The Home Bar Hosting Checklist

Everything a starter home bar needs, sized to your party. Pick your guest count and the quantities update. Tick things off as you go; your checks are saved on this device, and you can print the whole list.

How many guests?

Or type a number

5. Party setups

Pick the setup that fits your party. Each list scales with your guest count above.

Setup

Self-serve bar for 12

Guests pour their own drinks, so you get to enjoy the party.

One batched cocktailA 2-gallon drink dispenser or two big pitchers. Try the pitcher margaritas or Palomas.
Ice bucket and scoopRefill it every hour. Keep the rest of the 28 lb in a cooler underneath.
24 glasses, stacked at the startTwo per guest, so nobody has to ask for a clean one
A menu sign with the pour"Fill with ice, pour to the line, add a lime." Tie a ribbon on the glass at the right height if you like.
Garnish tray and small tongsSee the garnish tray list below
A zero-proof pitcherSparkling water with citrus: 3 liters
Napkins, coasters and a small trash bin36 napkins. A bin at the bar keeps empties off your tables.

Setup

Holiday party bar for 12

Festive, mostly made ahead, and easy to refill.

One festive batch drinkA batch French 75, or a cranberry spritz in a big pitcher
2 bottles of sparkling wine for a toastA 4 oz pour each, plus what the batch needs
Coupes, 12Stack a few into a small tower for the photo
Holiday garnishFresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, orange peels
Cranberry ice cubesFreeze cranberries and rosemary into cubes the day before
Spiced cider as the zero-proof optionAbout 3 quarts, served warm or over ice
About 28 lb of icePlus a tub for chilling the sparkling wine

Setup

Garnish tray for 12

Cut everything two hours ahead and cover it with a damp paper towel.

A tray with a lid, and small tongsKeeps fruit fresh and hands out of it
6 limes, cut into wheels and wedgesFor garnish only. Juicing for margaritas is extra; the drink calculator counts those.
3 lemons and 3 orangesWheels, plus a few peels for Old Fashioneds
Cocktail cherries and olivesOne jar of each, set out with small picks
Fresh herbsMint, rosemary or basil, stems in a little water
Rim salt and sugar on small platesFlaky salt or Tajín for margaritas

6. The party countdown

A week beforePick one batched cocktail and one shaken drink. Buy spirits, wine and anything shelf-stable. Start freezing big cubes.
The day beforeMake the syrups. Batch the spirits and syrup for your big-batch drink (no citrus yet). Chill wine, beer and mixers.

Two hours beforeJuice the citrus and add it to the batch. Cut garnishes. Fill the cooler with ice.
When guests arriveSet out the menu sign, the zero-proof option and a stack of glasses. Then go enjoy your party.

The Home Bar Hosting Checklist

How many guests?

1. The tools

2. Glasses for a crowd

3. The pantry

4. Hosting a party of 12

5. Party setups

Setup

Self-serve bar for 12

Setup

Holiday party bar for 12

Setup

Garnish tray for 12

6. The party countdown