The Juice Guide to Hosting

Glassware, barware & tableware, oh my!

Long days lead to long nights. One bottle turns into two, into three, into four. You reach for another snack, and then suddenly the whole bowl has disappeared. It’s aperitivo season; girl dinner is in full swing. And the best part is that you don’t even have to leave your own house.

I don’t get the chance to host a lot since I work in a restaurant. My weekend nights are spent working, hosting people at the bar or on the patio that someone else owns. When I was a wee little adult (before I turned twenty-five), I imagined spending my entire Friday preparing snacks and treats for a gaggle of people coming over. I love to host, which is why I love working in hospitality. One day when I decide I’ve had enough with the restaurant rat race, I hope to spend weekends lounging in my own backyard surrounded by my favorite people, each one holding a good snack and an even better drink. But for now, a girl can dream.

I am nothing if I am not the daughter of my father. My paternal line is full of bargain hunters and deal finders. We love nothing more than telling others about our steals and have spent many a vacation in search of a thrift shop or antique mall. This is why I love eBay.¹ I can do all the hunting without leaving the comfort of my couch! My inbox is flooded with auction reminders and discounts from sellers, so I thought I’d put the doomscrolling to good use and present the finds to you.

There is no correct way to host; Ina does it one way, Martha another. This is the juice way. And if your finds won’t ship in time for the weekend, a sleeve of Solo cups always does the trick.

Glassware

I’m a traditionalist when it comes to wine glasses. Nine times out of ten I want to properly swirl what I’m drinking, and stemmed glassware just can’t be replaced! But there’s a time and a place for tradition. These three options are fun and functional. Who cares if your chilled red stays at temp!!!! It’s summer, anything can and will happen. Spring for the impracticality.

Blue goblets | Ribbed juice glasses | Ball-stemmed glasses

Barware

An ice bucket can hold ice on your wet bar (or coffee table) for spritzes, or it can double as a chiller to keep that bottle of bubs cold. Cocktail stirrers are just part of the fun, and picks can be used to zhuzh up a garnish or in the appetizer spread. Remember what I said about girl dinner?

Mermaid cocktail stirrers | Beaded cocktail picks | Pear ice bucket (in silver here)

Tableware

I envy women who have entire closets in their homes dedicated to hosting. If my extra closets didn’t house a winter wardrobe, I’d be swimming in platters and salad bowls. Why go for boring little bowls when you can serve olives and taralli in a mid-century modern snack caddy? As a neat freak, I’m big on coasters, and I WILL ask you to please use one when you’re posted up in my living room. You get the burger patty, and the lettuce is for your plus one.

Swirl platter | Burger coasters | Snack caddy (cheaper one here)

Linens

I have no business picking up a linen or two each time I venture into Savers or a little boutique, but I do it anyway. I recently picked up a set of Madras plaid dinner napkins that I’ve found many uses for already: resting under a pile of greens in the fridge; laid over a sheet pan; wrapped around a loaf of bread. Even if you aren’t planning a sit-down dinner they can be used on the table as—you guessed it—a coaster for that swirly pewter platter!

Lobster tablecloth | Food & fish tablecloth | Polka dot napkins

Organization

Some people are totally turned off by the idea of a milk crate as decor (my boyfriend), but I think it’s totally chic! From extra bottles to a pile of records, the possibilities are endless. More traditional bottle racks are going to be the most functional, but promise me you won’t get those weird wooden slats that turn bottles into wall decor. (That leather one is so Hermès.) Trays turn clutter into something that’s worth taking up space—a pile of magazines, bottle caps & corks, bar accessories.

Milk crates: Wawa | Hood

Racks: Orange accordion | Leather caddy | Chrome

Trays: blue resin, gold, Florentine green

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1. If I was paid every time I said, “Thanks, it’s from eBay!” I’d have…more money to spend on eBay.