Anonymous wrote:I think you may be overestimating how much space you need for a standing party. We have a typical small nw dc house and we invite about 60 people to our annual (pre-covid) winter party. Never too crowded…

Thanks for this info! This can be our backup plan!

Anonymous wrote:Which restaurant op?

Agua 301

I think you may be overestimating how much space you need for a standing party. We have a typical small nw dc house and we invite about 60 people to our annual (pre-covid) winter party. Never too crowded…

Which restaurant op?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Budget is too low if you are interested in a sit-down dinner for 40 people. Probably too low for any kind of open bar even for that many people. I hosted a sit-down dinner at The Salt Line for 25 people for about $3K. You could do sangria and tapas in the back room way Barcelona Wine Bar if you are ok with not sitting down.

I’ll keep thinking!

Thanks! Maybe a "not sitting down" thing would be more fun and lively anyway!

OP here again-- thanks again to the above poster and to all the other amazing suggestions!

We settled on a less expensive place in the Yards Park area. For now they have us down for eating outside-- I have also cut the guest list down to 30 to make it easier for the restaurant to accommodate that. Fingers crossed the weather will allow outside dining! If not, at least it is likely that the restrictions will still be in place and we will only be inside with vaccinated folks.

Turning 60 in April and my wife most likely will get me a supermarket cake and a shirt or something from Macy’s or Kohl’s. No party.

50 I recall we went to dinner and I paid.

40 was a supermarket cake and shirt

No sex any of the days as too tired and cranky.

Rented suites at the ivy hotel in Bmoore and had a gf sleep over. Dinner in the terrace. Wine and cake. If had to do again would host at the sagamore Pendry. I invited and paid.

I think $2000 is low. I live in a much cheaper area and my friend in trying to pull together a rehearsal dinner for 25 (nothing fancy) and the restaurants have a $3000 minimum.

Spent my 40th snorkeling in Aruba and will spend my 60th this year in Paris. Add me to depressed at you “elder” category.

Anonymous wrote:Do you know someone with a backyard who will let you host a party? If so, I would ask around and see if you can get a Spanish restaurant to cater a few paellas. Add wine and birthday cake and you are set to go...

Yes, we do. That could be really nice. She has a massive tree that wouldn't allow for a tent, so if it is rainy, that idea wont work.

We are all so out of the habit of going to/hosting parties, I foresee a bunch of awkward silences balanced with crazy rambling chatter. But we've got to back into the swing of this stuff at some point. Setting up a bocce ball game or corn hole may be good.