# Just found out Saturday's B&B is alcohol free; what would \*you\* do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 11, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183 "2009-11-11T14:46:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/41 "2009-11-11T17:34:49Z")
Since your B&B is in Berlin I’d just assume that the reason for not wanting alcohol in the rooms is a religious one. The owners are probably Mennonites. Come to think of it, tho, my grandparents who live near Berlin are also Mennonites and I do know that they drink red wine for health reasons. And we have a pic of grandpa hitting a glass of champagne after a toast. But other Mennonites might not be so “hip”. Anyway, IMHO just take two little mini champagne bottles and two flutes, and have yourself a proper yet very discreet toast in your room. I don’t see any reason for canceling or any reason that you can’t have a little sip. You’re not going to be flaunting it in the common living room or dancing naked on the roof. Honestly, I’m SURE they just don’t want anyone being drunk on the premises and banning all alcohol is the best way to avoid that. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/42 "2009-11-11T17:35:15Z")
Personally, I’d either cancel and explain why, or sneak it in and be discreet, and still complain about the rule. It’s their fault for having an unusual and unpublicized rule. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/43 "2009-11-11T17:38:44Z")
Why do people think that when a place rents out rooms they should have the same status as a relative putting you up for the night for nothing? They are running a business where they happen to also live. It’s the same thing as any boarding house which is a business model that has been around forever. I’m not saying they shouldn’t have rules, just stop telling me it’s their home like that’s an automatic override of the guests expectations. They are entering into a business transaction. Cancel ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/44 "2009-11-11T18:05:01Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I don’t understand why you even told them, to be honest. I’d never even think of telling them. > > I’d go with “sneak it in and drink it quietly” but most people seem to be leaning the other way. Strange to me. Well, the funny thing is, we normally _don’t_ mention it, until we need ice or some Coke or something. I only mentioned it in the spirit of “being prepared”, so we could bring our own mixers/ice/whatever. Chances, in other circumstances are, we would have showed up with the bottle in our duffel bag and not even thought to have mentioned it ahead of time! > [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Since your B&B is in Berlin I’d just assume that the reason for not wanting alcohol in the rooms is a religious one. The owners are probably Mennonites. > > Come to think of it, tho, my grandparents who live near Berlin are also Mennonites and I do know that they drink red wine for health reasons. And we have a pic of grandpa hitting a glass of champagne after a toast. But other Mennonites might not be so “hip”. > > Anyway, IMHO just take two little mini champagne bottles and two flutes, and have yourself a proper yet very discreet toast in your room. > > I don’t see any reason for canceling or any reason that you can’t have a little sip. You’re not going to be flaunting it in the common living room or dancing naked on the roof. Honestly, I’m SURE they just don’t want anyone being drunk on the premises and banning all alcohol is the best way to avoid that. Actually, no, we decided against going to Berlin (you remember my previous thread, I assume?). Berlin, OH, is about three hours from here. That’s not “un-doable”, but since my hubby is gone so much anyway, we decided that if we went away for two or three nights, it would make nearly a _month_ without our youngest daughter getting to spend time with her Dad. But if we’re just going for a night, we reasoned, we don’t want to spend _most_ of our time driving! So we picked a place considerably closer (about an hour and a half). Strangely enough, many of the B&B’s on Berlin’s website advertise “wine tastings” and such! Who’da’ thunk it? ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/45 "2009-11-11T18:05:02Z")
Just take the drink and drink it. Or cancel the reservation. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/46 "2009-11-11T18:26:51Z")
If cancelling is not an option, I wouldn’t bring alcohol into their B & B. No, it isn’t their house when they open it to the public, but it is still their business and they can set their own rules. The problem here is their lack of advertising their strange rule (which they apparently are currently fixing). As for Mennonites being against tobacco and alcohol, it would depend on how strict they are living. My Mennonite Grandma smoked for decades, and my Mennonite uncles and aunts drink as much as they want to. Course, I might come from a very backslid family. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/47 "2009-11-11T18:49:29Z")
> [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](#): > > Heh, that stuck out at me too. I wonder if the owners normally don’t mind a bottle of wine or such, but got nervous when informed by potential guests that they would be bringing along a bottle of vodka for their entertainment. Yeah, I gotta agree with that. I could see the owner’s train of thought going like this: If it were so important to have mixers then they would stop at the store on the way up, you can get Coke and 7-up at just about any gas station. They’re probably trying to subtly warn us about their plans for the weekend, and so we will subtly tell them that drinking is not welcome if they are going to announce it. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/48 "2009-11-11T18:56:44Z")
It’s your anniversary, and a annual event. I don’t think anyone really should fault you for choosing any of the above, that said if you do chose to drink there, I would suggest to limit the amount. It comes down to does it bother you to drink there, if so then it’s better not to or find another place, then to feel it’s hanging over you. ---
**Author:** ![zagloba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/977dab/32.png) [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/49 "2009-11-11T18:58:05Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > This is correct. It would be a small bottle of vanilla vodka (which is what hubby likes to mix with his Diet Coke when he has a drink, if no single-malt Scotch is available), OR a bottle of champagne. Wait a minute. You’re husband mixes single-malt scotch and Diet Coke? You can’t stay in my B&B either! ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/50 "2009-11-11T19:27:14Z")
I would bring the booze in and just not mention it. If I rent the room, it becomes my room within the bounds of ordinary use and wear and tear, and therefore as long I don’t damage anything, it is none of their business. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/51 "2009-11-11T19:52:37Z")
> [@Fetchund](#): > > (I’m guessing not many of you have lived in a house where somebody has a substance abuse problem.) Folks going through that kind of issue probably don’t turn their house into a B&B either. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/52 "2009-11-11T20:44:16Z")
> [@zagloba](#): > > Wait a minute. You’re husband mixes single-malt scotch and Diet Coke? You can’t stay in my B&B either! Oh, my goodness! Heaven’s no! He would _divorce_ me for even wording things in such a way that it could be interpreted as this! 😉 His alcoholic drinks of preference (usually three or four times a month): good single-malt Scotch, pre-chilled so it doesn’t even need ice (right now, he’s working on a bottle of 17YO McCallan I got him _last_ Christmas); _or_ Wild Turkey and Diet Coke, _or_ vanilla vodka and Diet Coke, _or_ (to celebrate special occasions, like our anniversary), champagne! ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/53 "2009-11-11T21:05:47Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > It’s your anniversary, and a annual event. I don’t think anyone really should fault you for choosing any of the above, that said if you do chose to drink there, I would suggest to limit the amount. Well, as I said, we _never_ get drunk on these special outings, as that could infringe on our ability to. . .celebrate more intimately! After all, you can get drunk with just any ol’ body. We did _not_ get married just so we could get hammered together! 😉 > [@](#): > > It comes down to does it bother you to drink there, if so then it’s better not to or find another place, then to feel it’s hanging over you. No, it wouldn’t really bother either of us to take something in and consume it, discreetly, in the privacy of our room; that’s what we would normally do, except for the B&B we used to stay in regularly which had a chimnea on the front porch, and we would mix a drink, have the inn-keeper build us a fire and put an afghan out there, and go outside and cuddle in front of the fire while we sipped our drink. Sadly, that B&B is closed now. ☹ Anyway, I _don’t_ put “drinking at the B&B” in class with “smoking at the B&B” (though if I were a smoker and not informed of the “no smoking/alcohol” clause until after I booked, I’d be _plenty_ pissed. I mean, even though we _traditionally_ have a drink at events such as this, it’s not the addiction that most cigarette-smoking is. The reason I don’t class the two actions together is this: smoking in an indoor space leaves residue/odor. Drinking in an indoor space, unless we’re going to get loud/obnoxious (well, sometimes our anniversary get-aways _do_ involve some noise, but _not_ because of the drinking! 😉 and we _do_ try to be considerate of those around us!), or unless we’re so drunk we’re spilling booze all over the place (see above response; we’re just not gonna get drunk!), has no impact on anyone but us. I called earlier, and our card has already been charged, so we _will_ be staying there. Haven’t decided yet whether we’ll not take any alcohol with us, or whether we _will_, and keep it quiet. After all, what if I _hadn’t_ mentioned it, and after dinner, we just asked for ice and soft drinks? Or just ice (for champagne, but not necessarily have mentioned champagne?) They wouldn’t have known we had it, and we wouldn’t have known they cared. Part of me says “Their house, their rules”. Then another part of me says, as someone upthread mentioned, _part_ of the house is their residence; the room _we_ are occupying is being _rented out to us_. If we do something, _anything_, in the privacy of that room that has _no_ effect on them, it’s really none of their business. We’ve paid for the room to be _ours_ for the night. Besides, both of us are approaching 50! It’s not like we’re 16-year-olds trying to sneak some white lightnin’ into the prom! ---
**Author:** ![Dripping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d2c977/32.png) [@Dripping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dripping)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/54 "2009-11-11T21:11:07Z")
I stayed at a B&B once that was just saturated with cheesey tacky jebus and bible crap everywhere. Cutesey embroidered bible verses were everywhere, even on the bedside table. The towels in the bathroom were even bible-themed. The woman who owned it constantly said things like “god has blessed us with” this or that, while she was showing me around. Not being a xtian, I felt EXTREMELY uncomfortable. Sure enough, when I came back later in the evening and put a couple bottles of microbrew in the fridge, her behavior abruptly became frosty. Obviously this jesus-bot was offended. :rolleyes: Places like this need to either bill themselves as “for xtains only” or get out of the business. My guess is that they are religious. I would cancel and go somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/55 "2009-11-11T21:18:53Z")
> [@cuauhtemoc](#): > > Get absolutely plastered at the restaurant, then stumble back to your room at 3 AM singing _Hotel California_ at the top of your lungs. But take a cab. Actually, without the plastered and the Eagles, that’s what I’d do. Catch a cab to and from the restaurant, have a bottle of champagne or whatever you care to imbibe there. But I live in an area where catching a cab is pretty easy… ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/56 "2009-11-11T21:27:02Z")
Cancel and tell them why. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/57 "2009-11-11T21:29:40Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > But take a cab. > > Actually, without the plastered and the Eagles, that’s what I’d do. Catch a cab to and from the restaurant, have a bottle of champagne or whatever you care to imbibe there. > > But I live in an area where catching a cab is pretty easy… Yeah, cab is pretty much out of the question, as the B&B (and pretty much all the B&B’s we like) is outside of town; I have it on good authority that the nice restaurant we’re having dinner at is about a half-hour from the inn. We will either: imbibe _before_ dinner, abstain _during_ (a slow, leisurely) dinner, and not have any alcohol in the room. Or take a little something to the B&B, but be low-key about it. Hey, we’re getting old here! Our days of drinking _before, during and after_ dinner are long behind us! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/58 "2009-11-11T21:35:55Z")
One thing that after a skim of the thread I don’t see mentioned: is it possible there are licensing requirements that a guest might violate by consuming alcohol on the premises? As in - since the place serves food, they would have to get a license of type X to be able to serve alcohol, a license of type Y if they allow alcohol to be brought in and “uncorked” there, or a license of type Z if no alcohol is allowed at all. I could be way off base on that, and in fact it’s most likely that they simply don’t like having the stuff in their house. I do agree, their website should explicitly state this policy. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/59 "2009-11-11T21:43:51Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > After all, what if I _hadn’t_ mentioned it, and after dinner, we just asked for ice and soft drinks? Or just ice (for champagne, but not necessarily have mentioned champagne?) They wouldn’t have known we had it, and we wouldn’t have known they cared. Why not just bring a small ice chest and stop and get a bag of ice on the way? ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/60 "2009-11-11T23:03:20Z")
I’ve smuggled champagne into dry jesoid wedding receptions, so I’d easily sneak it into what is my own damned room (for the night). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183.md?page=4)