Premium Drinks Packages at York Racecourse
If you’re booking a private box at York Racecourse through AR Events, you have two optional drinks packages to add to your day. This page sets out exactly what each one covers, how they’re priced, and how the account bar alternative works — so you can plan your event with the full picture from the start.
Both packages are available for private suite bookings across the 2026 season. All drinks operate until 30 minutes after the start of the last race.
The Proper Drinks Package — £92.00 per person + VAT
The Proper Drinks Package is the standard upgrade, covering a solid range of drinks throughout the raceday.
On arrival, each guest receives a glass of House Champagne or Pimm’s No. 1. For the rest of the day, the package includes:
- Main line spirits with soft drinks and mixers
- Lager and cider
- Specially selected house wines — red, white, and rosé
For those who’d like Champagne flowing beyond the welcome glass, you can add all-day house Champagne for £30.00 per person. Subject to availability, brandy and wines may be substituted for an equivalent where necessary.
This package works well for corporate days where a good but measured drinks offering is appropriate, or for groups who prefer a structured bar over an open free-bar format.
The Premium Drinks Package — £157.00 per person + VAT
The Premium Drinks Package is the full upgrade, designed for groups who want a higher specification from start to finish.
Guests receive a glass of House NV Champagne or Pimm’s No. 1 on arrival, with Champagne and sparkling wine continuing free-flowing throughout the day. The full package includes:
- Premium spirits with premium soft drinks and mixers
- Premium lager and cider
- Specially selected fine wines — red, white, and rosé
- Free-flowing sparkling wine and Champagne all day
As with the Proper Package, brandy and wines are subject to availability and may be changed for an equivalent.
This is the right choice for milestone occasions — significant birthdays, anniversaries, or high-value client entertainment days where the drinks offering is part of the impression you’re making.
Account Bar — Flexible Spending Alternative
If you’d prefer not to commit to a fixed per-person package, an account bar can be arranged instead.
A deposit of £41.66 per person plus VAT (£50.00 inc. VAT) is required to set up the account. Drinks are charged against the account as consumed, giving you more control over spend across the day.
This option suits groups with mixed preferences or those where some guests won’t be drinking. It avoids paying a flat per-head rate for guests who won’t use a full package.
Which Option Is Right for Your Group?
The right choice depends on the nature of your event and how you want to manage costs.
For a corporate day entertaining clients, the Premium Drinks Package presents well and removes any awkwardness around the bar — everything is covered without guests needing to think about it. For an internal team day or a mixed group where drinking levels will vary, the account bar often makes more practical sense.
If you’re weighing up the full package for your booking, the private suite guide covers what’s included as standard in each box, including private box drinks packages and the wider itinerary for the day. You can also check race dates to find the right fixture for your group, or review the full itinerary to understand how the day runs.
For the Ebor Festival in August — the biggest meeting of the York season — availability across all package tiers books up early. It’s worth confirming your drinks preference at the time of reservation.
To discuss your booking or confirm which drinks package best fits your event, get in touch with the AR Events team.
