No back yard? No problem for cool cookouts

Throwing a cookout party can be an enticing but scary idea if you’re a single guy living in an apartment.

The appeal: Skies are blue, your friends salivate for cold drinks, and you’re a god at the altar of fiery charcoal. Yet there’s a roadblock: your location. With an apartment, space is tight, there’s no back yard and your neighbors might complain about noise.

But don’t be daunted. You can overcome these impediments with a little imagination and a small budget.

First issue: space. Many apartments offer personal balconies or patios, but prohibit the use of a grill. About 25 percent have common areas such as decks or courtyards, said Laura Kilian, a store manager for apartment locator service RelocationCentral by Cort.

“It’s definitely something people ask for in their search criteria,” Kilian said, noting how these spaces let residents entertain guests outside.

Next, the neighbors: Invite them and encourage them to bring friends. Parties are places where worlds collide – make your place a melting pot. (Your neighbors might have attractive friends.)

As with any party, send out an e-mail a week before the event, inviting about three times as many people as you want there. A third will actually show.

Cleaning can be minimal because most of the party will be outside. The duster and vacuum can stay in the closet, but a clean bathroom is a must. And pick up the stray socks, empty cans and scattered magazines.

If possible, try to keep food and beverages in separate spots so guests have to move and mingle.

“If you have a broad mix of guests at your party, try to introduce everyone using more than just their names. Share where you know that person from to break the ice between guests and help them mesh,” writes Justin Becker in an article about party planning on AskMen.com, a free online magazine.

The major prep work involves drinks, food and music, although these can be inexpensive and low-maintenance.

If you live in an apartment, everyone knows you’re not the head of a Fortune 500 company. Ask guests to bring their own beverages. But, to impress the ladies, it’s nice to provide a cocktail alternative to beer.

“The No. 1 thing besides beer is the mixings for margaritas,” said Marshall Rimann, owner of Rimann Liquor stores in Lenexa and Prairie Village, Kan. “That is, by far and away, the top summer drink.”

Rimann also suggested mixing lemon-lime soda with Malibu rum, now flavored with pineapple or mango in addition to the traditional coconut.

“That would be a really nice, easy drink for someone who doesn’t want a big mess in the kitchen,” he said.

Or, go the extra mile and make a batch using fresh ingredients. (See www.spokane7.com/food_drink for a recipe for pineapple-orange margarita.)

Along with the beverages, ask guests to bring a dish to share – it could be as simple as a watermelon or chips and salsa – and something to grill. But again, prepare a limited amount of something to eat. Foods such as hot wings, hot dogs and burgers are easy and quick. If you’re adventurous, pick up some ribs and wood chips and try your hand at barbecuing them.

Get someone to bring a portable stereo and batteries. Limit the CDs to crowd-pleasers, and keep the stereo at background volume. It’s a cookout, so guests should be meeting and interacting, not jamming. This is also not the time to play Norah Jones or Natalie Merchant. Even as a social butterfly/party planner, you want to preserve your masculinity.