cash bars at parties - yes or no?

[lilolilmanchester]

this is a question arising from another thread (not a "thread about thread").....

so does the "only have a party if you can afford to provide all the food and drinks otherwise you're a tightarse " also apply if the venue for your party has a bar (i.e. the host can't provide the drink)

For 100 guests, I reckon that would cost £500 - £1000 significantly increasing the cost of the function. At other people's parties, I have always happily bought my own drinks at a bar (or taken a contribution if no bar).. but given responses on the other thread, am now wondering whether I shouldn't be having a party at all if not prepared to pay silly money for my guests' drinks?

I would like to say "cash bar so no presents" on invitations, but a friend told me that would be naff.

So now stuck and thinking of just not bothering, rather than potentially upsetting people - so just don't know what to do :-(

I've never been to a party where the booze was included. It would feel odd (for the first hour, till I got mortal).

Not even a wedding. I expect to pay for my drinks.

thanks all - and GNOCCHI - just love, love, love your MN Name :-)

Not bothered by a cash bar, I would expect it. I also like to buy presents for people, so you would have gotten a present too!

Had a 50th party for my mum, with a cash bar, and she didn't have to pay for a drink all night! She had many people buying drinks for her slightly sloshed

Can I join the hosts of posters who have never been to a party where drinks are provided? I've only even heard of it at wedding on MN, never in RL (and I've been to a LOT of wedding over the years), but I've never even heard of it for a birthday or anniversay party.
If it's in a place with a bar, you take money and expect not only to get your own drinks, but to offer the birthday girl too.
If it's in a place without a bar, you take drink with you - sometimes for your own table, sometimes for the 'pot'.

Cheers, Lilo

I don't see why people cant buy there own drinks & you have presents ?

The last party I went to, we all bought our own drinks & the party before that, a glass of fizz was provided.

How about buying several bottles of say, Asda cava & offering welcome drinks ? I think it's £4-5 a bottle & could mange 4 glass per bottle ?

Also recommend Lidl & Aldis cava