5 Ways to Host a BBQ Party in a Small Space

Even the slightest hint of warm and sunny weather has Brits across the UK whipping out the barbecue for some friends and family alfresco dining. But with many of us lacking access to a big enough outdoor space for a BBQ garden party, where does that leave city-dwellers? With a little creativity and clever thinking, we've found the 5 perfect ways to kick off your next BBQ party, no matter how much space you have available.

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Jump To:

• Plan Your BBQ Party Guestlist
• Invest in a Smaller Size Barbecue
• Prep Your Food Ahead of Time
• Add a Buffet Train to Your BBQ Party
• Clear Up Any Rubbish

Plan Your BBQ Party Guestlist

Make sure your BBQ party runs smoothly by planning the guestlist ahead of time. If you're going to hold your BBQ party on a balcony, in a small apartment or small garden, ask yourself - 'how many people will realistically fit into my space?' 'Can I reshuffle or remove any furniture so that guests can move around easily?'. Start by arranging your seating along the perimeter of your space, choosing narrow, compactible designs such as folding chairs, stools and large outdoor cushions and then determine how many people will fit in comfortably, avoiding any potential over-crowding.

Invest in a Smaller Size Barbecue

If you're struggling to find space to fit a BBQ, then try opting for a smaller barbecue model or one that is portable. Portable barbecues are ideal for a small garden BBQ party or balcony, and are easily transportable, making them great for days at the beach, camping, just about anywhere you'd like. Down-sizing your charcoal grill, electric BBQ or gas BBQ with a newer model could be the saving grace for your BBQ party.

Our handy BBQ buying guide will help you decide which is the best BBQ to buy for your party.

Prep Your Food Ahead of Time

Another problem people face when trying to throw a BBQ party in a small space is limited room for cooking. Tackle this by pre-cooking food in your oven and then barbecuing it for the last 5 minutes to get that delicious smoky BBQ flavour. You can then put food back into the oven whilst it's cooling to keep it warm until you're ready to serve.

When it comes to marinades, the earlier the better, so the night before your BBQ party prepare all your marinades and rub them onto your meats before storing in the fridge. The right BBQ tools and barbecue cookware will also make for effortless BBQing.

Add a Buffet Train to Your BBQ Party

If there's not enough room for everyone to sit down and eat at once, consider setting up a buffet train instead. Arrange two identical plates of everything either side of a long table (or bench) so hungry traffic can flow either side. If you're working with a really tiny space, try several nesting or folding tables in place of something larger.

Our list of easy BBQ recipes and vegan BBQ ideas cater for everyone from meat-eaters to dedicated vegans and those in between, so you can be sure to fill your BBQ buffet train with some modern, fresh and tasty dishes and sides.

Clear Up Any Rubbish

Dirty plates, used cups and empty serving bowls will clutter your BBQ party fast, so leave rubbish bins scattered around your space and encourage your guests to use them. Empty bowls can be relegated out of the way to the kitchen while paper or plastic cups, plates and cutlery will also help with less washing up.

Remember, a BBQ party is meant to be fun and relaxing for everyone involved, so don't let an anxious host put guests off. Make sure your BBQ party is a hit with our 5 tips and check out our garden party tips for more small garden BBQ and balcony BBQ ideas.

For more BBQ tips and fun facts, check out how to BBQ American style, as well as BBQ trends in Germany and the UK.