40th birthday party do I need to serve food if so pls helpn

[TheCatsHaveEyes]

Next year hired local rugby club. Dj big party night reliving my club nights in Ibiza
Probably around 60 guests mainly friends.

Do I need to serve food?
The rugby club buffett looks a sad state of affair typical pork pies, curled up sarnies and pricey at that but a set price.
They will do hot food outdoors bbq which would be better but I can't pay a price in advance and they'd tell me how much it will be after so if people eat a lot it will cost a fortune.
3rd option I can pay the club and provide my own food think this is £50 and then do 9wn buffet but I really don't want to be faffing around transferring food around.
Would you expect food at a party night out?

Would you be able to use an external caterer?

I think all your guests would be expecting something to eat. Would an external catering company be an option?

My friend ordered fish and chips to be delivered at her 40th party and it went down well with everyone. I know of people who have also had an Indian buffet delivered rather than provide the usual sandwiches and cocktail sausages.

Would you be able to get something like one of those pizza vans? And let people know it'll be there but at a cost of e.g £8 each?

I'd just let them do the buffet.

I'm sure you get don't advertise curled up sarnies.
Buffet food is buffet food. You can't go wrong.
It's just something to soak up the booze.
Less stress & aggro. Always cater buffet for less people than you have invited too

Yes, for a party at a club I'd expect to pay for drinks but food be provided although I have been to parties where we had to pay for food but it needs to be very clear on the invite

I'd expect food. Also helps soak up the alcohol. Even a big pizza delivery would work.

Yes deffo I would expect food. How much per head is the rugby club buffet? One nice option is massive pots of chilli and veg chilli with rice, then bought desserts. That's a cheap way to do it and simpler than lots of buffet food. or yy others' suggestions of hot food van. You can't charge your guests for that tho.

I had a 50th party at home with about 40-50 guests and did chilli and pasta and then just some simple cheese and crisps and salad as snacks. That was easier tho as in my house.

Providing food is the normal thing to do.
External caterer?

We hired a taco truck for an event a few years ago, it was £7 a head and they took a list of names to ensure one per guest.

It's definitely the done thing, to feed guests at an evening event, and I would expect it.

A pizza/taco/decent burger van would be great, and definitely better value and more fun than the right club's beige buffet.

• rugby club's

Was just about to pop in & say taco truck but @Jumpingintosummer beat me to it

You do need to provide food, could get very messy otherwise. I'd either hire caterers or get a local food truck, there's lots around

The nice thing about getting out of my teens and 20s and earning decentish money was being able to cater properly at parties.

I’d expect decent food at a 40th. And as host I’d really want to offer something nice.

My friend hired a cricket club for her 40th and did her own buffet, just ordered loads of M&S platters so all she had to do was lay them out. Fab food too!

Yes you need to provide food. I've never in all my years been to a party where no food was provided.
How do you know the internal catering is 'curled up sarnies'? Did they provide samples or do you mean it looks basic on paper? Maybe ask if they can add some nicer extras to the buffet list if that's the case. Failing that I'd definitely pay the £50 and get external caterers in.

Yes, you have to feed people at a party, especially a milestone birthday party.

And I would get your own food rather Han the crappy beige food the club provides. It’s your 40th for goodness sake! Don’t you want to eat nice food on your birthday?

"Would you expect food at a party night out?"

Of course!

Of course you need to provide food and put money behind the bar. Morrison’s do nice party food.

How does someone get to 40 and not know how to host an event?!
Anyway -
Guests will expect canapés and drinks as a minimum - specify on the invite the type of food you decide eg if it’s a meal provided or just canapés or a light buffet.
Add a simple dress code, timings (start and end), venue address and how to respond. If you are hosting but expecting people to pay for drinks then include this information too.

If you don’t want to cook then get an outside catering - if you don’t want to or can’t pay then lower your sights and have a house party. People can bring a bottle and have a pot luck type affair. If you explain to one or two gossipy types people who mean something will get it and come.

Just me who loves a rugby club buffet then

I'd expect food.

I'd just pay the £50 and either get a caterer or just buy a load of platters from Costco, which can just be put out on the table.

Thanks all I'm looking at external caterers and it looks like 7- £10 per head I say 60 definitely but the invite list more like 85 (I'm assuming who will definitely come travel etc).
So might need to lower my numbers to inviting 50 only instead.
Mrspear that made me laugh you're so right now club nights I can host but these grown up affairs throw me 😂 how am I so old already!

I'd expect food and probably drink too - but that's just my friends maybe.

I would expect a buffet but would be happy to pay for my own drinks. I had my 40th at a local golf club and the buffet was epic!