5 Easy Tips for Hosting Happy Hour at Home

As a bona fide hostess, I love any excuse to get friends together! An after-work happy hour is the perfect solution to squeezing in some socializing to our busy lives. We’re used to the lure of happy hour at restaurants and pubs, but there’s no reason you can’t take inspiration from the idea and host your own at home!

Hosting your own happy hour get-together is a simple way to welcome people in your home without the stress of preparing an entire dinner party. Here are five easy steps in creating a great at home happy hour – equipped, of course, with La Crema wine!

Have guests plan to come from five until seven pm!

 1. Food

Keep it simple! Make less work for yourself and focus on things that you can prepare beforehand or put together quickly. Serve bite-sized food that doesn’t require using utensils so guests can skip the formalities of having to sit down at a table setting.

Head to The Every Hostess for a perfect easy pesto bruschetta recipe! With it, serve a charcuterie board that compliments the wine you’ve chosen, with a tempting assortment of cured meat, olives, nuts and grapes to accompany the cheese.

Here are our favorite appetizers for happy hour at home: 

• Pesto Bruschetta – A fresh, herbaceous bite that pairs perfectly with wine. 

• Charcuterie Board – Include a variety of meats, cheeses, olives, nuts, and fruit for guests to nibble on. Check out our blog on how to make the best charcuterie board. 

• Stuffed Mushrooms – Savory, bite-sized perfection with a rich, cheesy filling. Here is our favorite stuffed mushroom recipe! 

• Mini Caprese Skewers – Fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze. 

• Deviled Eggs – A classic favorite with a creamy, tangy filling that always disappears fast! Need a killer recipe? Try making our Sriracha deviled eggs with bacon. 

• Shrimp Cocktail – Serve chilled with a zesty cocktail sauce for an upscale touch. 

• Cheese and Herb Gougères – Light and fluffy French cheese puffs that add a little sophistication. 

• Spinach Artichoke Dip – A creamy, cheesy dip that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. 

La Crema Monterey Pinot Gris and Pinot Gris are great choices for a happy hour!

2. Drink

Again, don’t make things complicated. Great wine is really all you need to serve at your happy hour, so long as your guests are all wine drinkers. You can even turn it into a miniature wine tasting. I love the La Crema Monterey Chardonnay or the Pinot Gris to start off with, because they are refreshing and among the most food-friendly varietals around.

Mix it up and offer a red as well, such as the Monterey Pinot Noir. Stick with the lighter wines for a happy hour that will go with your light bites, since typically most people will drink heavier wines at dinners.

A simple spread makes for a stress free set up!

3. Decor

A seasonal flower arrangement and colorful food is all you need to make your happy hour area appealing. Whole Foods is a great place to pick up gorgeous fresh flowers without entirely breaking the bank.

As a little hostessing rule of thumb, know that when arranging your food, it makes your spread more visually appetizing if you incorporate greens. Sometimes our color palate can be overwhelmed with the bland hues of yellow and brown. Avoid that!

Add colorful flowers to brighten up your spread!

4. Atmosphere

Don’t forget, the “happy” in “happy hour” should apply to the host or hostess as well! It should be a fun and stress-free event for everyone, including you. With light bites and two or three wines to choose from, your happy hour should be – key word – simple.

In my experience, people love to gather around the kitchen, especially if you have an open kitchen concept in your home. Inspire this informal and relaxed atmosphere for guests by laying out your food and wine on the kitchen island or on a coffee table gathered around the couch, so everyone can engage in conversation together.

La Crema Pinot Gris is perfect for a happy hour!

A fun excuse to get together with your friends!

5. Timing

Host your happy hour before dinner and make it clear to your guests that it is okay for them to have other dinner plans. Just make sure that your guests are aware of the evening’s plans, whether you’ll be splitting off from each other to make alternate dinner arrangements or if you’ll be heading out to a restaurant as a group.

Around 5 p.m.-7 p.m. is the perfect timeframe. That way, you’ve got enough time to catch up with your friends, but you avoid the awkward lingering that occurs when people don’t know when the night is meant to end.

6. Bonus: Happy Hour Themes

Sometimes, a simple happy hour can use a little something extra to make it feel special. Enter: themed happy hours! Whether you’re aiming for something cozy or want to shake things up a bit, a fun theme can turn your gathering into an unforgettable evening. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next get-together: 

• Wine & Cheese Pairing – A classic combo that’s always a hit. Grab a variety of cheeses and let your guests try different pairings. You don’t need to be a cheese expert—just pick what you love, and it’ll be a good time. 

• Mediterranean Escape – Think sunny days by the sea. Serve up olives, hummus, tzatziki, and little bites like spanakopita or grilled shrimp. It’s an easy way to bring a little bit of the Mediterranean to your home. 

• Farm-to-Table Gathering – Celebrate fresh, seasonal ingredients with simple but delicious bites. Roasted veggies, grilled meats, fresh fruit—it’s all about letting the flavors speak for themselves. 

• Around the World in 80 Minutes – Pick a few countries and serve up bites and snacks inspired by those regions. It’s a fun way to “travel” without leaving home, and it’s a great conversation starter, too. 

Have light bites so your guests don’t have to sit to eat!

As always, keep things uncomplicated and casual. Hostessing is as much about enjoying your guests as it is ensuring things are welcoming and well organized. Good wine, good food, and good conversation are all you need to make your happy hour a success!

As always, keep things uncomplicated and casual.

Photos by Meredith Moran Photography

Styled by The Every Hostess

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Tips to create the perfect no-stress happy hour at home.