Is This Tacky to have guests pay cover charge for after party?

The after-party is always optional for guests, so if there's a cost associated with it, they should absorb it.

I agree with Kristina. As a guest, I wouldn't expect the B&G to pay my cover.. it's my choice if I want to go...

I third the idea of an after party is the guests financial responsibility. Just make sure it is well known ahead of time that it cost $5.

As a guest, the only way I would think the host/ess was paying for the cover is if there was a formal invite sent out. If it is just a case of, "Hey guys, we are hanging here." then noone should expect you to pay for cover charge.

Just let people know the cost involved , as a guest I never mind paying for stuff except when I have no cash on me.

Thanks ladies all this info is really helpful, I'm making Bags for all my guests for their hotel room so I'll provide this info in that bag as well.

NBD, I think it's all in the wording though. If it's worded as "Please join us here," even if it's just on a postcard in the OOT bag, I would assume you were hosting. If you say, "We'll be here if you're interested" and state there's a $5 cover, then that tells me it's not hosted and I'd be totally fine with that.

Congrats! I think this is the first time I've read a title with "is this tacky" and it actually wasn't tacky! I agree with all the others it's not a hosted party and as a guest I'd have no problem paying the cover charge just make sure you word it like Kris S. said that way people will get confused.

You aren't hosting the party. It is just an afterwards gathering of friends at a specific location. Having guests pay their own cover fee in expected and not tacky. However, I'd probably mention that the bar has a cover charge so they expect it and bring some cash with them.

I admire that you have the time to organize an after party! I dont think it is tacky to have people pay their own cover. Just message it that is optional and the bar charges $5

I think that if guest choose to go along to the after party it should be at their own expense.

Lol Cyndi! I think you're totally right!

Thanks so much ladies and Cyndi I'm glad Im not being tacky hahaha.

I agree with everyone else, the after party is not a must for everyone, just let them all know that you will be going to (?) and there will be a $5 cover charge if they would like to join you. If they are still ready to party, they will gladly spend $5 to hang out a little longer.

I don't think it's tacky, I think it's fine.

I just wanted to throw something out there, though - You might want to consider approaching the bar manager ahead of time and asking "I'd like to bring a group of about 30 people here Saturday night, do you think you could waive the cover charge for my group or offer us any specials?" Depending on the bar, they might want the business badly enough to offer you some kind of group discount.

We often go out in big groups for my work and if we call the bar ahead of time, they'll often offer us something like free appetizers or half off certain drinks to try to entice us to choose their bar over some other.

@Moknits - Thanks so much for that advice I just e-mailed the bar owner and hopefully he has some good news for me

I think it's fine as long as it's clear. Frankly, if you're bringing 40ish people to the club, he should waive the charge.