Well that's a new one... (wedding bar)

aurianna

Went to a wedding on Friday. A few etiquette sins here and there (Personal attendant, no SOs at head table, tip jar at the bar) but for the most part pretty clean.

The bar was partial cash but I thought they handled it OK. The liquor was visible but it was several feet behind the bartender, whereas the hosted beer & wine was all on the counter, with a sign listing what beer and wine was hosted. I had to ask what non-alcoholics were hosted but it was a nice list. I drank my soda and life was good.

So we have dinner. The staff was kinda rude and the food was cold but whatevs.
When dinner was over, I wanted a gingerale. Hubby went to get it... $2.50. For a cup of mostly ice. (I wish I'd gone up there because I would have just refused to pay and walk away. But hubby is too sweet).

But the weird thing was, the beer was still free.

So not only did they pull a bait and switch by charging after dinner... but they were charging for NAs and only NAs.
Since I'm kinda sorta pregnant, not much for the free wine.... Also there were plenty of kids at this wedding too. So weird.

Just ew ew ew.

VulgarGirl

aurianna said:

Went to a wedding on Friday. A few etiquette sins here and there (Personal attendant, no SOs at head table, tip jar at the bar) but for the most part pretty clean.

The bar was partial cash but I thought they handled it OK. The liquor was visible but it was several feet behind the bartender, whereas the hosted beer & wine was all on the counter, with a sign listing what beer and wine was hosted. I had to ask what non-alcoholics were hosted but it was a nice list. I drank my soda and life was good.

So we have dinner. The staff was kinda rude and the food was cold but whatevs.
When dinner was over, I wanted a gingerale. Hubby went to get it... $2.50. For a cup of mostly ice. (I wish I'd gone up there because I would have just refused to pay and walk away. But hubby is too sweet).

But the weird thing was, the beer was still free.

So not only did they pull a bait and switch by charging after dinner... but they were charging for NAs and only NAs.
Since I'm kinda sorta pregnant, not much for the free wine.... Also there were plenty of kids at this wedding too. So weird.

Just ew ew ew.

How are you kinda sorta pregnant? Is that like being a little pregnant?

poodledoodleooo

That is horrible! Sorry you had to experience that.

Full disclosure, we didn't have soda or any non-alcoholic beverages at our bar (it was waaay too expensive to host) so we had punch, lemonade and water available for guests near the coffee station, and we made it really obvious that it was there. If you can't afford ridiculously priced non-alcoholic soda for your non-alcoholic drink, it is your responsibility to make sure that guests can still get something that you CAN afford.

aurianna

Kinda sorta means totally but said in a catty tone.

I think lemonade, punch and coffee is a perfectly fine offering of NAs. And way better to not have soda at all then to start charging for it...

STARMOON44

sjf2715 said:

That is horrible! Sorry you had to experience that.

Full disclosure, we didn't have soda or any non-alcoholic beverages at our bar (it was waaay too expensive to host) so we had punch, lemonade and water available for guests near the coffee station, and we made it really obvious that it was there. If you can't afford ridiculously priced non-alcoholic soda for your non-alcoholic drink, it is your responsibility to make sure that guests can still get something that you CAN afford.

As a guest I would find this absolutely baffling. You're telling me getting a Sprite is impossible because of cost? At what bar is a soda more expensive than a beer? I don't think punch, lemonade, and water are at all suitably equivalent to beer and wine. For starters, your only non-sugary option is water. Not the festive equivalent of wine at all. Acceptable as the only beverages, sure, but if one person can get wine another should be able to get Coke.

I think it's like if you serve steak, lobster, or plain pasta with butter. Yes, you have a vegetarian option, but it's not remotely comparable.

huskypuppy14

STARMOON44 said:

That is horrible! Sorry you had to experience that.

Full disclosure, we didn't have soda or any non-alcoholic beverages at our bar (it was waaay too expensive to host) so we had punch, lemonade and water available for guests near the coffee station, and we made it really obvious that it was there. If you can't afford ridiculously priced non-alcoholic soda for your non-alcoholic drink, it is your responsibility to make sure that guests can still get something that you CAN afford.

As a guest I would find this absolutely baffling. You're telling me getting a Sprite is impossible because of cost? At what bar is a soda more expensive than a beer? I don't think punch, lemonade, and water are at all suitably equivalent to beer and wine. For starters, your only non-sugary option is water. Not the festive equivalent of wine at all. Acceptable as the only beverages, sure, but if one person can get wine another should be able to get Coke. I think it's like if you serve steak, lobster, or plain pasta with butter. Yes, you have a vegetarian option, but it's not remotely comparable.

You realize Coke probably has way more sugar than lemonade or punch. While I would never do it, not having soda at a wedding is not an etiquette breech. If people are only offering beer, wine, punch, lemonade and water, that is what they are offering. 

lyndausvi

huskypuppy14 said:

STARMOON44 said:

That is horrible! Sorry you had to experience that.

Full disclosure, we didn't have soda or any non-alcoholic beverages at our bar (it was waaay too expensive to host) so we had punch, lemonade and water available for guests near the coffee station, and we made it really obvious that it was there. If you can't afford ridiculously priced non-alcoholic soda for your non-alcoholic drink, it is your responsibility to make sure that guests can still get something that you CAN afford.

As a guest I would find this absolutely baffling. You're telling me getting a Sprite is impossible because of cost? At what bar is a soda more expensive than a beer? I don't think punch, lemonade, and water are at all suitably equivalent to beer and wine. For starters, your only non-sugary option is water. Not the festive equivalent of wine at all. Acceptable as the only beverages, sure, but if one person can get wine another should be able to get Coke. I think it's like if you serve steak, lobster, or plain pasta with butter. Yes, you have a vegetarian option, but it's not remotely comparable.

You realize Coke probably has way more sugar than lemonade or punch. While I would never do it, not having soda at a wedding is not an etiquette breech. If people are only offering beer, wine, punch, lemonade and water, that is what they are offering. 

I'm hypoglycemic.  Straight punch and lemonade affect my sugar levels  more than sprite or coke ever has.   I get such a sugar low after punches and lemonades.  Light headed, shakes, weak, hot flashes, feel like I'm going to pass out.   Yeah, loads of fun.

Sodas do not affect me the same way.   I do have a Sprite every now and then and I feel fine. 

For the most part I do not drink ANY juices or sodas.   About 1-2 times a month I have a soda or Arnold palmer. Given the choice between sodas and juices, I would pick a sprite over a punch/juice any day.    A glass of punch almost guarantees me to have a sugar low.  I haven't had one due to drinking a sprite.

STARMOON44

huskypuppy14 said:

STARMOON44 said:

That is horrible! Sorry you had to experience that.

Full disclosure, we didn't have soda or any non-alcoholic beverages at our bar (it was waaay too expensive to host) so we had punch, lemonade and water available for guests near the coffee station, and we made it really obvious that it was there. If you can't afford ridiculously priced non-alcoholic soda for your non-alcoholic drink, it is your responsibility to make sure that guests can still get something that you CAN afford.

As a guest I would find this absolutely baffling. You're telling me getting a Sprite is impossible because of cost? At what bar is a soda more expensive than a beer? I don't think punch, lemonade, and water are at all suitably equivalent to beer and wine. For starters, your only non-sugary option is water. Not the festive equivalent of wine at all. Acceptable as the only beverages, sure, but if one person can get wine another should be able to get Coke.

I think it's like if you serve steak, lobster, or plain pasta with butter. Yes, you have a vegetarian option, but it's not remotely comparable.

You realize Coke probably has way more sugar than lemonade or punch. While I would never do it, not having soda at a wedding is not an etiquette breech. If people are only offering beer, wine, punch, lemonade and water, that is what they are offering. 



Diet Coke doesn't! I actually do think it is an etiquette breach. It is treating your non-alcohol-drinking guests worse than everyone else. Honestly- how many adults go around drinking punch voluntarily on a regular basis anyway?

Maggie0829

STARMOON44 said:

STARMOON44 said:

That is horrible! Sorry you had to experience that.

Full disclosure, we didn't have soda or any non-alcoholic beverages at our bar (it was waaay too expensive to host) so we had punch, lemonade and water available for guests near the coffee station, and we made it really obvious that it was there. If you can't afford ridiculously priced non-alcoholic soda for your non-alcoholic drink, it is your responsibility to make sure that guests can still get something that you CAN afford.

As a guest I would find this absolutely baffling. You're telling me getting a Sprite is impossible because of cost? At what bar is a soda more expensive than a beer? I don't think punch, lemonade, and water are at all suitably equivalent to beer and wine. For starters, your only non-sugary option is water. Not the festive equivalent of wine at all. Acceptable as the only beverages, sure, but if one person can get wine another should be able to get Coke. I think it's like if you serve steak, lobster, or plain pasta with butter. Yes, you have a vegetarian option, but it's not remotely comparable.

You realize Coke probably has way more sugar than lemonade or punch. While I would never do it, not having soda at a wedding is not an etiquette breech. If people are only offering beer, wine, punch, lemonade and water, that is what they are offering. 

Diet Coke doesn't! I actually do think it is an etiquette breach. It is treating your non-alcohol-drinking guests worse than everyone else. Honestly- how many adults go around drinking punch voluntarily on a regular basis anyway?

I am not understanding comparing which non-alcoholic drinks are comparable to alcoholic drinks. You really can't compare the two since they are completely different.  I just don't see how soda is equivalent to beer/wine but lemonade is not?  What if the soda is not a name brand but rather a generic brand?  Does that make it less equivalent?  What if the lemonade is freshly made (like squeezed/prepared on site)?  Does that make it more equivalent?

As for the bolded, my H loves fruit punch and drinks it regularly.

banana468

Offering beer and wine vs punch, lemonade and water isn't the same thing.   It's almost saying "adult beverages" and "beverages for minors".

The adults I know who don't drink beer or wine wouldn't go to lemonade or punch.   If soda is cost prohibitive at the venue then I'd talk to the venue about other options.   That's a basic beverage option that should be available IMO.

Maggie0829

Who knew that some non-alcoholic drinks were more "adult" then others?  I mean I see a shit ton of kids drinking sodas so I am not sure how sodas can be seen as more adult then lemonade.

Look, not providing sodas is not rude or wrong.  Just because you wouldn't go to lemonade if you decide not to drink the beer or wine doesn't mean that the hosts are wrong for not having soda.  I don't like coors lite or chardonnay but you don't see me throwing a fit if those are the only beer and wine being offered at a wedding.  Same if only regular soda was being offered compared to diet.  Same if pineapple juice was being served instead of orange juice at a brunch wedding.  Just because I don't like something doesn't mean that the hosts are hosting their guests improperly.  If the hosts are providing a variety of beverages to choose from then they are good to go.  If for some reason you (general) don't like them or those choices don't appeal to you then it is something that you have to deal with.

banana468

You're right.   They didn't do anything "wrong".   But I think you can follow the letter of etiquette and not necessarily the spirit of it.   I could have only provided beer and water for my guests.   It would mean that no women in my family would have had anything other than water to drink but I would have been fine "on paper."

Sometimes it isn't just about the rules of etiquette but it's also about knowing your guests and what they consume and providing something more in keeping with that.  I'd argue with a venue to the point of not hosting a wedding there if they tried to charge crazy huge prices for soda.   With a BJ's membership, I'd buy it myself if I had to.

STARMOON44

Maggie0829 said:

Who knew that some non-alcoholic drinks were more "adult" then others?  I mean I see a shit ton of kids drinking sodas so I am not sure how sodas can be seen as more adult then lemonade.

Look, not providing sodas is not rude or wrong.  Just because you wouldn't go to lemonade if you decide not to drink the beer or wine doesn't mean that the hosts are wrong for not having soda.  I don't like coors lite or chardonnay but you don't see me throwing a fit if those are the only beer and wine being offered at a wedding.  Same if only regular soda was being offered compared to diet.  Same if pineapple juice was being served instead of orange juice at a brunch wedding.  Just because I don't like something doesn't mean that the hosts are hosting their guests improperly.  If the hosts are providing a variety of beverages to choose from then they are good to go.  If for some reason you (general) don't like them or those choices don't appeal to you then it is something that you have to deal with.

I still really disagree. I think the options need to be comparable. You're providing great options to one set of guests and completely phoning it in for another set because you're cheap. That's just not good hospitality.

Maggie0829

STARMOON44 said:

Who knew that some non-alcoholic drinks were more "adult" then others?  I mean I see a shit ton of kids drinking sodas so I am not sure how sodas can be seen as more adult then lemonade.

Look, not providing sodas is not rude or wrong.  Just because you wouldn't go to lemonade if you decide not to drink the beer or wine doesn't mean that the hosts are wrong for not having soda.  I don't like coors lite or chardonnay but you don't see me throwing a fit if those are the only beer and wine being offered at a wedding.  Same if only regular soda was being offered compared to diet.  Same if pineapple juice was being served instead of orange juice at a brunch wedding.  Just because I don't like something doesn't mean that the hosts are hosting their guests improperly.  If the hosts are providing a variety of beverages to choose from then they are good to go.  If for some reason you (general) don't like them or those choices don't appeal to you then it is something that you have to deal with.

I still really disagree. I think the options need to be comparable. You're providing great options to one set of guests and completely phoning it in for another set because you're cheap. That's just not good hospitality.

I still don't get how one can compare non-alcoholic drinks and alcoholic drinks.  And if sodas are involved then all would be right with the world.  Sodas aren't "better" then lemonade or iced tea or punch, sodas are just a different non-alcoholic option.  One is not a higher quality then the other.

beachyone15

Well, the last wedding I attended didn't even have water. There were glasses of tea on the table and hosted beer/wine/margaritas...but no water. I'm sure they probably had it at the bar but I was kind of surprised there wasn't any on the table.

banana468

Maggie0829 said:

STARMOON44 said:

Who knew that some non-alcoholic drinks were more "adult" then others?  I mean I see a shit ton of kids drinking sodas so I am not sure how sodas can be seen as more adult then lemonade.

Look, not providing sodas is not rude or wrong.  Just because you wouldn't go to lemonade if you decide not to drink the beer or wine doesn't mean that the hosts are wrong for not having soda.  I don't like coors lite or chardonnay but you don't see me throwing a fit if those are the only beer and wine being offered at a wedding.  Same if only regular soda was being offered compared to diet.  Same if pineapple juice was being served instead of orange juice at a brunch wedding.  Just because I don't like something doesn't mean that the hosts are hosting their guests improperly.  If the hosts are providing a variety of beverages to choose from then they are good to go.  If for some reason you (general) don't like them or those choices don't appeal to you then it is something that you have to deal with.

I still really disagree. I think the options need to be comparable. You're providing great options to one set of guests and completely phoning it in for another set because you're cheap. That's just not good hospitality.

I still don't get how one can compare non-alcoholic drinks and alcoholic drinks.  And if sodas are involved then all would be right with the world.  Sodas aren't "better" then lemonade or iced tea or punch, sodas are just a different non-alcoholic option.  One is not a higher quality then the other.

IMO, it's a basic.   There are guests who may not drink anything other than soda.   When I was pregnant, ginger ale was one of the few things that would help calm me at the beginning.   Again, you don't HAVE to offer it and you won't be hit with a lightening strike by the etiquette gods but I think it's really cheap to not have it as an option.  

In this case I think it's going to be a 'know your crowd' and agree to disagree.   I know that what I'm advising essentially says that what a host is offering isn't enough but sometimes as a host, you need to know your crowd well.

If I only offered beer I would be OK.   It's something for the guests and they should graciously accept it.   But not one woman in my family over 50 would drink it.   So why would I do that?   

lyndausvi

beachyone15 said:

Well, the last wedding I attended didn't even have water. There were glasses of tea on the table and hosted beer/wine/margaritas...but no water. I'm sure they probably had it at the bar but I was kind of surprised there wasn't any on the table.

I recently went to a wedding where they put a glass jug of tea on the table, but no glasses.  None.     I guess we were to drink out of the jug?

I think it's odd not to have soda.  However, I bartended at weddings and the amount of people ordering soda by itself is pretty low.   Even the wedding I worked over the weekend had 226 people.  I can count on one hand how many sodas I poured on one hand.   Most of those were plain club sodas.   2 of those were pregnant women.  One asked me to put the club soda in a high ball glass with a lime because they were trying to be incognito.

We had one guy ask for lemonade, but that was to go with his vodka.  I also poured 1 or 2 cranberry juices.   The vast majority of people ask for alcohol.

Although I agree this is a know your crowd thing.     I seem to work weddings where the guests drink alcohol.   I'm sure there are other crowds that do not.   

Maggie0829

I agree that not having it at a wedding in my area would be odd, but it also wouldn't be like a deal breaker either.  I guess I am just confused how not having soda would be treating those not drinking alcohol as lesser of a guest then those who choose to drink alcohol.  I guess I just don't see soda as that amazing of a thing that makes those who aren't drinking feel equal to those who are.  That is really where my confusion lies.

Jen4948

There's certainly no etiquette requirement that you have to provide soda, although I'd miss it at a wedding.  A lot of non-alcohol drinkers do drink soda, as do alcohol drinkers (plus, a lot of times it's a mixer for cocktails). 

So while it's not actually rude not to have it, it seems to me that if you know a large percentage of your invited guests would prefer soda over lemonade or punch (I certainly fall in that category), it would make sense to have it in order to make your guests comfortable. 

lyndausvi

I do not think soda is the be all end of of NA drinks.

I would find it odd to have water,  punch and lemonade as the only NA drinks though.   Punch and lemonade are full of sugar.   As I said above I can not drink them without going into a sugar low.   I would much rather see an iced tea on the menu for those who can not drink sugary drinks.  At least in my experience there are way more iced tea drinkers then punch drinkers.

Starrmon mentioned soda has as much sugar as punches. Depends on the soda.   Diet, for example, does not.  If the soda is on a gun then people who have to watch their sugars can get a plain club soda.   

Options.  I'm all about options.

[Deleted User]

FWIW, I don't like soda, but would be totally stoked if lemonade was a NA option. I freaking love lemonade. 

Jen4948

lyndausvi said:

I do not think soda is the be all end of of NA drinks.

I would find it odd to have water,  punch and lemonade as the only NA drinks though.   Punch and lemonade are full of sugar.   As I said above I can not drink them without going into a sugar low.   I would much rather see an iced tea on the menu for those who can not drink sugary drinks.  At least in my experience there are way more iced tea drinkers then punch drinkers.

Starrmon mentioned soda has as much sugar as punches. Depends on the soda.   Diet, for example, does not.  If the soda is on a gun then people who have to watch their sugars can get a plain club soda.   

Options.  I'm all about options.

Me too. When there are very few options, and some of those aren't options, that's when guests might feel uncomfortable even if technically they haven't been shortchanged.

lyndausvi

abcdevonn said:

FWIW, I don't like soda, but would be totally stoked if lemonade was a NA option. I freaking love lemonade. 

I drink 1 or 2 sprites a month.  And that is if I go out to lunch. I do not keep it in the house.  I can't tell you the last time I had a brown soda (coke, pepsi, etc).

I like lemonade, my body doesn't though.    I'm okay if I cut it with some iced tea.   

Maggie0829

lyndausvi said:

abcdevonn said:

FWIW, I don't like soda, but would be totally stoked if lemonade was a NA option. I freaking love lemonade. 

I drink 1 or 2 sprites a month.  And that is if I go out to lunch. I do not keep it in the house.  I can't tell you the last time I had a brown soda (coke, pepsi, etc).

I like lemonade, my body doesn't though.    I'm okay if I cut it with some iced tea.   

I love a good fountain soda, but I prefer unsweetened iced tea at meals.  That way I can sweeten it as much as I want and it doesn't make me feel overly bloated or full the way soda can because of the carbonation.

madamerwin

I really don't think it's an etiquette issue not to provide sodas, as long as you have a couple of NA options. I don't see how soda is a "comparable" NA drink to beer and wine... I mean, what if I were offering Carlos Rossi Chardonnay (in the jug), and Kirkland brand light beer (this exists and it's glorious)? Those are not fancy beer/wine options - what would the "comparable" NA drink be?

But I also agree that it's a "know your crowd" type of thing. If half of your family doesn't drink alcohol, but they suck down Diet Coke like it's the source of life, then yeah, having soda would be considerate.

We will only have a few people who absolutely do not drink alcohol at our wedding. We're providing water, lemonade, and iced tea as self-serve, but there will be soda and juice at the bar (for cocktails) that people can also order if they want.

[Deleted User]

tfmrserwin said:

I really don't think it's an etiquette issue not to provide sodas, as long as you have a couple of NA options. I don't see how soda is a "comparable" NA drink to beer and wine... I mean, what if I were offering Carlos Rossi Chardonnay (in the jug), and Kirkland brand light beer (this exists and it's glorious)? Those are not fancy beer/wine options - what would the "comparable" NA drink be?

But I also agree that it's a "know your crowd" type of thing. If half of your family doesn't drink alcohol, but they suck down Diet Coke like it's the source of life, then yeah, having soda would be considerate.

We will only have a few people who absolutely do not drink alcohol at our wedding. We're providing water, lemonade, and iced tea as self-serve, but there will be soda and juice at the bar (for cocktails) that people can also order if they want.

Costco is my life and I had no idea this existed. OMG. 

madamerwin

abcdevonn said:

tfmrserwin said:

I really don't think it's an etiquette issue not to provide sodas, as long as you have a couple of NA options. I don't see how soda is a "comparable" NA drink to beer and wine... I mean, what if I were offering Carlos Rossi Chardonnay (in the jug), and Kirkland brand light beer (this exists and it's glorious)? Those are not fancy beer/wine options - what would the "comparable" NA drink be?

But I also agree that it's a "know your crowd" type of thing. If half of your family doesn't drink alcohol, but they suck down Diet Coke like it's the source of life, then yeah, having soda would be considerate.

We will only have a few people who absolutely do not drink alcohol at our wedding. We're providing water, lemonade, and iced tea as self-serve, but there will be soda and juice at the bar (for cocktails) that people can also order if they want.

Costco is my life and I had no idea this existed. OMG. 

We just discovered it... It's, like, 4.2% alcohol, and it costs $20 for a case of 48 cans. We actually may buy a case or two for backup for our reception, in case we run out of the good stuff.

I also just discovered that a shandy made with Kirkland beer and good lemonade is the best. thing. ever.

SP29

As for the OP's post- that's pretty terrible. I never understand charging for NA drinks. Particularly when the beer is still free, so you're encouraging over drinking and possible drinking and driving? Sure, adults should be adults, but nobody wants to pay for one thing when something else is free. When I was in Paris some years ago, a bottle of wine is cheaper than a bottle of water- guess what we drank a whole lot of? (fortunately the metro is very efficient)

I agree that not serving soda is just fine. Maybe lemonade AND punch are not the best options together, but nothing wrong with that. There is water, plus tea and coffee. I am sure the bartender would give someone a lemon or lime to flavour their water if they wanted. 

I pretty much only drink milk, water and tea, so I am fine with water as an only option. Maybe that makes me biased. But I feel that's like saying it's wrong to only serve beer and wine, when *I* like a jack and coke (which I don't- blech! But I hear it's popular )- which it is never wrong. And when brides come on here saying, "But my uncle ONLY drinks jack and coke, so why can't it be an option for him to purchase?" And we say NO, NO, NO. Thus, I think saying not having soda is "wrong" is along the same lines. 

Sure, I would always recommend options and NA drinks are usually pretty cheap compared to the bar (though I can see how the venue might charge a ridiculous price for pop), but there ARE options. Water is a sugar free option. Caf/Decaf tea and coffee are sugar free options. 

madamerwin

SP29 said: As for the OP's post- that's pretty terrible. I never understand charging for NA drinks. Particularly when the beer is still free, so you're encouraging over drinking and possible drinking and driving? Sure, adults should be adults, but nobody wants to pay for one thing when something else is free. When I was in Paris some years ago, a bottle of wine is cheaper than a bottle of water- guess what we drank a whole lot of? (fortunately the metro is very efficient)
I agree that not serving soda is just fine. Maybe lemonade AND punch are not the best options together, but nothing wrong with that. There is water, plus tea and coffee. I am sure the bartender would give someone a lemon or lime to flavour their water if they wanted. 
I pretty much only drink milk, water and tea, so I am fine with water as an only option. Maybe that makes me biased. But I feel that's like saying it's wrong to only serve beer and wine, when *I* like a jack and coke (which I don't- blech! But I hear it's popular )- which it is never wrong. And when brides come on here saying, "But my uncle ONLY drinks jack and coke, so why can't it be an option for him to purchase?" And we say NO, NO, NO. Thus, I think saying not having soda is "wrong" is along the same lines. 
Sure, I would always recommend options and NA drinks are usually pretty cheap compared to the bar (though I can see how the venue might charge a ridiculous price for pop), but there ARE options. Water is a sugar free option. Caf/Decaf tea and coffee are sugar free options. 

---BOXBOXBOX---

This is a good point. I don't think it's ok to complain about ANY drink options, NA or alcohol, as long as something NA is available (or water, always water). If I only drank Rose, it wouldn't mean I could complain that the hosts are only offering Pinot Grigio and IPA. If I didn't drink, I would not complain if lemonade and water were the only options.

Back to the OP's point, though - I would be SUPER annoyed if they were charging for NA drinks but not alcohol. That just doesn't make sense.

poodledoodleooo

I just wanted to clarify for the one commenter who said "how the hell could soda be more expensive than beer and wine?!"

Well for our bar I was quite shocked to learn that it was. We were able to buy beer in kegs and wine in bottles for about 2.50 per glass. The only way to buy soda was to do it "unlimited" at something like $3/person/hour. JUST FOR FREAKING SODA! I can't remember the exact rate, but it was not cheap. The only way they would let us do consumption based for soda is if we had a full consumption based bar, raising the beer and wine per glass prices from around 2.50 per glass to $6 per glass, and since our crowd consisted of 80+ percent heavy beer and wine drinkers, we just couldn't afford to do a fully consumption based bar. Pop wasn't a priority for our guests, but beer and wine sure was.

Punch/lemonade/water was like $80 for the whole night, so affordable and (hopefully) satisfied the non-drinkers.

I do think it would be weird to serve pop as a mixer for liquor and then not have it offered for non-drinkers though.

lyndausvi

sjf2715 said:

I just wanted to clarify for the one commenter who said "how the hell could soda be more expensive than beer and wine?!"

Well for our bar I was quite shocked to learn that it was. We were able to buy beer in kegs and wine in bottles for about 2.50 per glass. The only way to buy soda was to do it "unlimited" at something like $3/person/hour. JUST FOR FREAKING SODA! I can't remember the exact rate, but it was not cheap. The only way they would let us do consumption based for soda is if we had a full consumption based bar, raising the beer and wine per glass prices from around 2.50 per glass to $6 per glass, and since our crowd consisted of 80+ percent heavy beer and wine drinkers, we just couldn't afford to do a fully consumption based bar. Pop wasn't a priority for our guests, but beer and wine sure was.

Punch/lemonade/water was like $80 for the whole night, so affordable and (hopefully) satisfied the non-drinkers.

I do think it would be weird to serve pop as a mixer for liquor and then not have it offered for non-drinkers though.

Can you add iced tea?   I'm just thinking of the people who can't drink sugary drinks leaving them with only water.