Best Tips for Setting Up Your Holiday Party Bar

Set up a holiday party bar with our best tips and ideas. Find out what to have on hand, and decoration details to make it festive for Christmas or New Years Eve.

Setting Up a Holiday Party Bar

If there’s one thing you can count on at a party, it’s the fact that everyone will make their way to the bar for a refreshing beverage. Setting a festive display and adding a few special details is simple with these ideas and tips.

I decided to design a bar that would coordinate with my Christmas cocktail party. By following the same color scheme the look is modern and whimsical.

Begin by setting up a card table and covering it with a fabulous fitted table cover from TableVogue.

Keep a well stocked holiday bar

Keep your bar well stocked during the holidays, from Thanksgiving through New Years. Here’s what we always have on hand, and with these items we can whip up a hot toddy or a cold cocktail in no time

• Bourbon
• Vodka
• Spiced Rum
• Tequila or Mezcal

Specialty flavored liqueurs

• Kahlúa
• Amaretto
• Irish Crème
• Coconut Rum

Best Tips for a Christmas Party Bar

• Serve juice mixers in pitchers, bottles, or other decanters. This looks so much nicer than having all types of commercial containers on the table. 
• For soda mixers, I like to set out smaller size cans or bottles. This way you can store the extras for later, instead of throwing out a half empty 2-liter bottle.
• Keeping your liquor choices to the basics can keep your budget in check as well as being a space saver. Use liquors from my list above, which can all be mixed with the same sodas or juices, again minimizing your space and cost.
• Round up your items in trays for an arrangement that looks neat and deliberate. It also helps contain spills or drips.
• Add a savory snack to the bar. It’s nice to have little nibbles while your getting your cocktail or chatting with someone. These sweet & spicy pecans are perfect, or these savory spiced pecans. Other good choices are chex mix or flavored popcorn.

Christmas cocktail bar details

• One of my favorite ‘special occasion’ projects is making an ice bottle cooler. It’s an impressive presentation but simple to prepare. You just need a couple of days for freezing. The one I made here holds vodka but you can also make them to hold white wine.
• Add some type of glass garnish whether it’s a wedge of lime, a sugar rimmed edge, fresh herbs, or in this case, a mini candy cane hanging off the side. Everyone loves this thoughtful detail. 
• Adding playful or humorous cocktail napkins is one of my favorite ways to incorporate personality, and can even help generate conversation.
• Add a pretty detail to your ice bucket by freezing ice cubes in silicone trays with fun shapes. I used a star shape for this party and added a cranberry to some while keeping others plain.

I hope these tips will help you organize your next bar setup. Cheers!