How to Set Up a Self-Serve Bar for Easy Outdoor Entertaining

Nothing kills the vibe of a party faster than watching a frazzled host running around replenishing guests' drinks all night long. If you don't have the desire or budget to hire a bartender for your next gathering, consider creating a bar where people can help themselves. The key is doing the work in advance so once the party gets underway, guests can make their own drinks—and you can chill and enjoy their company. Ahead, experts share all you need to know when it comes to creating the perfect self-serve bar.    

Prep and Organize in Advance

The easiest way to impress guests with no stress is to prep ahead of time. "Preparing garnishes in advance eliminates the need for knives in a self-serve bar, which could be hazardous in a setting where people are drinking alcohol," says Roxy Owens, the founder of Society Social. "To maximize space and keep the bar aesthetically pleasing, leave out one bottle of each spirit and store a backup underneath the table skirt or on the bottom shelf of your bar cart."

Designating spots for essentials will make navigating your bar easier on your guests. Use trays to create zones for glassware, bottles, and bar tools; then style smaller items like garnishes, stirrers, and straws in decorative bowls or baskets. Place a trash bin nearby to keep the area neat. "When it comes to organizing, think of the flow and steps required to make a drink and place bar items in that order—like an assembly line starting with glasses and liquor on the left and finishing with garnishes and cocktail napkins on the right," says Meg Young, founder and creative director of Cailini Coastal.

Label bottles or carafes with neck tags and make sure white wine, beer, and sodas are pre-chilled. Keep in mind, you'll still need to check in to make sure the bar stays organized, clean, and well-stocked.

Choose the Right Bar Cart

Bar carts are often sought after for style rather than function—make sure the one you choose has the features needed to work in a self-serve situation. "Look for wheels so you're able to push or pull the cart into place, along with multiple shelves and built-in features like bottle holders," says Young.

If you don't have access to a bar cart, you can use existing furniture, including a console table or open shelving to create your own. For DIYers, Cara Maldonado, a mixology instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, suggests repurposing a vintage tea trolley or upcycling a sturdy tool cart.  

Set Up Your Bar in an Accessible Spot

When deciding where to set up your bar, consider the flow of the guests entering and exiting the area. "You want to avoid congestion," says Young. When outdoors, pick a shady spot, so ice, garnishes, and spirits stay cool. If you require lighting or electrical equipment, ensure the bar is close to a power source and, if possible, near a sink so guests can clean bar tools and tins (you can fill a bucket with water for rinsing if there's no sink nearby). Have a large umbrella, canopy, or pop-up tent handy to keep guests dry in the case of rain.     

Display the Right Tools 

To create the perfect cocktail, guests will need access to the proper tools. Ahead, Ezequiel Huerta, a bar manager at Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, shares his self-serve bar tool checklist: 

• Bar spoon: With its long handle and bowl-shaped head, a bar spoon integrates and mixes ingredients.
• Jigger: Shaped like an hourglass, the two-ended jigger is used to measure liquids and features a one-ounce pony shot and a one-and-a-half-ounce jigger shot. 
• Muddler: A muddler mashes ingredients like fruits and herbs. 
• Shaker: There are two types of shakers used to mix ingredients—the 3-piece Cobbler, composed of a tin, strainer, and cap and the two-piece Boston, made of tin and glass. 
• Mixing glass: Used for stirring ingredients, a mixing glass maintains a drink's viscosity. 
• Strainer: A strainer acts like a sieve to prevent unwanted solids like ice from falling into a cocktail. 
• Bottle opener: For opening beer and wine, look for a bottle opener with a corkscrew.
  

Edit Your Glassware

It's important to simplify glassware options so as not to overwhelm your guests. "First decide what drinks you'll be serving and then choose your glasses accordingly, keeping in mind most cocktails will do just fine in a rocks glass. Champagne and martini-style drinks can be poured into a wine glass and beer can be had in a highball glass," says Austin Jacobs, a bartender at the London West Hollywood in Beverly Hills, Calif. To save on cleaning (and accidents) consider shatterproof and recyclable drinkware.

Pass on This Glass

Not every cocktail glass belongs in an outdoor bar—experts advise passing on the V-shaped martini glass. "It's difficult to walk around with and makes for easy spilling," says Maldonado. "If martinis are on the drink menu, serve them in a coupe or rocks glass." 

Offer the Right Beer, Wine, and Spirits

"Choose liquors that are versatile—ones you can drink alone or that work well with a variety of mixers," says Huerta. "Be sure to pay attention to the alcohol by volume (ABV) as some proofs can be higher than you'd expect." Here are our experts' suggestions:

Whiskey

Given its versatility and wide range of flavors, whiskey is a great choice for summer drinks and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in a classic cocktail like an old fashioned or Manhattan.

Vodka

A neutral white spirit, vodka is synonymous with freshness and serves as a base for a wide array of cocktails including the Cape Cod or cosmopolitan.

Gin

With its diverse floral and botanical profiles, gin can be found in summer cocktails such as Tom Collins and bees knees.

Tequila

A distilled Mexican spirit made from the agave plant, tequila is the star ingredient in cocktails like the margarita and paloma.

Rum

Long associated with tropical and refreshing flavors, rum cocktails include the mojito and dark and stormy.

Vermouth

With a low alcohol content, this fortified wine can be enjoyed on the rocks or in drinks such as negronis and boulevardiers.

Liqueurs

Derived from fruits, herbs or nuts, liqueurs add flavor to cocktails.

Wine

Both red and white wine are essential, plus a sparkling option. Think light summer whites like chardonnay and sauvignon blanc along with a cabernet sauvignon or pinot noir for red. Either a Champagne or Prosecco will do.

Beer

Opt for kegs if you expect a large crowd otherwise consider cans as they maintain their temperature better than glass. Include a light beer, IPA, pale ale and craft beer.

Don't Forget the Mocktails

Keep in mind not everyone drinks alcohol—which is not a problem, as there are plenty of alcohol-free options available, from wines to beers to spirits. "You can stock regular old soft drinks, but why not also include spritzers or sparkling juices and waters? Then encourage guests to pretty them up with garnishes from the bar," says Jacobs.

Make the Most of Your Mixers 

Mixer options are endless, but experts agree it's best to stick with a few staples to limit the decision-making on the part of your guests. These are Huerta's picks:

• Club soda: Club soda, water that's been injected with carbon dioxide, allows the natural flavors of a spirit to shine through in drinks like Tom Collins and mojitos.
• Tonic water: Tonic water is a carbonated water containing minerals and quinine (a compound that gives it a bitter taste), adding depth to cocktails such as a gin and tonic. 
• Coca-Cola: This carbonated soft drink adds a touch of sweetness and effervescence to cocktails including rum and coke and vodka and coke. 
• Fruit juices: Natural juices such as lemon, lime, orange, pineapple, grapefruit, and cranberry enhance a cocktail's overall taste, including in a Cosmopolitan or sea breeze. 
• Ginger ale and ginger beer: Ginger ale and beer can be enjoyed as alcohol substitutes or used to add a zesty twist to a dark and stormy or Moscow mule. 
• Simple syrup: Simple syrup is a sweetening element used in cocktails such as a mojito or margarita. 

Gather the Garnishes

A garnish should complement and enhance the flavors of a cocktail while adding to its visual appeal. According to Maldonado, a self-serve bar should include the following:

• Slices of lemons, limes, and strawberries,
• Grapefruit wedges,
• Fruit peels/twists
• Basil, mint, and rosemary herbs
• Sugar
• Kosher salt
• Castelvetrano olives
• Brandied cherries

"Sliced cucumbers, edible flowers, and berries can also add a colorful touch to summer cocktails," Maldonado says. If you have potted herbs at home, place them near your bar. "If you buy herbs from the store, arrange them in bouquets, trim the bottoms, then place them in a vase with water just like you would with flowers to keep them fresh during the party," says Jacobs.

Prolong the Life of Your Ice

Ice plays a crucial role in a bar especially at an outdoor event where warm drinks are a big no, says Maldonado, Here, her tips to ensuring your ice lasts as long as the party:

• Use insulated coolers.
• When making ice cubes, use purified or filtered water to enhance the flavors of your drinks rather than dilute or alter them.
• Sprinkle a coat of salt between the layers of ice as salt lowers the freezing point of water and will keep your ice colder for longer.
• Consider larger ice cube molds. The bigger the ice cube, the longer it will last.
• Pre-chill drinks to reduce the amount of ice you'll need to keep them cool.
• Most importantly, keep your ice holder out of the sun.

Need an impromptu idea for an ice bucket? Consider a large clay terra-cotta plant holder, which has natural cooling properties. It also doesn't hurt to have a small ice machine on hand. "I've seen many a party grind to a halt because the host runs out of bagged ice and no one wants to drive to get more," says Jacobs.

Put Out a Pitcher Drink 

Pitcher drinks can be made ahead of time, providing an alternative for guests who may not have the experience or desire to mix their own libations. With a big-batch option, there's no risk of under-mixing—plus you can serve several iterations, allowing guests to choose their preferred beverage. Owens shares her go-to recipe, starring rosé, below. "The great thing about this refreshing pitcher drink is that it keeps for up to three days in the fridge," says Owens. 

Pink Sangria With Rosé Wine

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle rosé wine
• 1/2 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar 
• 1 cup strawberries 
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1 blood orange, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint
• 2 cups of club soda 

Instructions: 

1. Add the sliced strawberries, raspberries, orange slices, and mint to a pitcher.
2. Pour in the wine, vodka, lemon juice, and sugar, stir to combine.
3. Refrigerate for a few hours to allow the fruit to infuse. Before serving, add in the club soda and serve over ice.
   

Feature Easy Cocktails

The simpler the how-to, the easier it will be for your guests to create their own drinks, says Jacobs. Ahead, some easy, breezy summer drink recipes from our collection:

• Negroni
• Mint Julep
• Cosmopolitan
• Margarita
• La Paloma Cooler
• Daiquiri
• Mojito

Don't Overlook Ready-to-Drink Options

From pre-mixed canned cocktails to boxed wines to alcohol-infused ice pops, ready-to-drink options take the guesswork out of measuring ingredients, resulting in a consistent drink experience.

Decorate With Intention

Style your bar with artwork or flowers from around the yard, including daisies, hydrangeas, or succulents (which won't wilt under the sun), but be mindful of scale so you're not crowding the area. "I like to create a bar vibe based on the party's theme," says Young. "For example, if it's a beachy affair, I'll incorporate palm leaves, monstera, and natural woven hurricanes and fill glass canisters with fresh fruit for a punch of color."

Display the names of your signature cocktails on a chalkboard or print out recipes, pop them in photo frames, and place them on top of the bar to inspire guests. In lieu of paper cocktail napkins, step it up with eco-friendly embroidered linen napkins. Lanterns can add a warm glow and a magical ambiance to any evening. "You can also use tea lights or candles if your bar is sheltered," says Maldonado.

Have a Rain Plan

As with any outdoor bar, make sure your indoor bar is accessible to guests if the weather doesn't cooperate. "Place it in a central location where guests can easily grab their drinks and provide comfortable seating options to encourage them to relax while enjoying their beverages," says Young. "Ensure your set-up provides access to all the storage you'll need for bottles, glasses, and tools."

If your bar space is limited, consider placing beer and wine outside. Spills may be more problematic indoors—if possible, set up your bar on tile or purchase an inexpensive indoor/outdoor rug to protect your floors. "Use existing furniture to your advantage—you may already have the perfect console table, kitchen island, or sideboard that can function as a bar. And make sure the area is well-lit to help guests find what they need," Maldonado says.