Cocktail Party Hire

The Extended Cocktail Party is our Specialty. It is a Transition From Lite Bites, To Large Hors d’oeuvres, To Small Plates and Stations. All of your guests can mingle freely, dance and socialize to their delight throughout the night and still leave fully satisfied with a variety of tastes. Cocktail IQ specialises in Cocktail Machines for hire, lease and purchase. Make your party, function, venue or establishment amazing with a frozen drink machine! Ideal for parties and events, surf clubs, hotels and bars Cocktail IQ offers the best single, double and triple bowl drink mixer machines with great prices and hire or lease options. Hire House Party Bartenders Auckland Bartenders are a boutique gathering of house party bartenders and cocktail wait staff ready to bartend and serve cocktails at your birthday, hen party wedding receptions or any other special occasions. Hire a cocktail bartender for a party at home, book in Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sunshine and Gold Coast! Portable Bars For Corporate Events Barmen For Hire has impressive cocktail bartenders, flair bartender performances and custom tailored mobile cocktail bar packages to. Nowadays, no event is complete without a cocktail or drinks counter. Mobile bars have emerged as a great option where everything is taken care of by licensed and professional bartenders. If you are planning to organize an event, hire us and stay relaxed. Bartender Hire Sydney is a professional mobile bartender service.

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MicDrop South Melbourne (Event Space), Cecil Street, South Melbourne VIC

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Cocktail parties come in all shapes and sizes. Some are huge fancy affairs fit for a corporate crowd whilst others are intimate gatherings arranged for a close bunch of your best mates. Regardless of the occasion, the theme of your event or the size of your celebration, the trick is to choose a cocktail party venue suitable for your guest list.

So frock up, grab your mates and pick one of the most beautiful party venues in Melbourne for a spectacular occasion.

Best places to throw a cocktail party

From popular watering holes to award-winning restaurants, private dining rooms and picturesque outdoor spaces, Melbourne is jam-packed with one-of-a-kind venues that will provide the right ambience and amenities for your next cocktail-style event. Titan quest immortal throne codes. These are some of the most versatile cocktail party venues in Melbourne:

Bars — Bars have everything you need to throw a great cocktail party. Drinks: check! Finger foods: check! Enough space for a stand-up event: check! A moody and cosy atmosphere for both formal and casual gatherings: check!

Art galleries — If you’re planning a product launch, live demo or corporate event, a blank canvas space like the dozens of adaptable art galleries in Melbourne is a versatile venue. Art galleries have a contemporary aesthetic that you can easily adapt depending on your vision of the event. Aside from corporate parties, these modern spaces are also suitable for wedding receptions, engagement parties and other cocktail-style events.

Mansions — Whether you’re planning a corporate event or a laidback family affair, you can’t go wrong with a cocktail party set in an elegant Melbourne mansion. These venues provide a picture-perfect setting and add a dash of glamour to your cocktail reception.

Wineries — Melbournians love outdoor venues, especially those with sweeping views. Fortunately, this vibrant city is home to many gorgeous wineries and farms where your guests can sip on award-winning wines grown and bottled onsite.

What are some events for cocktail parties?

For busy hosts, cocktail-style events are an easy and convenient way to celebrate milestones and entertain guests. As these parties last only about an hour or two, they’re perfect for attendees who are tired after a full workday or those who don’t have time for a multi-course dinner. These are our favourite event types for Melbourne cocktail party venues:

Engagement parties — Host a cocktail reception celebrating your upcoming wedding in one of Melbourne’s many elegant wine bars or old-school speakeasies. A cocktail party is perfect for hosting guests who are meeting each other for the first time — they’ll be free to move around instead of being forced to sit across or beside one another at an hours-long dinner party.

Hen’s nights — Throw a party for your gal pal before she ties the knot! From rooftop bars to subterranean watering holes, there are heaps of fun venues for an unforgettable cocktail party in Melbourne!

End-of-financial-year parties — Celebrate with your colleagues by booking a private dining room, a stunning waterfront venue or a classic tapas bar. There are loads of Melbourne cocktail party venues for your next office event that are sure to strike all the right chords.

What are some of the best bars in Melbourne for cocktails?

Melbourne is famous for having some of the best bars in the world. These are our top picks for bars that make top cocktail party venues in Melbourne:

The Everleigh — This speakeasy-style cocktail bar in Fitzroy is one of Melbourne’s most well-loved and awarded watering holes. Come for the impeccable menu, impressive drinks list and the warm vibe that welcomes both mixology nerds and newbies. Next door is the Elk Room, which is The Everleigh’s younger sibling with an officer’s lounge feel.

Gin Palace — One of the pioneers of Melbourne’s laneway revolution, Gin Palace is known for its awe-inspiring collection of gin and other spirits, as well as its private function rooms: The Harem and The Swamp Room. The Harem is a utopia of fur walls and plush cushions that will give your party an air of exclusivity. The Swamp Room, meanwhile, is a secret room out the back that’s perfect for whatever mischief you’ve got planned.

Seamstress Cocktail Bar — Right in the heart of Chinatown is this local favourite located in an old textile factory. Widely regarded as one of the best cocktail bars in the city, the Seamstress offers an extensive cocktail list and an intimate air. Meanwhile, the Sweatshop, the “mischievous little brother” located downstairs, has an urban industrial vibe and no-fuss drinks.

Top neighbourhoods in Melbourne for a cocktail party

Whether it’s large or small cocktail party venues in Melbourne you’re looking for, this bustling city is teeming with memorable spaces to choose from. Not sure where to start? First, pick an area that matches your event’s vibe. These are our top neighbourhoods for Melbourne cocktail party venues:

Melbourne CBD — The Central Business District is home to hundreds of charming function venues tucked in the area’s many little alleyways. Whatever type of cocktail event you’re going for, look no further than the hidden bars and restaurants available for private hire in the CBD.

Northcote — Want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the Melbourne CBD? Check out the affordable local bars and lush green spaces in Northcote. Known for its creative vibe and diverse food scene, this is the perfect place to look for laidback and outdoorsy cocktail party venues in Melbourne.

Windsor — If one-of-a-kind artsy spaces and old-world charm is what you’re after, the inner suburb of Windsor is your best bet. The area has a distinctive vibe and is filled with unique venues for practically any type of cocktail event!

Ideas for cocktail party planning

Unlike seated dinner parties that involve much more planning and a larger budget, cocktail-style events involve less fuss and are easier on your wallet. Here are our best tips for planning your next cocktail reception:

Have a party planning checklist — Planning an event of any size can get a bit overwhelming. Get organised by putting together a party planning checklist such as this one. It will help you prioritise tasks, keep track of vendors’ details and stay within budget. With a checklist, you’ll be a tad more focused on what needs to get done and less likely to miss something important.

Consider unusual cocktail party spaces — Each type of event has a distinct atmosphere — work events tend to be more formal whilst social gatherings tend to be more relaxed, for instance. However, you might sometimes want to mix things up and choose unusual venues located just off the beaten track. Booking an unexpected cocktail party space is the quickest way to make sure your guests will be talking about your event for years to come.

Choose the right catering option — Are you throwing an appetisers-only wedding reception, planning a product launch or hosting a family member’s retirement party? When planning a cocktail-style event, you’re not expected to provide a feast. But you have to make sure that guests won’t go hungry either. Event planners suggest preparing at least 10 bites per hour per guest. You’ll also want to think about whether the nature of the event and the guest size require platters of finger foods being offered by waitstaff or a cocktail buffet. Last but not least, don’t forget to provide various types of food to cater to guests with special dietary requirements.

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You can never go wrong with hosting a cocktail party. Whether you’ve graduated from throwing dinner parties or you’re simply looking to try your hand at making cocktails, this is a party idea for the aspiring entertainer. Conversation, good food, and even better drinks should be your key objectives. Follow the complete guide below for help planning a cocktail party that’s one-of-a-kind.

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What Is A Cocktail Party?

A cocktail party is traditionally a social gathering that features a menu of appetizers and alcoholic beverages. It’s also sometimes called a cocktail reception. Cocktail parties are often held for the purpose of social and business networking. Thirukkural in tamil pdf free download. Cocktails parties can be held in a variety of locations, and often require a more formal dress code called cocktail attire.

Cocktail Party Themes

Throwing a cocktail party isn’t just about serving a variety of cocktails. You have food and decorations to consider, along with your bar set-up. Cocktail parties are always fun and you can make them even better by choosing a theme to influence all of your food, drink, and décor ideas. Whether you’re looking to set a themed dress code or re-create your favorite destination, a cohesive and fun theme paired with cocktail party invitations will make your party planning process much smoother.

1. Around the World

Take your guests “around the world” with this all-inclusive cultural theme. The goal of this party theme is to showcase a variety of foods and drinks from different cultures. Your guests will attend the party under the assumption that they’ll be trying new things which creates for an unforgettable cocktail party. You can choose a worldly party invitation and decorations to match that symbolize your appreciation for different cultures.

2. Color-Based Theme

Craft a theme for your cocktail party ideas based off of one color or a color palette. If you want guests to dress in a certain color or follow a dress code, this is the perfect theme for you. Parties based on color schemes allow for you to mix and match decorations, food, and drinks, as long as they follow your color palette. Plus, cocktails come in just about any color.

3. Alcohol Type

If you prefer one type of alcohol in your cocktail, turn your preference into an entire theme. For instance, you can throw a New Orleans-inspired ‘Mardi Gras’ party and serve only bourbon-based cocktail drinks. You can also host a ‘Fiesta’ with Mexican cuisine and serve Tequila-based cocktail drinks and margaritas. Alternately, head to the islands with a rum-inspired party characterized by Caribbean inspired food, drinks, and colors. You can base all of your party décor on the region that is most tied to the alcohol type you choose.

4. Retro Cocktail Party

Re-connect with the ‘60s by throwing a retro cocktail party! Cocktail affairs in the ‘60s were typically characterized by low ball glasses, garnishes, martini recipes, and champagne cocktail set-ups. Focus on mastering these kitschy ideas and then serve food to match. You can whip up simple appetizers that were popular during this era by pulling recipes from 1960s cookbooks. Lastly, send retro party invitations that encourage guests to wear clothes that were popular during this decade to take your party theme to the next level.

Planning Your Cocktail Party Menu

After you’ve chosen a cocktail party theme, you can begin to plan your menu. As the hostess, your goal should be to enjoy the cocktail party as much as your guests! Any good cocktail party includes plenty of conversation between the hostess and friends. Try serving a delicious array of hors d’oeuvres to spare yourself time in the kitchen. You can hire a few servers to offer guests hors d’oeuvres throughout the party to reduce your stress and keep the party going. Hors d’oeuvres and easy-to-grab eats are perfect for keeping guests satisfied while avoiding large messes and kitchen chaos. Additionally, serving smaller bites doesn’t mean you can’t be creative with food options. Here are a few tips for planning the perfect cocktail party menu:

5. Mix and Match Hors d’oeuvres

A cocktail party is your time to shine. Whether you’re cooking or hiring a chef, you should offer a variety of eats to make your cocktail party feel like an experience. All of your guests should leave your gathering having tried something new. Incorporate a diverse selection of petite dishes that each have different flavors and textures to craft a well-rounded party.

6. Load Up on Snacks

Although you’ll be offering savory and sweet hors d’oeuvres, do your best to place snacks at each table area that will last beyond the popular bites. Popular snacks include cheese and cracker trays, gourmet pretzel sticks, hummus, seasonal fruit, bread, popcorn, tortilla chips and salsa, spinach dip, and more. Guests will appreciate snack alternatives as the party comes to an end.

7. Offer Vegetarian Options

Vegetarians want to have a good time too! While you’re planning out your menu, take a moment to set aside Vegetarian-friendly options that are also savory. If you have spare budget, you can also plan out a few gluten-free and vegan bites so your party caters to all guests.

8. Prepare the Day Before

When you’re hosting a party, day-of problems and last-minute details are bound to happen. You can reduce stress by completing as much food prep as possible the day before. Purposely choose menu items that can be reheated or served cold to make use of designated food prep time.

Cocktail Party Drink Ideas

When it comes to your cocktail bar, there are a few rules to follow and ways to perfect your menu. Offering the right garnishes, deciding on variety in alcohol options, and providing water are checkpoints in your party planning process. Follow these tips below to make sure your cocktail party ideas go as planned:

9. Themed Drinks

Serving drinks may seem easy but when it comes to a cocktail party, you should approach your bar with an organized plan. Begin planning your bar set-up by considering if you’ve chosen a cocktail party theme. If you have a party theme in mind, you can choose 2-3 cocktails based off of your theme. However, if you forego choosing a cocktail party theme, you should serve a full bar with 5-6 cocktails that have different alcohols and flavors. A full bar will also allow the bartender to make a few custom drinks for guests who may not follow the drink menu. If you’re honoring a guest at your cocktail party, you can opt to serve 2-3 cocktails that are signature to the honoree and what they prefer. You can name the drinks after the honoree for an entertaining effect.

10. Wine Bar

Don’t forget about the wine! Although cocktails are the highlight of this party idea, offering a small wine bar can be beneficial for guests who don’t enjoy strong cocktails. You can set up an array of white and red wines near your bar area to cover all bases. If many of your friends love wine generally, combine wine party ideas with cocktail party ideas for an unexpected theme.

11. Garnishes

Go all out with garnishes for your cocktail party. Start your grocery list by including necessary garnishes such as cherries, olives, mint, lemon wedges, lime wedges, and sugar cubes. You can then add extra garnish ideas such as herbed ice cubes, berry-infused ice cubes, edible stir sticks, or alcohol-infused fruit to excite guests.

12. Hydration Station

Although every cocktail party is 21+, you should offer alternatives to alcoholic drinks. Set up a hydration station, also known as a water bar, so guests can drink water throughout the party. These parties are classic and fun but water is always needed. You can give your water bar a lavish feel by offering inexpensive fruit mix-ins so guests can make their own flavored water, along with cut-up lemons and limes. You may also like our resource on non alcoholic drink menu ideas.

Cocktail Party Decorations

Once you’ve made your guest list and planned your cocktail menu, it’s time to for the decorations. Decorations help turn a simple cocktail party into an event the guests will remember for a long time to come. It’s important to find decorations that fit the theme, and these decor ideas do just that:

13. Glassware

Add a personal touch to your party by creating customized wine glasses or custom mason jars to serve your cocktails. If you’re hosting a cocktail party for a special occasion such as an engagement party, birthday party, or bridal shower, custom glasses can add a detailed and charming touch to your bar set-up. You can personalize glasses with witty sayings, initials, or a line about the honoree.

14. Table Centerpieces

Table centerpieces are your opportunity to show off your party’s theme. For example, if you’re planning an elegant, black and white affair, consider white roses in a black vase. Or if your party has a holiday theme, consider simple decorative snowmen for the centerpieces. The possibilities are endless.

15. Custom Cutting Boards

Cocktail Party Menu For 30

If you’re planning a charcuterie board for your cocktail party, make the cutting board a part of your decor. Customize your cutting board with a thematic message or your name. The elegant design is a guaranteed party favorite.

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16. Candles

Candles remain one of the best decorative staples of any cocktail party. Customize a set for your cocktail party with thematic designs. Just remember not to place the candles in an area where they may be a fire hazard.

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17. Floral Arrangements

Cocktail Ideas For Party

For a traditional and elegant decoration, fill your cocktail party with floral arrangements. Order ahead of time to avoid any last minute planning headaches. Also, make sure to color coordinate the arrangements with the rest of your theme for a cohesive party style.

18. Lighting

Lighting is an especially important elements for cocktail parties held at night time. Common lighting for parties include string lights, lanterns, and candle displays. Not only elegant and appreciated, lighting is a relatively inexpensive party decoration.

Resources Related to Cocktail Party Ideas

Cocktail Party Hire Melbourne

Although cocktail parties have been around for decades, they’ve become a modern way to showcase different foods and drinks. Consider hosting a cocktail party for milestone birthdays such as a 30th birthday party, a New Year’s Eve affair, housewarming celebrations, or a holiday party. You can use any of the above cocktail party ideas and tips to plan a stress-free night full of unforgettable moments.