During the late spring and the summer months, cocktail parties outside in the fresh air and sunshine are a great way to entertain. Guests can mingle in the backyard, in the pool, or out on a patio. While even the best host or hostess can't predict the weather for their big backyard bash, you can avoid other evils that could put your parties on everyone's blacklist. Here are my tips for hosting the perfect patio party:
1) Designated Drivers
You could be held legally responsible for damages -- or deaths -- that a guest causes after drinking at your party. Make sure that there is someone who won't be drinking alcohol at the party and can safely return guests home.
Have a number for a local taxi company on hand. Be sure to make plans for party-goers to crash at your house if they have no reliable way to go home. Grab sheets and pillows for at least four people, but stow them out of sight to discourage people from getting so intoxicated they can't, or won't, leave your house.
2) Sun and Heat Problems
Out in the summer heat, hot sun, and humidity, guests can easily get dehydrated. Alcohol increases this problem as it is a diuretic (in plain English: the stuff makes you pee) and over-indulging can quickly cause dehydration. Drinking more alcohol does not combat the problem and will only make it worse. Along with cocktails and mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails), have cold water available (plain or flavoured bottled water is a sure hit).
Be sure to stock bottles of water in easily accessible locations at your party. Provide many shaded areas to help combat direct exposure to the sun, and if possible run the air conditioning in your house to allow those who need it a comfortable spot to retreat.
3) Hire A Bartender
Free, self-serve bars at a party are easier on the host, who doesn't have to spend the entire evening serving drinks, but it's hell on the pocketbook as well as your guest's liver.A bartender will mix drinks properly: not too weak, and not too strong (a danger at a self-serve bar).
A responsible bartender will refuse to serve anyone who is too intoxicated or underage. Bartenders offer a way for the host to circulate among the guests, who can order what they please and receive suggestions of what to drink from an expert.
4) Bring In Da Funk; Hold Da Noise
Monitor the radio or stereo to keep the music at a tolerable level for the neighbours. Some parties are judged by the appearance of a police cruiser; the classier and more successful parties are judged by how much fun their guests have without being lead away in handcuffs.
Lower levels of music also means conversation is easier! People won't be yelling to be heard above the beat, which means happier guests. It also means the neighbours won't have to hear all of your friends' latest gossip being shouted above a pounding beat.
5) Plan For Uninvited Guests
You don't want to have to rush out of your own party to grab more booze at the liquor store. Nor do you want to be remembered as the loser who ran out of liquor at their own party! Ensure you have what you need before the day of the party. Consider that each guest will finish about two drinks every hour to guess-timate how much alcohol you will need per person. Factor in mixers such as iced tea, lemonade, and sodas as well.
Cocktail parties at sunset are romantic and ethereal. But it means you may be bombarded with night time pests such as mosquitoes! Plan ahead for your no-light parties with bug repellent, sprays, citronella candles, and zappers.
6) Serve Good Eats
A cocktail party that serves only cocktails means guests have empty stomachs, and get intoxicated much quicker. Stock and serve hearty nibbles, such as Swedish meatballs on toothpicks. Consider having your cocktail party after a dinner, buffet, or barbecue, or another full meal. Offer entertainment! Card games and other distractions keep everyone busy and their attentions away from emptying their glasses.
7) Broken Glass = Bad!
Have you ever gotten a piece of broken glass in your foot? If you have, I bet you still remember every detail of that moment. It's horrifying and painful. Outdoor parties, especially parties by a pool, would be safer for everyone's little piggies if plastic was used instead of glass for drink ware and plates.
Broken glass may be near to impossible to find if in the grass. Buying plastic cups is cheaper than losing your sanity while trying to search for every last piece. Don't worry about getting caught up with what could go wrong; plan ahead and aim for success and your patio party will be one that your guests will be talking about for years... for all the RIGHT reasons!
Image via Scott Snyder