How to throw a 1930s cocktail soirée at home

When someone mentions they have a bar in their house, you'd be forgiven for picturing a Del Boy set up, all cocktail parasols and glacé cherries. But back in the 1930s they did the home-based bar scene a little differently, and by differently I mean exceptionally well. Cut glass, expertly-mixed cocktails and guests dressed up to the nines was very much part of the 1930s cocktail soirée scene. 

 

Now, I'm not up for sucking myself into a cocktail dress every time I have a G&T at home, but I do have a serious case of bar lust, since heading to Six Fitzroy Square, London for The Tanqueray Drawing Rooms cocktail pop-up. If you're going to do cocktail hour in style, the 1930s has taught us everything we need to know:

 

**How to do the 1930s cocktail soirée thing at home**

 

**1. Excellent glassware**

It's the same principal as drinking tea out of a posh mug - it tastes different. And by different we mean better. Sipping a gin & tonic from hand cut crystal just makes cocktail hour seem way more civilised. Refined, even. If you wanted to serve cocktails in coupe glasses for a hint of 1930s authenticity, nobody would berate you.

 

**2. Have a few cocktail tricks up your sleeve**

If you can do the shaky, shaky mixer thing, then you're half way there. Add pouring liquor from a great height to the list and you're pretty much done.

 

**3. Have a giant ice cube on display**

Or even a few. People will gawp at them and ask you how long it took you to carve them. Tell them 8 hours, but do it nonchalantly, whilst mixing two cocktails at the same time. Remove anyone from the premises who licks them.

 

**4. Dress appropriately**

'Cocktail dress' used to refer to that transitional outfit that moved away from 1930s casual daywear, but didn't quite dip into the formal realms of a tuxedo for dinner. What we're basically saying is ditch the onesie and put some pants on. But some really stylish pants, and maybe some other clothes too. Feathered, sequinned headband optional. 

 

**5. Put on amusements**

The 1930s cocktail scene wasn't just about cocktails you know. If you weren't wowing your guests with morsels of entertainment throughout the evening, you weren’t showing them a good time. Witty comedy, card trickery and beguiling jazz singers were all part of the whole affair. Whatever entertainment you decide to lay on, keep it bite-size and elegant. A karaoke rendition of Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' just won't cut it. (Sorry Madge).

 

*The Tanqueray Drawing Rooms is a 1930’s cocktail pop-up event, with a modern Tanqueray twist. These salubrious evenings, feature the world’s top bartenders, personalised digital illustrations, male styling sessions, vintage headpiece-making workshops and a secret room. *

 

*Intrigued?   *

 

*Keep an eye out on Twitter for future Tanqueray Drawing Room events, by searching for #TanquerayThursdays. You can also search iLoveMyGrub's events listings for the latest food & drink events around the UK.*

 

**Written by:** Helenka Bednar