To not do food for party

[ttctimeforme]

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

It would be better to have nothing sweet than to have nothing savoury. In fact people probably wouldn’t notice if nothing sweet available. Doesn’t need to be “beige buffet” - can be anything as long as it’s savoury food.

Pizza, crisps, cheese board, wraps, sandwiches, sausages (hot dogs?), burgers or similar- or anything really.

Can you not buy sone foil trays and when you get there load them up with pre made ham or cheese sandwiches?

A few tray of sausage rolls, quiche and scotch eggs etc etc. but them on the way?

Coupe of Asda rotisserie chickens and a few buns?

Job done. Not catered but something.

If transportation is an issue then stick to cold food - meat platters, cheese, crisps etc. You don't need set up time beforehand just bring it in with you and people will help get it out.

Is the bar free for guests?

A party is not a party without food.

I would hate just cake and alcohol, get some sausage rolls mini quiches crisps as well also supermarkets will do you party platters.

@DuplicateUserName no but I've never been to a party or even a wedding and expected someone to pay for my drinks for the privilege of me attending their party.. personally 🙄

Is there a local chippy? Would they deliver (or someone pick up at say 9pm) pre-ordered chicken/chips/fish? Possibly a bit naff but it will at least feed people. Lay on enough tomato ketchup/vinegar/salt
Or get a massive pizza order - just a miz of flavours - then some plates/napkins (this is probably what I would do)
Or, as pp said - some platters. I used Sainsbury's ones for one party - you just had to take the lid off and ready to serve.

No food and (depending on your demongraphic) people will either get unpleasanly pissed or, as PP above said, piss off to a restaurant.

Doughnuts etc with booze is a very odd combination. Can't you just do cheese, crackers, grapes etc and a load of crisps, olives and nuts? Basically things that go nicely with booze but aren't a full buffet?

Or getting a load of pizzas delivered is a good idea.

I’d be so embarrassed if someone threw me a surprise party like this. I’d 100% rather know and make sure my guests had a good time than have a surprise and watch my friends and family nibbling a doughnut when they were obviously expecting some actual food.

I would expect food but it doesn't have to be a wide range so could just be sandwiches, sausage rolls etc and could be a cold buffet if heating is a problem.

Ok, I'm not sure what the eye rolling emoji is for.

I'm just trying to assertion exactly what you're providing the guests with (as an aside, I'm Irish and the majority of parties will have at least a certain amount money put behind the bar by the hosts).

So if you're not providing guests with drinks, I'd say you definitely need to provide them with a bit of food, and not just sweet stuff.

Why on earth should it be? Silly and irrelevant question imo.

Morrisons do party food platters. Loads of different stuff. Order ahead and collect in store.

I'd hate this 'party' if I was in attendance.

I don't drink so the 'bar' isn't relevant and even if I did, at that time of the evening, I'd expect food.

So no food and everyone has to pay for their drinks? I’m not sure I’d be keen on that. If you don’t have a free bar you really should provide food and warn people it’s not a free bar. I wouldn’t mind if it’s close family about the booze so much but would be a bit like “you could have warned me to bring a packed lunch”. Can you do a potluck and ask everyone to bring a dish to make it work?

It's neither silly nor irrelevant in some cultures.

And if you read what you quoted, you'll see I didn't say it should be.

No I would not expect good but I would like the invite to be clear

"Bring your own bottle and any snacks you might like "

tbh no food, pay for your own drinks and an evening'surprise' party would be a bit crap IMO. I'd probably be a little pissed off that I had to sort out babysitters; travel; etc etc etc for that. I would at least want to know in advance what to expect.

You could also try Facebook for local caterers.

We recently threw a family party for my dad and used a small local catering company, that was recommended on FB.

They provided just enough sandwiches, sausage rolls, mini quiches etc and a few sweet things too.

The price was very reasonable but obviously everyone has a different budget.

Such a good idea!

I think it's outrageous to invite people to a party and not give them some free food and drink. Really tight.

And most guests will probably fork out for a present too.

ttctimeforme · Today 18:57
I was thinking of just doing some sweet food, cakes, doughnuts etc

Sorry but I think this is a bad idea. Grownups out for a celebratory evening (drinking) really don’t want only sweet food, especially something as erm, tacky as doughnuts.

Can you not just make a huge stack of sandwiches and buy nice quality sausage rolls and good cheeses with fruit/crackers etc. That would be better than nothing if you cannot get a caterer or cater fully yourself?

Would nobody coming to the party be able to assist you if you asked them? I bet they would if you covered the costs and were appreciative of their help.

Certainly.