While it’s always fun to wine and dine in Old Town’s numerous restaurants, lounges, and bars, you can’t quite replicate the experience of entertaining in the comforts of your apartment. From a 3-course dinner to a cocktail-style soiree, having guests over can be a lot of fun -- and a lot of work.
Thanks to the spacious floor plans and Insta-worthy views, Old Town Park isn’t your typical rental apartment community in Chicago. With gourmet kitchens and state-of-the-art amenities, you’ll have everything you need to impress your guests and be crowned ‘host with the most’.
To ensure your evening is seamless, here are 5 tips for easy entertaining:
1. Determine the Type
Do you want to throw an intimate dinner party, or a large, cocktail-style affair? Determining what kind of soiree you want to throw will dictate the rest of your planning.
If you’re looking to host an event, you could always book one of our amenity spaces that are perfect for entertaining large groups. This can be indoors using the Chef Demonstration kitchen and/or Old Town Park Lounge. We also have private BBQ Dining areas that can be reserved, perfect for Chicago sunny days.
2. Food
Food is important, but the last thing you want is to be slaving away in the kitchen while your guests are left to themselves. Don’t feel the need to make every single thing from scratch. Instead, plan a menu with as many make-ahead options as possible. Mix in both purchased and homemade options to lighten the load.
For example, if you’re throwing a dinner party, purchase the appetizers. Everyone loves a charcuterie board, as well as hummus, salsa, guacamole and chips. If you’d prefer to serve hors d’oeuvres instead, that’s even easier. Focus on foods that can be served chilled or at room temperature to spend the least amount as possible cooking away.
3. Drinks
You’ll always want a variety of drinks, but there’s no need for a fully stocked bar. A good rule of thumb is to have beer, white wine, red wine, one spirit, and non-alcoholic options. Find out which of your guests will be driving and be sure to offer mocktails as a thoughtful touch.
4. Music
What’s a party without music? Put together a few lists that can be streamed for different portions of the evening. For example, something soft during dinner, followed by music that’s more upbeat after the dishes are put away. Spotify and iTunes offer great options, just a quick search for ‘dinner party’ and you’ll see a wide spectrum of playlists that cover every genre.
5. Ambiance
If you’re throwing a themed event, decorations are a must for setting the tone. Besides Halloween and Christmas, you could also consider a Hawaiian Luau, a Fourth of July party, or a Superheroes theme.
A simple peruse through Amazon will give you plenty of options for just about every theme. And with an Amazon Hub in the lobby of Old Town Park, just make a quick trip down the elevator to pick up your goods!
What are your easy entertaining tips? Tag @oldtownpark on Instagram and Twitter to let us know! Make sure to also check-out availabilities for our new luxury rental apartments in Chicago’s Old Town!