Throwing an outdoor party this summer? One of the most important elements to make your backyard bash a hit is having a self-serve drink station. This allows your guests to easily help themselves to refreshments without you having to play bartender all night. Setting up a DIY drink bar for your party is also a great way to save money compared to stocking a full open bar. Plus, it’s an opportunity to add some fun, unique touches that match your party’s theme.
Functional and Festive Drink Station Ideas
When designing your outdoor drink station, you’ll want to include functional elements to dispense beverages easily, as well as decorative aspects to set the mood. The ideas below incorporate both form and function.
1. Tropical Bar in a Wheelbarrow
Give your drink station island vibes by using a wheelbarrow as the base. Fill with bags of ice to chill drinks, tropical flowers and foliage for decoration. Top with a grass umbrella for shade.
2. Old-Fashioned Lemonade Stand
For a nostalgic treat, set up a lemonade stand similar to one you might have operated as a kid. Use an actual stand or table painted bright yellow. Display lemons and limes around a glass dispenser full of fresh lemonade.
3. Boho Bar Cart
Bar carts aren’t just for indoors! Find one with an ornate metal frame and distressed wood shelves to complement any bohemian decor. Stock with all kinds of glassware, flowers in mason jars, and your choice of beverages.
4. Beverage Tub on a Stand
For large-scale parties, keep tons of drinks ice-cold in a plastic drink tub on a sturdy stand. Surround with matching cups so guests can easily scoop their own drinks. Dress it up with nautical ropes, nets, and buoys.
5. Backyard Barrel Bar
For an down-home country look, repurpose large wooden barrels or galvanized steel tubs as your makeshift bar. Display them in a row and fill with bottles of beer, soda, and water on ice.
Non-Alcoholic Drink Ideas
If you’re hosting an alcohol-free event, no need to fret! You can still mix up delicious drinks to delight your guests.
6. Homemade Iced Tea
Brew up a gallon or two of fresh iced tea sweetened just right. Set out the drink dispenser with arrays of fruity garnishes like orange slices, mint, berries, and pineapple.
7. Infused Water Station
Slice up fruits and herbs like citrus, cucumber, strawberries and basil to infuse large dispensers of ice water. Serve in colorful tumblers garnished with fruit.
8. Old-Fashioned Lemonade
As mentioned above, a lemonade stand with mint sprig garnish is a nostalgic and refreshing option for backyard parties. You can also experiment with unique flavors like strawberry, peach, or watermelon lemonade.
9. Arnold Palmers
For the non-alcoholic cocktail lover, mix up batches of Arnold Palmers – half iced tea, half lemonade. Adjust sweetness to taste and serve over ice with lemon wheels.
10. Custom Sodas
DIY soda bars are all the rage. Set up jars of flavored syrups like cherry, vanilla, orange, lime, and combine with soda water so guests can mix and match flavors.
Cocktail & Mocktail Ideas
If you do plan to serve alcohol, be sure to also offer festive mocktail (non-alcoholic cocktail) options so all your guests can partake.
11. Sangria Station
A self-serve sangria station is perfect for summer parties! Allow guests to ladle their own sangria over ice and garnish with sliced fruit like oranges, apples, berries, and peaches.
12. Backyard Margarita Bar
Similar to sangria, let guests build their own margaritas for a tex-mex fiesta! Offer traditional lime as well as fun flavors like mango, strawberry, peach, and pomegranate. Display margarita salt, limes, and fruit slices.
13. Moscow Mule Bar
Moscow mules are refreshing and summery drinks typically made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime. Provide copper mugs and all the ingredients for a DIY mule bar. Top off with mint and lime garnish.
14. Mojito Bar
Another classic warm-weather cocktail, mojitos contain rum, soda water, sugar, mint and lime. Set up the makings for DIY mojitos and watch your guests get creative with their concoctions!
15. Backyard Bloody Mary Bar
For weekend brunch parties, a build-your-own bloody mary bar is sure to be a hit! Offer vodka and tomato juice along with fun garnishes like celery, olives, lemon and lime wedges, pickled veggies and bacon.
16. Mocktail Station
Be sure to include mocktail options like sparkling lemonade with fruit, mint and flowers. You can also premix pitchers of fun non-alcoholic cocktails like blueberry basil smashes, ginger peach fizzes, and strawberry lime spritzers.
Display Ideas
The way you display and serve drinks can be just as important as the beverages themselves when it comes to ambiance.
17. Beverage Tub with Chalkboard
Label your drink tubs by chalking the beverage type right onto the plastic bin or tub. This way guests know exactly what they’re scooping up.
18. Glass Drink Dispensers
Serve up large batches of drinks in glass beverage dispensers, which keep drinks chilled while allowing guests to see the vibrant colors of your refreshing beverages.
19. Drink Tickets
Consider handing out drink tickets, especially for cocktails containing alcohol. This allows you to monitor and limit consumption per guest.
20. Mini Chalkboard Menu
Create cute mini chalkboard signs that label the name and ingredients of each drink option. Prop up near the corresponding drink dispenser.
21. Tiered Display Stand
Show off your drinkware and garnishes on a tiered display stand. Place flowers, fruits, herbs, and napkins on various levels for an aesthetically pleasing presentation.
22. Beverage Tub with Ice Ring
Keep large tubs extra cold by freezing juice, fruit slices, and edible flowers in a ring mold before filling the tub with drinks and ice. The frozen ring will help regulate temperature.
Serving & Display Essentials
In addition to the drinks themselves, you’ll need vessels for sipping and stirring. Think beyond basic cups with these fun stirring sticks and straws.
23. Recycled Glassware
Use recycled glasses, mugs, jars, and pitchers for budget-friendly drinkware that adds to the casual backyard vibe. Mix and match shapes, sizes and colors.
24. Paper Straws
Eco-friendly paper straws are festive and functional for outdoor drink stations. Stock a variety of patterns and colors.
25. Cocktail Parasols
No tropical drink station is complete without tiny paper umbrellas! Place these petite parasols in drinks to up the whimsy factor.
Conclusion
With so many ways to craft a creative outdoor drink bar, you’re sure to find a setup that fits your party style and guest list. Just remember to include functional elements for easily serving beverages as well as decorative aspects to enhance your theme. Most importantly, make sure there are refreshing drinks for guests of all ages to enjoy. Cheers!