# How do I throw a party? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 3, 2005, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882 "2005-12-03T07:00:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/1 "2005-12-03T07:00:02Z")
I’m going to throw a party for friends from my grad school in a couple of weeks when the semester is over. I’ve never thrown a party at my house before. What do I need, except for copious amounts of alcohol and red plastic cups? What kind of music should I have on in the background? What’s the best way to keep the noise level down below the Raid-By-A-SWAT-Team, Neighbors-Throwing-Bricks-Through-Windows level? Do I even have enough room for a decent number of people? What are your party-throwing suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/2 "2005-12-03T07:02:22Z")
Two words: Female strippers ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/3 "2005-12-03T07:05:02Z")
Whatever music you like. You might not want a party of drunks, but do make sure everybody has at least two or three glasses of something pumped into them at the beginning. After that, the party will take care of itself. Have the booze and the “nibblies” easily accessible in several strategic locations so that people can help themselves. Be prepared for the focus of the party to shift to the kitchen - it invariably will. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/4 "2005-12-03T07:07:02Z")
If concerned about the neighbours, often actually _inviting them_ can be a good idea, if they are okay people. Even if you don’t, apologising/warning them in advance can help. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/5 "2005-12-03T07:28:54Z")
> [@Idle Thoughts](#): > > Two words: Female strippers No, \*male \*strippers. Dopers, preferably. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/6 "2005-12-03T07:34:42Z")
> [@TheLoadedDog](#): > > You might not want a party of drunks, Trust me, I do. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/7 "2005-12-03T07:37:50Z")
Can you post more details? Size of house? # of people? Proximity of neighbors? Etc. You might want to consider having something special at your party. Something like jello shots or beer pong. Or a deck or cards. Or a foosball table. Or a slip-and-slide. I recommend jello shots, if you’re trying to get everybody plastered. As for the rest - music shouldn’t be that loud - UNLESS people want to dance. Then you turns it up! Also music should be techno or electronica - not country. I like country, but nothing clears a party like a little Hank Williams. Also I second inviting or at least talking to your neighbors. (BTW we used to say if the cops don’t show up at least once, it’s not really a party!) - Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/8 "2005-12-03T07:55:47Z")
I have a townhouse apartment. There is another townhouse on either side. One of the biggest sources of noise would probably be my back porch, which will be the smoking area. Almost everyone at my school drinks to excess, so jello-shots would probably be a good idea. And not expensive either. I am definitely going to need more beer. As for the size, I just measured my living room, and it is about 13x16. There is a couch and a small table in there. My back porch is about 10x10. The kitchen (right off the living room) is a typical apartment-sized kitchen. About a half dozen peope could mingle there comfortably. For music, I think I will definitely play several songs by O-Zone, then leave out a laptop connected to the stereo so people can select which mp3s they would like to hear. I saw this done at a house party a few weeks ago, people seemed to like it. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/9 "2005-12-03T08:08:59Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > I have a townhouse apartment. There is another townhouse on either side. Good, good, good. Def need to have a chat with your neighbors methinks. But the size sounds right. > [@](#): > > One of the biggest sources of noise would probably be my back porch, which will be the smoking area. Almost everyone at my school drinks to excess, so jello-shots would probably be a good idea. And not expensive either. I am definitely going to need more beer. Yes. Get more beer - you can never have too much. You might want to invest in a keg. Or - the idea just struck me, you could churn up some hunch punch. That always seems to get a party going. > [@](#): > > As for the size, I just measured my living room, and it is about 13x16. There is a couch and a small table in there. My back porch is about 10x10. The kitchen (right off the living room) is a typical apartment-sized kitchen. About a half dozen peope could mingle there comfortably. You’ve got plenty of room. Just enjoy yourself. > [@](#): > > For music, I think I will definitely play several songs by O-Zone, then leave out a laptop connected to the stereo so people can select which mp3s they would like to hear. I saw this done at a house party a few weeks ago, people seemed to like it. This is a really cool idea - assuming someone drunk idiot doesn’t spill beer on your laptop and then pick up your laptop and pour beer in your disk drive. And then pee on your laptop. Hey, what can I say - I’m mostly pessimist. Anyways - you’re on your way. You’re going to have a great party, so just relax, and get drunk drunk drunk. Grad students seem to throw a fun, low-key party - with lots of interesting conversations. Good Luck!!! - Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/10 "2005-12-03T08:44:03Z")
> [@PeterWiggen](#): > > Grad students seem to throw a fun, low-key party - with lots of interesting conversations. _slurs_ Like… yeah, man. Totally… like… i hear yah. That is soo true, man. Usually, the conversation is good until people start getting sloppy drunk and can’t string together a coherent sentence. Of course, whoever they are talking to will still pretend to understand. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/11 "2005-12-03T11:35:46Z")
With lots of people, why do you need music? If you want music, how about asking those who are musical to bring their instruments? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/12 "2005-12-03T12:10:34Z")
To keep the music level down use either an iPod with a transmitter like BeamDock and a radio per room. Alternatively get a stereo per room and tune them all to the best local station. They only need to be loud enough for the room they are in. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/13 "2005-12-03T12:47:41Z")
Watch the Peter Sellers movie, _The Party_, and just do what they do. Guaranteed success! ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/14 "2005-12-03T13:15:33Z")
As for music, I’d recommend choosing a cool internetradiostation and just let it play all evening. If you let your guests play with the stereo, invariably someone will put the music too loud " just for this one cool song" and forget to put the volume down again. It will stay on too loud all night, because no-one will put the volume softer for fear of being thought a square dull music-hater. So, lots of internetradiostations to choose from, for free, at [shoutcast.com](http://shoutcast.com), for instance. I’d recommend Radio Paradise, as they provide a continuous dj-mixed stream of quiet yet energetic and intelligent rock, sort of an ideal cafe-musical background, but YMMV. I’d also provide an activity to introduce your guests to each other. The idea of renting a pooltable or setting up some form of game, or even letting your guests prepare some kind of food, would accomplish that nicely. Especially if you, as a host, invite people to join in and make them team up:"Oh, John, come on, we need a strategic mind on our team. Daisy, Luke, this is John, we met in Ethnobiology class. Daisy, feel free to shut John up if he gives you too much computer-talk. BTW, you’re both into new-age. " ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/15 "2005-12-03T16:56:06Z")
Before stocking up on refreshments, it might be a good idea to read [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=347669&page=1&pp=10) on really bad beers. And although this probably won’t apply to you, don’t overheat your apartment before the festivities start. Party hosts often inadvertently do that, trying to be hospitable, but comfy ambient temps are hard to gauge. Between the wintery layers people arrive wearing, booze’s subjective warming effect, candles and tealights, and the press of human flesh, it doesn’t take long for even a spacious place to get overheated and stuffy. Too cool in the beginning is better than too hot mid-way through. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/16 "2005-12-03T17:05:44Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > And not expensive either. I am definitely going to need more beer. I’m going to be the voice of reason here, and and ask that you confiscate keys of those who over imbibe. In fact, I would suggest you try to remain relatively sober if you’re determined to get your guests plastered. I think a simple theme might make it fun. Call it an End of Semester Party, maybe have some textbooks you can burn or something, whoever got the highest GPA gets a (booby?) prize, that sort of thing. As long as you have good food and fun guests, the party will create itself. And make sure you have plenty of trash bags. You are going to have a _mess_ to clean up. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/17 "2005-12-03T17:10:08Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > I’d also provide an activity to introduce your guests to each other. Everyone already knows each other. Its a small school. Good thinking though on the heating, I’d been pondering that myself. Most people are responsible enough not to try and drive, they usually have a desig. driver or call a cab from parties. I probably should avoid getting hammered myself, so I can ride herd on the crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/18 "2005-12-03T19:26:42Z")
I used to throw huge parties for my coop in college, and I’ve accumulated a few tips: Notify the neighbors (invite them if you wish). Give them a phone # to call if things are too loud so they call _you_ instead of the the police if there’s a problem. It’s often good to give the neighbors a “noise cut-off” time, so even if they start to get pissed off they know there’s an end in sight. Get: Cups, keg(s) and keg accessories, whatever other liquor you’ll need, juice, lots of ice, and towels for inevitable spills. Some food like chips/veggies and dip are nice too. Jello shots are great. I’ve made them in clear plastic cups and it didn’t work out quite as well as when I made it in a tray and just cut cubes out. Make sure garbage cans are visible and readily available. Toilet paper. Lots of toilet paper. The mp3 idea is fantastic. Put valuables out of sight. No matter how long you’ve known these people or trust them, you never know who else they’ll bring or how unscrupulous they are when drunk. Hide your CDs, any spare cash/credit cards/checks, even put expensive jackets and the like away. HIDE THE IPOD! Make sure the smoking area has lots of ashtrays. Maybe even put up a sign reminding people of the neighbors. Have a good time! ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/19 "2005-12-04T01:18:10Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > I probably should avoid getting hammered myself, so I can ride herd on the crowd. I wouldn’t get completely trashed, but make sure you enjoy yourself. Too much host playing and not enough actual partying isn’t fun. Once the party gets going it will take care of itself, provided you have enough booze. Also, here is a chart that shows which states have social host liability laws, in case anyone is curious. [http://www3.madd.org/laws/law.cfm?LawID=HOST](http://www3.madd.org/laws/law.cfm?LawID=HOST) ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882/20 "2005-12-04T04:00:01Z")
Hmm. What department are you all in? That’s crucial. I second the idea about a neutral internet radio station or something neutral like old swing music or something-- tone down the ex-frat feeling and no one will turn up the radio or get into irritating DJ mode. Have lots of little nibbles-- this will lower the probability of someone puking on your bed. Grad students? Pony keg, tops. Have makings for cosmopolitans and some white wine as well. Sadly a grad student party will never really resemble normal college parties (unless a very strange selection of people shows up and things get out of hand like the good old days). There will be some freaky non-drinkers (oh, have some soda around) and others that will spend their time looking through your bookshelves and others who don’t want to make an ass of him/herself, fearful of reputation and funding. Yourself-- try to have fun despite these people. They are fun-vampires. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-throw-a-party/333882.md?page=2)