2007-03-18 15:19:22 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I would have set down a pitcher of beer or cider on the table and then I would have chatted with them for about ten minutes. Then I would move on. I would tell them to enjoy and that was the only one that was on me as a nice gesture. They are highly unlikely to insist on a second round. A pitcher of beer or cider is cheaper than several rounds of drinks. I do not do this for everybody. Meeting people doesn't require offering free drinks.
2007-03-18 15:31:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First drink is on me! Any more and you are on your own!
Seriously, I went to a party at a country club once. We were not told that there would be a cash bar. I arrived with very little cash and no credit cards. The cash I had brought, I had intended to use for tipping the barteneder, the coat check, the valet, etc.
I enjoyed my one glass of wine, didn't tip well that night, and went home early. I was disappointed that I was not warned ahead of time, as I gladly would have stopped at the ATM and gotten some cash prior to the party.
If it is an invitation, you need to state "cash bar" on the invite. One drink does not last a whole night.
2007-03-18 22:38:33 · answer #2 · answered by aivilo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Were there invitations for this party? If so, did you warn them in advance by saying "Cash bar available"? I am guessing not, but you should have. That way, they'd take the free first drink as an unexpected surprise, instead of the second through tenth as unexpected burdens.
Assuming you did not do this, it seems to me that the most polite things to do are to (a) let people keep drinking for free, but limit the amount you keep putting out there (after all, they have to expect if they are drinking a lot that it will run out eventually); (b) admit your failure in telling people in advance, and grovel ("I'm so sorry, but I meant to put 'cash bar' on the invitation but it got forgotten in the extensive preparations, etc."); (c) chalk it up to experience and take the loss yourself.
2007-03-18 22:26:21 · answer #3 · answered by Gary B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So, you are having a "party" and charging for drinks. Nice.
Did you inform people that it was a BYOB??? That is exactly what it is.
If you wish to give a "complimentary" drink, that is up to you.
2007-03-19 03:06:56 · answer #4 · answered by Pacifica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Announce at the begining that everyone gets one complimentary drink.
2007-03-19 00:15:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The invitations should have read Cash Bar which means everyone pays for their own. Open bar means they can drink all they want at your expense.
2007-03-20 00:10:20 · answer #6 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You tell the bartender or server to close the tab after the first round of drinks. You don't have to say a word to the guests.
2007-03-19 08:48:50 · answer #7 · answered by cweetepye 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you did not make it plain as the nose on your face that it was a pay party then you are stuck so live and learn.
Remember when you invite anyone to anything that has to be paid for you are the one that has to pay if you do not make it clear that you are not.
2007-03-18 23:20:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The correct term is "no host bar," however, since some people do not seem to know what that means, you may have to go with "Cash Bar."
2007-03-19 03:37:45 · answer #9 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋