10 Creative Food Bar Setups That'll Thrill Guests (and Give Hosts More Time to Enjoy the Party)

An interactive food bar will be a win-win-win for your holiday party. You'll have a fun activity that gets guests involved, a way to flex your menu so it'll accommodate everyone (including your vegan niece and your pickiest friend), and you'll reduce your prep time—just a little chopping and a few bowls, and you can have your holiday menu out and displayed.

Before you finalize your party menu, consider some of these food bar setups to make your celebration a little more festive.

01 of 10

Hot Drink Bar

Give your guests the warmest welcome with a hot drink bar. Have thermal carafes or slow cookers simmering hot cider, hot chocolate, and mulled wine, then go ahead and add fixings to let grownups and kids create their own unique drinks.

Note: This can get very creative, so it might be fun to have a contest for the craziest concoctions.

What to stock:

apple cider
hot chocolate
mulled wine
cinnamon (sticks and ground)
garnish fruit (cherries, berries, and apple slices)
spirits (bourbon, rum, whiskey, cognac)
liqueurs (Irish cream, cinnamon, coffee, orange, raspberry)
whipped cream
peppermint sticks/crushed peppermint
cinnamon candies
caramel syrup
chocolate syrup
chocolate shavings/curls
chili powder
marshmallows
crushed malted candy
star anise
sprinkles
edible glitter

Simple upgrade: Add baked good accompaniments like pirouette cookies, gingerbread, and apple cider doughnuts.

02 of 10

Nacho Bar

Nachos are the perfect snack food, and can be layered with as many different ingredients as you'd like.

To make sure the cheese is nice and melty, have your favorite cheese sauce simmering in a crockpot that people can spoon over the chips.

(You can also use pans with sterno beneath it to keep the cheese, meat, and other fixings hot.)

What to stock:

tortilla chips
melted cheese sauce
refried beans
meat options (think brisket, pulled pork, spicy chicken, or taco meat)
salsa (go with various temperatures!)
guacamole or diced avocado
sliced black olives
scallions
diced tomatoes
more shredded cheese
sour cream
cilantro
pickled jalapeño

Simple upgrade: Want to crisp up the chips and cheese for your nacho base? Create individual plates of chips with cheese, and bake them in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, until the cheese is hot and bubbly.

03 of 10

Eggnog Bar

'Tis the season for eggnog! But why not let your guests doctor it up just to their liking, with both spirits and sweets.

What to stock:

eggnog (homemade is even better!)
rum
bourbon
whiskey
brandy
nutmeg
cinnamon (sticks and ground)
whipped cream
caramel syrup

Simple upgrades: Rim your eggnog glasses with crushed gingersnap cookies, cinnamon sugar, or crushed red-hot candies. You can also offer some fun eggnog-themed desserts, like eggnog-cherry fudge or eggnog cupcakes.

04 of 10

Holiday Brunch Waffle Bar

Have a Belgian waffle iron? You have everything you need for a stellar holiday brunch. Make enough waffles for your crowd, and display them with an array of toppings.

What to stock:

maple and fruit syrups
chopped fruit (berries, bananas, apples, and pears are all great)
Nutella and/or peanut butter
fruit jams or pie filling
chopped candy or nuts
ice cream
whipped cream

Simple Upgrades: Offer different flavors of waffles, such as pumpkin, chocolate, pecan or red velvet (perfect for Christmas!).

05 of 10

Candy Apple Bar

Perfect for a late fall/early winter party, a candy apple bar starts with a healthy apple—then doctors it up with a whole bunch of (probably) less healthy ingredients.

What to stock:

apples on popsicle sticks or skewers
caramel sauce
Nutella
honey
melted dark chocolate
mini marshmallows
graham cracker crumbs
toffee bits
chopped nuts
mini M&Ms
shredded coconut
granola
mini chocolate chips
cookie crumbs
sprinkles

Simple upgrades: Don't think the kids (or grownups) will down a whole apple? Offer apple slices for easier dipping—just don't forget to dip the slices in salt water or lemon water to keep them from browning.

06 of 10

Ice Cream Treat Bar

There's no shame in serving the summertime classic any time of year. But don't stop with sundaes—provide all the fixings, so guests can make ice cream sandwiches or even mix in the goodies to create their own ice cream flavors.

What to stock:

ice cream (several flavors)
cookies (larger format, in several different flavors—think chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal, ginger, and lemon)
hot fudge sauce
caramel sauce
marshmallow fluff
maraschino cherries
chopped nuts
crushed Oreos
sprinkles
mini chocolate chips
whipped cream
bananas
toffee bits

Simple upgrade: Buy (or make!) waffle bowls for serving up sundaes.

07 of 10

Prosecco Bar

It's the holiday season—and raising a glass of bubbly is practically required. Fortunately, sparkling wine is the basis of several tasty drinks, so set up this bar as an easy way to level up your party drinks.

Note: For younger guests or those who don't drink alcohol, consider offering sparkling water or seltzer to mix with the juices.

What to stock:

sparkling wine
seltzer or sparkling water
a variety of juices: cranberry, pomegranate, orange, peach, pineapple, and strawberry
garnish fruit (orange slices, raspberries, strawberry slices, pineapple wedges)
fresh herbs (basil, mint, and rosemary)

Simple upgrade: Offer an array of liqueurs to craft more potent cocktails—such as elderflower liqueur, Chambord, creme de violette, cognac, and Grand Marnier.

08 of 10

Mac and Cheese Bar

This one is easy—and oh, so decadent. Combine a few trays of the ultimate comfort food—mac and cheese—with a few favorite mix ins, and voila! Instant party.

What to stock: