well I don't see anything wrong with asking money for a party, but you have to do it different, here's what I usualy do
they pay for their drinks, usualy at the price I buy them (so I don't have to pitch in) if they don't drink a lot they don't have to pay a lot 😄
and the first drink is always free to get them going
usualy I charge a lil extra like 10cts or so this allows me to raise the money I need to pay all my booze, even if it ain't all sold yet. then they can have the rest for free