How to Host a Lounge Lizard Cocktail Party

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Fluorescent Lightbulbs
Different Types Of Liquor
Cocktail Glasses
Cocktail Shaker
Martini Glasses
Swizzle Sticks
Lounge Music CD's

Step 1

Inform your guests of the party basics: appropriate attire (vintage suits, hats, swing dresses and slicked-back hair), date and time of the party, and that you'll be serving drinks and snacks. Cocktails are usually served between 6 and 8 p.m.
Step 2

Choose an area of your home large enough to accommodate your guests.
Step 3

Set up the party area with plenty of room to mix and mingle, both sitting and standing. Make sure the drinks and grub are easily approachable.
Step 4

Prepare ample snacks for the party - try those '50s and '60s classics of Swedish meatballs, pigs in blankets, deviled eggs, spreads and cheeses. Get out your chafing dish (or your parents' chafing dish), if you can!
Step 5

Get the liquor ready. An important element of the lounge lifestyle is drinks. Serve martinis, gin and tonics, and a variety of kooky, kitschy mixed drinks.
Step 6

Be creative in decorating your party - place tiki lamps on tables and around the room, and put floating candles in martini glasses to use as centerpieces. As for furniture, plush, velvet circular sofas and Naugahyde chairs are perfect.
Step 7

Keep the party dimly lit to re-create the lounge atmosphere. In addition to candles and lamps, install a few colored lightbulbs around the room to enhance the mood.
Step 8

Music can make or break a lounge party, so play only the finest in lounge tunes. Modulate the volume so that your guests can converse as well. Check out the vintage tunes of Esquivel or the more modern Tiki Tones.

Comments

Ponkin said

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on 12/15/2008 This would be a great article if it had some pictures. Examples of the food, tiki lamps, 'atmosphere', so people can see why a lounge lizard cocktail party is different from a regular one.