A few favourite drinks, good glassware and plenty of ice make a useful starting point for holiday entertaining. Set up your holiday bar before guests arrive, and you can spend more of the evening in their company.
As the evenings draw in across the Hamptons, gatherings move indoors. A sideboard in the sitting room or a tray at the end of the dining table can make a perfectly good bar. Leave room for guests to set down a glass and help themselves.
We like a mix of glass, rattan, leather and pewter, brought together with pieces already in the house. An old decanter, a favourite bowl or linen napkins collected over the years will sit comfortably alongside something new.
These are a few of our choices for the holiday bar, with simple ways to put them to use.
Choose Glassware for Your Holiday Bar
Decide what you would like to serve before setting out the glasses. Wine, beer, a favourite spirit and one prepared cocktail give guests a choice without leaving you with a dozen open bottles. Include something appealing for those who are not drinking alcohol.
Set out the glassware you need and keep a few extras nearby. Prepare cocktail garnishes ahead of time.
Beer Glass by Richard Brendon
Richard Brendon’s beer glass has a fine rim and a simple shape that works well alongside other glassware. Use it for beer, sparkling water or a spritz.
It is a useful addition to a cupboard where glasses come out for everyday meals as well as evenings with friends.
Mixing Pitcher and Stirrer, Hatched Glass
For guests who enjoy a martini or another stirred cocktail, a mixing pitcher is worth having to hand. This version pairs hatched glass with a pewter base, adding texture to the bar.
Set it beside the bottles and an ice bucket, with the stirrer ready to use. If you are making drinks for several people, measure the ingredients beforehand to make serving easier.
Keep Ice and Bottles Within Reach
Fill the ice bucket shortly before guests arrive and keep extra ice in the freezer. Put out tongs or a scoop so everyone can help themselves.
A serving tray keeps bottles and tools together. Choose one that fits the surface comfortably, leaving space beside it for pouring drinks.
Hand Woven Wicker Rattan Ice Bucket
Woven rattan brings warmth to a bar set with glass and metal. This ice bucket feels equally at home on a dining room sideboard or a drinks table beside the fire.
Keep it close to the glasses, where guests can reach it easily.
Genuine Leather Bit Serving Tray
Leather and equestrian bit handles give this serving tray a distinctive place in the room. It works well with glass decanters, pewter accessories and the wood of a sideboard.
Use it to hold the bottles and mixing tools you plan to use that evening. Leave the rest in the cupboard so there is enough room to make a drink.
Finish with Cocktail Napkins and Small Bites
Small details make guests comfortable. Cocktail napkins, coasters and a bowl of olives should be easy to find.
Roasted nuts, cheese straws or a few pieces of good cheese are easy to put out before everyone arrives. Keep food slightly apart from the mixing area so guests can reach it while someone is making a drink.
Olives Acrylic Cocktail Napkin Holder
The olive detail gives this cocktail napkin holder a little humour, especially beside the martini glasses. Its clear acrylic shape sits easily among the other pieces on the bar.
Fill it before guests arrive and keep spare napkins nearby.
Acorn & Oak Leaf Dip Bowl
With its glass bowl and pewter oak leaves and acorns, this piece brings a seasonal detail to the table. Fill it with olives, nuts or a dip to serve alongside drinks.
It is the sort of bowl that can move from the holiday bar to the supper table and stay in use long after December.
A Few Final Details for Holiday Hosting
Before the doorbell rings, check the ice, open the wine and put out the food. Have water ready and a place for used glasses.
The pieces you choose should be ones you enjoy using, whether you are having two friends over or filling the house for the holidays. Bring them out, mix them with what you already own and let the evening take its course.
Explore our barware and drinkware, serving trays and bar accessories for your next gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Bar Setup
How do I set up a holiday bar in a small space?
Use a sideboard, console or the end of a dining table. Group bottles and tools on a serving tray, with glasses and ice beside it. Set out only what you plan to serve, leaving room to pour drinks.
What glassware do I need for holiday entertaining?
Let your drinks menu guide you. Wine glasses and tumblers will cover many gatherings. Add beer glasses or cocktail glasses if you need them, and keep a few spares within reach.
Can I prepare holiday cocktails before guests arrive?
Yes. A Negroni is a good option to mix ahead and chill. Serve it over ice, with the garnish ready nearby. Add sparkling ingredients to drinks shortly before serving.
Which accessories are useful for a home bar?
An ice bucket with tongs or a scoop, a serving tray, cocktail napkins and coasters are useful starting points. Add a mixing pitcher and stirrer if you serve stirred cocktails.
How do I make a holiday bar feel part of the room?
Use pieces that sit comfortably with your furniture and the things you already own. Rattan, leather, glass and pewter work well together. A favourite decanter or an old serving bowl adds personal character.
What food should I serve alongside holiday drinks?
Olives, roasted nuts, cheese straws and cheese are easy choices. Put them out in small bowls or on a serving plate, with napkins nearby.
