We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Oh hello! Today’s post is a basic one but a critical one – how to set up a bar for your event. Let’s get right into it, shall we?
First thing to consider is what kind of event you are having? I can’t really think of an event that doesn’t have a bar or other drinking element to it. Baby shower? Usually they’re serving a cute cocktail. Weddings, birthdays, game nights, you name it. There’s even a bar at funeral events, or is it just my giant Irish Catholic family that has huge parties after funerals? That’s not important, but it is important as a host(ess), you typically have some kind of bar setup available for your guests. Of course, the bar could just be a water, lemonade, or iced tea station too! There is absolutely nothing abnormal about not drinking. But unless that’s an established norm in your family/friend group/etc., it’s usually helpful to have some kind of beverage set up.
Let’s talk about three different types of set ups: (1) a basic bar, (2) a more elaborate bar setup, and (3) a non-alcoholic water and lemonade bar set up.
A huge tip is that in addition to any of these setups, have a big batch cocktail ready to go as well. That way, there’s something exciting to tell your guests about, they don’t have to make themselves a drink if they don’t want to, and you, as the host(ess) don’t have to stand around the bar and help people!! I recommend a sangria or a batched cocktail like Cosmopolitans or Punch Bowls.
Wine & Beer Only
If I were going to have a super basic drink setup at a party, like SUPER BASIC, I would just put out a cooler with a few different beer, wine, and soda options. I do this all the time. I'm neither a beer or wine connoisseur, but I would do it like this:
Beers (in a cooler or fridge – but I like to do it in a cooler to keep people out of my usually messy fridge!):
- A light macro-brew (like Bud Light, Miller Lite, Budweiser, etc.)
- An IPA or other craft brew (bonus points for using the local brand)
Wines (keep whites on ice, in the cooler, or fridge, and reds on the counter):
- A dry white wine (like a Pinot Grigio)
- A sweet white wine (like a Moscato or Riesling)
- A drinkable red (like a Pinot Noir)
- Note: I’m a Rosé gal myself, so I always like to serve it so I can drink it too! Keep it on ice if you choose to serve Rosé, and look for a dry one.
Basic Bar
Okay, so if you want to start offering more than just beer and wine, I like to think about basic cocktails my guests could want. I think of Vodka Sodas, Gin & Tonics, Whiskey, Old Fashioneds, that sort of thing. So for a basic bar, I would include the following alcohols and mixers:
Hard Liquor:
- Vodka
- Gin
- Rum
- Whiskey/Bourbon (I highly recommend trying a Rye Whiskey, like Sazerac or Old Hamer!)
Mixers:
- Soda Water
- Tonic Water
- Coca-cola
- Sprite
Garnishes:
- Simple Syrup
- Cherries
- Angostura Bitters
- Lemons
- Limes
- A note on citrus: I would recommend to cut the citrus garnishes into wedges. I know that wheels look really pretty, but it feels like there’s so much less juice than a wedge, and somehow are messier when they are squeezed! Just me? Oh well.
Equipment:
- Ice
- Cups
- Spoons, stirring sticks or chop sticks
- A towel – where there’s ice, there’s eventually water!
The FANCY Bar
If I were having a nice event where I wanted to offer a little more, I’d basically do the same thing as the basic bar, but maybe upgrade the liquors. Instead of Svedka Vodka, get Grey Goose. Instead of having one bottle of Angostura bitters, I’d have several types, like Peychaud’s or flavored bitters. In addition to lemons and limes, I’d add orange wedges. And instead of maraschino cherries, I’d get Luxardo or some other high-end cherry. They’re more expensive, but an Old Fashioned with Sazerac Rye, a fresh orange wedge, and a Luxardo cherry is a whole different experience.
You could even consider adding in some additional types of alcohol, like tequila or Campari.
I’d also recommend adding some additional equipment, like:
- A shaker or small pitcher to stir
- Cocktail picks
- Nicer glassware, with a few different options on sizes (highball, rocks glass, etc.)
- An ice bucket and scoop
It’ll elevate the whole vibe! Here's a photo of my home bar, which definitely has some liquors that qualify as a fancy bar!
Non-Alcoholic Bars
Finally, it’s always a good idea to have pitchers of water and lemonade or iced tea out for your guests. Especially if they are drinking some of the harder stuff listed above! Here are a few ideas for your beverage bar:
A water bar – pitchers of water with different garnishes:
- Cucumber
- Lemon
- Lime
- Mint
- Strawberries
Here’s how I’ve served water at some events in the past:
An iced tea bar – have a pitcher of sweet and a pitcher of unsweet tea and some garnishes:
- Lemon
- Mint
- Peaches
- Bourbon – sorry I had to, it’s a delicious combo!
A lemonade bar – a regular lemonade, a strawberry lemonade, and some garnishes like the above.
So that’s it for my basic bar set up for parties! I hope this helps you prep for your next event. Cheers!
