5 Tips for Summer Barbecues at Your Apartment

By Alicia Geigel on July 17, 2021

There is nothing quite like a summertime barbecue gathering. Lively music playing, the smell of burgers and hot dogs on the grill, an array of cold pasta salads, delicious pies and desserts, and of course, the company of dear friends and family makes these types of gatherings unforgettable. Now, more than ever, people are truly cherishing the company of loved ones after the stressful, isolating year of 2020. Being that we’re currently in the second month of summer, now is the best time to host your very own barbecue get-together!

While you may typically think of barbecue gatherings only happening at single houses, you can definitely host one at an apartment. With the right tips, tricks, and advice, you can make your apartment space into the perfect backyard barbecue area!

Are you looking to have a barbecue at your apartment? Unsure of how to create the perfect backyard barbecue atmosphere with limited space and resources? Here are five perfect ways to transform your space and host the best barbecue at your apartment!

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  1. Try an Electric Grill: Living in an apartment complex, your options are a bit limited when it comes to outdoor grilling. Unfortunately, you don’t have the same freedom of both space and rules to do whatever you want. Large-scale grills aren’t necessarily realistic for a small apartment balcony, and while charcoal grills are smaller, they can pose both smoke and fire hazards to you and neighboring apartments. Electric grills, on the other hand, can be a great solution to these limitations. This type of grill does not produce as much smoke, while still giving you that delicious char that barbecue foods often have. Additionally, smokeless indoor grills are another great solution, as you get the same result, just inside the comfort of your apartment! Both options are inexpensive and great ways to cook for large-scale barbecues.

  2. Have Plenty of Drinks On Hand: What’s a barbecue gathering without some great drinks? For any type of get-together, food and drinks are the main event, meaning, the most important element of the gathering. For summer barbecues specifically, drinks are a great way to both cool your guests down and liven up the party! Designate a couple coolers with specific types of drinks, one for beers, wine coolers, and hard seltzers, and another for soft drinks like sodas, water, and juices. Giving your guests several different options for drinks makes them more comfortable and the gathering fun and enjoyable. Additionally, try making your own punch-style drink! You can include alcohol or keep it non-alcoholic, and infuse it with light summertime flavors like strawberry lemonade or pineapple mango. The options are endless!

  3. Make the Best Playlist: Having a great music playlist to accompany your barbecue gathering is a necessity. Music just adds to the fun and liveliness of your barbecue, which is why you’ll want to have a few great playlists on hand to help get the party started. You can use apps like Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc., to help create the ultimate barbecue playlist. Include classic hits that everyone can sing along to, maybe some light country if you’re feeling patriotic, and have a blast! Additionally, you can make different playlists with different genres of music, like dance, instrumental, or music currently at the top of the charts. Hook up some speakers and sit back to great summertime tunes.

  4. Don’t Forget About Safety: Amidst the fun of your barbecue gathering, it can be easy to get carried away and forget about certain things that can keep you (and all of your guests) safe. Remember to always have someone tending to your grill, and to never leave it unattended. While you most likely will be using an electric grill, accidents can still happen, which is why you want to be alert and aware just in case. Be sure to have a fire extinguisher on hand or a first aid kit in case someone accidentally burns or cuts themself. Additionally, have sunscreen around, especially if people are going to be back and forth outside. While it may seem like overkill, it’s always safe to have some of these things on hand in case an accident does happen!

  5. Have a Little Something for Everyone: Part of the fun of planning a barbecue gathering, outside of the drinks and music, is the food! Summertime barbecues don’t have to look (or taste) one way or another, but the common foods served are hamburgers and hot dogs, meat skewers, corn on the cob, hot sides like macaroni and cheese, cold sides like pasta salads, and chips. While these are the common foods you can have at a barbecue, be sure to try and include something for all of your friends and family! If you have people who are vegan or vegetarian, consider getting meatless burgers or sausages. If you have people who are cleaner about their diet, try including more veggies and fresh fruits on the menu.

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Image via Pexels

Planning a summer barbecue gathering at your apartment doesn’t have to be difficult, in fact, it can be fun and exciting. If you follow these tips and tricks, you’re bound to have an unforgettable get-together with your loved ones!

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