Dave Smith wrote:

> My nephew and his wife had an open bar. They were not at all upset about
> the number of drinks people had, but what annoyed them was that the serving
> staff were whisking away glasses when people got up to dance, go to the
> washroom or to visit with people at another table. People were coming back
> and finding their drinks gone and had to get another. They laid the blame
> on the people taking the drinks away and, in fact, argued with the hotel
> staff and won.

When I've researched this, in my area, open bar is a set fee or cost no
matter how many drinks the guests have. I've been quoted $11 to
$15/person (and you do pay for everyone if they drink alcohol or not!)
but there is no limit to the number of drinks during the arranged hours.

Was your nephew being charged a per drink basis, and then the staff
wasting the half finished drinks? I'd be angry about that too. When my
father paid for my wedding's open bar it was at a military club and they
just ran a tab that my father approved of and when it was depleted they
got approval for x amount of dollars more as needed.