Cocktail party facts for kids

A cocktail party at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan, in 1961.

A typical cocktail, served in a cocktail glass.

A cocktail party is a type of party where people gather to socialize. It's often called a cocktail reception. Sometimes, these parties are held to help people meet new friends or make business connections; these are called mixers.

Hotels and restaurants sometimes have a "cocktail hour" to attract customers. This usually happens in the late afternoon. Also, big events like wedding receptions might start with a cocktail hour. During this time, guests can chat, drink, and eat small snacks. Organizers use this time to keep guests busy between different parts of an event. It also helps if some guests arrive a little late.

Who Invented the Cocktail Party?

Many people thought Alec Waugh from London invented the cocktail party. But a newspaper article from May 1917 said something different. It gave credit to Mrs. Julius S. Walsh Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri. She invited 50 guests to her house on a Sunday at noon. The party lasted only one hour.

The newspaper said the party was an "instant hit." Within a few weeks, cocktail parties became very popular in St. Louis. Alec Waugh later mentioned that the first cocktail party in England was in 1924. It was hosted by a war artist named Christopher Nevinson.

Simple Rules for Cocktail Parties

Someone from Germany who observed English life shared three important rules for cocktail parties:

• They should not last too long, about an hour and a half at most. This is about how long people can comfortably stand up.
• Guests should be able to come and go easily. There shouldn't be long, fancy greetings when people arrive or leave.
• Conversations should stay light and happy. It's best to avoid serious or strong topics like personal problems, politics, or religion. This helps keep a friendly mood.

When Do Cocktail Parties Happen?

Cocktail parties usually start in the late afternoon or early evening. They often begin around 5:30 PM and end by 7:00 PM. They typically last about two hours. This means they happen before dinner. It's okay if you don't arrive exactly on time, but it's polite to leave on time.

At these parties, people usually drink cocktails and other drinks. Sometimes, soft drinks are also available. Usually, only small snacks are served, not a full meal. A classic cocktail often served is a martini. In the UK, drinks like pina coladas and mojitos are also common.

Invitations and What to Wear

For more formal cocktail parties, invitations are sent in writing. These are usually sent one or two weeks before the party. For less formal parties, people might just be invited by word of mouth. Because these events are often informal, guests can sometimes ask the host if they can bring a friend.

For clothing, men often wear their regular office suits because the party happens during work hours. The same goes for women who work. For very formal cocktail parties, men might wear a dark suit. Women usually wear a cocktail dress.

See also

In Spanish: Cóctel (evento) para niños