Unless during the state or federal convention, I have NEVER heard of open bar at any campaign event. That is just not done.
Very sleazy.
We're a little bit more laid back out here, even the citified Nebraskans.
What the Democrats did at the Reunion, being the tightwads they are, one had to buy one's own drinks.
Outside of the cities, usually one gets "tickets" for a couple of free drinks, and then if one wants any more, one has to pay for it.
The last fund-raiser I attended at a bar around here, hosted by a primitive from Texas (a former resident of the area), it was a bunch of tables blocked off near the rear of the bar (not the bar itself, but the business), and there was a 32-gallon keg sitting near the seat of the primitive fund-raiser.
I point all this stuff out because I'm aware it's different in other places, and didn't want people to think the big guy went all out and everything; actually, all he did, with the cooperation of the owner, was use a bunch of tables designed "reserved," while the rest of the bar (the business) was left open for other and regular customers.