Cocktail hour is one of the most underrated parts of your wedding soundtrack. It quietly sets expectations for the rest of the night.
You want music that’s elevated, upbeat, and conversation-friendly, not sleepy, and not “club.”
For curated examples (organized by wedding moment), start here:
- Wedding Music Playlists & Song Ideas
- Full Spotify library: Spotify playlists
1) Modern jazz + soul (classy, timeless, not stuffy)
Best for: classic venues, black tie, upscale rooftops, elegant barns.
If you want “grown and polished” without feeling like a hotel lobby, this is it.
Examples to search/add:
- Norah Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra
- Leon Bridges, Gregory Porter
- Instrumental soul / mellow funk
Listen (links):
- Spotify search: modern jazz soul cocktail hour
- YouTube search: modern jazz soul cocktail hour playlist
2) Chill pop + indie (warm, current, easy)
Best for: outdoor cocktail hours, modern venues, couples who want current-but-not-top-40.
Examples to search/add:
- Vance Joy, The Lumineers, Ben Howard
- Acoustic covers that still feel modern
Listen (links):
- Spotify search: chill indie pop cocktail hour
- YouTube search: chill indie pop cocktail hour playlist
3) Lounge house (sunset energy, still conversational)
Best for: modern luxury, waterfront, “vacation vibes,” late cocktail hours.
Examples to search/add:
- Kygo-style tropical house
- Duke Dumont / deep-house-adjacent lounge
Listen (links):
- Spotify search: lounge house cocktail hour
- YouTube search: lounge house cocktail hour playlist
4) Bossa nova + world (effortless, stylish, different)
Best for: destination feel, garden parties, couples who want “cool” without being loud.
Examples to search/add:
- Stan Getz / João Gilberto
- Bebel Gilberto
- Buena Vista Social Club
Listen (links):
- Spotify search: bossa nova cocktail hour
- YouTube search: bossa nova cocktail hour playlist
5) Old-school + curated throwbacks (happy, familiar, still refined)
Best for: mixed-age crowds where you want some recognition without starting the dance floor early.
Examples to search/add:
- Motown-lite (not the “peak set” bangers yet)
- 80s/90s singalongs sparingly
Listen (links):
- Spotify search: motown cocktail hour
- YouTube search: motown cocktail hour playlist
If you’re building a 90s-forward reception, this pairs well with:
Quick rule: cocktail hour should feel “up,” not “on”
If your cocktail hour is too low-energy, guests settle into “spectator mode.” If it’s too hype, it fights conversation.
We aim for momentum without pressure.
Want me to shape this into a full night energy map (cocktail → dinner → dancing)?