Graduation season in Utah is a whirlwind. Between ceremonies, senior events, and family coming in from out of town, late May and early June fill up fast — and so do the weekends for graduation open houses. If you're planning a party for a high school or college grad, a soda bar is an easy way to make it feel special and give guests a reason to stick around.

Here are ideas for a graduation soda bar, plus timing and planning tips so the party comes together without stress.

Why a soda bar fits a graduation party

Graduation open houses bring together a wide mix of guests: classmates, grandparents, teachers, neighbors, coaches, and family friends. A soda bar works for every one of those groups. Teens already know and love dirty sodas, and older guests appreciate having something more interesting than a cooler of cans. And because a soda bar is staffed, the grad's family can actually spend time with guests instead of running back and forth to restock drinks.

There's a nice bonus here, too: Mixies is a teen-run business, supported by parents. Having students serve at a graduation party is a fun fit.

Drinks in school colors

Every Mixies bar includes a custom soda menu — four base sodas, six syrup flavors, and creamer — which makes it easy to theme the drinks around school colors. Syrup choices drive most of a drink's color, so you can build signature drinks that match:

  • Red schools: cherry, strawberry, or raspberry over a clear soda.
  • Blue or purple schools: blue raspberry or a berry blend, with cream for a pastel look.
  • Green and gold schools: a citrus or lime drink alongside a mango or peach option.
  • Orange or black schools: orange cream for the bright color, and a dark cola-based drink for the other.

Pair the drinks with cups, straws, or signage in matching colors, and the drink bar becomes part of the decor. You can browse our full drink menu for combinations to start from.

Name the drinks after the grad

This is the easiest way to make the menu personal. A few ideas:

  • The grad's name: "The Maddie Special" or "Jake's Pick" — their actual favorite drink order.
  • Future plans: name a drink after the college they're headed to, a mission, a job, or a big move.
  • Inside jokes and activities: a drink for their sport, club, instrument, or theater role.
  • Class year: a "Class of 2027" signature drink in school colors.

Put the menu on a sign with the grad's senior photo, and you've got a built-in photo spot.

Open-house timing

Most graduation parties in Utah run as come-and-go open houses. A few timing tips:

  • Avoid ceremony conflicts. Check graduation schedules for your grad's school and close friends' schools so guests aren't forced to choose.
  • Pick a clear window. A two-to-three hour open house is common. Mixies includes up to two hours of service, so center it on the busiest part of your window.
  • Coordinate with friends. Many grads have friends throwing parties the same weekend. Staggering times — one in the afternoon, another in the evening — lets classmates attend both.
  • Plan for weather. Late May and June in Utah can be hot or surprisingly stormy. Shade for an outdoor setup and a backup indoor spot are both smart.

Guest count and budget

Graduation open houses can draw a lot of people, but guests at come-and-go parties usually stay a short time. Start with your invite list and estimate realistically. Our guide on how many drinks to plan per guest covers this in more detail.

Pricing starts at $3.95 per guest and includes cups, straws, ice, setup, cleanup, friendly servers, and up to two hours of service. A 100-guest open house starts at $395; 150 guests starts at $592.50. Dates are reserved with a non-refundable deposit of $100 or 25% of the total, whichever is greater. See our pricing page for details.

Book early for May and June 2027

Graduation weekends are packed into a few weeks, and nearly everyone wants a Friday evening or a Saturday. That makes those dates some of the hardest to get for vendors of all kinds. We generally recommend booking 4–6 weeks ahead, but for graduation season, it's smart to reach out as soon as you know your date. If you're planning for the Class of 2027, there's no downside to getting your date on the calendar this winter or early spring.

Celebrate your grad

Learn more on our graduation party soda bar page or our school events page. Mixies serves Utah County and Salt Lake County, including Highland, Lehi, Herriman, and Riverton. Everything we serve is 100% alcohol-free.

Request your graduation date or call or text (801) 692-3036.