Bourbon and Bowties

Photography by Whitney Rae for Garden and Gun Magazine.

There aren’t many parties built around a theme that men would enjoy. Even couples’ showers are typically full of girly details. But Garden & Gun knows how to entertain men. A lot of the parties they feature and sponsor are built around hunting, whiskey, and oysters. When I saw this Kentucky Derby party on the website, I thought it would make the perfect “bourbon and bowties” party theme. Enjoy!

Choose a venue more suited to manly interests, like a barn or outdoor patio. Set up a bourbon or whiskey tasting at a table. As guests come in, they can taste and sample at will.

Men are more willing to enjoy messy foods at parties, so serve fried chicken biscuit sliders covered in Southern slaw alongside grilled vegetables.  Make centerpieces out of straw hats and rolled ties.

Hire a bluegrass band for full Southern flavor.

Use a reclaimed door an metal sawhorses as a table. Instead of purchasing new t-shirts, collect vintage versions from thrift stores in various sizes. Let your guests claim one as their favor at the end of the night.