BYOB vs. Cash Bar

Hotel takeovers, is it a BYOB event or a cash bar?

The wife and I have been attending hotel takeovers for well over 5 years now.  We have been able to boil the full takeovers down to two types, those that are BYOB and those that offer a cash bar.  Here are some differences we have noticed:

Cash Bar
The obvious, you can not have your own alcohol in the public areas.  In your rooms, yes, not a problem.  No nudity in public areas until the bar has closed, usually around 1-2am.  Playrooms also do not open until 1-2am.

BYOB
The Obvious, bring your own and have fun.  Nudity is not an issue, within reason.  Playrooms can open at anytime.

Based on the the details above, you would think that every event promoter would want to hold a BYOB event.  Not that easy, if the hotel has a liquor license and is either unwilling or unable to place that license in escrow they are beholden to follow the Cash Bar rules.  Most hotels are unwilling to do this because they want to make money off the liquor sales.  Compound that with finding a hotel that has banquet facilities and it makes it very difficult.  On top of all this, when a event promoter agrees to a takeover at a Cash Bar hotel, they almost always have a food & beverage minimum that they have to meet.  

OK, why am I rambling on about all this?  Couple of things, when you find a event promoter that has a BYOB event, don't screw it up for them!  If it is a Cash Bar event, spend some money at the bar, order dinner at the hotel, help that promoter meet the minimum so they can continue having events at that hotel.

Last thing, the Cash Bar vs. BYOB is secondary to finding a hotel that will work with the Lifestyle to begin with.

Hopefully this gives you some insight on how difficult it is to put on these events!