WWYD? Early or later meal booking for a 21st Birthday

[ErlingHaalandsManBun]

What time would you book the table for?

Party of 8 of us, all likely to go on someplace afterwards for further drinks.

Options are 6pm or 8pm.

My thinking was, if we book the early, would DD (whose birthday it is) get hammered at the meal and not be capable of making it past about 9pm 😂

DH says that, if we book the 8pm, its likely she could suggest meeting for pre-drinks anyway so my point is invalid and she will still get drunk. However we could still go on for further drinks afterwards as we are in a City.

WWYD - 6pm or 8pm!!

It is honestly a dilemma and DH has just left the decision to me.

I can't ask DD as its a surprise meal.😬

What would your DD prefer, given it’s her birthday?

I don't know and I can't ask her as we are planning this as a surprise.

Part of me thinks she would prefer an early meal so we can all go on somewhere else, but we could still do that anyway, even if we ate at 8pm.

The decision is driving me insane. Everyone else I ask, no-one wants to make the decision 😂

I'd go with 6pm. You seem worried about DD's drinking, so maybe it's better she drinks with the meal rather than beforehand? I'm not sure it matters if the evening ends at 9 as long as you've had a good time.

I think what your DD wants to do or any plans she has already are of primary importance.

I’d do dinner then drinks. I hate drinking then going for food, would much rather have an earlier dinner and then see where the night takes us.

Not worried as such but its her 21st so I know she will be having a few. And, as the majority of us did at the same age, will most likely be a bit worse for wear 😂

I guess I just want her to have a nice long evening but I suppose it doesn't matter if it ends at 10pm or 12am? As long as she has enjoyed herself and had some fun.

I am inclined to do this. Have a nice early meal and then we can go on afterwards where we want and see where the night takes us.

I'd do 6pm meal and have large jugs of water on the table and keep her topped up.

Does the party have a preference as to when they actually eat?

6 pm would be too early for many and they'd come on here to make snipey comments of the 'I don't know of any adults who eat as early as 6 pm, won't they all still be at work'?

Whereas many other people will be ready to eat their own arm if they have to wait until 8.

Is DD likely to have plans with friends or will they be on another day?

I would go early probably 7ish so there is no pre drinks then if you want to go out afterwards then she will have had food at least .

Trying to remember that age...

I prefer later as I like drinking before dinner and with dinner.

Can everyone get there in time for 6?

If surprise make sure nothing else has been booked as kids do...

Throw a coin heads 6, tails 8

Either way it sounds a fun night

I'd go for 8pm. A 6pm dinner booking is only for people with young kids!

No, no-one else in the party minds which time we book for.

Its a Saturday night so no worries about anyone working. Everyone is fine for either time.

She is out with her friends on the Thursday night of her actual Birthday. They are all at Uni and none of them have lessons on Friday so she is able to actually go out on the night of her actual Birthday for the first time in years.

Our get together won't infringe on her own plans.

See 7pm is perfect but her favourite place to eat, which is where I am booking, can only do 6pm or 8pm 🙄

I would have preferred 7pm but the place I am booking (her fave restaurant) only has the option of 6pm or 8pm.

6pm is a bit early, and 8pm is a bit late 🙄😂

Its a place not likely to have kids there so I don't need to worry about the early sitting being full of young diners. In any case we have a private dining room for our party of 8 with our own bar.

Its so difficult to know which is best, hence getting opinions on here.

Oh did I not read properly sorry, personally I would go for 6. Then you can go out afterwards. I know people think 6 is early but it would be my preference because Im starving by 8 😀

Yes, water is definitely a good idea.

With the 6pm sitting, I don't want to be THAT mum who keeps reminding her to pace herself. She is an adult and there is nothing more annoying that someone watching how much you drink. 😬

I still have vivid memories of my Mum glaring across the table at me on my 18th Birthday meal when I ordered another drink as if to say 'not another!'

The younger of us at the meal ditched the oldies and went clubbing because she was annoying me watching every drink I consumed. I know she was doing it out of love, and worry, but god it was painful. 😂

I don't want to do that to my DD hence wondering if the 6pm is a little early. 😬

Yeah that's the other thing. I also think she is likely to want to do pre-meal drinks anyway and with the 8pm booking, by the time we have ordered it will be closer to 8.30pm before we eat. Might be a bit late.

I am leaning towards the earlier slot. 🤔

When mine were 21 we had a family meal with grandparents included and we did early because it just suited everyone.

The more I think about it, the more I think the early slot is best. That way anyone who wants to go out after for drinks (likely all of us 😂) can do so.

8pm feels late to be eating, especially as we probably won't actually get served any food until nearer 8.30pm.

I'd probably go with 6 too, especially as I'd be one of those who would struggle to wait until 8.

If people are worried about it being too early, they could always have brunch instead of breakfast and lunch that day, meaning they should be ready for dinner at 6 or so.

Then DD will have a well lined stomach to soak up the excess booze.

If she is at home the day before I would probably go for 6 then. Have a lazy morning with a good late brekkie, cocktails afternoon get ready lazily and then out.

Then a few cocktails and whoever on on for more can do it.

Sounds lovely so let us know how it all goes.

I vote 6 then at least you know she'll get some food into her before the potential chaos! If the drinking starts the evening then there's a decent chance she won't actually eat at all I think 6pm is great.

This sounds like a nice plan 😊

6pm is definitely sounding more appealing than the later time.

Thanks x

I would book the meal for 6pm then carry on drinking after?? At least you will have a full stomach and not get so drunk.....🤞