Social Etiquette; What do you serve at an informal, casual gathering?

[WhatIsThisTomFoolery24]

Just after opinions.

We inherited a fully decked out wet/dry bar from the previous occupants of our home. It is extremely funky and niche due to the bar's theme and decor - reflecting the previous occupants home country. Anyway, lots of people have heard of this bar and lots of people want to come and check it out.

Suffice to say, we have had lots of parties and events.

We have a longstanding, open invite on the 4th Friday of the month, "the bar is open at 7pm if anyone wants to pop down for a drink" on our streets group facebook chat. Sometimes we have 4 or 5 people, sometimes 25. We never know. Its casual, informal. We don't expect or ask people to RSVP.

My query is; should I also have a bowl of crisps and nuts on hand? Or is it ok to serve nothing? Thanks

Do you provide all the drinks or is it more of a 'bring a bottle' gathering?

i'd have some crisps (not nuts - they are expensive)

Crisps and dips. State that it's byo booze or a contribution to the bar

I'd always have some sort of food on hand when there is alcohol being served. What you suggested re nuts, crisps etc is fine.

@GoodOnPaper Excellent point, sorry I forgot to add. YES, we serve all the drinks. Beer, wine, every spirit imaginable, cocktails, soda. You name it. Occasionally a guest may bring a bottle as a gift but that is rare (and we don't expect it).

How generous of you- maybe the guests could bring some snacks along?

Oh, I think nuts would be just right.

Yeah, I think people can bring their own snacks given you are essentially running a free pub!

When we had our garden bar we had usual pub snacks on their original board, eg packs of nuts, and a donation pot. X

Definitely get some crisps on a piece of cardboard like they used to have in pubs, you can get them on amazon and also make great quiirky Christmas presents!

Also, you must be fabulous hosts to do this every month, I wish I lived near you!

Goodness how the other half live

Surely olives, crisps, some crudités and dips.

Definitely nuts.

You’re too generous! Are you happy to always offer this level of hospitality?

If it’s starting to pinch (and it would me, tbh, if it was only rarely someone produced a bottle), I’d send out the message ‘the bar needs to be restocked! See you all on Friday, and donations of xyz welcome. We’ll provide the crisps and nuts this week.’

Iceland do incredibly cheap massive multipacks of crisps.

We are indeed. We don't mind. We literally inherited ALL the booze along with the bar. There are bottles of liquor on our shelves I've never even heard of

That is a great response, thanks. To be fair, we inherited all the grog. Obviously we've bought our own to add along the way. But it was VERY, very, well stocked when we inherited it.

I wouldn't say its pinching. I'm just sometimes a bit unsure of social norms, so wasn't sure what I should be doing. I have never hosted parties or events prior!

I'm not sure what that means, but I am definitely not "the other half".

Thanks for all the responses! I will continue to have some snacks on hand. DH can be a bit impulsive & invite people over with a days notice (without checking if I have plans) so I often have to scramble to pop to the shops to grab stuff, because he wouldn't think too.

You sound incredibly generous. If I came along and the first time and there were no snacks I would offer to bring some next time (I’m very much the person in a pub who orders some chips for the table) as you guys are being wildly generous! It’s great to have a snack while drink but I certainly wouldn’t expect it as etiquette from people offering a regular get together to supply everything all the time!