Open bar at christening ?

We are having a christening at our condo clubhouse and they have a bar. Not sure if we can afford an open bar. Worried about having a cash bar. If you were a guest would you expect a bar or drink beer or wine? Would you be offended at a cash bar or should we not bother? It's a $75 fee. Don't want to pay if no one drinks. Thanks.

Re: Open bar at christening ?

I personally would drink only wine. When we christened our son, we ran a tab. That way folks could drink what they wanted and, in the end, it was cheaper than the open bar package since most people aren't getting rip-roaring drunk at a Sunday afternoon Christening party!

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We had one at ours, but I would not expect or be upset if I went to a christening and it was cash bar/no bar.

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We did an open bar of only wine and beer. Thought that was fine for a Sunday afternoon and everyone seemed fine with that. The tab was even less than we expected.

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I never liked the idea of a cash Bar...I think wine, beer and even champagne is perfectly fine.

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I would either pay for the open bar or do beer and wine.

I just went to a Christening last weekend and it was open bar.

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We are planning ours now, and they told us to run a tab. We know our guests will drink, but not enough to pay for an open bar. Is running a tab an option?

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We did a tab as well. It was only $100, and only two or three people were drinking.

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Personally I am against drinking at a christening, but I know that is not an option with my family.
In the minority I have no problem with a cash bar. I would do just beer and wine. If it is an option run a tab for mixed drinks; if it is not an option cash bar. For a Sunday afternoon I doubt most people would miss it.

FWIW I was at a party recently that was cash drinks. All drunks including soda. That I do not agree with. Basics should be covered.

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I wouldn't expect (or miss) an open bar. We negotiated to have wine on the tables for no extra charge - got lucky on that one.
You can ask if they will let you bring a few bottles yourself or maybe make a champagne punch. If there's something there it would be nice but not necessary in my opinion.

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I think beer & wine is fine

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We did open bar because our family and friends like to have a few drinks. We ran a tab for all alcohol. It was cheaper to do it that way than add the package per person to the entire party.

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I wouldn't. I have drinkers in my crowd, but for a christening, a day event for a child, I think beer/wine/soda is more than a'ok.

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We only had soda/tea/coffe! My thoughts were - it's Sunday afternoon and close family. If you want to drink, it's your prerogative, but I'm not paying for it! If we had a big party, then I'd probably have beer/wine included.

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cash bar wouldnt go over so big in our family!!

If open bar can't be swung - I would do beer and wine...

I have done both! whatever fits your budget best!

Re: Open bar at christening ?

we did an open bar ~ We put up $500 on the tab and if we go to that limit it was done. (we didn't use it all) but I wanted our guests to be able to order a drink if they were in the mood. (Since it was Sunday I was hoping our guests would n't party too hard since I knew most had to go to work the next day)

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We ran at tab....it was easier!