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?

I went to a 40th at the golf club prior to lockdown and the food was absolutely brilliant and people raved about it.

I went to a 40th at a rugby club a week later and it was curled sandwiches and cheap sausage rolls and people were (quietly) a bit gutted and planning takeaway on the way home.

@actiongirl1978

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

I honestly wouldn’t expect a drink. Only time my circle provide drinks is if in someone’s home snd even at that we all bring a gift of a bottle or two!

Don’t overcomplicate things. Order 15/20 pizzas (ring the restaurant beforehand to make sure they can handle it) and buy mini ice cream tubs from the supermarket as a dessert. People will love it!

Also, I would expect a least a welcome drink. Can you buy 15 bottles of cheap Prosecco?

@Honeylemontea

Don’t overcomplicate things. Order 15/20 pizzas (ring the restaurant beforehand to make sure they can handle it) and buy mini ice cream tubs from the supermarket as a dessert. People will love it!

For 60 people? People will not love it, they will be starving and disappointed , I know competitive undereating is a sport on here but holy fuck.

Takeaway pizza for a 40th? Nooooooo.

Either do the club buffet, get something like a food van, or external hot food caterers that will do the buffet.

Or a hog roast

People will definitely expect food. I went to a 40th once where there was very little food. People left early as they were starving after a few drinks.

I'd just rope in friends and family to help and do it myself, but if you don't want to do that then M&S, Morrison's, Sainsbury's, etc all do platters you can order which works out cheaper than caterers.

Costco is also good for massive quantities of food.

just been to a wedding Op for same numbers...bacon sandwiches all round it was fabulous!

You need to cater!

We were invited to a 30th at a local hotel. The bar was open and we were all expected to pay for our own drinks. Fair enough. But as the night went on, everyone was wondering when the food would be coming out and whispering about it. There was no food! Eventually some people went to the supermarket next door for nibbles. So the host had a huge party without the mess or expense of having it at home - CF!

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

This ^

Yes, you need to do food.
I'm pretty sure the buffet will be fine, not a curled up sandwich in sight, but if you want to take recommendations from other people local to you and get a more fancy buffet brought in, then that is an option too.
Where I live, there are lots of options from the local curry houses for bringing in big pots of curries if that would suit your / your guests tastes, but generally I reckon a buffet is safest.

Yes you would be expected to supply food. You don't have to faff about, supermarkets sell party food on dishes.

An easier alternative would be to have a meal out with less people if you are paying, however in some cases everyone pays for their own meal and the birthday person's meal. I've been to a few of those and they were pretty good, everyone enjoyed themselves.

Try and stretch to inviting everyone you want and to whatever food truck your party sounds epic and you won't regret it!

If you love anywhere near Bolton, Carrs pasties are what you need! Delicious hot pasties served with mushy peas and red cabbage. Yum!

Of course you need to provide food and put money behind the bar

You don't need to put money behind the bar for a 40th. I've never been to any celebration where money was put behind the bar for guests.