About Parties
No matter what you’re celebrating, a party is always a special occasion. Whether it’s a milestone birthday, the arrival of the holidays, a bridal shower, an engagement, a graduation, or maybe even Halloween, parties are all about getting people together for a good time.
And while there’s a lot that goes into planning any party, few tasks are as important as choosing a party venue. The space you choose is important from a practical perspective — the size, layout, and amenities are all crucial — but it also helps set the party atmosphere from the moment the first guest walks through the door.
So regardless of the reason for your celebration, here are some simple tips to help you find the perfect party venue.
The Best Party Venues
There are so many different reasons to throw a party, and there’s an equally diverse range of party locations available to suit the occasion. So before you start comparing venues, it’s vital that you have a clear idea of the type of celebration you want your guests to enjoy, and the atmosphere you want to create. Here’s a small sample of some of the most popular party spaces available.
- Loft Spaces
Loft spaces are often elegant and refined venues that are perfect for sophisticated soirees. Warm and inviting, lofts boast gorgeous architectural features, high ceilings, and plenty of natural light, so they’re ideal for a cocktail or engagement party.
- Penthouse Apartments
If you really want to raise the roof, there’s nothing quite like a party in a penthouse. You can expect good company, good tunes, great views, and an undeniable sense of luxury — and if you’ve also got access to your very own rooftop patio, even better.
- Bars and Breweries
A bar or brewery would be a wonderful place for any kind of party. You can find a trendy nightclub or a casual local bar, whichever fits your style. This cozy brewery taproom is the ideal spot to socialize, wet your whistle, and celebrate in style.
What to Look for in Party Spaces
Choosing the best party space isn’t always as straightforward as you might think. There are so many great venues out there that it’s important to make a list of all the key features you need for your celebration. Here are the most important factors to consider.
- Location
Convenience is a must when choosing a party space, so look for something that’s simple for guests to access. Consider issues such as traffic congestion and proximity to public transport, while you might also want to think about what other attractions are nearby, For example, are there any bars and nightclubs in the vicinity for anyone who wants to kick on after the party winds down.
- Size
Getting the size right is essential when choosing a party venue. A venue that’s too big will lack atmosphere, but if it’s too small it’ll be cramped and unpleasant. Get it right and you’ll encourage mingling without making anyone uncomfortable.
- Layout
It’s also important to make sure the layout suits your needs. An extended family dinner for a milestone birthday party, for example, will require something quite different from an all-night dance party to celebrate a 21st birthday.
- Atmosphere
The right party venue helps to create the perfect party vibe. But the vibe you want will vary depending on what you’re celebrating and who you’re partying with, so make sure the party space you choose has the ambiance to match the occasion. Whether you want formal black-tie surroundings or something much more casual, there are plenty of options available.
- Essential Features
Next, think about those key features your party location absolutely must have. For example, is there enough parking and adequate bathroom provisions, do they offer catering, and will you need to rent equipment or furniture? Put together a checklist to help make your decision easier when comparing venues.
- Price
Hosting a party can be an expensive exercise. There are plenty of expenses to consider, so don’t blow all your budget on the venue alone. Set yourself a limit and stick to it — no matter how tempted you might be by some of the truly spectacular party spaces out there.
Party Inspiration
Not sure what sort of venue or theme would be the perfect fit for your party? Whether you are having a sophisticated soiree or a fun comedy night, there is a place for every kind of party. Here’s some inspiration to get you thinking.
- Dancing the Night Away
Want to hit the floor for a night of dancing, fun, and laughter? Find a club-style space where you can get your groove on, either to some DJ-spun tracks or some tunes from a great live band.
- Living it up on the Rooftop
Rise above it all and celebrate in style and comfort in a cozy rooftop space. With an open-air feel and an atmosphere of privacy and exclusivity, small rooftop courtyards and patios are ideal for those intimate celebrations.
- Glamorous Garden Parties
If you’re planning a stylish and sophisticated celebration, lush, landscaped gardens can make the ideal party venue. We’re talking vibrant green surroundings, a stunning water feature or two, a beautiful twilight atmosphere, guests in their finest cocktail attire, and waitstaff circulating with glasses of bubbles and delicious canapes. Now that’s what we call celebrating in style!
- Colorful and Creative Spaces
Sometimes it’s worth thinking outside the box to find a truly unique space. It could be a hidden courtyard decorated with colorful graffiti murals, a modern art gallery with all manner of weird and wonderful works, or even just a private home decked out with garish retro decor. This surreal 3D art museum, for example, offers a vibrant, immersive, and totally unique party space.
BILLY FARRELL/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Written by: Katrina Sirotta
5 of the wildest celebrity parties of the last decade
The last decade saw celebrities throwing some pretty extravagant soirees, from whisking friends off to India on private jets to half-million-dollar spends for an iconic singer's performance at a boyfriend's birthday party. There was a common theme to many of the most decadent ones: They're almost all milestone birthday parties.
Giggster looked into some of the wildest parties of the 2010s and highlighted five of the most lavish and over-the-top. The forthcoming list features four birthday parties and one very exclusive fairy tale wedding. Some bashes spanned multiple days, others featured costumes, and many included star-studded performers.
For those of us who didn't make the guest lists for these events, the parties' attendees shared plenty of photos and stories. Keep reading to see how the rich and famous curate unforgettable, you-only-live-once celebrations for the ages.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic // Getty Images
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel's weeklong wedding party
While most wedding festivities last a day or two at most, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel pulled out all the stops when they tied the knot in 2012. The couple invited 100 people to a weeklong party in Puglia, Italy. Celebrity guests took up residence in the ultra-private Borgo Egnazia, a luxury resort hotel that resembles a castle. The intimate setting was packed with security so no one had to worry about the paparazzi.
STRDEL/AFP via Getty Images
Naomi Campbell's two-day Indian extravaganza
You only turn 50 once—and for Naomi Campbell's then-boyfriend Vladislav Doronin, that meant a lavish party in November 2012 at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India.
The guest list included more than 200 people, including celebrities like Kate Moss, Bob Geldof, and Demi Moore. Diana Ross even appeared to give a performance (for a reportedly hefty fee of $500,000). The supermodel and her billionaire boyfriend messily called it quits the following year.
Karwai Tang/WireImage // Getty Images
Kate Moss' four-day 40th birthday party
For her 40th birthday party, Kate Moss invited friends over to her Cotswolds home in January 2014 for a party that lasted nearly 100 hours.
During the psychedelic-chic-themed bash, champagne flowed as party-goers were treated to a private music festival with sets by Massive Attack, members of Oasis, Primal Scream, and Soul II Soul. Florence + the Machine's Florence Welch sang "Happy Birthday." As for party favors? Willing guests were treated to a heart tattoo with infinity symbol running through it.
Win McNamee // Getty Images
Michelle Obama's 50th birthday party at the White House
When the first lady turns 50, she gets a big party. For Michelle Obama, that meant inviting 500 friends and family to the White House in January 2014. Beyoncé performed a set of six hits, John Legend sang two versions of "Happy Birthday," and Stevie Wonder spontaneously grabbed a keyboard to perform a medley of tunes.
The star-studded guest list included Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Samuel L. Jackson, Magic Johnson, Gayle King, Paul McCartney, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Gladys Knight, Michael Kors, Rachael Ray, Smokey Robinson, James Taylor, and Al Roker. But perhaps the sweetest part of the night was when then-President Barack Obama shared a tribute to his wife, recalling the first time they met.
DAVID X PRUTTING/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Bronson van Wyck's Bal des Sauvages
Event designer Bronson van Wyck threw a Bal des Sauvages—or "Ball of the Wild Ones" for his 40th birthday,.
The extravagant, 2015 soiree paid homage to a famous 1393 masquerade ball hosted by France's King Charles VI. Guests, many celebrities among them, donned masquerade attire meeting the event's "predator or prey" theme. Shirtless bartenders served drinks as guests mingled under dazzling chandeliers and mounted animal heads. Flo Rida performed, and van Wyck even busted out a choreographed performance of "Vogue" by Madonna.
