Once you've decided a soda bar is right for your event, a handful of practical questions follow. How many drinks will people actually have? How long should the bar be open? Where should it go, and what does it need? This guide walks through each of those questions so you can plan with confidence — and give your vendor the information they need for an accurate quote.

How many drinks per guest should you plan for?

There's no single right number, because it depends on the type of event. These are common rules of thumb used in event planning generally — not hard data — but they're a helpful starting point:

  • Come-and-go open houses: Many guests stay a short time and have about one drink. Graduation open houses, wedding open houses, and missionary homecomings usually fall here.
  • Seated or structured events: Receptions, banquets, and parties where guests stay for most of the event often see one to two drinks per person over a couple of hours.
  • Long or hot outdoor events: Summer parties, family reunions, and festivals can push the number higher, because people get thirsty and come back for refills.

The good news: with per-guest pricing, you don't have to calculate drinks yourself. Mixies pricing is based on guest count, so your job is to give an honest estimate of how many people will attend. Mention the event style when you book, and we'll plan quantities around it.

How long does service last?

The base Mixies package includes up to two hours of service. For most events, two hours covers the window when drinks matter most: the first rush of arrivals and the main social portion of the party. A few timing tips:

  • For receptions, start service when guests arrive, not after dinner.
  • For open houses, line service up with your stated open-house hours.
  • For longer events, think about when the peak will be and center service around it.

Line flow: keeping things moving

Made-to-order drinks take a little longer than grabbing a can, so line flow is worth a few minutes of planning:

  • Post the menu where people wait. Guests who decide before they reach the front of the line order faster. You can preview our full menu to see the kinds of drinks guests choose from.
  • Keep the bar away from the entrance. A line near the door slows down everyone arriving.
  • Separate food and drinks. Put the soda bar a short distance from the food table so the two lines don't merge.
  • Expect the first rush. The busiest moment is usually right after guests arrive or right after a ceremony or program ends. A short line at the start is normal.

Space, table, and power needs

Every venue is different, so share details about your space when you book. In general, plan for:

  • A flat, level area for the bar, with room behind it for servers to work.
  • Space in front for a line that doesn't block a walkway, doorway, or the food table.
  • Easy access for setup. Let us know about stairs, long walks from parking, or venue rules on load-in times.
  • Power and tables: Ask about power or table needs for your specific setup when you reach out, so there are no surprises on the day.

Indoor vs outdoor

Indoors is the easiest option for weather control, and it's the default for fall and winter events like holiday parties. Watch for tight spaces where a line could crowd a hallway or kitchen.

Outdoors gives you more room and great natural light for photos. In a Utah summer, shade matters — for guests and for keeping ice and drinks cold. A canopy, a covered patio, or a spot on the shady side of the house goes a long way. Have a backup plan for wind or an afternoon storm.

Budget math: simple examples

Mixies starts at $3.95 per guest, which includes a custom soda menu (four base sodas, six syrup flavors, and creamer), cups, straws, ice, setup, cleanup, friendly servers, and up to two hours of service. Here's what the starting price looks like at a few guest counts:

  • 50 guests: 50 × $3.95 = $197.50
  • 75 guests: 75 × $3.95 = $296.25
  • 150 guests: 150 × $3.95 = $592.50
  • 250 guests: 250 × $3.95 = $987.50

To reserve a date, the non-refundable deposit is $100 or 25% of the total, whichever is greater. For a 75-guest event, 25% would be about $74, so the deposit is the $100 minimum. For a 250-guest event, 25% is about $247, so that becomes the deposit. Your final quote depends on your event details — see our pricing and FAQ page or our full soda bar cost breakdown.

When to book

We recommend booking 4–6 weeks ahead. Popular dates — Saturdays in late spring and summer, graduation weekends, and December holiday weekends — are worth booking even earlier.

Bring the numbers, we'll handle the rest

If you have a date, an approximate guest count, the event type, and a rough idea of the space, you have everything you need for a quote. Mixies serves Utah County and Salt Lake County, from Orem and Provo to Draper and Salt Lake City. Everything we serve is 100% alcohol-free.

Request a quote or call or text (801) 692-3036.