
If your music needs to be a little more restrained and mature, you're in luck. There's plenty to choose from that will fit your cocktail party theme, but won't leave the fun at the door. Whether you're entertaining the boss and her new trophy husband (you go girl!) or you've just decided to have a dress-up cocktail party, it's easy to find the perfect score.
You can go with a cool jazz theme for the martini set, classic rock like Sting's Field of Dreams for the calm, yet cool crowd or turn it up just a skosh with some popular favorites.
The key to choosing music for a good cocktail party is finding tunes that play smoothly in the background. You want your guests to barely notice the music. It should just be a subtle undercurrent that flows just beneath the surface. Here's a list to help you channel a little monochrome Mad Men chic.
"Back to Black" - Amy Winehouse
"What'd I Say" - Ray Charles
"Let Them Knock" - Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
"Black Coffee" - Julie London
"Sunday in New York" - Bobby Darin
"C'est Si Bon" - Eartha Kitt
"That Old Black Magic" - Louis Prima & Keely Smith
"Fly Me to the Moon" - Frank Sinatra
"Blue Champagne" - Anita O'Day
"Sugar Rum Cherry" - Duke Ellington
"It's Delovely" - Mel Tormé
"Misty" - Sarah Vaughan