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What is Cocktail Hour?
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Hosts of informal dinner parties or receptions may want to schedule a time of pre-dinner socializing know as a cocktail hour. Guests are often treated to hors d'oeuvres or light snacks, along with an assortment of mixed alcoholic drinks, wines and beers. A professional mixologist may be hired to prepare the drinks during more elaborate events, but quite often the host will play the role of bartender or the guests may serve themselves.
If the cocktail hour is intended to be an occasion in itself without a dinner to follow, the guests may be served what is best described as "heavy hors d'oeuvres." Heavy hors d'oeuvres often include substantial foods as sandwiches, meat dishes and pastries. If a dinner is planned, guests may enjoy lighter fare such as chips and dip or vegetable platters. The cocktail hour may also be limited to a specific type of drink, such as Bloody Marys or Margaritas.
The purpose of a cocktail hour is to provide invitees with an atmosphere conducive to informal socializing and mingling, not to create a roomful of intoxicated guests. Hosts should provide music suitable for the occasion, along with plenty of opportunities for comfortable seating and casual eating. A good gathering should put all the guests in a receptive mood for the dinner event itself. An extended cocktail hour also allows early birds and the fashionably late to both be satisfied.
It is customary for hosts to include information about a cocktail hour on the invitations in order to avoid confusion. Guests may need to know if dinner is part of the event, for example. The presence of heavy hors d'oeuvres often implies that a formal dinner is not part of the festivities, so guests should either make their own plans or consider the hors d'oeuvres as a meal in itself. A cocktail hour held before a wedding reception may be more of an opportunity to entertain guests while the caterers put the finishing touches on the formal dinner service or buffet serving line.
Michael Pollick
A regular DelightedCooking contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.
Learn more...
Michael Pollick
A regular DelightedCooking contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.
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![Many people enjoy a martini during cocktail hour.]()
By: dondesignsMany people enjoy a martini during cocktail hour. -
![A cocktail hour is sometimes limited to a specific drink, like a Bloody Mary.]()
By: Danny HooksA cocktail hour is sometimes limited to a specific drink, like a Bloody Mary. -
![Usually hors d'oeuvres are served either as a precursor to dinner or as the meal itself.]()
By: Betty AbrantesUsually hors d'oeuvres are served either as a precursor to dinner or as the meal itself. -
![A cocktail in a martini glass.]()
By: Alex BramwellA cocktail in a martini glass. -
![Cocktail attire for men.]()
By: ElnurCocktail attire for men. -
![Tapenade served with a slice of bread, a popular hors d'ouvre that might be served during cocktail hour.]()
By: Natalia MylovaTapenade served with a slice of bread, a popular hors d'ouvre that might be served during cocktail hour. -
![Broiled, bacon-wrapped scallops are a popular cocktail snack.]()
By: Matthew AntoninoBroiled, bacon-wrapped scallops are a popular cocktail snack. -
![Hard liquors mixed with fruit juices are a popular choice for drinks during cocktail hour.]()
By: volffHard liquors mixed with fruit juices are a popular choice for drinks during cocktail hour. -
![Cocktail hours may be served in conjunction with a buffet.]()
By: Sébastien MaurerCocktail hours may be served in conjunction with a buffet. -
![Cocktail hours are usually part of a wedding reception.]()
By: oksixCocktail hours are usually part of a wedding reception. -
![Cosmopolitans made with cranberry juice are a popular cocktail at parties.]()
By: Sergey NivensCosmopolitans made with cranberry juice are a popular cocktail at parties. -
![Hors d'oeuvres are typically served during a cocktail hour.]()
By: JJAVAHors d'oeuvres are typically served during a cocktail hour. -
![Cocktail hours encourage socializing.]()
By: CandyBox ImagesCocktail hours encourage socializing. -
![Cocktail hours are for socializing.]()
By: HalfpointCocktail hours are for socializing. -
![Cocktail hours may focus on just a small group of friends.]()
By: jillchenCocktail hours may focus on just a small group of friends. -
![Cocktail hours usually are part of a larger event.]()
By: shotsstudioCocktail hours usually are part of a larger event. -
![When stocking a light buffet for a cocktail party, be sure to include at least one vegetarian option.]()
By: .shockWhen stocking a light buffet for a cocktail party, be sure to include at least one vegetarian option.
Discussion Comments
I think a cocktail hour for weddings is mostly to entertain the guests while the photographer finishes the wedding shots at the ceremony site. I went to a wedding where we were seated for and waited an hour before the bride and groom showed up to be served our dinner. Not too funny!
I had a cocktail party for my last birthday. In the Evite, I told people not to feel "obligated" to bring a bottle of something -- I did this for two reasons. One, a cocktail party is mainly a party for cocktails. I don't drink beer, I didn't want a surplus of wine, and I didn't want 8 billion ugly bottles of cheap spirits littering the prep space. I had a wide assortment of spirits available, that I could use in a variety of cocktails, and I also offered some mocktails.
If you're doing a "throwback" cocktail party, and are not a seasoned home bartender, I'd suggest studying one cocktail -- two at the very most -- and making them in batches. Don't blend anything and don't use mixes. Just make sure you don't screw anything up. Get the proportions right, have plenty of ice on hand, and good humor to pair with the cocktails. -- Nikolas X.
@zenmaster -- Fun! You can really go a lot of different ways with that.
You can keep it simple, like just playing old music and serving old-fashioned cocktails, or you could go all out and have a retro-costumed cocktail hour.
It doesn't have to be terribly complicated though. A few well-placed items with some fun themed cocktails will definitely do the trick.
What are some good tips for a retro-themed cocktail hour?
I'm throwing a housewarming party and was thinking of throwing a 1950s/60s style cocktail party.
Any ideas?
One thing that people sometimes forget when hosting a cocktail hour is to keep a variety of drinks on hand for people who don't drink, or who are being the designated driver that day.
Having some juices, sparkling water, sodas, etc., will keep your non-drinking guests from feeling excluded, and is just a sign of good hosting too.
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