18th Birthday Party etiquette?

[me m]

My 18th birthday party is coming up this year and am having trouble deciding what to do.
I live in a relatively small town in Australia, so the majority of 18ths I have been to have were backyard, drinking type parties where the birthday boy/girl ended up unconscious/vomitting. Not exactly appealing to me!
Also, I am inviting a number of adult guests who I don't think would be comfortable surrounded by drunk teenagers - which is what I would think would happen if I had a party at home.
Considering this, I thought it would be a good idea to have a celebration at a well-priced, casual local restaraunt.
However, I am quite short on money trying to save up for uni next year.

Would it be rude to put on invitations for guests to pay for their meals, or even a $10 or $5 contribution for finger food?

I have had a couple of friends do this for their 18ths.
Thankyou

[legs-etc]

I think that's okay. For my 18th, I had people over for a casual order in food (but set up ike a regular formal dinner party) and said no presents, but maybe throw in a little money for dinner. Some champagne provided, BYO specific drinks.

They're your friends! You'll be right. If you're still worried, that finger food thing sounds perfectly reasonable.

[Nikita]

If it's an accepted thing among you and your friends, then it's okay.

[caroline r]

how about setting a few bounderies? that wouldn't hurt, and these are 18 year-olds, and they should be resonsible and not drinking until they puke. also how about hiring a caterer? so it's not just a drinking party, and besides it's better if there's food. too much alcohol is hard on the stomach.

[darkling]

why not have a pot luck thing at someone elses house. just arrange for everyone to bring something. You could provide some drinks.

[Karen]

Have a swankier type of party. Wine and some dishes home made or ordered from the restaurant you wanted. Those of your friends who are likely to become drunken slobs can not be invited or told ahead of time to stay away from the drink. Don't let idiots ruin your birthday. You only turn 18 once!

[Guppy Geek]

If you're throwing a party and asking people to pay for their own food, yes, that's rude.

It's about as tacky as a cash bar at weddings. If you don't have the funds, have a party that costs less.

You could just do a backyard BBQ, and skip on most of the alcohol to avoid the "drunken teenager" scene.