We’re Bringing Back the House Party

By Sara Volka

Why is it always a bar? 

I’m sick of them. Sick of sticky floors and questionable bathrooms. Sick of overpriced drinks and shoulder-to-shoulder shimmy dancing. I can barely hear my own friends speak, their voices muffled under the waves of others, of speakers (not even a DJ) blasting Billboard Hot 100’s. Is this what our scene is, Gen Z? Honestly, it feels like our only option. I mean, you could go to a club if you want to drop $50 on the entry fee alone. Either that, or you can choose the convenience of staying in yet again, which seems to be the most viable of all options these days.

When I was a kid, I used to dream of the house parties I saw on screen. Cady Heron's iconic “ex-wife” costume in Mean Girls, Romeo falling for Juliet at the Capulet mansion, Kat Strafford dancing on the table in 10 Things I Hate About You. Why did we never get that? Did I miss out on something, or is the house party just a thing of the past, never to be recovered after the pandemic.

I like to think it’s not. 

Covid took a lot from us. It traumatized our generation and the others to follow, and that is something that is unfortunately undeniable. It caused a rupture in our sociability, making us turn to our screens more often than our own friends. But don't make this something to be ashamed of, it just happened because of the circumstances in the early 2020s. It was an outlet for us to escape, a way for us to connect with others, to make friends. In those ways, it was helpful, but in many others, it is now hindering us from face-to-face interaction. So, set aside the guilt, and embrace the idea of straying away from those habits. It's something to work on as a generation, and with the concerning rise of AI, I'm sure you already know that. 

I know many others feel the same about the lack of social gatherings. My friends and I are constantly trying to find time to see each other, a difficult task in a world as busy as it is. However, it is vital to hang out, chill, and have fun with your friends, especially in the midst of this loneliness epidemic. It will take more work and more planning, but it is certainly worth it for the sake of your own health. 

With the rise of economic difficulties and lack of social interaction, I propose we bring back the house party– full swing, LED wristbands and all. 

House parties are a more casual setting, it's easier to feel relaxed and comfortable in a place exclusive to your friends, friends of friends, and mutuals. It's more feasible, as you are working solely on your own budget and your own timing. You can have others bring needed materials to help out, like snacks, drinks, and party games. You can do so much more at a house party than you can at the bar, it just takes some devising and responsibility breakup between you and your friends.

With house parties, you get a uniqueness and charm that a bar or club cannot offer. Handmade decorations, a shared aux, string lights, and a plan are all you really need to make a third space for your loved ones– and that is definitely something we all need. It is also the perfect time to start thinking ahead for such an event, as the holidays are right around the corner. Who doesn’t love a good Halloween party? Do you know how much I want to win a costume contest in my lifetime? It will happen. 

Social media is the perfect tool to spread the word amongst your friends. Platforms like Partiful and Canva can go a long way, making it easy to create flyers and push them out on a wide scale. Have your friends send the info through their group chats and post it on their stories, and there you have it, a roster of people ready to attend.  

We are a generation of creatives, constantly making art, content, creating outfits, and trying to start the next trend. I think we can extend this to social gatherings and get togethers, and start curating these spaces that we all crave. No longer do we have to be limited to local bars!

I know it sounds daunting to potentially host your own party, especially in our antisocial climate– but if you’ve even had the inkling to do so, do it. I can promise you, it will be much appreciated, especially by those of us who grew up adoring young adulthood on screen. I believe that we can bring back the long-loved house party scene if we continue to show up for each other. I certainly have my own list of party ideas for the future, so get to planning!