Planning a bourbon-themed celebration? These Bourbon & BBQ party essentials are what I used for our 40th backyard bash. From rustic décor to warm lighting, every piece made hosting easier. Browse the exact finds below, and recreate the same cozy, elevated vibe at home.
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When my husband turned 40, I knew it had to be a celebration that felt big, bold, and totally his style. A Bourbon & BBQ theme was the perfect fit — full of good food, great drinks, and the rustic touches that made the night unforgettable.
From the self-serve bourbon bar to the buffet loaded with Southern favorites, every detail tied back to the theme. If you want to see the full menu, décor, and DIY projects I pulled together for this party, check out the full recap here: Bourbon & BBQ 40th Birthday Party.
Shop the Party Essentials
Here’s everything that helped bring our Bourbon & BBQ party to life — from rustic décor to the serving pieces that made hosting easier.
Shop The Decorations & Atmosphere
Wood Rounds –I layered wood rounds under bottles and trays to add height and a warm, rustic look—instant bourbon-bar vibes. 👉 Shop the Wood Rounds on Amazon
String Lights – Nothing sets the mood like soft lighting. These warm string lights were perfect for creating a cozy backyard feel. 👉 Shop the String Lights on Amazon
Bourbon bottle fairy lights (easy DIY): Add a strand of fairy lights to empty bourbon bottles for glowing centerpieces. 👉 Shop Fairy Lights on Amazon
Bourbon party décor kit: A simple way to tie everything together—balloon arch, themed backdrop, and gold swirls with bourbon motifs. 👉 Shop the Bourbon Party Décor Kit on Amazon
Outdoor light poles: These made hanging string lights across the yard fast and secure for that perfect draped look.
👉 Shop Outdoor Light Poles on Amazon
40th balloons: Black and gold “40” balloons popped in photos and added a fun milestone touch.
👉 Shop the Black & Gold 40th Balloons on Amazon
Balloon filler pack: A 67-piece mix of black/gold balloons to bulk up arches, clusters, and corners on a budget.
👉 Shop the Black & Gold Balloon Pack on Amazon
Shop The Bar & Drink Station
One of my favorite touches was the custom bourbon glasses I made for the party. Plus, they doubled as both glassware for cocktails and keepsakes for guests. In addition, they tied the whole bourbon theme together perfectly.
👉 See my DIY Custom Bourbon Glass Tutorial
👉 Shop Plain Bourbon Glasses on Amazon (Perfect for DIY Projects
Ready-made tumblers: However, if you’d rather grab a ready-made set, these heavy-bottomed bourbon tumblers are simple, timeless, and feel just as special when paired with good bourbon.
👉 Shop Bourbon Glass Tumblers on Amazon
Clear round ice (show-stopper): A silicone mold that makes clear round ice—it looks gorgeous and melts slower.
👉 Shop Clear Round Ice Cube Mold on Amazon
Cocktail shaker set: We set out an old set for guests to mix drinks. If you need one, this kit is stylish and complete.
👉 Shop Cocktail Shaker Set on Amazon
Cocktail napkins: Bourbon-themed napkins tied the bar together with a fun, practical touch.
👉 Shop Bourbon Cocktail Napkins on Amazon
Large drink dispenser: Made batching our specialty sangria easy and kept the line moving.
👉 Shop Drink Dispenser on Amazon
P.S. See how I styled the self-serve bourbon bar in my party recap for layout ideas and bottle display tips. Bourbon & BBQ 40th Celebration
Shop The Bitters & Simple Syrups
Bitters: Start with classic Angostura and add a couple of fun flavors for variety.
👉 Shop Bitters on Amazon
Simple syrups: I made mine (sugar + water!), but pre-made flavored syrups are great time savers.
👉 Shop Simple Syrups on Amazon
Sour mix: Fresh is best, but a bottled sour mix keeps things simple for big groups. 👉 Shop Sour Mix on Amazon
Cocktail cherries: I made boozy cherries, but these are a dependable buy.
👉 Shop Cocktail Cherries on Amazon
Serving & Tableware
Catering pans with Sterno racks: Kept everything warm—from pulled pork to mac and cheese—so I wasn’t running back and forth.
👉 Shop Catering Pans & Sterno Racks on Amazon
Rustic wooden trays: Mine are old favorites; here’s a similar set that suits the bourbon theme.
👉 Shop Rustic Wooden Serving Trays on Amazon
Disposable plates & utensils: Elevated look, easy cleanup, zero sink time.
👉 Shop Disposable Plates & Utensils on Amazon
Large wooden cutting board: Doubles as a carving/serving board for brisket and looks great on a buffet.
👉 Shop Large Wooden Cutting Board on Amazon
Every little detail — from the bourbon bar to the rustic décor and those fun extras — came together to make this 40th birthday unforgettable. Whether you DIY like I did or shop ready-to-go options, these finds will help you recreate the same vibe for your own celebration.
📌 Don’t forget to pin this post for later so you can come back when you’re planning!
🛒 Scroll back up to shop your favorite finds and start building your party list.
💬 I’d love to see your version — tag me on Instagram @enchanteddiparties if you use any of these ideas at your own party!
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This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Enchanted DIY Parties!
