Is this enough food? Or do people expect a cooked dinner

Sorry that’s not really celebratory. Charcuterie etc are much nicer for a party

Just buy some supermarket fresh pizzas just in case. No need to do a takeaway

Who will want that after a (I assume) 3 course meal at lunch? Assuming adults not children/teenagers etc.

A cold spread should be fine for an evening after a three course lunch. But maybe have a couple of pizzas in the freezer or fridge as a backup. Takeaway pizza is such a rip off. Or a pot of curry or chilli.

That sounds plenty after a big lunch. I'd not really want anything after the lunch bar a cup of tea and maybe a small snack.

No one wants o be bothered with plates of chilli and rice when they are drinking and dancing. Just stick to your original plan, OP.

Whilst a decent cheese and charcuterie board with plenty of bread will be fine a big pot of curry or chilli, (one veggie, one meat if you need) and a pan of rice will be much easier on the day. It can all be cooked the day before, simmering on the hob or as pp said in a slow cooker, cook the rice, whack poppadoms or tortilla chips in a bowl, mango chutney or sour cream. People help themselves.
Have a great birthday.

Picky bits are much better than a cooked dinner if you’ve had a big lunch imo. I couldn’t eat another full meal and I’d find it awkward to be served one.

Maybe just a couple of sliced pizzas or nice bread and food to add for those who want a bit of substance but definitely not a meal. Then people can eat as’ much or as little as they want.

You could do a chilli in a slow cooker, leave it on while you're out (5 bean if you have veggies there too) then a load of micro rice. If you don't use it the rice will save and the chilli can be frozen.

Edited to say this is an easy vegan, dairy, nut and gluten free meal so is our go to to cover all the main allergies and dietry needs!

Back in the 90s in the centre of Birmingham there was a café called Mr Egg, which offered fried eggs with everything and did a roaring trade late at night!

Read this thread to my DH. "Scrambled eggs? What? I've never had ten pints and thought ooh scrambled eggs! Bit of ham, cheese, some nice bread, pork pie, sausage rolls need to be warm though. Maybe a slice of pizza. Everyone's happy"

If you do a decent sized charcuterie board with lots of things on it plus plenty of cheese biscuits and bread, plus a few dips with chips it really should be very filling, and no need for crappy pizza slices. They’re great because people can eat as much or as little as they want.

Crisps and order pizza. People will be hungry if they’ve eaten at 1pm then partying till 1am.

Of course it’s enough! What the heck, you are going for a massive lunch, this is the evening with wine. Just stock up on extra bread and crisps, plenty of cheese. Job done!

Depends on the quantity of charcuterie provided - if it is 2 slices of salami per person, then of course you will need pizzas, etc. afterwards. If it is mountains of charcuterie, cheeses and baguettes, then of course no pizzas.

Just wanted to add that with charcuterie board and snacks it’s the amount that matters so if you have a lot….also if someone wants hot food you can always warm up sausage rolls.

If lunch was at say noon or 1 pm, then the musical, then drinks, I'd be starving by 7pm.

This is my thinking.
As you are going to a matinee performance, I have to presume this isn't going to be a lingering lunch, finishing at 3.30 ? So I would want more food during the evening.
If I've had a big meal at 1 / 1.30 and sat there 1/2 the afternoon, not having finished eating until 3 or later, I wouldn't normally want much for an evening feed BUT, if there is then going to be a lot of alcohol, I'd really really appreciate a feed later.

You seem to have a combination of both the lunch being over early, and lots of alcohol, so I do think you need substantial carbs, but that could be bulking out with extra bread (I love toast at 11pm if it's not been eaten), or, as other say some pizzas added to your food table. (or offered later).

I would do a big curry/chilli in the slow cooker ans some frozen pizzas I hate it when people just do pizzas not all of us eat them

I think picky bits sounds lovely, especially as you’ll be sober and feeling all lovely and sophisticated after your posh lunch and theatre trip.

However, after a few cocktails and party games, someone is probably going to get a carbs craving about 10pm. I’d have the option of sausage and bacon sandwiches or they can order their own bits on Just Eat.

I would have a few pizzas in the fridge just in case and a big pack of salad. What you are suggesting is fine for me and DH but clearly some people think differently.

Scrambled eggs would seem a very odd choice but I do remember a former housemate of mine making pancakes as post pub food. Those always hit the spot!

I’d probably go for things like hummus and pita, quiche or tortilla, a variety of salads, cheese (including baked Camembert or similar), some big bowls of crisps and cake. Leave people to figure out whether they need light snacks or a more meal like quantity of food.

I would organise a fondue for the evening with french stick, cooked potatoes and crudités. Focaccia and salad on the side.

I'm not suggesting a fondue, or anchovy paste sandwiches

NO ONE has suggested anchovy paste sandwiches on this thread, but after the late night scrambled egg suggestion- nothing would surprise me! 😕

People are getting hung up on the three course lunch as a ton of food and I don't know why.

Three course meals can be a ton of food. But at upscale restaurants they often really aren't... three courses just means it doesn't all come on one plate. A little raw winter vegetable salad with goat cheese, a piece of fish with a few potatoes and an herby sauce, and fresh berries with cream and some sugar art is a three course meal but it's certainly not going to be helping soak up alcohol 7+ hours later. And if people know they're headed to sit in a theatre for a musical directly after in their nice clothes they're more likely not to gorge themselves.

If you plan to have people drinking late into the night then have both nibbles and a solid but simple meal on offer late. Don't count on them having stuffed themselves sufficiently at a fancy lunch 12 hours before to not need or want another meal.