Barbecues, beach picnics, garden parties, and backyard gatherings are synonymous with warm-weather entertaining. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for your outdoor events, we consulted with hospitality professionals to gather their top product recommendations. From coolers to keep beverages chilled for hours to clever gadgets that deter pesky bugs, this curated list will elevate your summer celebrations to new heights.
1. A Permasteel Outdoor Patio Cooler on Wheels
Rob Pausmith, founder of the hospitality and events company the Pausmith Group, advocates for this Permasteel patio cooler. It boasts four lockable caster wheels, a dual-lid top, and a generous 80-quart capacity, capable of holding over 100 12-ounce cans. The insulated basin and alloy steel exterior promise to keep drinks cold for up to 36 hours, while an integrated bottle opener and cap catcher ensure a seamless refreshment experience. Pausmith suggests filling it with water bottles, Italian sodas, and bottled tea for a self-service refreshment station. You can find this cooler on Amazon for $151.99+ in nine color options.
2. Six Basic Pop-Up Food Covers
For those with multiple dishes to protect from uninvited insects, this six-pack of large mesh covers offers an economical solution. With over 15,200 5-star reviews on Amazon, these covers easily pop open for use and collapse for compact storage. Grab a set of six from Amazon for $13.99 in six different styles.
3. A Set of Four Tabletop Fly Fans
Jennifer Coman, creative director and co-founder of the Los Angeles-based Haute Chefs catering company, suggests these battery-operated fly fans as a clever pest deterrent. Featuring flexible, light-refracting, and safe-to-touch blades, they rotate at a constant speed to mimic a swatting motion, keeping those pesky flies at bay. Get a four-pack from Amazon for $29.99.
4. A Retro Stainless Steel Cooler
Coman highlights the appeal of a vintage-inspired ice box that also provides portability. She recommends this retro 12-quart cooler crafted from double-insulated stainless steel and equipped with an integrated bottle opener. Coman suggests dedicating separate coolers for specific beverages if necessary. You can find it on Amazon for $69.95+ in six color options.
5. A Pop-Up Shade Canopy
Pausmith emphasizes the importance of providing comfort through shaded seating. This highly-rated shade canopy pops up with a simple push of a button, requiring no tools. Its legs adjust to three different heights, and the canopy top is water- and flame-resistant, infused with UPF 50+ sun protection, and strategically vented to prevent wind blow-away. Choose from multiple colors and two sizes on Amazon for $122.39+.
6. A Yeti Backpack Cooler
Chef and co-owner of Win Son in Brooklyn, Trigg Brown, highlights the versatility of Yeti beyond camping supplies. The brand’s cooler packs excel at transporting both food and beverages for outdoor enjoyment. The Yeti Hopper, a wearable soft-sided cooler, offers complete leak resistance and is made from high-density fabric resistant to punctures, UV damage, and mildew. Its pop-open top stays open if desired, facilitating easy access to refreshments. Available in two sizes and seven colors, the Hopper can be found on Amazon for $275+.
7. A Large Enamel Serving Tray and Platter
Coman considers a large enamel tray a versatile essential for outdoor gatherings. It serves as a chic base for a cocktail station, showcasing glasses and ingredients in a stylish manner. These colorful and dishwasher-safe enamelware pieces by Crow Canyon, according to Coman, are also perfect for serving large salads, beautifully arranged crudités, or as a base for crushed ice with oysters, chilled shrimp, and other chilled foods. Get the tray for $50.99 in 10 colors and the oval platter for $50.99+ in eight colors from Amazon.
8. An Ice Bed Serving Tray
This acrylic appetizer tray proves ideal for transporting, serving, and keeping bites and finger foods chilled thanks to a bottom receptacle designed for ice. It features a central compartment for dips and slotted sections to prevent sogginess. Each section comes with a matching lid. You can find it on Amazon for $46.78.
9. A Pair of Inflatable Serving Bars
For large gatherings, these inflatable bars offer a convenient and accessible serving station that keeps contents chilled. They feature a built-in draining port to prevent melted ice from pooling and can even float in water, allowing guests to grab refreshments without leaving the pool. Get them from Amazon for $17.99.
10. An Insulated and Sealing Wine Tumbler
According to Brown, Yeti’s wine and cocktail tumblers are perfect for barbecues, outdoor dinners, or simply enjoying a beverage on the porch. Maintaining the brand’s reputation for durable drinkware that keeps beverages cold or hot for extended periods, this 10-ounce, easy-to-stack wine tumbler is crafted from vacuum-insulated stainless steel with a brushed exterior resistant to condensation. It features the brand’s signature mag-sliding lid and is available in numerous color options, including limited edition lilac and classic charcoal gray. Find it on Amazon for $25+.
11. A Yeti Insulated Travel Cocktail Shaker
Enjoy freshly shaken margaritas on the beach or in the backyard with this 20-ounce shaker from Yeti. It’s perfect for transporting pre-batched cocktails—simply add ice from your cooler—and keeping them chilled. Like the brand’s mugs, cups, and tumblers, this cocktail shaker is made from vacuum-insulated stainless steel with a brushed exterior that resists condensation. Available in 12 colors, it can be purchased from Amazon for $60.
12. A Covered Insulated Ice Bucket
If you need a dedicated ice station for refreshing melting cocktails or replenishing serving trays, this double-wall-insulated bucket by Oggi might be your ideal choice. It boasts a 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Amazon and includes a large stainless steel ice scoop and an acrylic lid to keep the ice clean and cold for longer. Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
13. A Woven Rattan Cutlery Caddy
For storing and transporting flatware and napkins, Pausmith recommends this woven rattan cutlery caddy with three spacious compartments and a handle. Purchase it from Pottery Barn for $89.
14. A Large Dual-Sided Picnic Blanket
Nothing ruins a picnic like damp pants after sitting on grass. The Scuddles extra large and padded picnic blanket features waterproof PEVA backing to prevent moisture from seeping through and staining. It’s machine-washable and conveniently rolls up for compact storage. Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
