.png)
COCKTAIL HOURS: MUSIC THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER
A cocktail hour is all about the vibe. People are arriving, greeting each other, settling in. You want music that sets a good mood without demanding attention. Something that makes people feel like something's happening, but doesn't interrupt conversation.
Many cocktail hours work beautifully with a smaller ensemble like an acoustic duo, or little jazz combo. It's less about filling the space and more about setting the mood.
Conversational
Warm
Elegant
How We Approach a Cocktail Hour
We'll play contemporary and classic covers, perhaps with an occasional original song thrown in: nothing too serious, nothing that pulls focus. The music is conversational, not performative. We keep the energy present but not overpowering, so people can talk, mingle, and actually hear each other.
If it's a smaller ensemble (duo or trio), we're grooving without needing a drum kit to drive it. If it's a larger setup, we just keep the volume and intensity in check.
No one likes to be the first to arrive at a party, so one of the goals of cocktail hour music is to make people feel like the party's already started when they walk in the door.
Scaling Up
Not every cocktail hour needs a small ensemble. If your space is large, or if you want more energy, we can bring a full band or jazz combo. It's really about what makes sense for your crowd and your venue. We'll help you figure out what fits.
Best For
Weddings (pre-reception), corporate events, nonprofit galas, birthday celebrations. Basically, anywhere you want background music that's genuinely good and a catalyst for good conversations.
What Makes It Work
We're not playing at the room; we're playing with it. We read the energy, adjust the songs and tempo and vibe as needed, and make sure the music matches the conversation level. We'll often call a song but perform it in a different stlye that fits the vibe. If people are getting louder and more energized, we can lean into that. If they're more subdued, we respect that.
It's a lighter touch than a full reception set, and it benefits from a different approach.
Easy Steps to Book Us for Your Cocktail Hour
1
REQUEST A QUOTE
Take a minute to fill out the form and we'll be in touch within a day.
2
SCHEDULE A CHAT
We can chat via phone, text, zoom, email, whatever works for you.
WE'LL SEND AN AGREEMENT
We'll get all the details so we know where to be and when to be there for your event
3
YOU'LL SEND A DEPOSIT, AND WE'RE BOOKED
After we both sign, you'll send the deposit. Once we receive it, we're officially booked.
4
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How loud/intrusive is the music?
Not to be cheeky, but it's as quiet or loud as it needs to be. We have been doing this for a long time, and we have a good sense of how to add ambience to a space without overpowering it. We're good at reading the room and keeping our volume at an appropriate level for the crowd and space.
How do you handle a small space?
You should see the size of our rehearsal space! Sometimes it feels like we're sitting in each other's laps. Seriously, though, we're totally comfortable in small spaces, and we're pros at keeping the volume in check in those situations.
Do you provide your own equipment?
Yes, we provide a professional sound system that works in spaces up to 300 people. We also have a portable lighting rig, which is great for indoor or outdoor events, space permitting, and adds a nice touch to the performance area.
What types of music do you play during the cocktail hour?
We play everything from pop to rock to R&B to jazz—basically, whatever fits the vibe you're going for. You can give us a curated playlist, or just tell us the mood and we'll play it by ear. We're comfortable either way