Birthday plans husband says I've planned it wrong way round

[Jobsharenightmare]

I've arranged a surprise for my husband's big birthday soon. I have ended up telling him vaguely what's planned because he suddenly announced he'd like to arrange something.

He knows we're doing an activity and has said he thinks that should come first. He doesn't know it's an escape room with a welcome drink. So I guess he may think it's something like bowling/axe throwing/crazy golf etc all of which are within a 30 min drive. Just in case this is relevant...

I could possibly change the plan if I'm voted U here. Currently it's pre-dinner drinks at 6, seated at 7, escape room at 9 then cocktails at 10.30 for anyone who is staying over.

YABU: It should be escape room, dinner then cocktails
YANBU: people want to eat first right?

Cocktails are a pre-dinner thing, though.

Always do the fixed time slot fixed price thing first, then if people flag away early you have done the thing youve paid for. And then you aren't looking at a clock.

The order should be escape room, cocktails and then dinner... you don't have cocktails after dinner...

I'd need cocktails after dinner otherwise I'd be on the floor...

This.

Escape, dinner and then cocktails to relax at the end sounds perfect.

I think activity first so you arent rushing for time and you can relax

Glad you’re re-thinking, OP. Agree with PP - definitely activity first and then dinner. I would suggest cocktails before dinner also.

This is what I was thinking in my original plans...won't people just get really drunk if not eating until late? Do people want to start a birthday celebration evening at 5pm?

I wouldn't fancy doing the activity after dinner. It's much nicer to sit down to have dinner and a couple of drinks and be able to relax, not checking your watch to see what time you have to get up to go on to the next thing

It wouldn't matter to me either way.

Bit worried now. Quite a few of you mention wanting to opt out if full. How can I make it clear to everyone that it's the cocktails that is optional on the night if you

Say something along the lines of: escape room booked and paid for X number of us followed by dinner and then cocktails for anyone who still has the stamina!

It sounds like a great way to celebrate a birthday - hope you all have great time!

You've gone to a lot of effort OP, and you won't please everyone but hopefully doing the activity first you'll please the majority and your DH.

Personally I'd then prefer dinner then cocktails. But if it was cocktails then dinner I'd still join in. But would probably only have one cocktail...

I'm sure everyone will have a great time :-)

Dinner first if starting at 6 as I personally don't deal with eating late!

Thanks everyone. The escape room can accommodate us earlier so now onto the restaurant to see if we can eat afterwards.

Activity first. My desire to do anything after a big meal and a few drinks is very limited!

Glad you’re changing it. I used to work in an escape room and letting people out the room to go to the toilet ruins the experience and that’s much more common in groups who’ve had a few drinks.

Good news that you have been able to move the escape room to an earlier time. Fingers crossed that you can also move the restaurant.

It's turned out to be a good thing that you had that conversation with your dh.