A raw bar is one of the few catering choices that feels both lavish and easy. Guests gather, oysters get shucked to order, and the whole party gets a focal point. It also comes with a question every host asks early: what will this actually cost?
Here is how pricing works, using our own raw bar packages as a real example.
What drives the price
- Guest count. Raw bar pricing is per guest, so a 40-person party and a 150-person party scale very differently.
- What is on the ice. Oysters and littleneck clams anchor the base package. Jumbo shrimp, chilled lobster, crudo and caviar move the price up.
- Staffing. A bigger crowd needs more shuckers so lines stay short. Quality catering includes enough hands for your headcount.
- Day and season. Peak summer and fall Saturdays cost more than a Wednesday in March.
- Travel and set-up. Distance, access and how much space the truck needs can add a modest fee.
What it looks like in real numbers
Our mobile raw bar truck starts at $52 per guest for The Tide Pool (four oysters and two clams per guest), $78 for The Classic (adds shrimp, lobster salad and a crudo) and $115 for the Grand Plateau (a full seafood tower with a dedicated shucker). Raw bar events carry a minimum spend of $2,500 on weekdays and $3,400 on weekends.
For a 60-guest backyard party on The Classic, that is roughly $4,680 before tax and gratuity. For the same guest list on The Tide Pool, about $3,120.
Ways to get more value
- Pick a weekday or off-peak date. It is the easiest way to save without cutting anything.
- Pair the raw bar with a simple second course. Guests who eat oysters plus a warm bite need fewer oysters each.
- Keep the guest list honest. Pricing follows your confirmed count, so trim before the final-count deadline.
- Ask about seasonal offers. We run seasonal offers that add extras like a second shucker or chowder shooters.
Questions to ask any raw bar caterer
- How many oysters per guest are included?
- How many staff will attend, and what is the guest-to-shucker ratio?
- Where is the seafood sourced, and how is it kept cold?
- What is the minimum, and what is not included (tax, gratuity, travel, permits)?
If you tell us your date, town and guest count, we will send a clear quote within one business day.
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