Surprise Party costs?

Question

I need some ideas on how to keep the cost of a surprise party under control. I want to have this at our local bar. So far we are having a few different kinds of food. I need to fiqure out how the bar sitution will work. I dont want to end up with a monster bar tab. Any ideas? Someone suggested giving out bar tickets (nicely done on a computer). Each person would get a few to get drinks at the bar. Is that tacky? I need some other suggestions. thanks

Answer 1

supply the beer, see if you can purchase a keg, anything else is cash bar. people tend to over do it and waste a lot when the drinks are free, so you really should have some sort of limit.

Answer 2

If this is a host bar, I would keep it at beer and wine only any well drinks I would have them pay for it.  

Another idea is set up a tab for example $500.00 once the $500 is done it's done and the drinks are now on them.

I know that may seem tacky, but you certainly don't want firends to try something "new" cuz the tab is on you and you end up with many drinks lying around that you paid for.