Birthday etiquette?

Question

Im throwing a birthday party forr my wife's 30th birthday. We are celebrating her birthday at a restaurant and I am picking up the tab. I am thinking of having a cash bar or would that be too tacky.

Answer 1

I don't think it'd be tacky at a birthday party.  I'm doing the same type of thing for my graduation party next month, and I've been to parties like that before.  If anyone has a problem with it, then they're being the cheap ones.  (They should be there to celebrate your wife's birthday, not to get free drinks!)

Answer 2

Not tacky at all. You buy them dinner and you have to get them drunk.... if they are upset they are the ones who are tacky.

Answer 3

They can buy their own, LOL Not tacky at all..

Actually, when and at dinner; why not just only buy them stuff like water/tea/sodas. Just make sure they know its non-alcoholic stuff!

Trust me, you wouldnt want me there if the booze was free, hahahahhahahha

Answer 4

Here's a compromise:  A bottle or 2 of wine on each table.  After that, each guest is on his own for the rest of his/her liquor........

Answer 5

A cash bar is really the only way to go. The alcohol tab could run you even more than dinner. I don't recall ever going to a party at a restaurant with an open bar.

Answer 6

I work at a restaurant where this happens all the time. Make sure everyone knows ahead of time that you're paying for food only, so they know to bring some cash for their drinks. If you think anyone will be offended, offer to pay for the first round, or offer to have all non-alcoholic beverages added to the food bill, but they're on their own for anything else.

Answer 7

Cash bars are cool, but if you do invitations mention it. Otherwise cheap people will show up and be like "What the h**l? It's a party! I was going to drink free all night and ruin everyone's good time!"

Whereas if people know, then they won't show up if they're lame like that.

Answer 8

That is a little too tacky!