One way to feel more like a guest at your own party is to leave (some of) the bartending duties to the guests themselves.
It's nice to get each arriving guest their first cocktail or refreshment, show them where to find the food, make an introduction or two and then turn them loose on a self-serve bar for subsequent drinks.
Here is a quick how-to on setting up a well stocked self-serve bar:
Where?
Out of the main "flow" of the party. People will go out of their way to get to the bar, and some will tend to gather there, so there is no need to make it super central or it can clog up the energy and flow of the party space. The kitchen is a natural spot to set it up, providing there is enough room. If not, a table off to the side or in the corner of the main party room, pushed up against a wall (for stability) will work best.
The Liquids?
A Basic List:
Scotch, Vodka, Gin, Tequila, and Rum
Wine, Red and White
Beer
Vermouth
Club soda, cola, diet cola, tonic, lemon-lime, ginger ale
Orange and cranberry juice
Good Extras:
Champagne, Pernod, Brandy, Pimms, Clamato
How much?
Here is a handy drink calculator. You can input duration, number of guests, and types of drinks to get an estimate. This one also lets you set an average price for types of drinks.
The stuff?
Glassware or cups
Cocktail Napkins
A tea towel or two for spills
Jigger (measuring glass)
Corkscrew
Shaker
Fruit - (cut up the lemons and limes ahead of time)
Olives
Lots of Ice
A small trash container under or next to the bar table.
The Layout?
Glasses to one side on the main surface.
Napkins, ice bucket, tongs, garnishes, measuring glass and shaker in the front row.
Sodas, juice and mixers in the middle row.
Liquor and wine bottles at the back.
Beer in a cooler or bucket/container with ice beside or below the bar.
Photo: Simeon at stock.xchang
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
This is an excellent overview. I was a little amused by the change in drinking habits -- in my parents' heyday the table would have included Bourbon as well as Scotch but not tequila and probably not rum. When my friends were all drinking (there's a lot less of that going on than there used to be) it would have been mostly wine, with Scotch and Irish whiskeys, perhaps Bourbon (I'm in Washington so there's always a crowd of Virginians), Campari rather than Pernod, and absolutely no blue cocktails at all. If you can get it, I would add bitter lemon.
view Deborah's profile
Thanks for the tip, I was clueless but now I've seen the light.
view foodiegirl's profile
I've been reading these party posts and wondering exactly who people are inviting to their parties - if I have a party I invite my friends - they have been to my house before, know where everything is and feel at home there - I don't need to show them where the food is or make introductions
What kind of guests are people inviting that haven't been to their house before? (ignoring a house-warming party in a new place of course)
view Violetsrose's profile
Violetsrose...you assume all parties that one hosts are for one's friends. However, there are many instances when you have strangers to your home for a get-together i.e. a spouse's work associates, your work associates, friends of friends, and so on. This tends to happen a lot around the holidays whereas a birthday party at your home with just your close friends may not lend itself to such a formal bar set-up.
view BellePlaine's profile
no whiskey?
view okgoodanswer's profile