Cocktail Highboy vs Lowboy Tables: Heights, Sizes and Uses

The words highboy and lowboy get used loosely. Rental companies, planners and venues sometimes mean different heights, which is how you end up with guests perched awkwardly at the wrong table. Here is what each term usually means and how to choose.

What each term usually means

The word lowboy in some catalogs means a cocktail table at about dining height. In lounge sets it can mean a coffee-height table. Always ask for the inches.

When to use highboys

• Cocktail hour with no seats. Standing guests mingle better and move faster.
• Networking and corporate events. Highboys keep a crowd moving. See corporate and nonprofit events.
• Short receptions in Chicago winters. Guests with coats and drinks need a place to rest a hand.

When to use lowboys

• Older guests. Not everyone wants to stand for an hour.
• Lounge areas. Add chairs or sofas, and plan a few seats for every table.
• Dessert after dinner. Guests sit and linger.

Linens for cocktail tables

A highboy is 42 inches tall, so a floor-length cloth needs about 144 inches of round fabric. Most companies stock a 120-inch round that you tie at the waist, or fitted spandex covers. Lowboys at 30 inches take the same cloths as dining tables. For sizes see our tablecloth size chart.

How many guests per table

A 30-inch round highboy holds 3 to 4 guests standing. A 36-inch round holds 4 to 5. A 24-inch round is for two. For counts see how many cocktail tables for a standing reception.

Stools and chairs

Pair a highboy with bar stools, but only for part of the guests. Pair a lowboy with standard chairs. If you are building a lounge look, ask about lounge and specialty rentals and choose chairs like velvet dining chairs for comfort.

Outdoor notes

Tall tables tip more easily on uneven ground or in Chicago's lakeside wind. Choose weighted bases and use fitted covers. Check the ground first; see table rental for outdoor events.

Putting the heights into a floor plan

Mixing heights makes a room feel designed instead of cluttered. Use highboys in the busiest zones near the bar and entrance, because standing guests free the floor quickly. Use lowboys and chairs farther from the action, such as a quieter corner or a patio edge. Keep walkways clear. A highboy is taller than a seated guest's eye line, so a cluster of tall tables can block sightlines to a stage or a toast. Place them to the sides, not directly in front of a speaker.

Common mistakes

• Mismatched cloth. A standard 90-inch round on a highboy leaves the base showing and drapes unevenly. Use the right size or a fitted cover.
• Too many stools. Stools block aisles when pushed back. A handful is enough.
• Light bases outdoors. Chicago wind can tip a tall, light table with a full glass on it. Ask about weighted bases.
• Ignoring ADA and accessibility. Standing-only setups exclude some guests. Always include some accessible seated spots at normal table height.
• Forgetting the count. Cocktail tables are a separate line on your order. The ratio is in our guide on how many cocktail tables a standing reception needs.

Centerpieces that suit each height

A highboy top is small, usually 30 to 36 inches across, so use a single bud vase, a votive or a small lantern. Anything taller than a foot blocks faces across the table. A lowboy with a dining-height top can hold a slightly bigger arrangement, but guests still need room for drinks. Keep the middle uncluttered.

Get cocktail tables sized right

Book a free 15-minute seating call to plan cocktail hour tables and seating, or request a quote.