Should I have a sit-down dinner or cocktail party for 21st bday?!
Should I have a sit-down dinner or cocktail party for 21st bday?
I have no idea which option to go for. I'm inviting about 70 friends and I was thinking of hiring out a function room at a bar for a cocktail party. But I don't really want people getting drunk so I was also tossing up with the idea of catering dinner at a hall. What do you think I should do?
Answers:
You can socialize better at a cocktail party. 70 guests it too many to have sitting down and eating...people will be limited in conversation only to those 8/10 people at their table. Have it cocktail party fashion, but provide a "heavy" finger foods buffet that has plenty of bread and cheese based food options, which are the best foods to line your stomach for alcohol absorbtion.
The buffet/appetizer option will also save you at least $3 per person over the sit down dinner. Remember, most people dread going to weddings for the sole reason that those stiff sitdown dinners are no fun. That's why people prefer only going to the wedding showers which are basically cocktail parties with a buffet.
This also allows the host and guest of honor, you, the best angle for mingling with your guests. At a sit down dinner, the other 60 people who weren't sitting at your table might leave feeling left out.
I'd go for the dinner if you don't want people driving drunk. It would be a sad way to celebrate your birthday with the death, injury or arrest of a friend. Also if a person gets drunk at your party and causes death or injury to another because of a alcohol related accident. You could possibly held "civilly liable (you can be sued)" and if the person is under the legal drinking age, you can face criminal charges.
Play is safe!
yes
21st birthday party, don't want people to get drunk. Sounds like a riot. Perhaps the church hall will be available.
coctail party and buffet you can mix up a few punches with liquor and some without. much cheeper that way and people can walk around and chat.
It's your coming out party! Don't have a boring stiff, sit down dinner, have a stand up mingly swining cocktail party. It doesn't have to be crazy, just have people dressed up and have maybe just wine and beer maybe, that can curb some of the drunkeness.
it will be expensice to cater for 70 people with a sit down meal.
People will still get drunk regardless, there will be a bar with both.
I'd go for the cheaper option and enjoy being 21!
Well it is your 21st....Generally people get drunk at 21st Birthday parties. But if you are against that then I suggest a dinner. Or maybe go more casual...perhaps a BBQ or outdoor event. This way people can drink but usually drink less in the middle of the day. Maybe have a cool theme, like beach party or luau.
I just had a B-Day party for a really good friend of mine this last week-end and I booked it at a hotel. Its was a full service Hotel so they catered the dinner and had a cash bar. We all went swimming, played Basketball and sat in the hot tub. Then who ever wanted to stay, got a room. It was great and know one had to drive. It was a Blast.
do a mix of both and to avoid drunkedness dont make it open bar,there are a lotta great books that have ideas about dinner/cocktail partys why make add a theme the skys the limit and happy happy birthday i loved being tweny one and im sure you will love that age as well its a milestone and it only happens once enjoy and be safe!
If I were you and if the weather is nice, I would just have a big barbecue( catered, of course) but have it in an area where there is a pool, maybe volleyball and/or tennis courts. Cocktail parties and sit down dinners sound to formal for a bunch of 21year olds. Have something that is fun.
Find a friend with a pool, and a big backyard, call a barbeque house, have them cater your dinner with all kinds of meats, get a couple of kegs, a bottle of Jack Daniels, a bottle of Stoli, some mixers, and have a blast outside. Get some horseshoes, a frisbee, a football, a jam-box, and do it up!
Wish I couold be there!
Have fun!
Stevo.
A sit down dinner is nice but you could really make an impression if you make it a themed party. Like a ball or disco era or something crazy like that. My friend recently threw a party where everyone invited had to come as their favorite movie character. Her husband came as the empire state building and their daughter was dressed as a gorilla and perched on his shoulder....get it King Kong. It was awesome. You can also check about getting some alcohol that has a low alcohol content. If you want to celebrate and drink you can even to a double birthday party. One night you and your 21 and over friends hang and go clubbing and the next night you do the fancy dinner for all your friends. Either way be safe and have fun.
fun
I'd suggest the cocktail party, but be smart, and money concious. Instead of providing an open bar with lots of bottle to choose from make a few mixed drinks. Also, you'll need to hire a certified bar tender and security if it won't be at your house. You can find an inexpensive bartender who will help make the night go smoothly. Now, make a few drinks, like a vodka punch, pitchers of margaritas, sangrias and maybe have a few bottles of chilled wine and beer. Just make sure your friends are responsible and have designated drivers. But most of all, hae fun!
It sounds like you have very sophisticated tastes and I'm guessing you've chosen your friends wisely. As long as everyone understands this isn't a fraternity party and that you expect people to respect you by not over-drinking, either option is a very fine one. If you have it catered and have wine served instead of an abundance of alcohol, you're likely to serve everyone's needs and wants without making alcohol a huge focus of the party.
If there's someone who worries you, just make sure they understand that the party is about your birthday and not about the freeflow of alcohol...or don't invite that person at all.
If you know several of the guests imbibe, but want to try and avoid tons of drunks, buffet with a cash bar at the hotel. Make sure that some of the things served include something really filling like a meat lasagna (and/or a veggie version for those who don't eat meat). I'd think that if they're busy stuffing they're faces, they might not drink as much (even with a cash bar).