Party etiquette- Will guest expect Free bar all night?

[JeezJerry]

Throwing a surprise Party for DHs 50th, around 70 Guests with a DJ and buffet catering.
The Hall I've hired comes with a Bar and Staff for the Evening..
Now, AIBU for putting a certain amount of money behind the Bar for drinks and once that runs out, Guests buy their own? Or is that really tight? What would you expect if you were invited?

I wouldn’t mind but I would want you to be clear beforehand!

I'd never expect a free bar at that sort of event.

I’d expect to pay for my own drinks all night. Would never expect free drinks at all let alone all night

I wouldn’t expect a free bar either, though an arrival drink and a drink to toast is always nice.

I wouldnt expect a free bar!

I would not expect a free bar (although it would be very nice!).

I have a very large extended family and we tend to have parties of a similar size. I'd expect to pay for my own drinks from the beginning and would think any money behind the bar would be very generous!

Anything more than a welcome drink and drink to toast with would exceed my expectations. But I’d be also prepared to pay for any drinks (welcome, toast) as long as it’s clear in the invite.

Provide a toasting drink but nothing else as far as drinks go. I would expect to pay for my own drinks all night

I'd not expect a free bar unless the party was thrown by certain members of DHs family.

If I was invited to a party by anyone else, I might expect enough behind the bar to get one drink each, but I certainly wouldn't think the hosts were tight if this wasn't offered.

Not in the UK. I don’t think food is expected either.

I wouldn't expect a free bar.

I'd expect to be offered a drink on arrival but after that I'd expect to pay for my own

I think that’s pretty generous. If you go past a certain amount of time it’s actually a bit irresponsible to offer a free bar; certain attendees would go nuts and could potentially ruin the event.

Either guests pay for their own drinks or if you do want to pay a couple of drinks for everybody do it via tokens - you don't want to incentivize people to drink as fast as possible before the freebies run out. Talk to the bar about what system works for them - either they have actual tokens or you just print put little drinks slips (that would cover an ordinary beer/glass of wine but not fancy cocktails.)

I would be astonished (and delighted!) to find a free bar for the evening!

100% expect to buy my own drinks - one drink per person on arrival more than generous! Perhaps have a system where they get a token on arrival to stop chances taking the piss.

Wouldn't expect a free bar. Would want to know if guests can bring their own.

Would want to check prices of drinks to see if guests paying £6 a pint all night. A bit of money behind the bar would soften the blow a bit if this was the case.

If a bar is super expensive and in a busy place (not country hotel etc) you might find some guests wander off to another pub for a few!

Whatever you choose is fine, just make it clear on the invites so everyone knows where they stand.

A drink on arrival is a nice welcome, perhaps from a selected choice of drinks, but then folk pay for whatever they have. I'm surprised anyone is expecting free drinks all night.

Would never expect a free bar unless it was a bring a bottle chuck it on a bale shed party.

drink on arrival. That’s it.

I’d expect to be paying for my own drinks.

The only event I've been to where there was a free bar all night was a very grand wedding, and the guests really took advantage. There were some messy scenes, if you see what I mean.

A welcome drink would be a nice touch though. I hope everything goes smoothly and your DH has a wonderful time.

I wouldn't expect any free drinks at all, so a few welcome drinks would be very much appreciated! Don't panic about it OP!

Did something very similar for my 40th never crossed my mind to make it a free bar - just provided the buffet and made sure the venue was somewhere accessible and reasonably priced

I'd never expect a free bar for a birthday party. I've been to loads and it's never been communicated prior that you need to buy your own drinks, it's the norm. I'd be pleased at a bit of money behind the bar, I wouldn't assume there would be though.

Be mindful if you do pay for some drinks, certain people will always take advantage.