Dinner parties are in again. Forget trudging through the cold night air with a suspicious pink liquid soaked into your favourite top and clubbing heels in hand. As a collective, we’ve rediscovered the appeal of a not-so-casual girl’s night in, complete with a few bottles of wine and a delicious meal. And despite what pop culture may have you believe, hosting a dinner party doesn’t have to be anxiety inducing—nor do you need to spend your weekly grocery budget on the meal to make it impressive. These tips and tricks will have your mates begging for another invite.
Make It Pop
Get the part y started with a glass of bubbles, or set up a DIY cocktail bar so your friends can mix their own spritz—a splash of elderflower cordial and a twist of orange peel is a low effort, high reward combo. If you want to take things up a notch, freeze slices of citrus into large ice cubes, get some cute (paper) straws and hunt down fun glasses at your local op shop.
Set the Mood
Overhead lighting gets a bad rap for a reason … use lamps and candles to softly diffuse light in your space. Opt for tea lights in glass jars or turn tapered candles into TikTok-approved twisted designs by gently warming them in water and moulding to your desired shape. Prop them in old wine bottles and let the wax melt down the neck. If you’re dining outside, string up some fairy lights for glow post golden-hour.
top tip
Forgot to chill the wine? Fill a bucket with ice and water, add a generous amount of salt, and swivel the bottle around occasionally. In just 10 minutes, you’ll have a perfectly chilled bottle of sparkling. Science!
On the Menu
Start with a spread of salty snacks like olives, anchovies, really good butter and even better bread. Depending on dietaries, aim to serve one show-stopping dish and a couple
of sides for the main meal. Pasta is always a good idea—spaghetti, butter, parmesan and freshly ground black pepper is all you need to make cacio e pepe, or turn to TikTok’s namesake feta roasted tomato pasta dish. If you’re in your Nara Smith era, a whole roast chicken or a side of salmon dressed up in citrus and herbs (both of which you can prepare almost entirely before your guests arrive) will wow any crowd. Toss some leafy greens in a zingy dressing and roast potatoes with plenty of garlic. Girl dinner is served!
Table Manners
An essential part of any great dinner party is an Instagramable table spread. Lay out a tablecloth (or an old flat sheet in a pinch) and add napkins tied with ribbon to each place setting. Keep things monochrome or mix it up with contrasting colours—pastels are big right now but lush greens bring an early spring mood, too. Buying fresh flowers can add up quickly. Try using seasonal produce to create an interesting tablescape instead—check out the imperfect fruit and vegetable section at your local supermarket for pocket and planet- friendly options. Bulbs of fennel, ripening artichokes and stacks of lemons are favourites that can also be repurposed for future meals. Win-win!
Build Your Vibe
Keep the playlist chilled and vibey as guests arrive—no one wants to be shouting hellos over heavy basslines or rap disses (sorry, Drake and Kendrick). Some artists we’re loving right now for a chilled-out vibe include Lola Young, Kita Alexander, Rachel Chinouriri and Thelma Plum; or Bridgerton’s instrumental covers make a sweet soundtrack for lighthearted conversation. Turn the dial up and make room for a kitchen dance floor as the night progresses. Brat summer dinner party, anyone?
Talk the Talk
Prep some games or conversation starters if you’re gathering a group that might benefit from some ice-breakers. A pop-culture quiz, celebrity heads and even charades will stir
up the camaraderie. If you’re game, FlexMami’s conversation cards will take the tone a little deeper—or, if you’re not afraid of getting cancelled, Cards Against Humanity never fails.
Don't Forget Dessert
A sweet treat to end the night is non-negotiable. Delegate the dish to a keen guest or pick up a takeaway serve of tiramisu from your favourite Italian restaurant. A tub of gelato and a handful of spoons will also go the distance.
top tip
Want to share stories about your favourite bubbly?
While any wine drinker will likely know the distinction between sparkling wine and Champagne, there’s so much more to discover (and pass on to friends). Champagne hails from northern France, embodying elegance and tradition. Prosecco, from Italy, is known for its festive charm. Cava, from Spain, captures the zest of Spanish culture. And then there’s Australia’s sparkling wine, like Croser Sparkling, which is crafted in the traditional Champagne method but using cool climate grapes from Adelaide Hills. When you sip your next glass of bubbles with your crew, know other groups around the world have been doing the same for centuries—you’re tasting a world of history and culture.
This article was created in partnership with Croser.
This article originally appeared in Issue 01 of Cosmopolitan Australia. Get your copy and subscribe to future issues here.
