown on the Stillorgan Dual Carriageway (not sure if I can name names here this is my first post) for our wedding reception in July. We met them yesterday and they won't budge on a 716euro charge for a 1 hour bar extension on a Thursday. They gave us a breakdown of their costs, which was: stamp duty €410; registered post €5.25, swearing €10, agents fees €48.50, professional fees €200 + VAT. They said they never waiver the total cost of €716, which I find very, very hard to believe. Does anyone have any ideas if we are being 'had'?
Many thanks

That sounds absolutely bonkers to me.
I would refuse to pay that, and be prepared to move on if they don't waive it, but it depends on how much your heart is set on that hotel. Don't threaten to move on unless you're prepared to actually do it - they can tell when you're bluffing!

moco

My hotel told us a bar extension (in Cavan) costs them €260 til 2.30am, but they don't charge us for it. I woulld think there couldn't be a massive difference in cost across the different counties.

Duq_

Wedding on a Friday in the Anglers Rest. Bar extension costs €500.
It's a complete rip-off. All it is is a money spinner for the council. And this rule isn't about to change any time soon because it's not in the interest of those in charge to change it. Those lavish expense bills have to be paid from something right?
Can't blame hotels for not waiving the charge. The profit margin on their drinks is calculated to pay for their overhead cost. Bar staff will be looking for extra pay if they're working until 4am.

harry21

Duq_ wrote: »

Wedding on a Friday in the Anglers Rest. Bar extension costs €500.
It's a complete rip-off. All it is is a money spinner for the council. And this rule isn't about to change any time soon because it's not in the interest of those in charge to change it. Those lavish expense bills have to be paid from something right?
Can't blame hotels for not waiving the charge. The profit margin on their drinks is calculated to pay for their overhead cost. Bar staff will be looking for extra pay if they're working until 4am.

Ive been at both side of this. Worked in a hotel when in college, never got paid more for working till 5am, but the tips did get better!!;)

We booked our wedding recently at the hotel said there would be no charge for bar extension.:D

garhjw

penirose wrote: »

Hi All, we are currently negotiating with a 5 star hotel in Booterstown on the Stillorgan Dual Carriageway (not sure if I can name names here this is my first post) for our wedding reception in July. We met them yesterday and they won't budge on a 716euro charge for a 1 hour bar extension on a Thursday. They gave us a breakdown of their costs, which was: stamp duty €410; registered post €5.25, swearing €10, agents fees €48.50, professional fees €200 + VAT. They said they never waiver the total cost of €716, which I find very, very hard to believe. Does anyone have any ideas if we are being 'had'?
Many thanks

you can negotiate some serious discounts with this place. if they will not budge on the cost of the extension look for 10%-20% discount on the over all cost (i know its been done). or get them to throw in the drinks reception etc. they have a lot of room to manouvre on certain things. it is a lovely venue...

silly

When we first went to book our hotel we were told we had to pay the €325 fir the bar exemption( I thinks it's exemption, not extension?) we were happy to pay this as we had been at a wedding a few months before and spent over an hour hanging around the reception room with no drink, which at that stage of the night is not something we were too happy with.
Then our wedding coordinator left and we started dealing with another woman in there, we were there recently for menu tasting and chat about final details, and we were told that it was included in the price per head! Happy days!

silly

When we first went to book our hotel we were told we had to pay the €325 fir the bar exemption( I thinks it's exemption, not extension?) we were happy to pay this as we had been at a wedding a few months before and spent over an hour hanging around the reception room with no drink, which at that stage of the night is not something we were too happy with.
Then our wedding coordinator left and we started dealing with another woman in there, we were there recently for menu tasting and chat about final details, and we were told that it was included in the price per head! Happy days!

Glitter

penirose wrote: »

Hi All, we are currently negotiating with a 5 star hotel in Booterstown on the Stillorgan Dual Carriageway (not sure if I can name names here this is my first post) for our wedding reception in July. We met them yesterday and they won't budge on a 716euro charge for a 1 hour bar extension on a Thursday. They gave us a breakdown of their costs, which was: stamp duty €410; registered post €5.25, swearing €10, agents fees €48.50, professional fees €200 + VAT. They said they never waiver the total cost of €716, which I find very, very hard to believe. Does anyone have any ideas if we are being 'had'?
Many thanks

I suspect this is the same place I'm negotiating with at the moment - other people are mentioning names so I guess it's ok - The Radisson St. Helen's - they're also charging me €700 for the bar extension. I've tried to get them to move on this and they won't, citing legal costs. They're being pretty good with everything else though and we really LOVE the venue so I think we're going to take this one on the chin and haggle hard on other aspects.
It does seem an outrageous amount of money though!

silly

Glitter wrote: »

penirose wrote: »

Hi All, we are currently negotiating with a 5 star hotel in Booterstown on the Stillorgan Dual Carriageway (not sure if I can name names here this is my first post) for our wedding reception in July. We met them yesterday and they won't budge on a 716euro charge for a 1 hour bar extension on a Thursday. They gave us a breakdown of their costs, which was: stamp duty €410; registered post €5.25, swearing €10, agents fees €48.50, professional fees €200 + VAT. They said they never waiver the total cost of €716, which I find very, very hard to believe. Does anyone have any ideas if we are being 'had'?
Many thanks

I suspect this is the same place I'm negotiating with at the moment - other people are mentioning names so I guess it's ok - The Radisson St. Helen's - they're also charging me €700 for the bar extension. I've tried to get them to move on this and they won't, citing legal costs. They're being pretty good with everything else though and we really LOVE the venue so I think we're going to take this one on the chin and haggle hard on other aspects.
It does seem an outrageous amount of money though!

It's an unreal amount though! More than what I've ever heard of!
Can ye not say to them how can some hotels charge way less??

sweetie

Glitter wrote: »

I suspect this is the same place I'm negotiating with at the moment - other people are mentioning names so I guess it's ok - The Radisson St. Helen's - they're also charging me €700 for the bar extension. I've tried to get them to move on this and they won't, citing legal costs. They're being pretty good with everything else though and we really LOVE the venue so I think we're going to take this one on the chin and haggle hard on other aspects.
It does seem an outrageous amount of money though!

I was booked to dj a wedding there last year and started at 12.05 after a band only to be told twenty five mins later that I had to finish! Does the bar extension cover music also? Seems like a racket to me!

Glitter

silly wrote: »

It's an unreal amount though! More than what I've ever heard of!
Can ye not say to them how can some hotels charge way less??

Yep, I rang them and told them it was the highest price I'd come across and they said their solicitors were very expensive. They won't budge.

sweetie wrote: »

I was booked to dj a wedding there last year and started at 12.05 after a band only to be told twenty five mins later that I had to finish! Does the bar extension cover music also? Seems like a racket to me!

Hmm... I will check about that, the extension is meant to cover the bar from 12.30 to 1.30; though I have said if we're paying €700 for it I want it until 2am at least. They said they would try but they can't promise as the hotel is in a residential area and they sometimes have issues with very late licenses.
I do hope our DJ will be able to continue for as late as the bar is open though - yikes!

clint_silver

Glitter wrote: »

silly wrote: »

It's an unreal amount though! More than what I've ever heard of!
Can ye not say to them how can some hotels charge way less??

Yep, I rang them and told them it was the highest price I'd come across and they said their solicitors were very expensive. They won't budge.

sweetie wrote: »

I was booked to dj a wedding there last year and started at 12.05 after a band only to be told twenty five mins later that I had to finish! Does the bar extension cover music also? Seems like a racket to me!

Hmm... I will check about that, the extension is meant to cover the bar from 12.30 to 1.30; though I have said if we're paying €700 for it I want it until 2am at least. They said they would try but they can't promise as the hotel is in a residential area and they sometimes have issues with very late licenses.
I do hope our DJ will be able to continue for as late as the bar is open though - yikes!

I've played there a few times too, 12:30 is the last song in there without an extension and I'm pretty sure it's 1:30 with one. Some places are strict on the music finishing with the bar, others are not and will let Dj go on a bit longer. I won't go into details but I had a really "your heads up your own arse" experience with 2 managers in that hotel. Did they get the 5th star back, thought they lost it last year or so.
Also I thought all venues applied for extensions in bulk a month ahead. Mauve wrong on that. Theyed save on solicitor costs if that was the case.

silly

As much as I love my hotel I would def not book them if the Dj had to finish at half12!!! Even half 1 is early!
Our Dj can play until 3am, and the residents bar stays open until after 5!!

Bride2012

God, I never even thought about the DJ only being allowed to play if there's an extention that shakes it up a bit. The costs just keep mounting!:(

Bride2012

double save

Glitter

clint_silver wrote: »

I've played there a few times too, 12:30 is the last song in there without an extension and I'm pretty sure it's 1:30 with one. Some places are strict on the music finishing with the bar, others are not and will let Dj go on a bit longer. I won't go into details but I had a really "your heads up your own arse" experience with 2 managers in that hotel. Did they get the 5th star back, thought they lost it last year or so.
Also I thought all venues applied for extensions in bulk a month ahead. Mauve wrong on that. Theyed save on solicitor costs if that was the case.

Well, so long as they will let the DJ play til 1.30 with the extension that's okay.

We've had a great experience so far with the staff in there but you're making me nervous now! :eek:

clint_silver

Glitter wrote: »

Well, so long as they will let the DJ play til 1.30 with the extension that's okay.

We've had a great experience so far with the staff in there but you're making me nervous now! :eek:

Dont be, the hotel is great, the food is great (Ive been to 2 weddings there as a guest) , just they were quite strict on music finishing at 1.30am, manager literally had their hand on the plug and was threatening to pull it at 1:31am if I didnt stop the music, the song being played was the grooms favorite song , only half way through 10 minute version of bat out of hell, him and his mates were up doing their thing to it (dont ask) but they were having a ball. this was like 3-4 years ago though. Id normally have that timed to finish but only found out about it 1:23. these are the things Dj's remember. it may have just been a moody manager on the night though cos I think I was up there the week after and I had to go find the manager at 1:40 to turn on house lights after he had told me to finish.

If a hotel is strict on music finishing you'll usually find its because of noise levels and agreements with neighbours and guests, that type of thing. there's a few places around that are like that. who knows they may be a 2am finish now, havent been there in a while.

He should make it his business anyway but make sure the DJ knows what time he's finishing, he can make the night end with a bang instead of a whimper if its timed right.

Glitter

clint_silver wrote: »

Dont be, the hotel is great, the food is great (Ive been to 2 weddings there as a guest) , just they were quite strict on music finishing at 1.30am, manager literally had their hand on the plug and was threatening to pull it at 1:31am if I didnt stop the music, the song being played was the grooms favorite song , only half way through 10 minute version of bat out of hell, him and his mates were up doing their thing to it (dont ask) but they were having a ball. this was like 3-4 years ago though. Id normally have that timed to finish but only found out about it 1:23. these are the things Dj's remember. it may have just been a moody manager on the night though cos I think I was up there the week after and I had to go find the manager at 1:40 to turn on house lights after he had told me to finish.

If a hotel is strict on music finishing you'll usually find its because of noise levels and agreements with neighbours and guests, that type of thing. there's a few places around that are like that. who knows they may be a 2am finish now, havent been there in a while.

He should make it his business anyway but make sure the DJ knows what time he's finishing, he can make the night end with a bang instead of a whimper if its timed right.

Okay cool - breathing a bit easier now!
Thanks for the info - I'll make sure and have a consultation with the DJ before hand about timings and finishing on a high so.