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?

Cold buffet as a minimum, cheese, meat charcuterie, grapes. I definitely wouldn't want a sugar rush with alcohol and no savoury food.

Yu've name changed for this? Why?

This can't be true.

This sounds terrible - no food and to pay for drinks? Will you have music/entertainment? If you are inviting at 7.30pm that's prime dinner time so you need food. Why don't you just change to a different venue like a private room at a restaurant and tell people it will cost however much a head to attend with set menu. Who is the party for? What do they like? You sound a bit young and inexperienced at this. Forget about doughnuts and sweets, you need proper food.

Moving forward yes! At the last few I went to people were moaning there wasn’t food.

Can’t really call it a party if you’re meeting for drinks at a bar.

What's with the eye rolls at people?

No one has been rude, you have said that most things won't work at this venue.

Tbh, party sounds shit. Sort it or expect people to be pissed off.

Subway do sandwich and wrap platters?

So what about 4-5 platters of sandwiches and wraps, mix of veggie and meaty, 2 platters of cookies and some giant bowls of nibbles.

You can put giant bags on crisps in your car, along with the usual nibble bits (cheese biscuit shapes, break sticks, crackers etc) with bowls and plates. Get a load of dips and cheeses in the fridge already wrapped up and you can just pop them in the car to take with you just before you leave. Maybe a selection of pick and mix too!

Then you've got nibbles, sandwiches and wraps, chips and dips and cookies. You can ask people who know about the planning to help?

Party platters from M & S or Morrisons or Tesco are not just sandwiches and wraps. Get some ordered and throw in a good few bags of snacks, paper plates and paper bowls for the snacks.will be great.

Have never been to a party in an evening that doesn't have a buffet, not having any food is definitely not the norm in my experience!
Just having Donuts type stuff seems a bit strange too, not really food and just sugar high with drinks 😁

Are you reading a different thread to me then?

It's silly and irrelevant to ask an OP if they might be providing free drinks, before deciding whether they should then provide food too?

Not much of a conversationalist, are you?

We ordered a food van for a family party. It arrived around 9pm and people had, burgers, chips, tacos, pizza! It worked out really well and saved loads of hassle. Have a check if there's one that caters for your area.

Yes, and as much as I like sweet, I'd expect savoury. Sorry.

I don’t understand why someone not on a budget can’t change the venue or order pizzas and platters.

As an alternative a large cheese board and antipasti is a good alternative, cheese should be at room temperature served, for that number of guests you'll need a fair amount though.

Easier would be to order pizzas, look for an independent place nearby and get a quote for lots of large ones

Could you get a fish and chip van or food truck to turn up and take orders?

Or have food delivered to a friend's house, and get a bunch of friends to help bring it to the venue?

Cake and doughnuts isn't enough for a party at 7.3

Another option would be to start the party later and allow people time to have dinner at home

I'm now absolutely fascinated by this concept of a party where 30-40 people live so close by that they need only travel two miles or less to get there, but the venue doesn't do food and doesn't know anybody within the locale who does.

Is this an episode of The Archers, you all live in Ambridge and both the Bull and Grey Gables are closed for renovations?

Yes but you don't need to spend a fortune. Some sandwiches sausage rolls and nibbles will be fine. I would never go to a party at that time without having any tea. Pie and peas is popular where I live especially in the winter months. Just need an idea of numbers.

Yes I would expect food. As you don't expect friends to do a present could you ask close friends and family to bring a plate. I know I would rather bring something than be at an evening do with no food. Need savory if drinking !

I'm not coming if you're only giving people donuts. Fuck that.

the least I would expect would be chrisps/dorito's and dips.

Try a takeaway place near the venue

@DuplicateUserName We will have to agree to disagree. I've never been to an event in a venue that provided a free bar. We clearly move in different circles.

How about hotdogs? Just need a few slow cookers and buns.

Totally understand that it's a surprise but I don't see why everything is falling on your shoulders. Surprise parties are fun to be involved with!
I'd ask friends to assist with the food issue, even if its just transporting it. I'd probably not worry about beige (any food is food if you're ravenous!) but I like another posters idea of rolls, chicken, salad etc.
Costco is really useful for large packs of things incl plates, wooden cutlery etc. And food from sandwiches to sushi to rotisserie chicken & ribs.
Hope it goes well

Not much of a conversationalist, are you?

Not if I think the conversation is silly or irrelevant, no!

If you tell us the town we might be able to suggest specific options