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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not do food for party

371 replies

ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 18:54

If you went to an party in the evening at a venue, around 7:30pm onwards.. would you expect food to be provided?

OP posts:
Jemimapinotduck · 06/02/2023 18:59

Absolutely! if not make it clear in the invite that no food is provided so people know to eat first

WingBingo · 06/02/2023 18:59

There will end up being lots of drunk people if there is no proper food.

KnittingOnEmpty · 06/02/2023 18:59

There needs to be some savoury nibbles not just cakes. Can't you get a few platters?

EmmaDilemma5 · 06/02/2023 19:00

ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 18:57

I was thinking of just doing some sweet food, cakes, doughnuts etc

Would that be sufficient?

It's not about budget it's because it's a surprise party it will be very difficult to arrange food and the venue doesn't offer it

People will be expecting food, savoury more than sweet.

Unless you're explicit on the invite that there won't be food so eat first. But personally I'd do food regardless.

pussycatinfluffyslippers · 06/02/2023 19:00

Yes.

I'd expect some sort of buffet type food and not just cake.

butterfliedtwo · 06/02/2023 19:01

Yes, and not only sweet things unless you explicitly say so on the invitation.

JackieDaws · 06/02/2023 19:01

Either no one will come, or they'll leave very early if there's no food.

Whichever happens, it'll makes the surprise parry really shit for the person you're hosting it for.

bigbluebus · 06/02/2023 19:01

Any party at a venue that I've been to has always had a buffet. There needs to be savoury food. I wouldn't want cake and doughnuts with alcohol.

Findyourneutralspace · 06/02/2023 19:02

Yes, but I’d want savoury not sweet. Sweet things don’t really go with alcohol, unless you’re on cocktails.

TheFallenMadonna · 06/02/2023 19:02

Definitely, yes.

ZenNudist · 06/02/2023 19:03

Just send friends ahead with tonnes of nibbles. Get them to set up the snacks. Need plenty of plastic bowls with crisps and maybe party snack type food that can be eaten cold.

I think some nibbles are in order even if you call it a drinks party.

It's not really a party if no food and people are paying their own drinks. Perhaps call it a surprise celebration for x. Make it very clear you mean drinks (&nibbles Ideally) only.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 06/02/2023 19:03

That’s prime evening meal time.
drinks and a donut could be messy in the absence of other food - especially on a Tuesday night!
please forewarn your guests

johsq20 · 06/02/2023 19:03

Yeah I'd expect food unless you make it clear people should eat beforehand. Even then I would expect savoury snacks/bits

TidyDancer · 06/02/2023 19:03

It does sound like you need to do a proper buffet.

I'm not sure I understand the point about it being a surprise party making it harder to do food. If the venue doesn't offer it surely you just contact an outside caterer? Or task someone with collecting platters from M&S (or similar) that you've already paid for?

Yesthatismychildsigh · 06/02/2023 19:04

ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 18:57

I was thinking of just doing some sweet food, cakes, doughnuts etc

Would that be sufficient?

It's not about budget it's because it's a surprise party it will be very difficult to arrange food and the venue doesn't offer it

If you do no food or only sweet items you’ll find a lot of people leaving very early. It’s poor form to host a party over a mealtime and not offer some food. Either do it properly or not at all.

MyBloodyMaryneedsmoreTabasco · 06/02/2023 19:04

Agree withneutral , I don't want cake with my booze. If you invite me for a piss up, I wouldn't expect food, but I would for a party.

cloudrunner · 06/02/2023 19:04

People will leave very early, drunk or hungry or cross, if there's no food - is that what you'd like to happen? Cheese, bread and nuts would do if the venue/your budget can't take anything more complicated. Absolutely no point providing anything sweet; it won't go with drinks

LoveBluey · 06/02/2023 19:04

I'd definitely want some savoury nibbles. Parties I've been to have ranged from domino's or fish and chips delivery to hog roast or bbq or just a classic buffet of chicken nuggets, cocktail sausages, crisps etc even the retro cheese and pineapple sticks.
I wouldn't be fussed if there was no cake but I would want some savoury food.

pictoosh · 06/02/2023 19:05

No cakes if I'm drinking thanks.

ToastToastTea · 06/02/2023 19:05

Unless it was clear on the invite I would expect food, definitely wouldn't be happy to discover it was cake and donuts.

bellac11 · 06/02/2023 19:06

Personally I dont think sweet foods go well with alcohol. I couldnt eat cake and booze.

YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 06/02/2023 19:06

ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 18:57

I was thinking of just doing some sweet food, cakes, doughnuts etc

Would that be sufficient?

It's not about budget it's because it's a surprise party it will be very difficult to arrange food and the venue doesn't offer it

No. Absolutely not.

I’d assume a buffet / hog roast / catered meal of some degree

An array of sweet foods only would see me and a good few mates (who could read the raised eyebrow smoke signals) gone by 9pm and in a decent restaurant by 9.15.

UnattendedPotato · 06/02/2023 19:07

ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 18:57

It is drinks too, there's a bar

Bring a few catering trays of sandwiches, and finger desserts ordered from a larger supermarket. waitrose, m&s, tesco all do food to order AFAIK. Check the venue for permission of course.

DadsElectric · 06/02/2023 19:07

KnittingOnEmpty · 06/02/2023 18:59

There needs to be some savoury nibbles not just cakes. Can't you get a few platters?

I agree.

Sweet stuff makes your drink taste awful anyway.

OP you could Ask guests to bring a sharing plate of something if you need to, I’m sure most people at an informal surprise party would happily bring sausage rolls, crisps, sandwiches etc.

Luredbyapomegranate · 06/02/2023 19:09

meetmeatmidnights · 06/02/2023 18:57

7.30 - yes, either a full meal or tonnes of nibbles / grazing boards / snacks.

This. IT’s peak dinner time.

It wouldn’t work for it to be just sweet stuff