How to Throw a Tinned Fish Dinner Party — BELA Style!
Keep the Fish Simple. Make the Party Saucy. 🪩🐟
BELA tinned fish doesn’t need a costume. It comes dressed in organic extra virgin olive oil! But the rest of your party? That’s where the sauce comes in. Loud tableware. Sparkly fits. Disco lighting. Flaming hot toppings.
This isn’t your average tinned fish dinner night — it’s a sassy, saucy, modern disco dinner party, where the cans stay plain and the guests do the dressing up. It's about gathering your funky friends and family together to celebrate summer nights, seacuterie, and create a bit of well-intentioned chaos around the table.
Follow along for our best tinned fish serving tips and tinned fish party ideas from seacuterie boards to cocktails and sustainably-sourced outfits and tablewares made for popping tins.
Tools & Tips from the Founder Himself
Hosting a standout tinned fish party? Take it from BELA founder and sardine whisperer Joshua:
Must-haves:
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Chopsticks (for fish flicks, not finesse)
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Food processor (if you're making dips or dressings)
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Seltzer and a roll of paper towels in case of oil spills (you’ll thank us later)
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Napkins. Lots of them. Fancy optional, absorbency not.
How to Open a Can (the Right Way)
This isn’t tuna. BELA cans deserve a little ceremony.
The Founder’s Method:
STEP ONE
Pull the lid back in a curl so it looks like an ocean wave
STEP TWO
Gently rock the lid back and forth to avoid oil splash
STEP THREE
Spread the can wide to display the fish and make it easy to remove
STEP FOUR
Avoid shredding: don’t dig with a fork, use chopsticks for elegance or simply turn over the can and let the fish plop on the plate
It’s about aesthetics and function, from the curl of the lid to the spread of the can — you want to see the skin, the shine, the way the oil pools around the fish because after all, it’s art! We’ll show you how, just follow the link to our Instagram tutorial!
Seacuterie Board: Build Your Board Like a Spice Market
Let’s be clear: no saucy fish. Keep it BELA style: lightly smoked, packed in oil, and a hint of lemon or piri piri. The board is where the boldness happens.
Here’s how to build a seacuterie board that serves:
BELA Base Fish:
🐟 Smoked Sardines in EVOO
🔥 Smoked Sardines with Piri Piri
🍋 Smoked Sardines with Lemon
🐟 Codfish in EVOO, Portuguese Style
🌶️ Mackerel with Piri Piri
The Accoutrement Remix (organized by flavor themes to let guests mix + match):
Zingy Asian-Style Add-Ins:
- Rice vinegar pickled daikon
- Nori squares
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Teriyaki glaze
- Scallion curls
North African Vibes:
- Harissa oil
- Cardamom + cinnamon blend
- Preserved lemon
- Za’atar
- Charred flatbread
Classic Americana:
- Ruffled potato chips
- Deli mustard
- Pickled green beans
- Ranch dip
- Hot sauce
Cracker Note: Keep ‘em bland. Let the toppings do the work.
Bonus tip: Repurpose empty BELA tins to hold dips, spices, or citrus wedges
Cocktail: The Fish Means Family Punch (But Make It Disco)
Smoky Citrus Sparkler
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2 oz mezcal
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1 oz grapefruit juice
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0.5 oz honey syrup
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Top with sparkling water
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Serve with a rim of Tajín or smoked salt
Pairs beautifully with BELA’s piri piri and lemon-packed tins.
Optional garnish: A pickle slice and a rosemary sprig. Funky, but it works.
Tablescape: Not Your Grandma’s Fish Platter (or Maybe It Literally Is)
You don’t need a theme. All you need is texture, color, and sparkle. Something that says, "everyone's welcome to the table!"
Throw a floral sheet over the table. Stick a tealight in a tin. Serve sardines on a mirror tray.
Some low-lift, high-impact table elements:
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Vintage glassware or tinted tumblers
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Disco ball centerpiece (or just...an actual disco ball)
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IKEA fish-shaped ice cube tray or thrifted fish-shaped platters
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DIY napkins tie-dyed with turmeric or beet juice
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Cannabis-friendly wares like Gum Lighter and Spotted Bong
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Flying Tiger for budget finds or Coming Soon NY for a couple splurges if needed
What to Wear: A Little Plain Fish Energy, A Lot of Sauce... and Sass
The dress code: the fish stays humble. You do not.
This is casual maximalism! Think gritty meets glittery, grandma’s pearls over your band tee, silver pants with a tube top.
Some outfit moves we love:
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A thrifted metallic windbreaker + jorts
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Men’s sequined top over cargo pants
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Oversized sunglasses, worn after sunset, no explanation
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Sparkle pants (or try these) and Lime Spritzer rollerskates
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Neon fishnet outfit, with something on underneath 🤭
Playlist: Sardine Groove Approved
Music makes the meal. Here’s your 12-song sardine disco starter pack:
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“I Feel Love” – Donna Summer
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“Got to Be Real” – Cheryl Lynn
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“Motorbike” – Leon Bridges
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“Canned Heat” – Jamiroquai
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“Hot Stuff” – Donna Summer
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“Electric Feel” – MGMT
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“Let’s Groove” – Earth, Wind & Fire
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“Levitating” – Dua Lipa
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“Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” – Indeep
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“Juice” – Lizzo
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“Tadow” – Masego
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“Midnight Snacks” – Kelis
