The other day Mark and I were discussing cupcakes. As in – why did they become such a THING? They’re messy, no matter how you eat them. (Seriously, don’t even tell me about the break it in half and stick the frosting in the middle of your cupcake sandwich method. Still. Messy.)
The only justification I could come up with was that cupcakes are cute. Because they’re little cakes. And little things are cute.
Still, I think it’s time we move past this trendiest of party foods. And onto build your own {food/meal/snack} bars!
Obviously I’m kidding about the cupcakes. (Scroll on down and you’ll see that a Build Your Own Cupcake Bar is first under the dessert category.) But I do love build your own bars for a party!
Build Your Own Bars are an easy, but fun, way to display and serve food to guests. They’re especially suited for parties that aren’t exactly sit-down meals with several courses. You know, fancy dinners? Probably not your best choice then. But for pretty much every other kind of get-together – picnic, BBQ, casual meal, baby shower, reunion, Cinco de Mayo party, New Year’s Eve party, birthday party, any gathering when you invite more people than you have dining room chairs – they’re perfect.
You set up a table, put out all the ingredients for your meal or food item (or beverage), and voila! Your friends and family get a customized meal made with their favorite foods. And it’s fun! And looks cuter than cupcakes! (Especially if you Pinterest it up with Mason jars, burlap and paper straws.)
By the way, Build Your Own Bars are often called party bars or food stations. That’s helpful to know if you want to search for various ideas on Pinterest. But you don’t really have to, because I’ve done all the searching for you. (ALL. The. Searching.) I’ve got 40 of the best party bar slash food station slash build your own bar ideas for you right here!
Drinks
- Bloody Mary Bar – With a Southern Twist
- Gin and Tonic Bar – Wit & Delight
- Margarita Bar – Wish I Were a Housewife
- Lemonade Bar – I Heart Naptime
- Hot Chocolate Bar – Busy Bee Lifestyle
- Mimosa Bar – KoJo Designs
- Root Beer Float – Goat & Lulu
Breakfast
- Waffle Bar – Veronica Yem
- Breakfast Parfait Bar – Oh Sweet Basil
- Donut Bar – Your Home-Based Mom
- Oatmeal Bar – Echoes of Laughter
- Pancake Bar – Hi Sugarplum
- Crepes Bar – The Kitchn
Sandwiches & Meals
- Sandwich Bar – Hostess with the Mostess
- Grilled Cheese Bar – Your Home-Based Mom
- Burger Bar – Completely Delicious
- Hot Dog Bar – Tied Ribbon
- BLT Bar – Saveur
- Pizza Bar – Balancing Beauty & Bedlam
- Chili Bar – Celebrations at Home
- Pasta Bar – Big Red Kitchen
Mexican
- Nacho Bar – Your Home-Based Mom
- Burrito Bar – KoJo Designs
- Taco Bar (fancy) – Relay Foods
- Taco Bar (normal) – Pocket Change Gourmet
Sides & Snacks & Apps
- Salad Bar – Simple Bites
- Potato Bar – Balancing Beauty & Bedlam
- Mashed Potato Bar – City Mom
- Trail Mix Bar – Somewhat Simple
- Crostini Bar – Celebrations at Home
- Bruschetta Bar – What’s Gaby Cooking
Desserts & Fruits & Fruity Desserts
- Cupcake Bar – Wedding Chicks
- Mini Pie Bar – Play Party Pin
- Gourmet S’mores Bar (printable) – Cooking with Jax
- Fruit Salad Bar – Love Taza
- Fruit Pizza Bar – Life Sweet Life
- Caramel Apple Bar (slices) – Craftberry Bush
- Banana Split Bar – Celebrations at Home
- Banana Pop Bar – Bakers Royale
- Trifle Bar – Cook the Story
What’s your favorite kind of meal (or food) to serve in a build-your-own bar?
This post may be linked to these amazing carnivals and link parties.
I love having a build your own food bar for parties! The only one I’ve used is a taco bar for a Cinco de Mayo party, but this collection you’ve shared really has me thinking…you could even easily assign different ingredients to guests, since so often they ask what they can bring!
This is GOLDEN. Thank you, Mary!
What a list! Fantastic, Mary!!
Thank you, Robin! xoxo
This is probably one of my favorite round ups that I’ve ever seen. I have a sudden urge to have a party now!
Oh thanks, Angie! I have been writing it in bits and pieces since November, haha! And yes, I have that partying urge, too!
Mary – wouldn’t it be fun if people would post (or pin) pics of their parties that were inspired by this post (and tag you)?? :)
Who could forget about the churro bar
http://kojo-designs.com/2015/01/the-yummiest-churro-bar/
OK! This is one of very my favorite posts in a really long time. I would love the list in a printable too :)
Ahhh! So glad I re-read your comment. I totally forgot about the printable!
There are a LOT of great ideas here! I see a lot of fun parties in my future!
Yes, it makes me want to plan a party right now! :)
So fun! I had a hot chocolate bar for David’s birthday one year. Totally my favorite thing, ever. I’ve had a pizza bar party, too, and it was such a blast. People love to customize! Especially kids.
Oooh, a hot chocolate bar would be perfect for Adrienne’s next birthday (since it’s in January)!
Thank you for sharing all of these! Got so many great ideas for an upcoming party!
Love this list! Perfect for my next (casual) dinner party!
What about an Asian style rice and noodle bar? Or an Indian flatbread bar?
Oh you can’t forget the mac & cheese bar! With toppings of extra shredded cheese, mushrooms, bacon bits, french fried onions, chicken and/or bbq pork! It’s so magical.
I’ve done a Build Your Own Cheesecake Bar that was a huge hit! I made a big bowl of cheesecake filling, along with chocolate crumbs and Graham cracker crumbs. I had a skew of toppings as well….fruits, nuts, sauces, M&Ms, etc. Gosh, it was good!