From tide to table: four summer seafood soirée themes
Before you put away your sunblock for the season, there’s just enough time to throw one last summer party—and what better theme than a seafood soirée? With the right dishes, décor, and beverages, you can throw a delectable dinner party that will lure in guests like a siren on the coast. Explore ideas and tips for hosting an Amalfi Coast-inspired pasta party, an oyster bar embracing the trending coastal grandma aesthetic, a classic New England lobster feast, or a celebratory Southern seafood boil—and don’t forget the invitations to pair perfectly with any theme.
A seaside toast to the Amalfi Coast
Say “Ciao” to the Amalfi-themed summer soirée, inspired by the dreamy coastal Italian town. Use décor that honors the locale, like blue and yellow tiled place settings (with invitations to match). Add floral arrangements to help set the scene.
You can’t have an Italian-themed dinner party without pasta. Prepare plenty of frutti di mare—which roughly translates to “fruit of the sea.” Combine tomato sauce and spaghetti, along with mussels, clams, scallops, and whatever seafood floats your boat (literally). Serve with a classic Italian beverage, like a Negroni, Aperol spritz, or Bellini. Keep carbonated water on hand, so your guests can quench their thirst in the most sparkling way possible. Finally, add a citrusy dessert like a lemon cake or ice cream to top off the menu. It’s not called “la dolce vita” for nothing!
Amalfi-themed menu ideas
Drinks: Negronis, Aperol spritzes, or Bellinis
Appetizers: Fried calamari and caprese salad
Entrée: Frutti di mare
Dessert: Lemon cake or citrus ice cream
Breezy coastal grandmother oyster bar
Live out your Nancy Meyers dreams with this elevated yet laid-back dinner party theme, inspired by the trendy ‘coastal grandmother’ aesthetic. This comforting, luxurious style is characterized by airy, minimalistic comfort and coastal coziness. Pick invitations and décor in a neutral color palette, and incorporate plenty of linens. Don your floppiest hat and chunky button-up, throw on a playlist of beachy music from the ’60s and ’70s, and hang up some string lights for a vibe that feels right out of a nostalgic rom-com.
For the main course, make your dinner an interactive event with a self-serve raw oyster bar. Arrange a variety of fresh-caught oysters on a tray or bowl (don’t forget the ice!) You can pre-shuck the oysters, hire a professional oyster shucker, or offer guests shucking knives so they can earn their dinner themselves. Prefer cooked seafood? No problem—it’s a perfect excuse to break out the grill one last time before the end of the season. Offer a variety of accouterments, such as lemon juice, hot sauce, seasonings, and vinaigrettes to accompany the oysters. Chill a bottle of sparkling white wine to keep the good times going until the credits roll.
Coastal grandmother menu ideas
Drinks: White wine or prosecco
Appetizers: Shrimp cocktail
Entrée: A variety of raw oysters
Dessert: Strawberry shortcake or piping hot apple pie
Traditional New England lobster feast
Far off the shores of the coastal grandmother’s seaside home, fishermen brave rough waters to catch the jewel of the ocean: lobster. Bring this rugged charm to your seafood soirée with a classic New England lobster feast. Nautical imagery, like anchors, fishnets, and blue and white striped tablecloths, will be such a visual treat that your guests will think you caught dinner yourself!
There’s no wrong way to enjoy lobster. Serve it on a buttered roll, or batter and fry it to enjoy in seafood tacos, along with a piping hot order of steak fries. However, for that genuine New England feeling, host a classic lobster bake. Break out the Old Bay seasoning and get a rolling boil of water in a pot before adding sausage, corn on the cob, potatoes, and finally, fresh lobster. Line your table with (clean) newspapers so that everyone can easily grab a serving. Wash it down with an ice-cold beer (or a non-alcoholic alternative). Don’t forget to send some rustic invitations worthy of a seat at the captain’s table. The sea might be unfriendly, but your party doesn’t have to be.
New England lobster feast menu ideas
Drinks: Ice-cold beer
Appetizers: Double-battered steak fries
Entrée: Lobster bake
Dessert: Apple cider donuts or chocolate chip cookies
Backyard Southern-style seafood boil
Let the good times roll with a seafood boil in the style of a classic Southern homestyle dinner. First, send a fun Flyer invite to your guests that captures that down-home country feeling. Then, plan your ideal location like a breezy patio or back porch. Prepare a rustic yet inviting tablescape of mason jars, twine, and gingham tablecloths.
The meal itself is not unlike the New England lobster bake. However, instead of lobster, crack open some crab legs with Cajun seasonings. Serve with corn on the cob and lots of butter. Don’t be surprised if the aroma wafts over to your neighbor’s yard… just be ready with an extra plate!
Add the finishing touches with a cocktail menu of boozy sweet tea, or a chilled old-fashioned with a shot of Kentucky bourbon. Between the food, decorations, and drinks, your guests will leave feeling like they got the full Southern experience—bless their hearts!
Seafood boil menu ideas
Drinks: Boozy sweet tea
Appetizers: Deviled eggs
Entrée: Cajun crab leg boil with corn on the cob
Dessert: Beignets
Tips and tricks for hosting a successful seafood soirée
Sourcing seafood ethically
Ethically-sourced seafood is harvested in a way that ensures the vital habitats of fish and shellfish are preserved, and that they are able to reproduce safely. The best way to ethically source seafood is to buy locally. Look for certification labels from Monterey Seafood Watch, Friend of the Sea, and other organizations known for minimizing the damage to these environments. Become a real eco-superhero by recycling your shells to help create the next generation of marine life.
Rent or buy the items you need
Not everyone has a fully stocked oyster bar, or all of the tools that come with it. However, you don’t want to be caught with a perfectly prepared oyster and no way to pry it open! It’s always a good idea to rent or purchase shucking knives so you can get right to the good stuff. You’ll also need lots of towels and wet wipes for sticky fingers and mouths.
Chill your drinks with plenty of ice
Every expert party planner knows that ice is one of the most important parts of any menu—especially when it comes to keeping drinks cool during the dog days of summer. Keep plenty of ice on hand for your party in an ice bucket or cooler so guests can enjoy drinks at the perfect temperature.
Seafood soirée FAQ
How far in advance should I purchase my seafood?
This depends on the type of seafood you’re buying, the condition it was in, and the temperature of your fridge. A good rule of thumb is that most raw fish should be used in 1-2 days. Live shellfish like mussels, clams, and oysters should be used in 2-3 days, while crab and shrimp will hold out for 3-4 days. However, the fresher, the better! Just make sure you keep your seafood in a cold section of your fridge—no more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
What should I prepare 24 hours before the party?
The day before the party, you’ve likely already sent out your invitations and begun planning the visual aesthetic, so this time is vital for preparing the menu—use it to assemble any condiments, sauces, and side dishes. Keep the seafood chilled right up until it’s time to cook or serve so it stays nice and fresh—it is the star of the show, after all!
What if I need more help?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if this is your first time hosting a summer seafood dinner party. Most fishmongers will help you clean, debone, and descale your fish, or pre-shuck your oysters ahead of the party. Get ahead of the pre-party stress by getting help from the professionals.
Plan all your seasonal soirées with Paperless Post
Hosting a summer seafood soirée is a great way to reconnect with your community over a luxurious meal before the end of the summer. With Paperless Post, you can send invitations that capture the vibe of your dinner party—regardless of the theme. Use features like Guest Questions to gather important information, like dietary restrictions or allergies, so you can prepare for your party with as little hassle as possible. However you celebrate, start the party off right with breezy party invitations from Paperless Post.