Is it ok just to offer wine, beer and soft drinks when having guests round for a meal?

[snauralaura]

Just that really. We're not big drinkers so we don't have a stock of spirits or "after dinner" type drinks. Would you think we were poor hosts if that was all we offered?

I don’t offer any alcohol, as I don’t drink. No one complains and they keep coming.

Yes, completely fine. A glass of red for me, please, OP. 🍷

But it's called hospitality isn't it? I also drink twig tea (peppermint, ginger, you name it) like it's going out of fashion and often take my own to places. But when people come to me, I do equip myself with the bare minimum. I don't eat biscuits either but I've always got some digestives and hob nobs ready to go if needed.

You're the host so your choice what's on offer. Personally I don't drink beer or wine so would opt for the soft drinks. I do like a drink, but would be happy with whatever the host was offering.

Of course. Offer whatever you wish.

Anyone coming to my house out of the blue has a choice of white wine, little stubbies of light Belgian beer, coffee or water. If they don't like any of those, they can always bring their own.

If I have guests to dinner, I'd add some red wine to the list or a bottle of fizz, but that's all.

Beer and wine is fine. Even my friends who do drink spirits don't expect spirits after dinner. Another glass of wine would do the trick.

Sounds fab! I'm coming round yours! 😂 X

And I'm not averse to a vodka and tonic but I really wouldn't expect it

I wouldn’t expect you to have biscuits though- if you choose too then that’s up to you.
I have a friend who doesn’t eat any sugary stuff- if I went to her house I wouldn’t expect biscuits and would be upset she thought it necessary to buy them just for me, what a waste of her money and she must think I’m the sort of person who would judge her for not having them. When at her house I would expect what she has so dessert would likely be cheese and crackers or fruit salad not chocolate cake.

We don’t drink much and when we do it’s only beer or cider. So when we have guests, we offer beer, cider or wine (don’t drink wine ourselves but happy to buy a couple of bottles when guests come, and they usually bring a bottle too). We’ll usually get a couple of bottles of Prosecco too. We don’t tend to have spirits in as we don’t drink them, but our friends know this so they bring their own vodka if they want it (we have soft drinks to mix with).

As a guest, I often want a mug of tea- yes, even at an evening event- but I’m quite happy to make it myself if you point me in the direction of the kettle and tea bags!

Absolutely fine, and what I would offer.

Is it ok if your guests brought their own drinks? Plus you cater for guests in my experience.

I want even thinking spirits as alternatives, more chilled water, tea, coffee...

No but it's basic hospitality - having the bare minimum. I don't have Faberge eggs ready to give out. Some digestives aren't going to break the bank, and if the gas boiler chap wants one with a quick of cup of coffee then that's just nice isn't it? Hospitality isn't about doing what is expected - it is about making your home a more hospitable place to visit. So you do the bare minimum. Which for me is coffee and biscuits - neither of which I eat/drink, but others do.

Reminds me of when someone I knew was on Come dine with me. One of the guests arrived & asked for Champagne 🍾 😆🤣
I mean if they want Champagne 🍾 they should bring their own!! 😂

Yes of course if they want to

Fair enough good for you. I don’t consider alcohol the bare minimum at all- it’s expensive, makes some people behave badly and completely unnecessary to me.

Me neither, and like @Cuwins I don't find that it makes anyone better company so I don't buy it. I don't object to anybody bringing their own though.

I would have still and fizzy water plus ginger beer and virgin mojitos, as well as tea and coffee

Of course. Make sure the wine is decent.

Thank you! I was beginning to think I was completely alone in that

Or ask them to bring their own if you don't drink.

The more the merrier! 🤣 x

Really? I think it is pretty unusual to be offered a range of spirits these days.

As a gin drinker, with friends who also drink gin we would offer wine, beer, G and T or soft drinks. We don't keep other spirits in the house as we don't drink them.

Of course that’s plenty. I don’t drink so I’m not spending £££ on a stock of booze… I get in some wine and beer and anything else people want they can buy more. My mum well knows this as she always turns up with additional wine bc she knows I won’t have enough in for her preferences.

Peoppe rarely get in fancy soft drinks for me. Usually I just get water or squash offered so I think me spending £30 extra on just drinks (doubling my weekly food shop!) for them is quite enough.

Coffee and biscuits is about £4 all in. And doesn’t make anyone’s behaviour change. And isn’t dangerous to have in if you’re a former alcoholic.

Decent wine costs £10 a bottle. Beer £5 for four. Much much more expensive than coffee and biscuits.