Minimum Spend: Necessary or Negotiable?
If you’re planning a get-together with friends and want to reserve a space at a bar, you’ve probably come across the term minimum spend. But what does it actually mean and do you actually need to commit to one?
A minimum spend is the amount a venue requires your group to spend on food and drinks to secure the space. The good news? You don’t have to pay anything upfront—most places just hold your credit card as a backstop in case your group doesn’t hit the required amount.
Can You Negotiate It?
Short answer: Yes… and no.
First we need to understand how a venue calculates the minimum spend they quote customers.
Venues typically calculate their minimum spend by estimating how much they’d make from regular foot traffic if they didn’t reserve the space for a private group. That number becomes their "minimum" because they want to at least break even on what they’d otherwise earn.
This amount isn’t fixed—it fluctuates based on date, time, expected crowd levels, and other factors, making it a moving target; for example, a bar is less crowded on a weeknight than weekend, and so the minimum would vary accordingly. Then, if you reach out directly, venues often size up what they think your group is willing to pay… and bump that number even higher.
Whether you can or even need to negotiate depends on how you got the rate.
If you’re reaching out to a venue directly, then yes—you can (and should) try to negotiate. After all, they’re already sizing you up and adjusting their quote based on what they think you’ll pay.
But why waste time on the back-and-forth when you can skip the hassle and lock in the best deal upfront?
So, there you have it! Next time you're planning a night out, skip the negotiations and book with confidence. 🎉
