15 Vintage Photos of 1970s Summer Cookouts

The backyard barbecue is as American as apple pie, and just as much of a tradition. Grilling outside, whether it’s for your friends, family, or your entire neighborhood, is one of the highlights of summer. Take a look at some of these vintage photos of cookouts from the 1970s, and let the nostalgia wash over you.

There’s probably a lot of delicious meat coming off that oil drum grill in the background, which is why these people are so happy. And look at that handlebar moustache! He pulls it off beautifully.  

We imagine this woman in the amazing green pants is wondering, “How are these dummies going to screw this up?” while the man on the right just happens to strike the perfect pose at the right time. 

You gotta love all those shaggy haircuts at that classic VW van in the background 

This photo has all the best hallmarks of '70s fashion, from the flower print dress to the platform sandals. She’s grilling in style.  

We’re betting you probably have a silly uncle, cousin, or grandfather who takes grilling as seriously as this guy. It’s always safety first with two full oven mitts, sunglasses, and an apron for protection.  

This man seems thrilled to show off both his muscles in a fantastic green polo and his muscle car behind him while he’s grilling. More power to you, man. 

This is the guy that EVERYONE wants to be around. He’s got a brewski in one hand, grill tongs in the other, and he’s not afraid to wear short shorts. We wish he was our grandfather.  

Church picnics, like this one from Kansas in 1975, are popular cookout gatherings. All those vintage pies, cakes, and desserts look amazing on the potluck table.  

Though we can’t see the grill in this photo, we’re guessing by the ketchup bottles that it’s just off camera somewhere at this Brooklyn block party in 1977. 

This picture was taken in the Dolomites, a mountain range in northern Italy, after what looks like a fun day of hiking. It’s probably safe to say they’re not grilling hot dogs.  

This man is very excited about all that meat on the grill, and it’s hard to blame him (we’re pretty jealous). Imagine the smell of the smoke coming off that grill… 

Even presidents love cookouts. Here’s Ronald Reagan chomping on a good old plate of barbecue ribs and all the fixins in 1976. 

When you don’t have a backyard to barbecue in, you make do with the street, like this group in Harlem. Those ribs and chicken legs were probably fantastic.  

This couple is clearly very proud of their Structo grill, something that many vintage collectors would probably be happy to own nowadays. And we LOVE her glasses! 

What goes best with a cold beer at a cookout? An ear of corn, apparently, along with a jaunty askew hat that seems like it belongs to someone else.