Free drinks at party

LittleMrsThrifty

Thank you all - I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I did ask the bar owner for advice and she said they can do either a set amount or a cut off time, or the tokens although acknowledged it woudl be hard for the staff to know who is with the party and who is not without the cards.

I think I will go with the tokens idea and say they can be used for a house wine, beer, soft drink or single spirit + mixer. I am also going to ask they put some jugs of tap water/cordial out with the buffet so I don't have to pay £2 for a mineral water just cos someone is a bit thirsty. Of course if they really want a mineral water they can get it at the bar but most people are happy with tap!

TBagpuss

just to add - it may be easier to work out the costings if you limit it to wine and beer - you don't have to include spirits and it may make it much easier to work out the costings with the bar as the prices are likely to be more comparable, plus you don't have to factor in the cost of mixers and i is easier for the bar staff to keep track of.

Wine and beer (and cider if you like) are more than ample.

LittleMrsThrifty

Now I just need to buy or print some tokens! Party is really soon. (I know I have left this really late but had so much else to sort.)

krlyr

My mum and stepdad did the tokens thing at their reception, didn't think it was tacky at all.

In the vein of being MSE, you could perhaps track down some free business card/print deals, but they may take a bit longer than you need. Otherwise I'd just do them black and white and print/cut a bunch, they only need to be held onto until their first drink afterall. Just do them business card size so they can be tucked into wallets or purses.

PlymouthMaid

I went to a wedding with the token and thought it was fine. Not tacky at all. I wouldn't be so keen if it was limited to just beer or wine though as I am not a fan of either preferring a g and t any day but it is still a free drink and very kind.

amistupid

It depends how many are going. I put on a do, for about forty people. I hired a private room at a Chinese restaurant. I paid for the fixed banquet meal, which I got hugely discounted, and bought everyone a drink as they arrived. The rest of the drinks they paid for themselves.

Shelldean

An idea for the token ...Tesco.

Yes Tesco!!

We had joint 18 + 21 for our twins and daughter. DD wantedcertain photos on the invites everywhere cost an arm and leg.

Anyway tesco do a deal where you prepay for xxx number.of photos. This worked out MUCH MUCH cheaper than any invite and left us with a number of prepaid prints which we used to print the obligatory baby photos to place around the party.

DD designed their invites and they were printed at the local store.

The reason I've suggested this is because we recently attended a funeral where the widow wanted to ensure we could toast. He gave us a photograph with a montage of his wife. And the bar staff marked the back to show it had been used and returned it. They made a note on the tab of the value.

And we got a lovely momento of the day

Armchair23

Having done a wake, christening and a wedding recently I really feel I can comment !

The only people who will get peed off by a 'token' or first drink free or whatever you choose - are the !!!!!!!!!!s.

Everyone else will be absolutely delighted you've sorted the event and just happy to be there and enjoy the company or mark the occasion.

At the wake there was 'money behind the bar' only singles on spirits, house wine and non premium beers. Nobody took advantage bless them.
The biggest problem was people needing tea !

The wedding was easy X number of bottles of fizz for a toast, x number of bottles of wine on each table and the rest is down to you. It was hospitable but affordable and not a moan to be heard. Those that wanted had a good drink but at their expense.

The christening just came and went really, I hate fizz and was happy to get home for a good drink !

gettingtheresometime

We went to a birthday party where the guests were treated to a free drink...the invite was used as the token and was taken by the bar staff when the drink was ordered

Andehh

Use poker chips for drinks, give everyone 3 or so poker chips to trade in for drinks.