Backyard Dinner Party Ideas

Let’s be honest: nothing beats dining al fresco. In the right conditions, having an evening meal outside is relaxing, entertaining, and a nice change of pace. And if you’re planning to have guests over, it can be really fun!

Planning those backyard dinner parties can be quite a challenge though, especially if your outdoor space is constrictive. We’re here to help! Here are just a few ideas to help spice up those occasions, regardless of how much space you have.

Create Your Entire Meal Outside With An Outdoor Kitchen

Let’s face it: the worst part about a backyard dinner party is constantly going back and forth between your kitchen and your backyard. Not only is it a hassle to constantly carry stuff, but you miss out on a large portion of the entertainment that’s happening outside while you’re inside preparing the meal.

With an outdoor kitchen, all those concerns disappear! Outdoor kitchens have countertop space for prepping, a grill for cooking, a refrigerator for ingredients or drinks that need to stay cold, and maybe most importantly, a roof to keep you cool and dry.

All of this allows you to prepare your meal soup to nuts without having to ditch the party. In addition, most outdoor kitchens don’t actually take up a lot of space, and with grills that run on propane, you can install them anywhere for a truly turn-key gourmet experience.

Channel Your Inner Grillmaster With A Grill Gazebo

If you’re not ready to commit to an outdoor kitchen, a grill gazebo is a good alternative that still allows you to prep the main course in your backyard. Fire up the burners and show off your skills with a variety of meats and vegetables, and use your PowerPort™ to blend together drinks or chop ingredients.

Some grill gazebos come with a built-in outdoor bar, which means your guests can enjoy a drink while you grill, and you can stay engaged in the party. And of course, a grill gazebo’s roof keeps you cool and dry while cooking while also keeping your grill protected when not in use.

Enjoy The Sunshine By Dining Under A Pergola 

One obvious benefit of a backyard dinner party is eating in the sun. Dining under a pergola gives you exactly that. A pergola is an open-roofed structure with horizontal beams that form a lattice, allowing sun to shine through and giving you the perfect outdoor vibe.

A pergola also provides a great entertaining space, so you can set the table for your guests for dinner under the warm sun on a beautiful Spring or Fall evening, then keep the party going as the sun sets. If your pergola is large enough, you can even set up some outdoor furniture such as a couch or chairs, perhaps around a fire pit, for a change of scenery after dinner.

Give Your Guests The Shade And Comfort Of A Gazebo

Summertime is a great time for backyard dinner parties. The weather is warm, it stays light later, and kids are out of school. It’s a perfect time of year to invite friends and family over for some outdoor dining, playing or entertaining.

The downside of backyard dinner parties in the summer is that the sun can sometimes make it too hot to be comfortable. This is where having a gazebo comes in handy. A gazebo is a similar structure as a pergola, except it has a roof. That addition comes in handy, especially in the hot months when your guests will no doubt be looking to cool off. Set the table under the gazebo for some dining al fresco under a shaded retreat.

You can also set up the grill under your gazebo if it’s big enough to avoid having to cook inside. And much like a pergola, a gazebo is a great centerpiece for keeping the party going after dinner.

Keep The Kids In Their Play Environment

Tired of yelling “time for dinner!” and getting the kids inside?

Rather than trying to herd them to the dining room table, bring dinner to them. It’s a great way to get some fresh air yourself and a good excuse to keep the kids outside. You don’t need an elaborate outdoor setup. Something simple, such as a picnic table, works in this situation.

After dinner, let the kids burn off some of their energy by continuing to play in their outdoor playhouse or on the swing set.

Transform Your Backyard Dinner Parties and "Wow" Your Guests 

There are so many ways to create a memorable backyard dinner party. Having an outdoor kitchen allows you to prep the entire meal from start to finish in the comfort of your backyard. You can dine under the sun with a well-crafted pergola, or retreat to the shade with a sturdy gazebo. If your outdoor space is constrained, a grill gazebo is still a great addition and can be used as a small gathering space.

And don’t forget about the kiddos. They’ll be more likely to enjoy your dinner party if they can play in a playhouse or on a swing set before or afterwards.

Backyard Discovery has all of these products and makes it easy to transform your outdoor space for the ideal backyard dinner party. Whether you want a kitchen, a large pergola, a grill gazebo or anything in between, all of the products ship in ready-to-assemble kits.

There’s no better time than now to get started on transforming your backyard and making dinner party memories for years to come!