From the Knicks to the World Cup to Love Island: 9 Tips to Host the Ultimate Watch Party at Your Community
The only thing worse than not having a ticket to the actual event is not having snacks at your resident event. Find out what else you need to host a successful party.
Hey, did you know that the last time the Knicks were in the NBA Finals was in 1999? It’s a BIG DEAL, at least to New Yorkers, that they’re in the finals this year. Did you also know that the average ticket to Game 3 was $7,683, according to ESPN?
Yeah, I’m not going to any of the games, either. (Which is a real bummer, because I love hot dogs and celebrities, and I look amazing in blue and orange.)
Luckily, watch parties are a great way to enjoy the game. And between the NBA finals, the World Cup and guilty pleasure reality shows such as Love Island (that you really have no need to feel guilty about liking), there are plenty of opportunities to have one at your apartment community.
But you can’t just wheel in a TV to the lobby and call it a day. Are you looking to throw a viewing party for your residents but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we got you!
9 Tips for Throwing a Successful Community Watch Party
Advertise in advance. Just because you build it doesn’t automatically mean they’ll come. Use your social media channels, email and even old-fashioned flyers around the community, and clearly spell out the date, time and what you’re serving. (Snacks are essential for any successful event.) If possible, try to get people to RSVP in advance—though still allow walk ins and lookie loos—so you have a tentative headcount and can be sure you’re prepared.
Check your AV equipment before the event. You know what a watch party is without a working TV? DOA. Make sure all your equipment works. Check on the sound. If it’s on a streaming service, make sure you’re subscribed to it. If there are wires everywhere, tape them down so your residents don’t trip.
Decide on the vibe. Are you going to have the game on in the background for people to watch, but you want your renters to chit chat and get to know each other? Or is the game or show the main event and everyone should focus fully on that? Set up accordingly. (Or have someone from the apartment team shush people whenever a new bombshell enters the villa, as they should.)
Have ample seating. You want everyone to feel welcome, and if someone peeks in and there is no place for them to sit, they might keep walking. If you’re in a lounge with a lot of couches, you might also consider bringing in chairs, so people don’t have to squish in with people they don’t know. (That’s better for the singles mixer later on.) When you’re setting up, make sure people are able to move around easily so they don’t have to cause a commotion if they want to get up in the middle.
Clue in the doorman. If your building has a doorman, or other security measures for letting in guests, let them know in advance about the event in case your residents are inviting anyone to come watch with them. You might even ask your residents to let the doorman know who they’re expecting in advance of the event. That should hopefully make the check-in process easier and less disruptive if people come in after the party has started.
Serve snacks. See point one. This is crucial. No matter what kind of party you’re throwing, snacks are required. Make sure you have a good variety, and that you have enough. When it comes to snacks, more is definitely more. If you’re planning on serving any hot food, make sure you have ways to keep it hot. And keep an eye on the food levels during the event! If anything is running low, replace it. If anything is starting to congeal, get rid of it. If anything is chocolate, give it to me.
Decorate the space. Put team colors up if you’re watching a game. And know your audience! If you’re in New York, for example, and you’re having a Knicks viewing party, it’s blue and orange. Nothing for the other team. (Seriously, Elmo recently got chewed out by a bunch of angry New Yorkers on social media for wishing but the Knicks and the Spurs good luck. As he should have. Get it together, Elmo, Sesame Street is in Manhattan!) A decorated space adds to the fun. Plus, it’ll look awesome in all those photos you’ll be taking for your social channels, right?
Serve fancy drinks. Themed cocktails are super fun, and will help provide some social lubricant for your residents who might not know each other. But, look, I’m not a lawyer, and i don’t know the laws about serving alcohol at an apartment community, and I definitely don’t know individual state laws for wherever you might be. So check, and check in with your apartment management team. But if it’s allowed, make it a party. Serve themed mocktails, too, so everyone can enjoy.
Stock your bathrooms. You laugh, but does anyone else remember the great COVID-19 toilet paper panic of 2020?
What are some other tips for a great watch party? And do you have any Knicks tickets that you’d like to unload for like an eighth of the face value? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send a tweet to @MHNOnline, or send me a message on LinkedIn.
