How to Host a Cocktail Party

Cocktail parties are regaining the popularity they once had. Once a popular entertaining venue of the 50's, cocktail parties lost some of their steam in the more casual swinging 60's and 70's. However, they are making a resurgence. Cocktail parties are semi-formal gatherings that typically occur in the evening, where guests mingle with drinks and hors d'oeuvres, rather than sitting for a formal dinner party. Cocktail parties tend to last only a couple of hours.

After you've set the date for your fabulous cocktail party and have sent the invites, it is time to get started planning. Here are some tips to help it go smoothly.

Set The Mood

Cocktail parties don't require decorations per se, but you can help create more of an atmosphere by doing a couple of simple preparations before your cocktail party. Arrange your furniture in conversation areas, facing chairs toward each other, or grouping them together in such a way that is conducive to guests mingling. Also, have plenty of areas for guests to place their drinks (trays on ottomans, side tables). Also, have some soft lighting and candles to create ambiance for your cocktail party. Some soft music in the background is a good idea as well, perhaps some soft jazz or classical. Have a place designated for guests to place their belongings (coats, handbags), and also, let guests know where to find the ladies' or gentleman's room.

Decide On A Drink Menu

Unless you have a full, stocked bar, purchasing liquor for your cocktail party can set you back a pretty penny. Another idea is to decide on a few standard drinks for your cocktail party and offer them. In addition to soft drinks and club soda, offer red and white wine for your guests. Choose one or two signature drinks to serve, perhaps an apple martini or a cosmopolitan, as options for your guests. To round out the drink menu, offering a whiskey is a nice option. Have plenty of ice on hand to chill wine, and to serve soft drinks and cocktails 'on the rocks'. If you don't have a bartender, it helps to make a tray or two of drinks ahead of time so people can simply take a martini off the try for example. Set aside an area for the bar, and enlist a friend to help mix and serve drinks, or to pour wine. A rule of thumb is one bottle of wine for every two guests. Another cocktail party idea is to have coffee and tea available toward the end of the evening.

Have A Variety Of Food

A cocktail party is not the time to serve a spaghetti pot-luck. Cocktail party food is typically small and varied one-bite finger foods. Anything you can eat in one or two bites and is not messy can be considered for your cocktail party. A variety of hot and cold food is preferred, as well as a variety of vegetarian options for people who may not eat meat. Some ideas for cocktail party hors d'oeuvres include: mini-quiche, fruit, canapes, cheese puffs, mini-souffles, bruchetta, a variety of pate with crackers, thinly sliced raw vegetables. Even tea sandwiches can be acceptable at a cocktail party. Cocktail parties are typically not the place to serve a lot of sweets, but offering a try of light, bite-sized desserts such as little chocolates, is always appreciated. A good tip is to place trays in a few areas, as not to have people feel as though they are bellying up to the trough. This helps people mingle, when they are moving to different areas to try your cocktail hors d'oeuvres.

These three tips are the main areas you want to concentrate on during your cocktail party. Other valuable tips include: making sure your guests have a place for their coats and handbags, having enough napkins, plates, and wine glasses for everyone, and providing enough food so everyone feels satisfied, and taking care to circulate to each guest to ask them if they are enjoying themselves and to thank them for coming.

Lastly, don't forget to have fun. With these tips in hand, you are sure to throw a cocktail party to remember!