Looking for a fun, easy way to connect with people? Host a Drive Thru Soda Bar! This idea works well for a church group, a neighborhood gathering, a fundraiser, or a casual party.
To give the women in our ward a low-pressure way to socialize, we organized a drive thru soda bar. The concept isn’t original to me — I learned it from another ward — but it was such a hit that I knew it would be perfect here. The drive thru soda bar is simple to set up, requires minimal volunteers, and creates a cheerful opportunity to reconnect in a safe, outdoor format.
When the pandemic first made in-person meetings difficult, a previous congregation I attended hosted a drive-up soda station to stay connected. It was a welcome excuse to get out, visit briefly with neighbors, and enjoy a treat together. Our version followed that same spirit: a short, friendly check-in paired with a customized soda order.
Soda Bar Logistics
Each group will adapt this idea to their own size and needs, but here’s how we organized our drive thru soda bar, including what to prepare and how to run the event smoothly.
What you will need:
- Variety of sodas (for example: Sprite, cream soda, Coke, Diet Coke, Dr Pepper)
- Bottled water
- Ice (pebble ice works great for drinks)
- Syrup flavorings for making flavored sodas
- Syrup pumps or easy pour dispensers (helpful but optional)
- Half and half (for creamier drinks)
- Disposable cups
- Straws
- Drink stirrers
- Garnishes such as maraschino cherries, lemon and lime slices
- Printed checklists and order forms
- A clearly visible soda sign
- Clipboards and pens
We set up a single table with everything neatly arranged. Because our event fell near Valentine’s Day, we used a holiday theme on the table and sign. On the table we placed syrup bottles, half and half, cups, straws, and stirrers. Sodas and water were kept chilled in a bucket of ice, and we had a cooler of pebble ice for serving.
As cars arrived, volunteers greeted guests and pointed to a large soda bar sign with the drink menu. Each driver received a small clipboard holding a drink order form, a ministering checklist, and a note about their ministering assignment. Two volunteers handled the check-in and order taking while two others stayed at the table making drinks. Once the form was completed, we handed out a sugar cookie and collected the forms in a basket to review later.
How to create a soda sign
Designing a clear, attractive soda sign helps customers choose quickly and makes your event feel polished. You can create the sign with design tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or any graphic software you prefer. Because there are many possible soda and syrup flavors, keep your sign focused on the options you’ll actually offer.
Include these elements on your sign: the soda bases available, the syrup flavorings, and optional add-ins like half and half or garnishes. For fun and to match your audience, you can create playful drink names or themed descriptions. Print the sign on a sturdy board and display it on an easel so it’s easy to read from a short distance.
We had our sign printed as a board print for durability and set it on an inexpensive easel near the drive lane. A bold, legible layout makes ordering faster and keeps cars moving smoothly through the line.
To keep service efficient, prepare a simple checklist for each drink order. Our checklists listed the base soda choices, available syrups, and optional add-ins so volunteers could mark selections quickly. We used clipboards so guests had a firm surface for writing as they filled out their orders.
Part of our purpose was to combine a social visit with a short ministering check-in. In our congregation, members are assigned to look after one another, and this event gave volunteers a chance to touch base, ask how people were doing, and log any needs or follow-ups. We created a separate ministering checklist so responses could be recorded and reviewed later.
Printable checklists and order forms make planning easier. Having forms ready saves time on the day of the event and creates a consistent experience for guests. If you plan to host a similar event, prepare digital or printed versions of your checklists in advance so volunteers can step in quickly.
Other party ideas
- Outdoor movie night paired with an Italian soda bar
- Themed watch party for season finales or special shows
- A scavenger or race-style birthday party with beverage stations
A drive thru soda bar is a low-cost, adaptable way to bring people together. With a few volunteers, clear signage, and printed checklists, you can host an efficient, friendly event that encourages conversation and connection. Whether for a small congregation, a neighborhood group, or a casual fundraising event, this format keeps interactions brief but meaningful and offers a sweet treat everyone will enjoy.