[Super_Freak]

So...I've pretty much got everything all planned out for this year's party (I couldn't settle on any one theme so I'm doing a bunch of mini themes throughout). The only area I'm still stumped on is The Bar (I saved the best for last. heehee)

There are always some children present at our parties, though it is mostly adults, so I like to keep the liquor well out of reach, if not out of sight of the precious little ones. Also, we have a couple of regular attendees who, not only don't drink, but who frown upon it (these are respected elder members of my husband's family so I like to keep them happy). Last year all the liquor was tucked away in an uppper kitchen cabinet so as to be discreet, and it was a pain to have to pull it all out each time I wanted to make a cocktail while all the while looking out for any disapproving glances Exhausting!

My solution for this year is to move the bar to the back covered deck, which is right out the back door just off the kitchen. I thought I could actually create a visual barrier (maybe hang black strips) and hang warning signs (groan ups only) to keep the kids out and create a very adult area where we could cut loose a little and not have to edit everything we say to a PG level I thought this would be a good spot to hang some (humorous) bar signs and maybe have a casual adults-only activitie.

Any suggestions as to how to set up and decorate this area would be much appreciated All I have so far is a plug-in halloween bar sign (can't remember what is says right now). I would also love to hear of any activities or entertainment ideas for the bar. The covered deck is approx. 12' X 34'.

You all are Brilliant - Thanks in advance!

 

[jenscats5]

Hmmmmm.....maybe get a few shakers (cost?) and embellish the outside of them (hot glue?) with spiders or skeletons......I saw Halloween decorated wine glasses for $1.99 each at the Christmas Tree shop yesterday if there is one near you......Get some small plastic "shot glasses" & serve a "Halloween Themed" make-ahead cocktail in a pitcher - like Tru Blood or Vampire's Kiss, Zombie Blood.......get some Halloween labels (saw them at AC Moore & Party City) & put on your wine bottles or liquor bottles......Get any form of Pumpkin beers.....

Basically, let the liquor be the decorations! Otherwise, get some grow pets & put them in glass jars or plastic eyeballs in glass jars for "cocktail olives." My Dad always had pineapple sticks in a jar at his bar - rename it something creepy. Same with marachino cherries or cocktail onions or pimento stuffed olives. Dollar Tree has small severed fingers you could put in a dish. Hang some spider webs or creepy cloth about & you have a bar.

For a Tiki theme, if you have a skeleton, use him as a bartender with the above wearing a lei and a Hawaiian shirt.....

 

[dippedstix]

Hum, I kind of have the same issue!! The only difference is ours is a kids party (son's 9th birthday) but we do have a lot of adults there as well (parents of kids that were invited and/or family that is there helping out) I would like to have an assortment of wines available for them in the kitchen since the party is in the back yard. I figure that is acceptable?? I know of some of the adults that will love a glass of wine and others that will think it's horrible that I have it available. LOL You never know what to do, you know? I think family members would be the worst to work around!! You could use that black table cover rolls or tarps to cover the space and use cool lighting inside to sent the mood. I love your "Groan" up only- that's cute. I would make up names for the cocktails - maybe have some premade and put in containers with homemade labels and that way you don't have to have all the bottles sitting out?? You could put a water proof light inside the containers. I saw someone online do this once and it was awesome! They tied the light inside the drink with fishing line so it was floating. I will search the web and see if I can find it again- it was a neat idea. I look forward to seeing the responses you get. Maybe I'll get some ideas too .

 

[Halloween Scream]

The first year I did a party I bought the stick-on labels (they go over 2 liter bottles of soda mixers and wine bottles) that say things like "zombie blood" and "poison". I couldn't believe how much the adults loved them! Now I make sure I use them every year, along with little touches like a skeleton hand bottle opener and spider wine stoppers. As far as your bar area, I really like the idea of using the hanging black plastic to both separate the area from the kiddos, and to hang around the patio to give the feeling of a private club. You could call it the "voodoo lounge" - set up a black light and make sure you have lots of neon glowing items. There are some great glowing adults drinks that use tonic water!

 

[Super_Freak]

Great ideas guys! Thanks!

jenscats5 - I LOVE the idea of making cocktails ahead of time so I won't have to spend as much time behind the bar during the party. I'm gonna have to do that. And the creepy garnish ideas sounds perfect. Definitely eyeballs everywhere! heehee


deppedstix - I think you're right to seperate the alchoholic beverages from the kids' pary area, but don't let anyone make you feel bad about having wine available. If it's offered discreetly no one should feel offended and most will probably appreciate it. Good luck with your party! I love your idea of lights inside the bottles. So cool! I will definitely be looking some of those!

Halloween Scream - I think the "Voodo Lounge" is a perfect name! It sounds scary enough to keep the kiddos away and the 'groan' ups intrigued! I'm going to start on a sign right away (I already stocked up on foam boards for sign making). I did tonic water skull ice cubes last year and loved the effect. I think I will take your advice and use more blacklights all over the bar area. Though I better be sure to whiten my teeth before the party so I have the brightest fangs under the blacklights!

 

[dippedstix]

I finally found the link for the lights in the drink containers...here you go! I just might do this myself...

http://blog.catchmyparty.com/2010/1...arty-member-how-to-make-your-punch-bowl-glow/

 

[printersdevil]

I have a large sceened back patio area that is the Creepy Cantina. We have the hanging spooky windsocks that I add to each year. I pick them up at thrift stores. They hang with thumb tacks. With this theme, we are able to add a hodge podge of things. I have a bakers rack that I use as a sort of witch's shelf with skulls and bottles filled with things. Last year, I had lost a lot of my bottles. (we think we tossed them by mistake.) I didn't have time to redo them so we filled various jars (reg. mayo, etc.) and just dropped in things like plastic spiders, bugs, grow things, funky teeth from Dollar Tree toy aisle, etc. No labels even. They looked gross!!! I have a lot of silk plants and trees out there already with white Christmas tree lights, so I just add a severed hand, leg, eyeballs in the bottom of container, etc. Last year I received a great gift in my Secret Reaper of a gorgeous sign for this area and a creepy plant. I made my first creepy plant recently for my reapee and I am making some for me. We also have a gas grill out there and I positioned a pair of severed arms with the shirt sleeve keeping it stationary. Lots of hanging lights in asssorted types. We have JOL, creepy eyeballs, skellies---whatever I find in my thrifting.

I have a large table and chairs dining area that I just use an organg table cloth on and plops some decor in the center. It changes based on what I have left over. Odds and end skulls or other creepy things in window areas. There is a couch, chairs and loveseat on the other end that I have some creepy things around and on the table in that area.

The outdoor bar has an old witch hag as the bartender. I found a great witch mask that I position on top of a standing fan that is draped in a gown. The witch looks very sinister and sort of completes the room. We have a fridge that is white and drive me crazy trying to make it fit in until I decided to add the Dollar Tree clings toit. It is easy to decorate and now adds a spooky touch to it.

We also have a cemetery right outside and this year will add the wheelbarrow of bones. All are cheap and effective props/

 

[halloween71]

I finally found the link for the lights in the drink containers...here you go! I just might do this myself...

http://blog.catchmyparty.com/2010/1...arty-member-how-to-make-your-punch-bowl-glow/

I love those containers.
I always just make mine glow from colored led ice cubes.

 

[halloween71]

I always make my punch's ahead of time.This year I used window clings to adorn my plastic acrylic pitchers pretty cool.

 

[Ophelia_Immortal]

If you're making punch, I recommend making a cool 'bloody hand ice cube' by filling a rubber glove with water and red food colouring and freezing it. We did that once, it melted quite quickly so you may want to make several... Would look awesome if you could find some way to wedge it into the bowl so it stood up!