Paid bar at christening?

[Littleturkish]

I think you cannot have a paid bar at a christening, DH thinks you can.

I've never ever heard of it, and would rather have a smaller party and invite less people. He thinks it's fine and I'm being ridiculous. DH agrees we won't do it as I feel so strongly about it- but I wanted to check I am right on this- have you ever heard of a paid bar at a christening and what would you think if you went to a christening that did this?

Most christenings ive been to have either had the do in the church hall or at the family home. The couple ive been to in a club/place with a bar, then we bought own drinkss from the bar, as I would expect to do anywhere when thee is a bar. From memory the parents brought some fizz for a toast.

everyone knows a a really middle class christening is low key, during the normal service with no tattooed god parents and back to the babys house for lunch afterwards

Thanks for that DrNick, so informative.

Personally I don't think anywhere like a pub or somewhere with a bar, (paid or otherwise) is appropriate for a christening.

at squooshy

Christenings can be quite lively affairs round my manor...it depends how thirsty your friends are because you might find you have to take a second mortgage out...

Another one wh has never been to a christening that doesn't have a pay bar. Church, then to the (naice, gastro-ish) pub for drinks and a buffet. That's how it's done round here - never encountered cakes in someone's living room. Reight common,me.

Have no problem with paid bars at weddings, christenings etc. The hosts probably have paid a fortune already and people can get ridiculously greedy with paid bars.

I don't think I've actually been to many christenings . Our DS's christening party was in the village hall, we provided the food and champagne sparkling wine - there wasn't a choice of drinks and from memory most people had tea or coffee and then a glass of champagne with the cake - we had clearly over catered with the booze as we took plenty home .

Most of the other christenings I have been to have been held in the family home.

"everyone knows a a really middle class christening is low key, during the normal service with no tattooed god parents and back to the babys house for lunch afterwards"

Ha, ha, guess I'm happy to be common WC then, seems so much more fun. We had our kids christening in the local pub - was lovely!

DS's baptism is at 9.00 am so afterwards it's back to grandma's for bacon rolls and coffee for everyone.

WE had a buffet lunch in the garden at our house. I would never have dreamt of going to the pub.

I wouldn't have thought there was anything wrong with that.

I have only been to one christening though. IME they are all about getting your kid's name down for the local church school with the good OFSTED results rather than any religious celebration.

Lots of weddings have paid bars. Some people think they are beyond the pale and froth at the mere mention. Other people are sane have no problem with them.

In my experience it's the regular church goers who have a piss up! Catholic ones anyway...

We had guests to our house after dd's and there was wine and a buffet. Will probably do same for ds.

But would see nothing wrong with either no alcohol - tea and cake/buffet whatever whether at home or elsewhere - or a paid bar. Maybe could be along side a buffet and soft drinks that you have provided?

I think a paid bar is fine if you're providing the food and buying the fizz for a toast

If you're providing nothing then it's a bloody cheek!

No, a paid bar is tacky. If I invite you to something it's my treat as host. I wouldn't have a paid bar at a wedding either, nor did I for both my weddings.

I honestly only went because I had to. The service was lovely. Totally centred around the child and the family.
Then everyone went to the pub and got smashed. Completely inappropriate.
And if you don't want to hold a party then don't. I thought the point of a christening was to welcome a child into the church, not an excuse for a piss up.

I have never been to a wedding or a christening with a paid bar, I have only ever heard of this on MN TBH. At all weddings I have been to the hosts have provided arrival drinks/toast drinks and wine with meal and at most christenings I have been to the hosts have bought a round, provided cake and sometimes a buffet.

I have never been to a christening where anyone has got drunk though.

Most christening parties in Ireland are held in pubs, so the bar is never free. I would never expect a free bar at a christening.

Ah, there you have it. Someone has said a paid bar is "tacky". The world of MN vs the real world.

I don't think there's an issue with a paid bar. If people want drink then I think it's fine for them to buy it. I would have kids drinks available for free as otherwise the purchase of cokes and the like get expensive.

It's generally the 'done' thing to give your guests one paid for drink. But I would have no issue with buying my own after that.

however I don't really associate christenings with booze anyhow. Weddings yes. Christenings/baptisms I think of as sandwiches, tea and cake.

Sorry I meant I have never been to a wedding or a christening with a FREE BAR, all the ones I have been to you have to buy the majority of your drinks yourself, the hosts just provide something ie welcome drinks or a round at a christening

So many tacky folk about then, shame on them for not being more refined (loaded).

Why can't folk just accept that there are many different ways of doing things - all equally valid.

Yes, I think folk are getting mixed up with what 'paid' bar is. I assume it's where you pay for your own drinks. Alternative would be a free bar.