Party bus-thoughts?

[mamasita99]

A good friend of ours is turning 36 next month. She sent a text to everyone, suggesting a date for a birthday party for her. She wants to rent a party bus. $45 per person, you can bring your own booze on the bus, they pick everyone up at a central location and take you to a couple bars.

I did the party bus thing (in my early 20s!) and had a great time, a fabulous time. It was sexy, and fun.

But now, I don't know, I'm thinking, how cheesy? Who wants to see a bunch of drunks in their late 30s stumbling out of a bus, with the boobs falling out of the dresses when you bend over to fix your shoe? I don't think I'm old, but it just doesn't sound so fun to me anymore. I love to drink and dance. Drink, love it all! But I do admit, I kind of get impatient when I'm out now and I don't want to be stuck in a bar crammed up against a bunch of yucky strangers, and have to deal with one bathroom stall that has to serve 300 women. Not to mention I have to be at the mercy of the bus- if I want to leave, I can't, I have to go where and when the bus goes. Unless I want to cab it from wherever.

I'll go, because it's what my friend wants to do for her birthday. It's just not my thing anymore. I want an outside bar, scantily clad, not too loud music, a warm breeze, dancing, laughing... Or am I just acting like an old fart?

[Deleted]

First things first, nothing wrong with girls walking around with their boobs falling out.

Now that we have that out of the way, I hear you. I did a lot of drinking in college and my 20's and still love it, but I'm not as patient as I was when it comes to crowds. I'm more of an 8-12 drinker and like to control my own destiny and leave when I want.

[Deleted]

Unless this was a very good friend, I probably wouldn't go. I'm older that you, but it's mainly because I loathe feeling "captive", anywhere, for any reason. By putting you all on that bus, your friend is basically holding you hostage. 

I might make an effort for a VERY VERY VERY close friend, but otherwise, I'd probably say that I had a previous engagement. Maybe I'd make an effort to join everybody for a drink at the beginning, but on my own steam. 

Although I am older, I have a bunch of colleagues that age, and my nieces / nephews are that age too. To be honest I can't imagine any of them renting a "party bus" in their 30s.

Most of these people must have kids ... what if there is an emergency? I'm certainly not advocating staying home 24/7 because somebody has kids, but I wouldn't be happy about having to depend on the sole driver for a bunch of drunk people. 

ETA: Daveboo raised a good point. I don't do crowds anymore. 

[Deleted]

Other thought: how close a friend is this? If she's a REALLY close friend, I would consider offering to host a party instead. If you find a bunch of you feel the same way, you could always offer that option instead. Just a part of the $45PP would buy food, booze, and a gift for her. (I know money's not the point, but it's true nonetheless, it could be a persuasive argument LOL.)

[mamasita99]

I like debthaven's idea to meet up with the group for a drink at one of the clubs. That way I can leave when I want