7 Fun Cocktail Party Ideas

Throwing a cocktail party can be a fun and stylish way to entertain friends and family. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a larger event, there are plenty of creative ideas to make your cocktail party a hit. Here are seven fun cocktail party ideas to get you started.

Theme it up

For a tropical paradise theme, consider decorating with palm trees, colourful flowers, and other tropical-inspired decorations. Serve cocktails in pineapples or coconuts, and play tropical music to set the mood. You could also encourage guests to dress in tropical-themed attire, such as Hawaiian shirts or flower crowns.

For a 1920s glamour theme, think flapper dresses, fedoras, and classic cocktails like martinis and gin fizzes. Decorate with art deco-inspired accents, such as gold and silver streamers and feather boas. You could also set up a vintage record player and play music from the era.

Other theme ideas could include a vintage circus theme, with circus-inspired decorations and carnival games; a coastal beach party theme, with beach-themed decorations and refreshing cocktails served in coconut shells; or a colourful and playful carnival theme, with carnival games and bright, playful decorations.

Whatever theme you choose, be sure to carry it throughout the party, from the decorations to the cocktails to the music and attire. This will help create a cohesive and immersive atmosphere for your guests to enjoy.

Set up a DIY cocktail bar

Allow your guests to get creative and mix their own cocktails by setting up a DIY cocktail bar. Stock it with a variety of spirits, mixers, and garnishes, and provide recipe cards with ideas for different cocktails. You could also provide some pre-made cocktails for those who aren’t as confident in their mixing skills. To set up a DIY cocktail bar at your cocktail party, you'll need to gather a variety of spirits, mixers, and garnishes.

Some common spirits to include might be vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey. For mixers, consider offering tonic water, club soda, orange juice, cranberry juice, and lime juice. You could also provide a selection of bitters and liqueurs to add extra flavour to cocktails.

As for garnishes, the options are endless. Fresh fruit like lemons, limes, and oranges are always a classic choice. You could also consider using herbs like mint, basil, and rosemary to add some aromatic flair to cocktails. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and chili powder can also add a unique twist. Other fun garnish ideas could include candy, flowers, or small toys.

Go for a signature cocktail

If you’re not up for the idea of a DIY cocktail bar, consider creating a signature cocktail for your party. Choose a recipe that is easy to make in large quantities and can be served in a punch bowl or pitcher. This way, you can focus on other aspects of the party and your guests can help themselves to refills.

Offer a selection of non-alcoholic beverages

While cocktails are the main attraction at a cocktail party, it’s important to also offer a selection of non-alcoholic beverages for those who don’t drink alcohol or who want to take a break from the cocktails. This could include sparkling water, mocktails, or other non-alcoholic mixed drinks.

Get creative with garnishes

Garnishes are a great way to add visual appeal to cocktails and make them more interesting. Consider using fresh fruit, herbs, and spices as garnishes, or get creative with other fun and unexpected additions like candy, flowers, or even small toys.

Serve up some tasty appetizers

No cocktail party is complete without some tasty appetizers to snack on. Choose a variety of small bites that pair well with cocktails, such as cheese and crackers, sliders, bruschetta, or mini quiches. You could also set up a charcuterie board with a selection of meats, cheeses, and other accompaniments.

Add some entertainment

To keep your guests entertained, consider adding some extra activities or entertainment to your cocktail party. This could include live music, a photo booth, or lawn games like cornhole or giant Jenga. You could also hire a bartender to give a mixology demonstration or set up a tasting station with different types of spirits for your guests to try.

Throwing a cocktail party can be a fun and stylish way to entertain friends and family. By choosing a theme, setting up a DIY cocktail bar or serving a signature cocktail, offering non-alcoholic options, getting creative with garnishes, serving tasty appetizers, and adding some entertainment, you can create a memorable and enjoyable event that your guests will love.

Come to Bar Jayda and let us look after you

At Bar Jayda, our trained mixologists know all your favourite cocktails. We also make a few signature drinks of our own. We’re open for walk-ins from 5pm Tues-Sat. If you’d like to make a group booking, don’t hesitate to get in touch!