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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to have a party with no food

300 replies

legoqueen · 05/05/2018 17:31

Landmark birthday & have around 70 people invited to an evening in a pub. Starting at 8pm, DH & I have decided to provide some drinks & nibbles but no 'buffet', mainly due to logistics not cost. Another friend did this & with the late start it worked fine, but one guest has expressed horror surprise at this - views please.

OP posts:
blueskyinmarch · 05/05/2018 17:42

Can the pub not put on some food?

user1483387154 · 05/05/2018 17:42

you definitely need food

WorraLiberty · 05/05/2018 17:43

That's a piss up, not a party.

IronMansIronButt · 05/05/2018 17:43

btw, 8pm is not a late start. That's an early start if anything!

Graphista · 05/05/2018 17:45

Are you even paying for the drinks? Or just the nibbles? Sounds like a poor show to me.

If you can't afford a party you don't throw one.

If guests are paying for drinks too frankly I think you've a nerve even calling it a party. It's a regular night out.

Racheyg · 05/05/2018 17:46

Hell no, most people would not eat dinner and assume there is food. my in laws went to a party like this and ended up so drunk the had 2 day hangover.

Original poster
legoqueen · 05/05/2018 17:46

Logistics is no food can be provided by pub. But I will rethink this & see about other options, some helpful suggestions. Thanks for the feedback Grin

OP posts:
Graphista · 05/05/2018 17:47

Also agree 8 is quite an early start plus booze + no food means things get quite messy. No matter the age of the 'guests'

Singlenotsingle · 05/05/2018 17:47

The Toby Carvery will do a buffet meal at very reasonable cost. You need to put your hand in your pocket.

reluctantbrit · 05/05/2018 17:47

8pm is not a late start. It means for most people who have children to have dealt with mealtime/bedtime/arranged with the babysitter and got themselves ready. No time for their own dinner.

A friend and I did a joint 40th birthday, starting at 7.30pm; and we arranged party food with the pub, one set around 8pm, a second at 10pm and everything was eaten.

We went to a party last Saturday and they had dinner at 8pm (and the majority of guests had no small children, so could have sorted dinner before)

Jessikita · 05/05/2018 17:49

I would never host a “party” with no food.

WorraLiberty · 05/05/2018 17:50

Use an outside caterer

ShesAYamEater · 05/05/2018 17:50

get a catering firm in to do some food - a basic buffet could be cheap enough but you defo need something!

RexManning · 05/05/2018 17:56

8pm is dinner time. Start the party at 9 if you don't want to feed your guests.

sprinklesandsauce · 05/05/2018 17:57

OP. I had a party with no food and just made it clear on the invites. I put bowls of crisps and nuts on the tables though.

The hall hire, bar license and band cost £400 and I couldn’t afford food too.

Nobody minded and if they did then they weren’t a true friend anyway were they?

KC225 · 05/05/2018 17:59

Waitrose do massive sandwich platters, sushi, mini burgers/toad in hole etc etc. Large pasta salad bowl, one meat one vegetarian, breads and dips etc. Paper plates, disposable cutlery. Pay for it. Get a fussy relative/friend on the case to help lay it out and take charge.

Angie169 · 05/05/2018 18:00

tbh I would expect some sort of food , but big bowls of crisps / chedders pork pies etc would do me .
When I have had parties at my local pub , with the landlords permission , I have ordered a stack of pizzas . from my local take away ( they gave me a great discount too ) but do not make the mistake of asking what people would like on the pizza , it gets way to complicated just ask the pizza guys what is the most popular 6 or 7 pizzas and go for them ( get a veggie one or two ) and ake them to clearly label the boxes. I have found that 3/4 slices depending on the size is plenty for most people.

IronMansIronButt · 05/05/2018 18:01

Nobody minded and if they did then they weren’t a true friend anyway were they?

That's a terrible attitude! You're not my friend if you were starving because I didnt want to give food at a party! It sounds like a toddler having a tantrum.

ENormaSnob · 05/05/2018 18:01

I would be shocked and disgusted Shock

Peanutbuttercups21 · 05/05/2018 18:03

If pub has no food, maybe you are allowed to bring some? + a big birthday cake?

It is what I did once, nothing mega exciting just sandwiches, pork pies, crisps and olives andd a big cake

CadyHeron · 05/05/2018 18:03

Agree with others. That's not a party,, that's a night out at the pub.Definitely let people know, as everyone will assume there is and you could find people wandering off for a kebab or cheesy chips later on!

Grilledaubergines · 05/05/2018 18:04

I would be shocked and disgusted shock

Yeah, but extreme.

RexManning · 05/05/2018 18:05

The hall hire, bar license and band cost £400 and I couldn’t afford food too.

Better to have an iPod playlist and feed your guests, surely?

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 05/05/2018 18:06

You can’t ! People will expect food and might come hungry

Sorry I hate no food parties as don’t like drinking too much

Peanutbuttercups21 · 05/05/2018 18:06

Oh yes, have done the pizza thing too. Indeed, not taking orders, just 4 XL veggie ones, and 4 XL pepperoni

Everyone happy

Tbh, it is mainly the men who appreciate the food Grin