How to Throw an After-Party

Have you ever heard the saying, “You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here?” Well, this is why after-parties were invented.

For your guests that want to keep the party going long after the end time of the event, an after-party is a great solution. It is typically more casual than your main event and is often held in a different location. Whether you are looking for a spot for your wedding after-party, or you are looking to host a smaller, more exclusive party after an event, here are some tips to help you get started. 

Step 1: Lock down a location 

Finding a venue to host your after-party is important; you want to make sure to pick something that is enticing that will make your guests want to attend. A new venue or a venue with views or unique space usually does the trick. Use a venue directory like EventUp to find the perfect venue. Once you have a location, be sure to include it on any invites or marketing you do to promote your event. 

Step 2: Keep it entertaining

Another great tip to get people to attend your after-party is to have some kind of entertainment that draws them there. Some great late-night entertainment includes karaoke, arcade games, or a live band or DJ. These activities will also help keep your after-party fun and casual and give people a chance to relax. 

Step 3:  Have some small bites available

Plan to have some food available for your after-party guests. Small items that are easy to eat while mingling at best. If you are looking for something unique, try having food trucks instead of catering that people can stop by. Having food helps ensure people will stop by your after-party instead of going home early or going out to grab food after the main event. 

Step 4: Keep it casual

While your main event may have had a dress code, an after-party rarely needs one — most people will show up wearing what they wore to the event since they will be coming directly from there. Having an after-party atmosphere that is relaxed is also key and helps keep your guests having a great time. 

Step 5: Promote your party!

Let people know that you are hosting the after-party spot! Be sure to include venue, start and end time, and any other information that people will want to know, like transportation, parking, food and drink info, if tickets are needed, and the entertainment. Get people excited about your party and make it a place they want to be!

Plan your after-party with EventUp

Find the perfect location with all of the amenities you’re looking for by searching EventUp‘s venue directory. EventUp is the world’s largest online marketplace for event spaces and features more than 15,000 venues globally. EventUp users can create organic searches, save a list of venues they’re interested in, and contact those venues directly from their listings.