Backyard Barbie Party Guide

Throw it on the barbie

As the weather heats up, so do our hosting opportunities with the balmy temperatures enticing us to throw open the bi-fold doors and entertain outside. And what better way than a laidback backyard barbecue? It’s the great Aussie tradition of family and friends rocking up in singlet tops and thongs with a six-pack or two to bask on the lawn and go a few rounds of barefoot cricket. From cool platters to hot playlists, we’ve got the ultimate backyard barbie party guide that’s more chill than a blender of frozen margaritas.

Summer barbies should be the most relaxed of affairs with none of stress of formal lunches and dinners. Think big outdoor tables, comfy alfresco lounges, tropical cushions and fire pits. Extendable tables are ideal for those who want to pop out extra places when guests pop by. From timeless teak tables (even a colossal 4-metre version) to all-weather wicker sofas, this season’s Early Settler outdoor collection is all about relaxed entertaining.

⛱️ If it’s a stinking-hot day, make sure you have an option for shade such as a sun umbrella. Or you could load up a bunch of Super Soakers and even fill a kiddy pool (if you don’t have the real thing). If you’re on raintank water, set up the spinklers for the kids to cool off.

⚠️ Don’t forget the sunscreen and fly spray!

It doesn’t matter if you have a 6-burner Beefeater or a Weber Baby Q on your inner-city balcony, the essentials are the same. Stock up on sausages, steaks and chicken sticks and maybe even some summer prawns and a vegetarian option. Slice up a huge bowl of onions because what barbecue is complete without a mountain of delicious fried onions a’sizzling? Veggie skewers are also a great idea. Make sure you have plenty of fresh bread rolls and tomato sauce. When your friends ask what they can bring, tell them a salad.

As your guests start to arrive, put out a big platter of crispy veggies with dips, crackers, strawberries, nuts, cheeses and an assortment of sliced deli meats for them to nibble on and maybe even a couple of bowls of chips. For a quick and easy dessert for later, have a big bag of Zooper Doopers in the freezer or a tub of ice-cream to dish up with fresh berries. We’ve also got some amazing summer recipes from a celebrity New Zealand chef.

For most of us, when we think of backyard barbecues we picture eskies overflowing with dewy cans of VB and crisp summer wines and sparklings. Ah, barbecue bliss. But if you want to up your entertaining game, you could even throw a few fruity cocktails into the mix. Here’s a classic summer fave to get you started.

Lime Margarita

🍸 HINT: If you prefer your drink frozen, add the ice, alcohol and lime into a blender to make frozen margaritas.

⚠️ Don’t forget the ice!

Stock up on several big bags to fill up the esky or laundry sink for drinks.

Music steaming services like Apple Music and Spotify have thousands of pre-selected playlists. Select by genre — such as rock, blues or chill — to open up an almost endless list of ready-to-use playlists. For lovers of classic rock, check out Apple Music’s ‘Glory Days! A BBQ playlist’, while Spotify’s ‘Summer BBQ’ throws a bit of reggae in for a more mellow mix.

If you don’t have an external sound system, invest in a Bluetooth speaker ahead of time so on the day you’re ready to just press play and let the music take care of itself as you sink into a wicker chair with a fruity cocktail and catch up with friends.

Okay, so the steaks and stubbies may well be the stars of your backyard barbie, but in between eating and drinking, bring out a few good old fashion lawn games, like cricket or bocce. Or if you have a swimming pool, jump onto inflatables and have some hilarious relay races. If your barbecue is at night, you could string a sheet from a fence and set up your own moonlight cinema to entertain the kids as parents sit beneath festoon lights or around the fire pit.

Checklist

Ready for your backyard barbie?

Browse our range online or visit us in person at your local Early Settler store to get inspired by more ideas for your backyard barbie party. And check out our tips on picking the perfect fire pit for your outdoor area.