Party

[Scouseontour]

Quick question, if you were invited to a 40th birthday party and they had a bar in the garden. How would you feel about them charging you for the drinks. Asking for a friend xx

Id be pissed off.

Happy to bring a bottle (or 3) of drink but if I'm going to a garden party I would expect to be fed and watered.

By all means, put on the invite bring your own, but if I was hosting there would still be plenty of drinks provided by me.

I'd be asking for proof of their licence to trade then leaving the party.

Asking people to bring a bottle with the expectation that you're not laying on all the booze is fine. Charging people for drinks at a private residence is low and grabby.

Nope.
and im pretty sure it’s against licensing laws. Or at least it should be.

More than happy to contribute to the "bar" by bringing drinks with me, either for myself or something requested from a list so everyone will be covered with things they like. Also would pay per drink if it was a charity thing

I would not pay per drink in someone's garden at their birthday party.

What sort of bar? A trestle table of drinks they’ve bought from Costco, no I wouldn’t expect to pay for drinks (though would be more than happy to BMOBs.) If they’ve hired a professional marquee, full drinks selection, and a bartender to make cocktails then I’d be fine to pay for drinks just as I would a marquee bar anywhere else.

If I’m invited to somebody’s 40th birthday party then they’re by definition somebody I’m close enough to that I would know whether or not they’re in a financial position to lay on an expensive party at their own expense. And given the choice between invited to and celebrating a friend’s birthday at cost, and not invited and them not having a party because they felt obliged to pay for it all, my pick will always be the former.

It's quite weird and awkward. Instead you ask guests if they wouldn't mind bringing a bottle and say you'll provide food. I can't see how anyone would be upset about that. I don't go to parties to drink through other people's alcohol and it's polite to always bring something. It feels weird to charge though. It would be different if at a pub or restaurant. I've never been to a party out where I wouldn't have paid for myself if in a function room. But seems a bit grabby at home.