To be surprised at the lack of food?

[NightCircus]

Friend held a 50th birthday party at a social club type place.
It was from 7-12.
Band and disco.
Came with gift and bought own drinks.

Beforehand we had wondered if it would be a sausage roll/ sandwich buffet or maybe a vat of chilli or curry.
But there was no food at all! A number of guests were in their 70s.

AIBU to be surprised and think there should really have been something to eat?

Yanbu
But I have experienced this horror before and now if we get invited to a party, we always ring and say: "shall we bring anything? Do we need to eat before?" Or something.

Don't have a party if you can't afford it.

I would have expected food. At the very least snacks and birthday cake. Or if money was an issue they could have suggested bringing a plate in lieu of a present.

YANBU that is VERY bad manners.

I'd have assumed nibbles at least, but would eat beforehand unless it was specified that there was a meal.

We used to eat around 7-8pm pre-DCS, as we got in from work around 6.30, however now they are off out to Cubs, Brownies and all sorts of other things in the 5-8 slot most week nights we eat much earlier, between 5 and 6 generally. I have found that a hard adjustment, but can't make the DCs not eat till they get back or they'd never get to bed.

YANBU

No-one expects a sit down meal late in the evening, but at the very least you stick some snacks on each table and some cake if you're not doing a buffet.

I don't think it much matters when you eat your evening meal. I think a five hour evening party requires food for guests.

I personally don't think it matters whether there is food or not at a party. I do think it is important to be explicit on the invitation as it's not unreasonable to think that a party starting at this time would offer food. If I'd have received this invitation I would have asked the hosts if food was on offer when I accepted the invitation and made sure to eat before of they'd said no.

Those of you saying that hosts not providing food shouldn't have a party do fuck off . Why on earth not? So because you're a bit skint you have no right to celebrate with your friends? Is not about trying to bag a load of presents on minimal costs as someone who nicely put it. It's about wanting to celebrate with your friends and not bankrupt yourself in the process.

I had a tight budget for my 40th so had a party a cheese and wine party starting at 8 pm at home. I was explicit in the invitation about what food was on offer and provided some booze but also asked guests to bring a bottle. If you think I'm right I can live with that, my friends had a fab time!

But you did offer food. These people didn't. Why are you aligning yourself with them?

But why expect your friends to 'celebrate' with you at their expense? Seems very one sided to me

Bloody rude to expect people to turn out, buy their own drinks and not even get a peanut. Even the first drink being provided and a bowl of crisps would be acceptable but nothing is just cheapskate. They must have known people would be expecting something.

I'm doing a bit of a bash for far too many people at home soon. I'm just thinking of the wording. We intend buying a barrel of beer, providing endless cava/prosecco and the food will be lots of different cheeses, french bread, pickles and pate. I will probably put on the invite "light snacks" or something similar. To provide nothing is just plain rude.

As for eating early - we do. Changing my eating time from 8-9pm to about 6pm was one of the things that I think helped me lose a lot of weight as I am probably rather sedentary after 9pm and going to bed after my main meal meant I wasn't working it off. I am now used to eating early and much prefer it.