About Parties
No matter what you’re celebrating, a party is always appreciated by people. Every year, we celebrate different kinds of occasions—from birthdays and wedding parties to holidays and retirement parties.
Planning a party is not easy, though. You’ll need to consider a lot of details to make it successful and enjoyable for all guests. One of the most important tasks is finding a proper party venue. Where you hold your party determines the mood of the event, and eventually, the experience of the guests.
On a practical note, the space you choose must be within your budget range—after all, venue rental fees can be significant and take much of your budget. Also, the size, layout, amenities, and services offered by the venue are crucial—they help set the tone of the party from start to finish.
If you’re throwing a party for yourself or someone else, imagine what kind of space will work best with your party theme. After all, you’ll want to impress your guests and have fun. Search online for ideal locations that match your preferences. Once you’ve chosen your pick, don’t forget to reserve it as early as you can, especially since popular venues tend to get booked up early.
The Best Party Venues
There are so many different reasons to throw a party, and an equally diverse range of event spaces are available to suit the occasion. Whether you’re looking for unique venues or something more traditional, there’s a wide range of locations in a city that are ideal for special events. So before you start comparing venues, you must 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 short list of some of the most popular event venues available in every locale.
- Loft Spaces
Loft spaces are 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 birthday parties or special events like a cocktail or engagement party.
- Penthouse Apartments
If you 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. Penthouse apartments are great for birthday parties and other social occasions.
- 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. Breweries fall under unique party venues and are ideal for socializing, wetting your whistle, and celebrating in style.
What to Look for in Party Spaces
Choosing the best party space or event venue 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 simple for guests to access. Consider issues such as traffic congestion and proximity to public transport. You might also want to consider what other attractions are nearby—for example, are there any bars and nightclubs nearby for anyone who wants to kick on after the party winds down?
- Size
Getting the size right is essential when choosing an event 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 perfect venue helps to create the desired 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 such as banquet halls or something much more casual for a birthday party, there are plenty of options available.
- Essential Features
Next, think about those key features your event 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 event spaces out there.
Party Inspiration: Unique Venues for Memorable Celebrations
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
Special event venues like cozy rooftop spaces allow you to have spectacular views of the surroundings and celebrate in style and comfort. 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
Unique event spaces like a hidden courtyard decorated with colorful graffiti murals, museums with all manner of weird and wonderful works, or even just a private home decked out with garish retro decor are suitable for those who want to celebrate somewhere unconventional. This surreal 3D art museum, for example, offers a vibrant, immersive, and unique party space.
Choosing an event venue is just one aspect of planning an occasion. Begin your search by looking at various online platforms that make browsing and booking venues convenient. You can also contact your friends and ask them about the best unique venues around so that you know that they have been tried and tested. Lastly, don’t forget to read reviews left by previous clients, as these can tremendously help you gauge whether your desired venue will complement your needs and preferences.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
