Jonathan Adler shares his home bar secrets for the ultimate New Year's Eve party set up

This is how to leave a lasting impression on your guests – and celebrate the turn of the year in style

House party
(Image credit: Future / Hasselblad H3D)
Megan Slack
By Megan Slack
published

So far, parties in the roaring 2020s haven't quite lived up to Jay Gatsby's standards, but you don't need to go big to make an impact. Instead, New York-based designer Jonathan Adler has revealed his go-to house party secret – that will ensure you kick start 2022 in style. 

Jonathan's modern decorating idea will stay in fashion long after you clean away champagne and glitter residue from New Year’s eve. So you can continue to set the standard for home bars long into 2022. In an exclusive interview with Livingetc, our former guest editor revealed the only party plans you need to know this festive season. 

Jonathan Adler's house party secret

House party

(Image credit: Future)

'There aren't any rules when it comes to decorating – except this one: get a bar cart. A bar cart says you're louche, and you know how to entertain. No room for a bar cart? Move. Can't move? Try a tray. When your spirits and accouterments are corralled, it looks intentional.' 

Jonathan shared his home bar ideas exclusively with Livingetc to celebrate his partnership with Sipsmith. He revealed that while he adores a glam party set up, a standout event is all about trending the high-low line.

'Go high and low with everything from food to friends,' the designer says. 'For example, one writer and one grifter. For each spoon of caviar, there needs to be a pig in a blanket. For each bottle of Sipsmith Gin, a red plastic cup.' 

Sipsmith

(Image credit: Sipsmith)

When it comes to hosting a great party we couldn’t agree with Jonathan Adler's advice that every glam moment needs to be grounded. But more than anything he urges you not to overthink things, a tip we could all do with carrying into 2022 (yes, even beyond the parties). 'There are no rules when it comes to decorating: love what you love, and it will work,' Jonathan adds in his discussion of the perfect party scene. 

Before you host the Jonathan Adler-approved party of the moment, you can pick up a kit from the Sipsmith x Jonathan Adler' Perfect Your Serve' collaboration. Kits are online at JonathanAdler.com and in select Jonathan Adler stores in the United States. Happy partying, one and all.  

Megan Slack
Megan Slack

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team.


Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US whilst studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site.


Megan currently lives in London, where she relocated from her hometown in Yorkshire. In her home, she experiments with interior design trends and draws inspiration from the home decor ideas she observes in her everyday work life. Her favorite pieces include her antique typewriter and her expansive collection of houseplants. When she isn’t writing, she is browsing London’s coffee shops and bookstores to add to her ever-growing library, taking over the open shelving in her apartment. 

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