What to do:
Other than sip on delicious drinks, eat some good food and catch up with your nearest and dearest, there’ s not an awful lot anyone needs to‘ do’ at a summer cocktail party, and there’ s nothing worse than a forced schedule of games. That said, you need to set the scene and give people the option to have a laugh if they want to. Make sure there’ s space suitable for a bit of a boogie if you have known movers and shakers among your peers.
Next, music. Compile your party playlist well ahead of time – for the musically challenged among us, there’ s lots of inspiration and pre-prepared playlists that you can legally pinch from streaming services like Spotify and Soundcloud. Make sure you’ re plugged into a good speaker too.
It won’ t do you any harm to hire a karaoke machine. They’ re a relatively cheap option( you’ ll probably be able to borrow one if you ask around) and can simply be set up somewhere to be pounced on as and when your guests may feel the need to belt out a bit of Meatloaf, before launching into an existential debate about what on earth it could have been that he wouldn’ t do for love.
When day has become night and the party’ s over, pack your guests off into taxis( pre-booked taxis; you’ ll thank me for that) and slam the door shut. You’ ve done it. Sling your shoes off, kick back with one for the road, and don’ t, under any circumstances look at the mess they’ ve made of your house and garden – it’ s a party; give yourself a break and tidy up in the morning. 95