Rob & Deb Passavanti's
Cocktail Party!
About The Cocktail Party...
Cocktail Party!
About The Cocktail Party...
The idea of having “The Cocktail Party” came about in 1996 while we were living in Omaha, Nebraska.
Although we had many friends, it seemed that there was just never enough time to get together to simply
socialize. Rob longed for the days when his parents, Rose and Chiff, would get together with other couples
for these types of parties. They would have these parties at a different home each time and when the party
was at Rob’s house, he got to observe, first-hand these get-togethers.
One unique thing about these Cocktail Parties was that the men almost always
wore a jacket and tie and the women wore dresses. The food and drink were
wonderful, and the music always cool. But there was something else almost
magical about them. It wasn’t until many, many years later, that Rob realized
that these were special affairs not because of the food or drink or even the
attire but rather, it was because of the PEOPLE who attended! All of the people
at these parties were very unique personalities and all of them were very dear
to Rose and Chiff. These parties gave these special people an opportunity,
by welcoming each other into their homes, to convey their love for one another.
And so it goes, Rob got on his high horse and began crusading and nagging
Deb about his crazy idea of having a real “Cocktail Party”. A Party at which
there would be a full bar with most any type of mixed drink available as well specially selected wines and
beers; a Party in which guests would bring their favorite appetizer; and of course, one in which the music
would reflect the cool, swank lifestyle of the fifties and sixties. No, not rock and roll, but rather the hip music
that mere teenagers could never appreciate, Be-Bop, jazz and standards. A place where artists like Steve
Allen, Sammy Davis Jr., Dizzy Gillespie and Ferrante and Teicher would rule. And of course a place where
the Rat Pack still lives! Francis Albert et. al. would reign supreme!
So finally after much planning the first cocktail party was held on August 17th, 1996.
Rose was in town for that first party and helped us with much of the planning
Finally at 7:30PM guests began to arrive, the music was started, Tiki torches were lit,
cocktails were poured, a few cigars were fired up and the party began. Deb’s Uncle
Frank even arrived in his fully restored 1960-something Ford Galaxy convertible
The night was magical and ended well after midnight.
It should be said at this point that although this was a “Cocktail” party no one overindulged.
“The Cocktail Party” is NOT about getting drunk. It’s about a lifestyle of cool, swank relaxation.
It is a place for a unique group of diverse people to get together for great conversation and laughter.
It was decided right then and there that “The Cocktail Party” would be an annual event. But after five
parties Rob received an offer to work in St. Cloud, Minnesota. We pulled up stakes and made the big move
and found the people that we met wonderful. The big question was then, “Would The Cocktail Party
survive?” The Sixth Annual Cocktail Party would have to go on at their home "Up North".
And so it did. On August 4th 2001 the 6th Annual Cocktail Party occured... and what a party it was! Be sure
to check out the photos on our photos page. The 7th Annual Cocktail Party continued the tradition
complete with a morning after limo Ride to Mulligan's Restaurant. The 8th Annual Cocktail Party was held
on August 2nd 2003.
But the snow blew cold and already Rob and Deb were tiring of it and made clandestine plans to move to
Tampa Florida as soon as possible. On July 9th 2005 Rob and Deb split for the south for good!
And now in Tampa Bay, The Cocktail Party is once again alive and well and for it's 15th ammiversary in
Florida...a new location and new friends. The date for The Cocktail Party is set for October 23rd at 7:30PM..
we hope to see you there!
Although we had many friends, it seemed that there was just never enough time to get together to simply
socialize. Rob longed for the days when his parents, Rose and Chiff, would get together with other couples
for these types of parties. They would have these parties at a different home each time and when the party
was at Rob’s house, he got to observe, first-hand these get-togethers.
One unique thing about these Cocktail Parties was that the men almost always
wore a jacket and tie and the women wore dresses. The food and drink were
wonderful, and the music always cool. But there was something else almost
magical about them. It wasn’t until many, many years later, that Rob realized
that these were special affairs not because of the food or drink or even the
attire but rather, it was because of the PEOPLE who attended! All of the people
at these parties were very unique personalities and all of them were very dear
to Rose and Chiff. These parties gave these special people an opportunity,
by welcoming each other into their homes, to convey their love for one another.
And so it goes, Rob got on his high horse and began crusading and nagging
Deb about his crazy idea of having a real “Cocktail Party”. A Party at which
there would be a full bar with most any type of mixed drink available as well specially selected wines and
beers; a Party in which guests would bring their favorite appetizer; and of course, one in which the music
would reflect the cool, swank lifestyle of the fifties and sixties. No, not rock and roll, but rather the hip music
that mere teenagers could never appreciate, Be-Bop, jazz and standards. A place where artists like Steve
Allen, Sammy Davis Jr., Dizzy Gillespie and Ferrante and Teicher would rule. And of course a place where
the Rat Pack still lives! Francis Albert et. al. would reign supreme!
So finally after much planning the first cocktail party was held on August 17th, 1996.
Rose was in town for that first party and helped us with much of the planning
Finally at 7:30PM guests began to arrive, the music was started, Tiki torches were lit,
cocktails were poured, a few cigars were fired up and the party began. Deb’s Uncle
Frank even arrived in his fully restored 1960-something Ford Galaxy convertible
The night was magical and ended well after midnight.
It should be said at this point that although this was a “Cocktail” party no one overindulged.
“The Cocktail Party” is NOT about getting drunk. It’s about a lifestyle of cool, swank relaxation.
It is a place for a unique group of diverse people to get together for great conversation and laughter.
It was decided right then and there that “The Cocktail Party” would be an annual event. But after five
parties Rob received an offer to work in St. Cloud, Minnesota. We pulled up stakes and made the big move
and found the people that we met wonderful. The big question was then, “Would The Cocktail Party
survive?” The Sixth Annual Cocktail Party would have to go on at their home "Up North".
And so it did. On August 4th 2001 the 6th Annual Cocktail Party occured... and what a party it was! Be sure
to check out the photos on our photos page. The 7th Annual Cocktail Party continued the tradition
complete with a morning after limo Ride to Mulligan's Restaurant. The 8th Annual Cocktail Party was held
on August 2nd 2003.
But the snow blew cold and already Rob and Deb were tiring of it and made clandestine plans to move to
Tampa Florida as soon as possible. On July 9th 2005 Rob and Deb split for the south for good!
And now in Tampa Bay, The Cocktail Party is once again alive and well and for it's 15th ammiversary in
Florida...a new location and new friends. The date for The Cocktail Party is set for October 23rd at 7:30PM..
we hope to see you there!
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Lucius "Chiff"
Passavanti
Passavanti
Rose
Passavanti
Passavanti