Alternative Summer Party Ideas
The cold weather of old man winter is behind us, and the cool rains of spring have passed, summertime is finally upon us, and it couldn’t be more welcome.
We’ve already covered in previous blogs some great ideas for summer parties and events, sure, there's nothing wrong with sipping cold drinks on a breezy London rooftop before heading west for a night on the slosh, in fact that sounds pretty good to us … but what if you’re seeking something different this time, an alternative swashbuckling adventure to the usual knees up in town? Here’s Goho’s guide to some great fun and alternative summer party ideas.
Pool Party
The OG summer party, - one many of us seem to have forgotten about, or if you haven't forgotten about it, it’s a summer party idea we tend not to entertain living in God's green (and cold) and pleasant land. Pool Partaaaaay! Yes, they are childish, yes, they are fun, it only takes a sunny day, some tunes blasting, some drinks, and some sun starved party animals to make a big splash. Throw in some drinking games such as beer pong, buy a few pool floats, and whack on the barbeque, simple and fun, things don’t really get much better.
The Races
The races provide the perfect, ready-made excuse to celebrate, offering a stylish and memorable experience full of excitement (and of course alcohol). A day at the races is unforgettable for so many reasons, from the family fun to the adrenaline-fuelled betting under the glorious sunshine, if you've never experienced the thrill of horse racing, we really recommend you give it a try at least once, why not book a space at one of Ascot’s stunning private hire venues and enjoy the action in style? Their hospitality boxes are ideal for corporate summer parties, and your work colleagues will certainly be impressed with the free-flowing booze and delicious buffet catering options. The roaming bookies will even come to your box, so there’s no need to leave your prime spot to have a flutter, - the ideal summer day out!
Boat Party
Who doesn’t want to be invited to a boat party usually reserved for the rich and famous? Dancing away under the stars, in the privacy of a boat in the ocean, boat parties are inherently cool, but you don’t have to break the bank to host one. There’s nothing better than messing about on a boat on a sunny day, taking in the beautiful sights with the wind in your sails, and there are plenty of affordable options at most seaside resorts. If you live in the city, fear not, most have boats or flotillas available to hire, including London. Take to the water with ‘Skuna Boats’, who offer private boat hire in the form of circular floating rafts with a barbeque in the middle, with space for up to ten people and available in Canary Wharf, it’s a great summer party theme in a great location.
Outdoor Movie Night
How about an epic outdoor movie night extravaganza? This is another great summer party idea for work if you’ve got a smaller team, the advantage being that you can just buy enough tickets for your staff members and rock up on the day to set up camp. You can usually enter the cinema screening area a couple of hours before the film starts, so just head down with blankets, picnic food, and bottles of prosecco and you’re all set and ready to Goho. In London you’ll find The Luna Cinema, Rooftop Film Club, and Pop-Up Screens which are all great options, and if there isn’t an outdoor cinema near you, no problem, - set up a projector in the back garden and throw some blankets around the place. It doesn’t take much to set up an outdoor screening, and by encouraging fancy dress in reflection of whatever film it is that you’ll be watching, you’ll create an easy and fun alternative theme for your summer party!
Beach Bash
Come on, everyone loves the beach, the sun, the sand, the sangria, - take your party to the beach and help reconnect your guests with nature. Believe it or not, the UK has lots of fantastic options all round the country, with many offering private areas for hire where you can organise your own full moon style party. Organise a couple of coaches and pick your chosen destination, then combine your party with beach games and a barbecue to really help your team embrace the sunny season vibes. Why not organise some surfing, windsurfing, jets ski or wakeboarding lessons to really get the fun started? The beach is a great alternative idea for your next summer bash!
Summer Solstice Garden Party
When it comes to summer party ideas, there’s nothing more fitting than a summer solstice party. The Summer Solstice is often referred to as ‘the longest day’, as it’s the day of the year with the highest number of daylight hours, and usually takes place on the 20th or the 21st of June each year. Many people throughout history and from all over the globe have thrown their own festivals to mark this special occasion, so why should your summer celebration be any different? Why not plan a modern take on an old-fashioned garden party with the summer solstice as your excuse? Think barbeque instead of finger sandwiches, Pimms and pork pies instead of tea and scones, and live music instead of croquet. Then, when the sun finally does go down, you can party the night away under the stars, or at least until your neighbours complain, either way this is sure-fire winner!
Rooftop Party
The late spring and summer are ideal times for rooftop events, sitting in the breezy heights overlooking a beautiful panoramic view, there’s something quite special about hosting a party up high. From rooftops that offer pools and lawn games to unique venues that even include a beach, there are many to choose from in most major metropolises. If this option tickles your fancy, we’ve got you covered with one of last month's blog entries, check out Goho’s guide to London’s best rooftop venues for your summer party HERE:
There are many different ideas you can utilise to make your summer party different to the rest, we’ve provided a few great alternative ideas for your summer bash, but whichever way you go, be sure to make use of the good weather because we all know the UK summertime only lasts two weeks (lol). So, while the sun is shining and the weather is sweet, let's get the reggae blasting, the drinks on ice, and make the most of the warmth of the summer months while we can.
