Rained Off? Bring the August Bank Holiday Party Indoors!

It’s August Bank Holiday Monday. You’ve planned the barbecue, bought the burgers, chilled the drinks and perhaps even optimistically put the garden furniture out.

And then you look through the window.

Rain. And more rain.

Fortunately, a wet Bank Holiday doesn’t have to mean abandoning the celebrations. With a little improvisation, you can turn a rained-off barbecue or picnic into a surprisingly good party at home.

Bring the barbecue indoors – but not literally!

First things first: never bring a barbecue indoors, into a conservatory, garage or other enclosed space. Apart from the obvious fire risk, burning charcoal can produce deadly carbon monoxide.

Instead, bring the food indoors.

Burgers, sausages, chicken, kebabs and vegetable skewers can usually be cooked perfectly well in the oven, under the grill or in an air fryer. You might miss the smoky aroma of the barbecue, but you certainly don’t have to miss the feast. (Though you can get smokey dressings, etc)

Put everything out buffet-style and let everybody help themselves.

Create an indoor picnic

If your planned picnic has been washed out, why not have it on the living-room floor?

Spread out a picnic blanket and bring out the sandwiches, sausage rolls, pork pies, crisps, Scotch eggs, salads, cheeses, fruit and whatever else was destined for the picnic basket.

Children in particular may find an indoor picnic far more entertaining than simply sitting around the dining table.

Don't forget the drinks

If you've already stocked the fridge for the Bank Holiday, you're halfway towards having a party.

Beer, cider, wine and cocktails can sit alongside alcohol-free beers, mocktails, fruit juices and soft drinks. A large jug of homemade lemonade or fruit punch can make an inexpensive centrepiece.

You could even turn the afternoon into a tasting session. Pick several different craft beers, alcohol-free drinks, cheeses, crisps or chocolates and ask everyone to award them marks out of ten.

There may be arguments. That's part of the entertainment.

Put together a Bank Holiday buffet

The great thing about a buffet is that it doesn't need to be complicated.

Use what you've already bought and add anything useful lurking in the fridge or cupboards. Bread, crackers, dips, pickles, chutneys, cold meats and leftover vegetables can quickly transform a few planned barbecue dishes into an impressive spread.

And don't worry about everything matching. A good British Bank Holiday buffet has always been a slightly chaotic affair.

Add some entertainment

Once everybody has eaten, bring out the board games, cards or a quiz. Put together a playlist, try some karaoke or give everyone the job of choosing one favourite song.

If the weather eventually improves, you can always migrate back into the garden.

And if it doesn't?

Stay indoors, open another packet of crisps and enjoy yourselves anyway.

Because while we can't control the British Bank Holiday weather, we certainly don't have to let it cancel the party.

Happy August Bank Holiday from That's Food and Drink!

We just checked the weather forecast, looks like plan B it is!