Cocktails & Music

The key to a great cocktail party, the atmosphere! There are few components more important than the right music.

For the "Golden Classic" Cocktail Party

Give your classic party the whole “Rat pack” look and feel. Lots of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and a whole lot of attitude. 

GOLDEN CLASSICS
Julie London: Wild Cool and Swinging	Dean Martin: The Capitol Collectors series	WHAT TO DRINK Offer up classic cocktails like the Martini, the Sidecar and the Manhattan and offer your guests some great appetizers. Keep with the theme and offer your guests a Dean Martini for a slight twist on the Martini.
	Frank Sinatra: Classic Sinatra

For the less traditional, but fun TIKI PARTIES,

The grass and bamboo motif seems to be enjoying a revival so it may be time to dig out your old 60’s and 70’s kitschy collection including your Tiki lamps, Vic Traders matchboxes and your Hawaiian shirts.

Rumor has it that TIKI music was begun when Hawaiian musician Martin Denny tried to match the beat of an especially loud bullfrog at a concert and a “new” sound was born. Soon TIKI music could be heard in lounges and bars throughout North America, while Vic Trader introduced the world to the Mai Tai and a whole new type of cocktail party was born.

It's time to core out a Pineapple, and start pouring the drinks. No Tiki style cocktail party music would be complete without the sounds of TIKI, so get busy and find some of these classics.

TIKI ALBUMS
The Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny		WHAT TO DRINK • Mai Tai • Bahama Mama • Pina Colada • Zombie
	The Exotic Sounds of Arthur Lyman
Exotic Moods of Les Baxter

For LOUNGE COCKTAIL MUSIC

Maybe the simplest answer to music for cocktails party can be found in the Ultra Lounge. This collection of over twenty compilations of “Cocktail Music” features a wide range of classic (and not so classic) tracks to set the mood on any style of cocktail gathering. For more details visit www.ultralounge.com.

For the OBSURE,

No list of music for cocktail parties and lounge music can be complete with this ultimate in obscure ideas that actually works. The Star Wars – Cocktails in the Cantina - released in 1999 features "cocktail style" big band versions of the soundtrack to Star Wars?

The lights are low, the candles flicker, drawing highlights from the glasses raised hand to hand. There is warmth in the room, a feeling of closeness, of belonging….the special feeling of two people at a special time, in a special place…and, with special music.
from the liner notes of the compilation album – "Cocktails for Two" – noted in Joseph Lanza’s excellent book “The Cocktail” (St Martins Press)