There are only so many evenings to enjoy a picnic on the beach, to make the most of every precious sunset and candid conversation with friends. And now, hospitality experts have turned their eye seaside, perfecting the golden-hour ritual.
Certain essentials make the difference between comfort and chaos, ease and itch. The point is the former, all while sipping a rosé or Negroni by the shore and sharing a warm homemade quesadilla or cold roast chicken salad. “It’s a never-ending quest for the ideal beach dining experience,” says Stephanie Krikorian, a Hamptons regular who often covers beachside trends for outlets like Vanity Fair and New York Magazine. “Create a room on the beach,” says Tim Clarke, the Coastal Modern author and Santa Monica-based interior designer.
Think of the lighting, the seating, the table, plates and serving pieces, and adjust slightly — but not too much — for the sand.”
Seating
There are elegant wooden folding chairs, but when it comes to the beach, a chair should be waterproof, easy to fold and light enough to tote across the sand after a few cocktails. Every year, Krikorian finds the latest and greatest, like the Shibumi Shade chair, which is made of breathable mesh and features backpack straps for carrying and two cup holders. Clarke likes the Sunnylife Deluxe Beach Chair for its comfort and headrest. Other options include low-rise retro chairs, like the Praia Beach Chair. By laying down a monogrammed waterproof beach blanket or multitasking lightweight beach towels, you can create a “room” by defining the space.
Serving
Why not set up a little bar and buffet on an easy-to-access table? A classic low roll-up table is easy to assemble and comes in a shoulder bag. Vintage tablecloths — check out Ivy at Home range — make for a pretty setup. Clarke says the gear on and off the beach needs to be as simple as possible; he prefers individual folding tables placed between chairs, which are then circled around the main food table. Clarke likes the Snow Peak Bamboo My Table. Trade Solo cups for Djuce wine glasses — they are unbreakable, Scandinavian-inspired, BPA-free and beautiful. Bamboo or melamine plates work well, but Table Two Studio fancy paper plates take a picnic to the next level. Wood cutting boards double as serving trays and slicing surfaces. Don’t forget utensils; bamboo works, but you can also bring flatware from home. For the actual cook, Clarke loves the Everdure Cube portable charcoal grill. “It’s fun,” he says. “You can grill and serve hibachi-style.” Or grill vegetables or sausage at home and bring them hot in a warm cast-iron pot. Le Creuset makes a Round Dutch Oven Tote Bag to keep it warm. On the cooler side, Krikorian loves the Hydro Flask Serving Bowl. “It’s temperature-controlled, so it keeps my watermelon cold, crisp and fresh,” she says.
Chilling
We’ve come a long way from Styrofoam coolers. Pretty retro floral bags, coolers with a bench or serving tray on top and YETI coolers are all serious upgrades. Corkcicle drink containers keep wine and iced tea cold all day into the evening, and you won’t need a corkscrew. Pre-chill all containers for perfect temperatures, whether that’s a stainless-steel mug or a full-on cooler. Ice blocks last longer than cubes, and a round ice ball in a Yeti tumbler preps it for a cocktail. Work smarter, not harder: freeze plastic water bottles the night before so they can double as ice blocks.
Lighting
Remember a portable lamp during daylight hours because you’ll need it in the evening. Waterproof LED lights come in all shapes and sizes now. The Breck + Fox Round Globe is chic and waterproof too.
Cleanup
All agree on one point: don’t forget to take it all away with you — bring a garbage bag along to make ending the party as easy as possible.
