Setup an Outdoor Bar for Summer Parties

After you've finished prepping your yard and patio for Spring, consider setting up an outdoor bar area to take full advantage of the warm weather. There's nothing more enjoyable than hosting happy hour from the comfort of your own back yard. But forget the keg and six-packs and setup a proper area that is great for socializing and drinking. Here are a few tips that will ensure return visits to your party.

Make it Comfortable - You don't need chairs for everyone, in fact it's best if some people are standing as that encourages conversation and mingling, but make sure that you have enough space for the amount of people you've invited.

Know your Guests - Don't serve beer to a wine crowd, it's as simple as that. You don't need a fully-stocked bar to have fun but make sure that your guests have the drinks you think they'll want. Stocking wine and beer is always safe and for summer parties, sangria and margaritas are always a hit.

Food or Not? - You can keep it simple with chopped veggies and dips or go all out with tasty finger foods. Food isn't always necessary so consider the timing of your party and the mood your guests will be in.

Be Prepared - To keep the party outside make sure you have plenty of cups, napkins and ice. No one wants to keep running inside for supplies.

Music Sets the Mood - Invest in some outdoor speakers and see what a difference music makes to get a party going. Whether you are planning on a dance party or a casual mixer, your music selection will be vital.

Light it Right - Big spotlights don't create warm inviting atmospheres which is the goal with an outdoor drinking area. Think of the coolest outdoor bars you've seen at restaurants or hotels and they all keep the lighting low.

Check the Weather - Rain can spoil a party but if you've got a covered porch it can be a joy to smell and hear the rain on a summer day while unwinding with a nice cocktail. Consider heat lamps if the weather is a bit chilly or add an outdoor fireplace for more warmth and to really set a mood.

What works for you when setting up an outdoor party?

Steel Barrel BBQ Grill

The raddest grill we've seen all year is also the most simple.

This industrial barrel is painted blue and brass and has two-tiers for cooking and an easy access side tray. The top has a mahogany handle and temperature gauge so you won't have to guess but that is the extent of any bells and whistles.

You can purchase from the design fim Lhooq and you can request custom colors. Delivery takes two to six weeks so if you order now you'll have it in time for summer BBQs.

Do-It-Yourself Wood Fired Pizza Oven

A couple weeks ago we joined Mike Senese (writer, TV host and builder/destroyer in the name of science) at his home to enjoy some fresh wood fired pizza cooked in his DIY outdoor pizza oven.

There's no better way than to spend an evening prepping, cooking and eating pizza, especially when it's made to order. We've got to hand it to Mike as he did all the prepping and cooking as we just helped with the eating. His specialty is Neapolitan pizza which is literally in his blood as many of his ancestors called Naples, Italy home.

Mike's obsession with making his own pizza from scratch started with a prototype from the PizzaHacker dubbed the PizzaForge. It's a half-dome concrete kiln that sits atop a standard 22.5" Weber grill. Here's how he set it up to cook the pizzas.

Think Spring When Looking For Bargains

In the market for new stuff? There's usually an ideal time to buy larger items like cars, electronics and appliances. During the first part of the year, be on the lookout for deals on outdoor items such as furniture and barbecue grills.

It may be tough to picture spring if you're about to dig out of what might be a massive snowstorm, but planning any outdoor-related purchases now could save you some money.

Grills, patio furniture and other outdoor items will typically become more expensive during spring and summer, when demand increases. As long as you have storage space in which to stash the items until the temperatures rise, go ahead and splurge on your deck, back yard or porch.