# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/61 "2009-11-11T23:15:32Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > 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? I was thinking this, or perhaps a restriction imposed by their business insurance policy? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/62 "2009-11-11T23:24:05Z")
> [@myskepticsight](#): > > In the OP she said vodka OR champagne. And even if it were both, who cares? The comment still really was not warranted. Sorry if some people don’t like that special occasions and their celebrations often involve alcohol. If you don’t like it, go back in time and change it. It was completely warranted. The only thing the OP was using as criteria to consider canceling was the lack of alcohol. If it were simply about toasting, they could bring some non-alcoholic carbonated beverage and skip this whole thread. The fact that the OP made this thread where 2 out of the 3 choices were to continue to bring the banned alcohol speaks to me that this is more than some yearly toast. What I want to know is how many special occasions and celebrations must be viewed through a foggy haze before considering that alcohol may not be the best thing to use for something memorable? ---
**Author:** ![Fetchund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b2d939/32.png) [@Fetchund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fetchund)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/63 "2009-11-11T23:31:16Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Folks going through that kind of issue probably don’t turn their house into a B&B either. No, but people with a B&B can easily have someone in the family develop the issue. ---
**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, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/64 "2009-11-11T23:51:56Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > 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! 😉 > > 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, IMHO go for it then, even enjoy that little bit of ‘naughtiness’ that one may feel if that is enjoyable. > [@](#): > > Anyway, I _don’t_ put “drinking at the B&B” in class with “smoking at the B&B” Agreed, and you don’t need to justify it, they are 2 different things, don’t smoke there (yes I know you said that’s not a issue, but they are unrelated). > [@](#): > > It’s not like we’re 16-year-olds trying to sneak some white lightnin’ into the prom! While you may not be that age anymore, no reason why you can’t use this scenario to heighten the experience, it may make you both feel younger. Happy Anniversary and God bless both of you. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/65 "2009-11-11T23:57:05Z")
If they have already charged your card and are not willing to refund (or even if they are willing to refund, but no comparable accomodation can be be conveniently found) I would not feel guilty about discreetly transgressing this rule. It would be a different matter if you had made the reservation knowing that this policy was in effect. ---
**Author:** ![Haunted](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/898d66/32.png) [@Haunted](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haunted)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/66 "2009-11-11T23:58:45Z")
What would I do? If I couldn’t get a room somewhere else, I’d bring some booze in and take the empties away with me the next day. It’s not a big deal as far as I’m concerned. If I paid for a room and the privacy that entitles me to, I’d do what I like (I would not smoke as I can see that that might affect other people). It’s not like they’re gonna know so fuck it. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/67 "2009-11-11T23:59:21Z")
**Norine** , are you as much of a cheap drunk as I now am after gastric surgery, you won’t need to smuggle much in to the joint to get the job done… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/68 "2009-11-12T00:11:19Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > **Norine** , are you as much of a cheap drunk as I now am after gastric surgery, you won’t need to smuggle much in to the joint to get the job done… 😛 Yeah, I’m a pretty “cheap date” now! 😛 If I drink a glass of champagne with my hubby, and another as I soak in the “garden tub” the room boasts, I don’t dare risk _another_ glass, as it may incapacitate me for further adventures! 😉 > [@kanicbird](#): > > Happy Anniversary and God bless both of you. Well, 21 years today, and we’re still going. So all’s well! Thank you for the good wishes! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/69 "2009-11-12T00:16:55Z")
Why do you think ‘we’re an alcohol free establishment’ means you can’t have a couple drinks while you’re out? ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/70 "2009-11-12T00:37:09Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > It was completely warranted. The only thing the OP was using as criteria to consider canceling was the lack of alcohol. If it were simply about toasting, they could bring some non-alcoholic carbonated beverage and skip this whole thread. The fact that the OP made this thread where 2 out of the 3 choices were to continue to bring the banned alcohol speaks to me that this is more than some yearly toast. What I want to know is how many special occasions and celebrations must be viewed through a foggy haze before considering that alcohol may not be the best thing to use for something memorable? Do you have some sort of personal problem with alcohol? Alcoholic, friend/family of alcoholic? I’m sorry if that’s the case, but wanting to be able to drink some alcohol does NOT mean they will get drunk, be “hazy” or anything else negative. Sorry if you don’t understand but a lot of people like drinking not just because you can get totally wasted, but it tastes good and it feels nice for many to be on the much lesser ends of intoxication (aka a buzz). She is talking about drinking like 2 glasses of champagne. Unless she’s never drank before or weighs like 75 pounds it’s not gonna intoxicate her very much. Not gonna be wasted. And her choices were: go somewhere else, bring alcohol, don’t bring alcohol. I’ve never heard of any kind of B&B banning alcohol, and honestly I would cancel just because that makes me think the owners are possibly religious to the point where we would not get along, regardless of whether or not I wanted to drink in the room. Most B&Bs I’ve seen revolve around local alcohol like wineries etc. And honestly, I don’t really get why you’re judging so hard on this. It’s not like she is talking about smoking crack. She’s even being more responsible than many by saying she wants to drink in a room so no one has to drive. I can’t see a problem. Ever been to a wedding? You know the toast? It’s common to use booze. So doing the same thing for an anniversary makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/71 "2009-11-12T01:02:53Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > Why do you think ‘we’re an alcohol free establishment’ means you can’t have a couple drinks while you’re out? What would make you ask that? I even mentioned that (more than once) as a possibility. We just normally prefer to wait until we’re home/back to our room to imbibe so neither of us has to worry about whether we’re “over the legal limit” or not. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/72 "2009-11-12T01:20:16Z")
I would attempt to find somewhere else suitable, and if successful, cancel the original reservation. If I could not find anywhere else, I would sneak the toast in. While I would normally regard it as correct to observe their rules, the fact that they did not publicize the rules until I found out too late to do anything about it means that I have been put in the position of having my plans marred. Either I go to an otherwise unsuitable different hotel, or we do not have our traditional toast. Or I break the rule. Sorry, I have been put in this dilemma through no fault of my own and I am going to solve it one way or the other and have the nice anniversary that I had planned. Get the ice ready. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/73 "2009-11-12T01:38:12Z")
Likely I would have said something like: \*You really should have made that clear on your web site - please cancel my reservation. \* ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/74 "2009-11-12T01:44:26Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > Likely I would have said something like: \*You really should have made that clear on your web site - please cancel my reservation. > \* You are absolutely correct that that’s what I _should_ have done. What stopped me from doing that is that I’d told my hubby all about this particular place, and had already gotten recommendations for where to have dinner, etc., so when she told me the deal, I wanted to consult with my hubby about how _he_ wanted to handle it. In true hubby-fashion, he said “Hmmm. Let me ponder that”, and before I knew it, the card had been charged. Of course, that doesn’t negate the possibility of a cancellation and charge-back. I just find it ironic that if I had never asked her about mixers, we probably would have carried the booze in, in the duffel bag, and they never even would have known we had it! Not to mention I still love the idea of the curtained king-size bed, garden tub for two, etc. The question is, do I love the idea of these things enough to change our tradition? Haven’t decided yet. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/75 "2009-11-12T03:35:39Z")
I’d be wondering what other odd rules they have there. Are they going to make you say grace before breakfast? ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/76 "2009-11-12T04:20:52Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > I’d be wondering what other odd rules they have there. Are they going to make you say grace before breakfast? I don’t know that no alcohol is an “odd” rule. Maybe they just don’t want to deal with guests who might drink to excess and disturb others. They probably considered it and decided it wasn’t worth the (potential) hassle. Everyone who thinks that forbidding alcohol is unreasonable – would you make the same argument about the no smoking rule? Yeah, smoking stinks up a place, but so do spilled drinks and vomit, not to mention possible liability issues. Nobody defends smokers – why do drinkers get a pass? ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/77 "2009-11-12T07:46:44Z")
I would just bring the alcohol and not say anything. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/78 "2009-11-12T08:35:13Z")
> [@Vihaga](#): > > I’d cancel, not because I’m overly attached to having alcohol available, but because I hate being deceived. Having wine in a B&B is so common that I’d feel like omission of the policy on the website was deliberate, counting on people to not want to cancel their reservations at a place they wouldn’t have even have considered if they’d known the policy in advance. This. If it’s not on their website then I would feel as if they are trying to deceive people. It makes me wonder if there isn’t something else they forgot to mention waiting for you when you get there. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/79 "2009-11-12T08:44:20Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Everyone who thinks that forbidding alcohol is unreasonable – would you make the same argument about the no smoking rule? Yeah, smoking stinks up a place, but so do spilled drinks and vomit, not to mention possible liability issues. Nobody defends smokers – why do drinkers get a pass? Because social drinking doesn’t involve spilling drinks and vomiting. B&B’s tend to cater to a more gentile group and not the spring break crowd. It is very common for groups to share a bottle of wine after dinner. Smoking, on the other hand, represents a product that absorbs into the furniture and walls and cannot be easily removed. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183/80 "2009-11-12T08:52:17Z")
Just bring the champagne. What they don’t know ain’t gonna hurt 'em. You shouldn’t have to put up with people’s eccentricities just because they want you to. Like someone else mentioned, had you made this booking knowing that they didn’t want it then you would have had the moral obligation to respect their wishes. But if you can’t find another place then I don’t think you have any reason to accomodate something you had no way of knowing about. If someone wants to create rules that dictate how people would expect to behave (ie restricting otherwise legal behavior) they need to be up front about it. > [@AuntiePam](#): > > I don’t know that no alcohol is an “odd” rule. Maybe they just don’t want to deal with guests who might drink to excess and disturb others. They probably considered it and decided it wasn’t worth the (potential) hassle. > > Everyone who thinks that forbidding alcohol is unreasonable – would you make the same argument about the no smoking rule? Yeah, smoking stinks up a place, but so do spilled drinks and vomit, not to mention possible liability issues. Nobody defends smokers – why do drinkers get a pass? No one said that drunks get a pass. But if people expect to be able to do something (again, because it’s legal and there’s no reason to assume that there’s a restriction in the first place), and then be told that they can’t do it, then the onus is on the people imposing extra restrictions to disclose that information. If they really had such a problem with drunks (who I’m guessing are a small percentage of B&B-goers anyway), they would have had something posted before. But the hell with arguing theoreticals. **norinew** ’s not going to get drunk, and not going to vomit. Her actions aren’t going to affect the owners. So they can suck it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-found-out-saturdays-b-b-is-alcohol-free-what-would-you-do/517183.md?page=5)