If you’re hosting an upcoming dinner party for your friends, family and other loved ones, you might be wondering what to serve the guests. Dinner parties are social events at their core, but any good dinner event often centers on the party dishes and drinks offered as well. Even if you’re not hosting a themed party and have lots of flexibility with your offerings, it can sometimes feel stressful trying to figure out what your guests might like the most. When in doubt, try turning to these five simple yet popular and deeply satisfying party drinks and dishes that are sure to make a splash with your guests!
1. Mixed Drinks Made With Blue Curacao
Hosting some adults at your dinner event? If so, the night’s not complete without some funky mixed drinks! This is a great opportunity to get creative and offer your guests something out of the ordinary that they’ll really remember. Consider offering blue curacao drinks and other options that guests will love.
2. Simple Yet Classic Fruit and Veggie Platters
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with some classic fruit and veggie platters! These are practically must-have party dishes. If your event is going to involve lots of moving around and mingling, these platters are an ideal choice since they’re low-mess, popular, and easy to snack on. For a complete range of options that all your guests will love, consider cutting up and serving some:
- Chopped celery
- Chopped cucumber
- Sliced red and green bell peppers
- Baby carrots
- Apple slices
- Mixed berries
- Chopped melon wedges
- Ranch dressing
- Peanut butter
- Melted chocolate dip
3. Elegant Finger Sandwiches or Smoked Salmon Crisps
If your event is less of a dinner party and more of an afternoon tea, why not complete the theme with some elegant tea finger sandwiches? These sandwiches are easy for guests to eat, can easily be customized and tailored to suit different tastes and make the perfect complement to a classy event. If simple sandwiches are a little too bland for your tastes, try making smoked salmon and cream cheese crisps instead.
4. Quick Meat-Based Dishes for Sports-Centered Events
If your dinner event is centered on getting together to watch a sports game, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to serve up a hefty portion of meat. Many meat-based dishes are traditionally associated with sporting events, and there are plenty of classic recipes that could allow you to create a casual feel while still keeping everyone’s bellies full. When in doubt, consider whipping up some:
- Savory meatballs
- Spicy barbecue wings
- Hot dogs or hamburgers
- Dried beef jerky or turkey jerky sticks for a snack
- 5. Platters of Pigs in Blankets
Looking for a savory option that guests of all ages are sure to love? Try making some trays of pigs in blankets. These fun party snacks are a perennial favorite for a reason. They’re satisfying, easy to pick up, easy to make and perfectly tailored to suit the tastes of a wide range of guests. To make pigs in blankets, simply take a package of small wiener sausages, wrap them in oven-ready croissants and bake. This is a great treat to prepare right before your guests arrive. Why? because your house will smell savory and amazing once they’re done!
While hosting an evening event or dinner party can be enjoyable for the host, it can also sometimes be the source of stress. However, even if you’re not hosting a themed party, you don’t need to spend too much time worrying about your party dishes and drinks choices and whether your guests will like them! Simply stick with the classics and offer them these five popular dishes and drinks that are sure to be a hit with all your guests.
Want to read more of our latest posts? Check out our tips and ways on how to get your family excited about camping.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram