The sun is out, and the first thing that springs into anyone’s mind is a BBQ. A great excuse to get outside, meet up with friends, and enjoy good food and ice-cold drinks in the sunshine. Whether you’re hosting a BBQ for your work or for friends and family, there are a few dos and don’ts that you need to keep in mind to make sure that everyone has a good time. We’ve put together this handy list, so that you won’t forget a thing.
No one likes to think of their summer BBQ
being called off because of the weather, but let’s be honest, everyone is going
to be happy whether they are inside or out – so long as there is plenty off
food. Ensuring that you have adequate space to fit everyone inside is essential;
no one wants to be cramped together in the event of a downpour. Luckily, most
venues with an outdoor area also have a good-sized indoor alternative. This is
one of the benefits to hiring somewhere over hosting a party at your own house.
If your BBQ is for a corporate team, or a
very large group, hiring a venue is definitely going to be something you should
consider. One thing you can’t do however, is leave it until you confirm the
weather forecast for your date. While there are a number of BBQ venues for hire
in London, they all get snapped up pretty quickly, so you need to plan in
advance. This way you have time to view them, decide if you are self-catering
or not, and plan any other entertainment you might want on the day.
If you are catering yourself, it’s
important that you prep as much as you can beforehand. This leaves you with plenty
of time to actually talk to your guests and to get cooking. You always have less
time than you think you do and spending the full day in the kitchen frantically
prepping is no way to enjoy a BBQ party – particularly if everyone else is
outside enjoying the sunshine. Have a list of everything that you can do the day
and night before, with boxes that are clearly labelled for ease.
There is nothing worse at a party that
revolves around cooking and eating food than not having enough to go around.
Carefully manage who is coming and have extra ready in the freezer for a quick
defrost if it looks like people are eating more than you bargained for.
Particularly if people have a few drinks, they tend to eat more than usual, so
you can’t just cater for a small portion each. Certain things might also be very
popular, so it’s great to have extra things such as chicken skewers that people
always go back for.
You don’t have to do everything when it
comes to catering. Asking guests to bring along side dishes and desserts will ensure
that there is plenty of variety for people to eat. Coming up with all these
extras by yourself is time-consuming and expensive, particularly if you add in
all I think the sweet treats on top of it! No one will mind contributing
something, and if you have a list in advance of what everyone is bringing, you
can then fill in any gaps in the menu with your own creations.
Having a BBQ and forgetting about the couple
of vegetarian friends that you invited is a huge faux pas. While many people
will bring their own food to be cooked if they have particular requirements, it’s
still a good idea to ask beforehand. This way you can have food ready for them,
as well as desserts and side dishes that they can happily tuck into. Everyone
is sure to be very grateful for you doing this, especially when they have a
certain allergy that limits what they can eat. No one wants there to be any
hungry guests!
Do Have
Music
Having some speakers playing music at all
times is a must. Whether it’s something relaxing, or a few more upbeat tunes as
the evening wears on, having that in the background relaxes people and gets them
chatting. There’s no such thing as an awkward silence when there’s music
involved. Pick your tunes carefully and have them arranged on a playlist
beforehand that you can easily turn on. It’s important that you test your
speakers beforehand. No one needs a tech malfunction while the burgers are cooking.
They need to be loud enough that the whole area can hear, without deafening
anyone.
Don’t Forget
to Have Fun
Yes, you’re the host, and you’ve organised
the whole day. Maybe you’re also in charge of all of the cooking, and you want
to make sure that everyone’s glass is topped up. More important than all of
this however, is that you relax and enjoy yourself. If you’re tense, your
guests will notice, and it will affect them as well. Once everyone has turned
up and the food is on, your job is done and it’s time to enjoy and appreciate
what an awesome party you’ve managed to put together.
Whether the weather holds, or you’re faced
with a downpour, a BBQ is never a dull event. Keeping it casual and relaxed is
the key to its success. After all, no one can eat a burger gracefully! Keep the
music and laughter going, and make sure that you take time to enjoy the fun
yourself, and you’re sure to be the host that everyone remembers for all the
best reasons.
You can find the best venues for a BBQ party in London with Canvas. Make the most of our search filters to narrow down what you need from your BBQ party venue - your ideal location, the features and facilities you need, the number of guests you're hosting the barbecue for.
There are a number of venues for a garden or BBQ party in London, and you can find one that matches your requirements with Canvas. Whether you're looking for a large garden space to hire, or something more intimate, you will find something ideal for your BBQ event in London.
Depending on how many people you are catering for and where in London you want to host your BBQ party, you will find your ideal venue with the help of Canvas. Ideally you're looking for a venue with a garden or a venue with a patio space. You need somewhere that will allow a barbecue, whether it's bring your own or it's the venue's own. If you're organising a summer party with a barbecue for catering, make sure you are clear with the venue manager so they can okay it, as well as help you out with any other requests or questions you may have.
Planning a BBQ party needn't be difficult - it shouldn't be much different to planning any type of party. The main things you need to think about is booking your venue, sorting your guest list, and arranging the catering options. In this case: it's barbecue food! When it comes to finding your perfect venue, make sure you are clear that you are hosting a BBQ to get the permission of the venue. If it is allowed, they may even have some top tips to make your BBQ party even more of a success.
If you're looking for a roof terrace for a BBQ party, use Canvas to find the best rooftop venues then use our specifications to make sure it has everything you need. Use our contact form to get in touch with the venue manager directly; they'll be able to talk you through all your options to help make this the best BBQ party for you and your party guests.