During long winter nights when the weather is chilly and the festive excitement is building, there's no better way to raise the spirits than by planning to host a cocktail party.
It can be as simple as bringing your best home bar ideas to life, batch-prepping some tipples, and letting the evening unfold – but if you're envisioning something slightly more elaborate, there are plenty of ways to elevate the occasion. The drinks and canapes are often the star of the show, but the little details are just as crucial: everything from your room layout to lighting, glassware, and decorations should be considered if you want to impress your guests.
To help inspire you, we've served up an array of cocktail party ideas and must-have pieces, alongside some handy tips from experts on creating the perfect setting for entertaining.
How to Host a Cocktail Party
Before getting stuck into party planning, it's best to consider the general feel of the event. Are you aiming for a lavish setup and a lengthy guest list? Or will your cocktail party be a more relaxed affair?
'The first thing to decide on is the formality of the event, as this will determine the preparation and essentials needed,' advises Sue Jones, co-founder of OKA. 'I quite like a more informal occasion, where guests can help themselves and join in with the fun of cocktail-making.'
Setting up a small home bar is a brilliant starting point – whether you opt for 'a drinks cabinet, bar cart, or a side table loaded with different bottles,' says Sue. From sleek trolleys like Drew Barrymore's 'warm honey' bar cart to vintage-inspired designs like Home Depot's natural rattan kitchen cart, the options are endless.
It's easy to daydream about creating a picture-perfect setting, but a successful party doesn't require weeks of preparation and a cavernous living room; it's simply about working with the time and space available to you.
'Don't be afraid to fit your cocktail party into the space you have,' says interior designer Alison Babcock. 'You don't always need to move furniture out or rent fancy linens to create a beautiful scene.'
1. Transform Your Kitchen into a Home Bar
Sometimes, perfecting your home bar setup means finding innovative ways to use the space in your home – including the kitchen.
'You don’t need a huge amount of space to create a home bar,' reveals Tom Howley, design director at the eponymous kitchen company. 'Bar units can be built seamlessly into an awkward alcove, incorporated into kitchen cabinets or positioned in a dining area, creating the ultimate backdrop for social gatherings.'
You can also transform your kitchen into a picture-perfect setting simply by laying out luxe cocktail essentials like shakers and utensils, and using shelving to display your spirits and glasses.
'Open shelving or glazed cabinets create an abundance of storage, plus they double up as a striking feature that can help set the mood,' explains Tom. This is also a great to show off anything that doubles as decor – think statement glassware like La DoubleJ's rainbow Murano glass coupes (Net a Porter).
2. Add a Drinks Cabinet
If you don't have space for a fitted bar, a dedicated, well-stocked drinks cabinet in your dining room or living area is the next best thing. 'Just make sure you’ve got ample space to house a selection of spirits and mixers,' advises Sue.
'I often set up a food and drink station in the kitchen as it feels the most practical space,' adds Suzy Humphreys, founder of Layered Lounge. 'I'll lay out beautiful serveware laden with canapés and sweet treats, with buckets of fizz close by. The key is preparation: you want to make sure you do as much as you can in advance, so you’re not stuck plating nibbles or prepping garnishes while your guests are present.'
3. Create a Self-Serve Drinks Station
Hosting a cocktail party can be a stressful affair – so, to take the pressure off, consider setting up a self-service bar. You could even invest in extra accessories like a retro mini fridge (a stylish solution for any host lacking valuable space in their refrigerator).
'If you can, set up a bar area with all the necessities for various different drinks so guests can help themselves,' says Sarah Davies-Bennion, senior designer at Kate Guinness. 'This means you don't have to spend the party topping up everyone’s drinks, which allows you to unwind and talk to your guests.'
4. Choose a Portable Bar Trolley
Capturing the glamor of the jazz age, the bar cart is a must-have for home entertaining. Available in an array of styles, the best bar carts will keep all your barware, drinks, glasses, and garnishes in one place. Plus, they often come on casters, which is useful if you want to move yours from the dining room into the living room after dinner.
‘In terms of design, a bar trolley is a product you can play with: you can take inspiration from any era, whether you channel the sophistication of the Roaring '20s or the dizzying allure of the 1950s and '60s,' says Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin. 'A bar cart really creates a party atmosphere, so the focus should be on enjoyable excess. Think of it like a stylized piece of room jewelry rather than a practical go-to.'
5. Create a Dedicated Entertaining Space
If you're embarking on a home redesign and love to host, consider factoring social spaces into your layout.
According to Caroline Milns, interior designer and founder of Zulufish, the best entertaining spaces are 'flexible and versatile', whether you're 'relaxing with friends and family or hosting cocktail parties'.
In the spectacular bar pictured above – designed by Caroline and Felix Milns, founder of bespoke joinery company Hux London – design features like built-in lighting and antiqued mirrors 'add real glamor to the space', with a cozy boucle sofa completing the setup.
6. Curate the Best Bar Tools
No home bartender should be without a good cocktail shaker (we love HexClad's celebrity-designed cocktail shaker) and a collection of bar tools (like Caraway's complete bar set).
An ice bucket is essential – opt for something stylish like Katie Kime's retro stripe ice bucket – plus a large cooler, a drinks tray for serving, and pinch bowls for garnishes.
7. Batch-Mix Your Cocktails
While some hosts love to play mixologist at their cocktail parties, others prefer to keep things simple – and the best way to cut down your to-do list is to create batches of cocktails in advance.
'I like to prepare two or three set cocktails ahead of time: having options like a punch, a spritz, and a non-alcoholic option saves me from spending the night behind the bar,' says Lynnette Marrero, co-founder of Speed Rack and partner of Milly's Neighborhood Bar in Brooklyn. 'With a spritz, you can offer a simple base sour cocktail – such as a rum, lime and honey mix. or a vodka with lemon and simple syrup. Then, offer a selection of bubbly mixers so your guests can customize their tipples.'
8. Prepare Garnishes and Mixers Ahead of Time
Even if you don't fancy serving pre-made cocktails, preparing mixers, garnishes and finishing touches will make bartending duties feel much more effortless once your party is underway.
'Prep as much as you can, and make sure to supply quality mixers and garnishes,' advises Ivy Mix, co-founder of Speed Rack and co-owner of FIASCO! Wine and Spirits and Whoopsie Daisy in Brooklyn. 'Having citrus wheels, fresh herbs, or seasonal fruits at the ready can quickly make your drinks feel so much more elevated.'
9. Make Space For Canapés and Nibbles
A sideboard or console table is a brilliant multifunctional furniture piece for a dining room or a living room, and it's particularly handy when hosting a cocktail party.
As well as providing a surface for platters of canapes, sideboards also offer handy dining room storage beneath for linens, platters, and candles – just like a hosting closet, with added space to show off your favorite glassware and serve snacks and nibbles.
10. Set the Mood
If you're wondering how to style a console table for a cocktail party, it all starts with a few carefully-chosen decor pieces.
'For the tabletop, nothing beats candles,' says Sue. 'They cast a lovely warm glow, and they’re flattering too – everything, and everyone, looks better by candlelight.’
Adding a table lamp to your console will also create an inviting atmosphere, while 'credenzas and sconces are a must for any cozy dining room,' according to Michael Sandsmark of Design West Interiors.
11. Invest in Statement Glassware
Dazzle your guests by trading in traditional pieces for colorful and eye-catching designs: think Anthropologie's embossed coupe glasses, Pottery Barn's antique cut highball glasses, or CB2's Omari smoked old fashioned glasses.
Of course, if you love decorating with vintage, you can also choose a few timeless and storied glasses to add to your bar cart. 'Always look for vintage barware, serveware and glassware,' says Sarah Davies-Bennion. 'You’ll never fail to find something appropriate for your next soiree.'
12. Make Your Bar Area Memorable
Since it's designed for entertaining, a home bar is the perfect place to make a statement. You can decorate with unexpected color combinations, showcase bold wall art, and even layer different fabrics.
Pictured above is a design by Hannah de Gournay, founder of bespoke wallpaper company de Gournay, who turned her bar into a glamorous talking point with a gold chinoiserie mural as a backdrop.
Shop Everything You Need for a Sparkling Festive Cocktail Party
A cocktail shaker like this one is guaranteed to steal the show at your next party. The gold finish and checkerboard design creates a vintage feel that will elevate any home bar.
A reliable set of bar tools can transform even the simplest setup and make you feel like an expert mixologist. This collection even features a handsome marble stand.
If you want to create a truly timeless bar setup, Nick and Nora glasses are a failsafe choice. They're simple enough for casual gatherings, but they're still effortlessly elegant.
Add a whimsical touch to your dining table or living space with these resin coasters. Pair them with colored glassware like the Juliska blush coupe glasses to complete the look.
Whether you're playing bartender or you're creating a self-service station, an ice bucket is a cocktail party must-have – and this one is stylish, modern, and practical.
Stylish but affordable, this bar cart is a brilliant option for anyone looking to upgrade their entertaining setup without breaking the bank. The glass shelves add a dash of '20s-style glamor, too.
Want to streamline your bar setup ahead of festive gatherings? We asked experts exactly how to organize a bar cart – and how to store glassware, too.
