Birthday Cocktail Reception Ideas

Birthday cocktail receptions can be an enjoyable way to follow up a birthday dinner or outing. When planning a birthday cocktail reception, decide what tone you would like to set. If it's more elegant, consider holding your reception at a banquet hall or at an upscale lounge. For a more relaxed setting, strive for a backyard, bar and grill, or indoor theme. Does this Spark an idea?

Garden Cocktail Party

If your birthday is in one of the warmer months, plan your birthday cocktail party outdoors. Contact a party planning company for ideas on available gardens for rent, or ask for permission to use a friend's luxurious garden. Set up a finger-food table complete with a floral centerpiece and eye-catching tablecloth. Hire a bartender and set up a travel bar if there is not one located on the property. Create your own drink menu of your favorite mixed drinks and provide an array of beer and wine as well.

Party Room

Reserve a party room at your favorite restaurant or bar and grill. Make sure that it is legal for the establishment to serve alcohol as you are going for a cocktail party theme. If the business prohibits you from bringing in outside alcohol, use the venue's drink menu for your party instead and be sure to ask about party discounts. Order appetizers for your guests, and place copies of the general menu on a table near the party room entrance in case they wish to have an entire meal. Request to have a small bar set up within the party room so that your guests can order drinks at their leisure.

Home Grown

Throw a birthday cocktail party at your own house and use your bar or kitchen counter top space for drinks. Have a friend tend bar or allow guests to create their own cocktails. Supply beer, wine and mint julep ingredients, and play a variety of music over your stereo system. Hide breakables before the party to decrease the chance of items being damaged. Bring in additional chairs for seating and set up picnic tables outside and allow your guests to mingle both in and outdoors. Supply a finger-foods table with an array of easy eats, such as cheese and crackers, carrots and dip, smoked sausages and fruit platters.

Theme

Throw a birthday cocktail party with a 1950's theme. Ask the women to dress as flapper girls and ask the men to wear suits and top hats. If you aren't into an era theme, consider hosting a prom throwback birthday cocktail party. Inspire the guests to come dressed as if they were going to prom. Decorate your venue according to your theme. For a flapper theme, try dim lighting and a laid back venue, such as a lounge with booths. Offer cocktails such as Scotch neat and a martini assortment. For a prom theme, offer spiked punch and decorate with balloons and streamers.