Who has what responsibilities. Try to spread the responsibilities out based on who is good at doing what. Who gets the cash. If it’s your home, you should probably get the largest cut of the cash. Consider this and talk to your friends ahead of time so everyone knows what they’re going to get out of the whole affair. Who has money and other supplies to bring to the table. You might want to include a friend who has a band or a good sound system in the party planning. Also consider people who have party planning experience and might have kegs or other important supplies. If you’ve got roommates, consider asking them to share the responsibilities of holding a “rent party. " Then, you’ll all work toward the common goal of making enough money for rent that month. [1] X Research source
How big is your house? Do you have enough space for the number of guests you’ll be entertaining. Do you have an appropriate “main party” area. This could be a basement, a large living room, or a back yard. Do you have the permission of other relevant individuals (family, roommates, landlords) to have a large party at your home. [2] X Research source
A good stereo system. You’ll need a system that can fill your home or backyard with sound. Don’t go overboard, though. You don’t want your neighbors calling the cops and you don’t want to completely drown out conversation. A beer pong table and cups. Beer pong is one of the best ways to entertain your guests. Make sure you have all of the appropriate supplies. A poke table, cards, and chips, for more sophisticated crowds. A pool table or some trivia games. The money to buy or rent a beer keg and other alcohol. You won’t make any money if people have to bring their own alcohol. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure you have the money to pay for alcohol in advance of the party. [3] X Research source
Seating. A small portion of people will be sitting at any given time. So don’t plan for more than 20% of your guests to be sitting at a given moment. Parking. Parking is extremely important, as most of your guests will probably arrive by car. Make sure you’ve got enough parking for the number of people you plan on hosting. Space. Take stock of the sorts of rooms and outside space you have to entertain. Can you fit 20 people comfortably into a living room? How many people can be standing around your pool in your backyard?[4] X Research source
Alcohol. Renting equipment (kegs, a sound system, or more). Contingency money if anything is broken at your home. This might just come out of your profits.
If there is a particular weekend that would be better for them. If they’re also planning on having an event on the weekend you’re planning on. If they’d like to come and join the party. [5] X Research source
Provide plenty of garbage cans. Have lots of coolers with ice. Provide ashtrays for cigarette butts. [6] X Research source
Know if there are ordinances that restrict noise levels on certain days and times in residential neighborhoods. Communication with your neighbors is key. Even if there are ordinances, you’ll most likely be able to party on if you talk to your neighbors ahead of time and let them know what you’re doing. The best bet is to promise to turn the music down at midnight, and disperse the party by 2 A. M. Invite your neighbors as a way of heading off alienating. They might even want to contribute. Call your local police department to see if there have been any noise-related disturbances reported recently.
Social media. Consider social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat to get the word out. Create an event page, and invite all of your friends and have them invite all of your friends. Make sure you include specifics and warn people that you’ll be charging. Word of mouth. Tell all of your friends and have them tell their friends. Talk to people in your classes and at work and invite them. Tell everyone that they are welcome to bring as many friends as they want. Flyers. Put up some flyers around campus or in your community advertising your party. Be careful with this though, as you might have some people come and try to take advantage of you or your guests. [7] X Research source
Remove valuables that can be easily stolen and lock them in a closed off bedroom. Move furniture out of the way in larger rooms so that people can walk around. Find some extra chairs and make sure you’ve got enough seating for your 20%. Setup a bar and snack area. If you can, do this in at least two different locations so you don’t have everyone hanging around one area. [8] X Research source
Make sure you know the laws in your area. Don’t supply alcohol to minors. Post signs that say no underage drinking. [9] X Research source
Consider hiring a local band that people around your town know and love. This might lure people to the party. Get a friend to have their band play. It doesn’t have to be for the whole time, but just for an hour or less. Find a DJ or a friend who enjoys playing DJ. This way, you’ll have someone dedicated to making sure the music is spot on for your guests.
Prepare a signature mixed drink. This might even be hunch punch. Supply jello shots. Pick a solid middle-of-the-road beer that everyone will like. If you want, you can pair a solid beer keg with a really cheap one and give people the choice.
Ask people to contribute as a “donation” via crowd sourcing. Ask people to contribute as investors via crowd sourcing. You can pay back upfront investments later with funds obtained at the party. Ask people to sponsor a specific aspect of the party, like hiring a band or buying a keg.
If you’ve got a DJ, have them announce the raffle and then announce the winner. Take a bottle of Grey Goose and try to sell 100 tickets for $1 each. The balance between cost and the tickets you sell is your profit. Check with local laws about raffling alcohol. [10] X Research source mn. gov/gcb/assets/alcohol-as-prizes. pdf
If you’re in a city, county, or state, that levies high taxes on alcohol, consider traveling to a nearby/neighboring place that has lower taxes. This could be substantial depending on where you are. Call suppliers. If you’re planning a party for 300 people, chances are you’ll need a few kegs. Call suppliers and liquor stores and try to get the lowest prices. Buy cheap, but don’t cheap out. Don’t buy the cheapest brand of beer and liquor. Some people won’t like it, and won’t come back next time. Instead, find a “middle” beer/liquor that appeals to the most people possible.
Giving out wristbands to people who have paid. This way, you’ll be able to identify people who have paid and people who have not. Making sure alcohol is supervised. If you’ve given out wristbands, and you’ve got someone pouring drinks, you’ll easily be able to stop people from freeloading off of your liquor who have not paid. This approach also has the added bonus of weeding out underage drinkers. Providing food in addition to alcohol and other drinks. If you charge for admission, make sure that admission is worth it (otherwise people won’t pay). Relatively inexpensive hotdogs and hamburgers could go a long way in enticing people to pay up to get in. Know the laws in your area. Charging for admission to a house party might create liability for yourself. [11] X Research source
Pass around a jug or bowl at the party for donations. Ask friends to chip in whatever they can for the cost of the party. Make sure that the party is worth it, as some of your friends might be in hard times of their own, and won’t take kindly to be asked for money if you have not supplied alcohol, food, and entertainment.
Know the laws in your area. People might circumvent you and bring their own alcohol – then you won’t make any money. You’ll need someone always standing by the alcohol to collect donation money. [12] X Research source
Beer pong. Poker. Pool. Trivia.
