A lot of elements go into making a great party, and the gang from FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is familiar with them all. Now in the show’s eleventh season, the gang has consistently gone out of their way to make Paddy’s Pub a haven for good times (among other things). So, when you find yourself looking for some tips on how to throw a lively get-together that’s worth remembering, look no further than these party planning tips from the Paddy’s Pub crew.
Make sure you know what works.
When the gang sets out to win a ‘best bar’ award without any underhanded manipulation or scheming (though not for lack of trying), they make a real effort to see what’s drawing people to the local hotspots in their neighborhood. While you don’t want to outright copy anyone, it never hurts to pay attention to how others are approaching their party game. Don’t be afraid to incorporate things like pastel color schemes and Frank’s personal gift bags into your own soiree.
Make sure you get the word out.
The most essential aspect to a party is, indisputably, the guests. To throw a great party, you’ve got to make sure that people are being invited. There are several ways to go about this, such as sending out invitations, or, if you’re taking tips from the gang, you could use one of their less conventional approaches, like staging viral videos or a buying a billboard (complete with model tryouts). The approach is up to you, but if you’re going with invitations, don’t get too carried away.
Cultivate a fun, welcoming environment.
Now that you’ve done all this planning, take the time to make sure your place is optimized for entertaining guests, not to mention stocked up with plenty of food and booze. While you want to be both cordial and inviting, you definitely don’t want to be inclusive to the point where you start to include high school kids. Not just for the legal implications, but you really don’t want to get sucked into any high school drama.
Don’t be afraid of having a theme.
Obviously, having a party close to Halloween would lend itself to everyone wearing costumes, like the gang did, but you don’t have to let it stop there. After all, there’s no shortage of ideas to choose from that can help make your party a memorable one. Then, in the aftermath, you can gather together and discuss your collective brownouts to piece together what happened that evening.
Have a fun group activity planned.
https://youtu.be/PqQ-6mEbyu4
This one is good for groups both large and small, be it charades, a deck of cards, or maybe some trivia questions. And, if there isn’t a game out there that strikes your fancy, don’t be afraid to get creative, much like the gang did when they created CharDee MacDennis: Game of Games. It helps get everyone involved in the fun, as well as get past all those awkward moments getting to know one another. Throw in a little mandatory drinking, and you’re well on your way to having one hell of a memorable get-together.
Don’t be afraid to dance.
A lively dance floor is a necessity for any great party. Though it’s always preferable that it doesn’t have to happen by force, like when Charlie signs up Paddy’s Pub to host a dance competition and accidentally puts the bar up as the grand prize. Still, the gang’s able to make the most of it, because even under the worst circumstances, a dance-off is still a dance-off, and that means a great party is happening.
Don’t hide the musical instruments.
Centering the party around your piano or putting your guitars out on display will inevitably inspire people to rock your party, creating unforgettable musical memories like the time Charlie sang, “Go F*ck Yourself” to a shocked audience.
Remember to celebrate freedom.
Every party should have at little tip-of-the-hat to freedom. Just make sure you’re cautious about it, otherwise you could have an ‘anything goes’ type situation that attracts not only the McPoyles, but illegal, high-stakes gambling, as well. If that gets out of hand, then you’re looking at possible fork-stabbings and Russian roulette tournaments in the basement. So, go ahead celebrate freedom, but do it reasonably.
Don’t be afraid to just roll with it.
Parties have a way of taking on a life of their own, and sometimes they can end up going in a direction you never even imagined. Sometimes, it’s best just to go ahead and let it happen. If you try and resist it, you could end up looking like a buzzkill, and nobody is less popular at a party than a buzzkill. After all, it’s just a party, kick back, enjoy and let its greatness happen.
Rum Ham!
It’s not a party without a rum ham.
