Dutch treat

[Peepa]

Im throwing a surprise bday gathering of bowling and a sit down dinner.
I will be paying for everything - food, pitchers of soda, bowling.
I know some folks will want beer or wine too but I'm thinking they should pay for those themselves.
What is a polite way to mention that on invite?

 

[Peepa]

Wanted to add that this is a casual event and the particular place doesn't sell pitchers of beer.

 

[ieatbugs]

Im throwing a surprise bday gathering of bowling and a sit down dinner.
I will be paying for everything - food, pitchers of soda, bowling.
I know some folks will want beer or wine too but I'm thinking they should pay for those themselves.
What is a polite way to mention that on invite?

Just put BYOB
that's what that means

 

[movie zombie]

or "alcohol = Dutch treat"
or alcohol not covered by host
or BYOB


my goodness, you're covering everything else and having recently taken up bowling, i know it isn't cheap

 

[peasypeas]

I would just supply the food there and not say anything. I mean when I go to parties/dinner parties I have what's avail. and that's that.

 

[TooPatient]

I would just supply the food there and not say anything. I mean when I go to parties/dinner parties I have what's avail. and that's that.

If you've got other things to drink, I'd go with this. I eat/drink what is at a hosted event.

Otherwise BYOB is okay since it is an informal event. I've even seen this before and never thought anything of it. We usually bring a bottle of wine and a 6-pack to share if this is on the invite.

 

[aljdewey]

I'm fairly certain most bowling alleys wouldn't permit BYOB, particularly where they sell themselves.

I think you can simply say on the invite "Bowling, food and soft drinks provided with our pleasure" and leave it at that. You can have the servers at the bowling alley reinforce that message, too - "the Smith party has already covered the soft drinks, but we do have beer/wine available for purchase if you'd like."

 

[sonnyjane]

Are you actually having it AT a bowling alley? If so, I wouldn't put BYOB because that means, literally, "bring your own beer", and I doubt that the bowling alley would allow customers to bring in alcohol from outside?

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm fairly certain most bowling alleys wouldn't permit BYOB, particularly where they sell themselves.

I think you can simply say on the invite "Bowling, food and soft drinks provided with our pleasure" and leave it at that. You can have the servers at the bowling alley reinforce that message, too - "the Smith party has already covered the soft drinks, but we do have beer/wine available for purchase if you'd like."

Yeah I like that. If I ever see "soft drinks included", I know that means "you pay for your own booze" lol.

 

[ieatbugs]

Are you actually having it AT a bowling alley? If so, I wouldn't put BYOB because that means, literally, "bring your own beer", and I doubt that the bowling alley would allow customers to bring in alcohol from outside?

He said he's hosting a "sit down dinner" so it sounds like it'd be for after maybe but we've got two or three BYOB bowling alley here so it's not impossible.


Anyways, if I was being invited to a dinner, I would love for the invitation to say BYOB because I often want to contribute to the host but they frequently tell me they don't need me to bring any dishes.

 

[Anastasia]

If they do serve alcohol there, say "Cash Bar" on the invitation.

If it is BYOB, say BYOB.

 

[zoebartlett]

I'd word it something like, "Food and soda will be provided" if I put it on the invitation at all.

 

[VRBeauty]

"no-host bar"

or

"soft drinks included; no-host bar"

 

[movie zombie]

the only thing i don't like about "no host bar" or "cash bar" is that some might think they can order alcohol at the dinner table and it will be covered by the host?

although admittedly when wedding invitations are sent out i think "cash bar" is pretty well understood.....

 

[Lulie]

the only thing i don't like about "no host bar" or "cash bar" is that some might think they can order alcohol at the dinner table and it will be covered by the host?
although admittedly when wedding invitations are sent out i think "cash bar" is pretty well understood.....

Yes because is a sit down dinner. Dutch is totally OK if the party doesn't have a host. In this case, I would find another venue that offers 'pitchers' if the manager is not willing to work with you. I got corking charge down to $6 [reg $15] for DH's party, so it's possible.
Good Luck!

 

[VRBeauty]

the only thing i don't like about "no host bar" or "cash bar" is that some might think they can order alcohol at the dinner table and it will be covered by the host?

although admittedly when wedding invitations are sent out i think "cash bar" is pretty well understood.....

The server would be told in advance, and would know how to clue the person ordering the drinks in in advance - i.e., "do you want me to start a tab?". "Dutch" could imply that the host will cover part half the cost of alcoholic beverages, which isn't the case here.

 

[partgypsy]

I'm fairly certain most bowling alleys wouldn't permit BYOB, particularly where they sell themselves.

I think you can simply say on the invite "Bowling, food and soft drinks provided with our pleasure" and leave it at that. You can have the servers at the bowling alley reinforce that message, too - "the Smith party has already covered the soft drinks, but we do have beer/wine available for purchase if you'd like."

I like the "bowling, food, and soft drinks provided by the host".

The other ways of stating it like dutch treat, no host bar, etc. leave room for interpretation and byob though I know what it means, doesn't apply to a gathering at an establishment.

 

[kindred]

I like the "bowling, food, and soft drinks provided by the host".

The other ways of stating it like dutch treat, no host bar, etc. leave room for interpretation and byob though I know what it means, doesn't apply to a gathering at an establishment.

I agree.