5 Tips for Hosting a Memorable Cocktail Party

Whether you’re throwing a party for a reason or having friends over “just because,” hosting a cocktail party is perhaps the easiest and most glamorous way to entertain. The lack of a seated meal helps keep costs low, while also ensuring minimal prep and cleanup.

But there’s a lot more to hosting a successful soiree than creating a guest list and buying booze (and tasty alternatives for designated drivers). Here are the five keys to hosting a memorable cocktail party.

1. Build Your Bar

You don’t need a formal wet bar to create a central area for serving drinks. Your bar can be anywhere that offers easy access to libations and glasses. So get creative and repurpose an armoire or a built-in cabinet — or even a light fixture, as in the Australian kitchen in the first photo.

Serving in small spaces may require a little extra resourcefulness. A bar cart is a great go-to, or you can create a whimsical vignette, as blogger Sara Bates did with a repurposed vintage suitcase (shown at left).

The bottom line: The only things you really need are booze, napkins and glasses within easy reach in a central location. Stock good wine, beer and standard spirits such as whiskey and vodka, along with appropriate mixers. And always buy more ice than you think you’ll need.

How to Create a Built-In Home Bar


2. Serve With Style

Leave the red Solo cups for your next barbecue, and opt for appropriately shaped cocktail and wineglasses instead. If you’re hosting a small group and don’t want to buy new glassware, adjust your cocktail menu to fit the kinds of glasses you have. There’s just something awkward about sipping a martini from a wineglass.

And there’s no shame in opting for plastic to avoid washing dishes all night. Clear plastic rocks glasses can accommodate a variety of libations, from margaritas to wine.


You’ll also want to take care to protect your furnishings with coasters, so this is a great excuse to splurge on the pretty set you’ve been coveting.

Just remember that your guests probably won’t carry their coasters with them when moving from one area to the next, so be sure to have more coasters than you do guests. Spread them evenly throughout your space, concentrating on areas where people are most likely to gather as well as your most vulnerable pieces of furniture.

Shop coasters in the Products section


3. Create a Nicely Lit Scene

Plan ahead to set a relaxing and sophisticated mood with soft lighting. Flickering candles and firelight can go a long way toward creating the ambience you’re looking for, so plan to line a kitchen island with votives, get your fireplace going or float candles in your pool, tub or an unused sink.

And get creative! Candles don’t all need to be sitting on tables. Lanterns create lovely light in outdoor spaces, whether they’re guiding guests toward furnishings or lighting the way toward the front door.


You can also use lighting to encourage guests to congregate in specific areas. I love how the LED candles create a warm, inviting gathering space in this living area, while the brighter lighting in the kitchen enables the host to assemble snacks with ease.


4. Set Your Limits

Being a good host does not equal running around like a chicken with its head cut off all evening. In fact, your stress may rub off on your guests. If you’re serving a signature drink, keep it simple by choosing something that can be made ahead. Then allow guests to serve themselves via an elegant pitcher or punch bowl.

You may also consider keeping your mix virgin, then directing guests to add their desired amount of spirits to their glass. This respects their limits while also keeping those who may not wish to imbibe from feeling pressured or left out.

Modern Party Etiquette for Hosts and Guests


You’ll also want to ensure that there’s plenty of food on hand. A good rule of thumb is to serve eight appetizers per person per hour when you aren’t serving a meal.

Keep things easy with self-serve snacks like this gorgeous selection of cheeses. Rose Griegorian Events accompanied each offering here with a simple, handwritten tasting note to help guests tailor their snacking for their individual tastes.


5. Set Up Your Gathering Spaces

Spread snacks across different seating areas to encourage people to come together, then add activities based on people’s interests.

A bowl of freshly popped popcorn helps transform this coffee table into a game table.


This is also a great opportunity to call attention to your most interesting coffee table books. Your guests may like to leaf through them between conversations, or while they’re waiting for other people to arrive.

More:
10 Great Coffee Table Books
How to Grow Your Own Cocktail Garden
How to Create a Built-In Home Bar

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