What's the best party you've been to lately?
Posted by silentlyshe@reddit | Xennials | View on Reddit | 85 comments
As a Xennial, our interests and bedtimes have changed A LOT in the last 20 years. Many of us have children or aging parents to care for alongside our ever-changing bodies. Yet, we're still young at heart and might welcome social interactions that speak to our generation. This got me thinking about what type of "parties" are appealing to us now, or if I wanted to throw an epic one, what would it even look like?
So, I want to hear about any cool parties you've attended or threw in the last few years.
Did they end by 9 p.m.? Board games? Kid-friendly? Pool? Alcohol? Dancing? Tell me all the things.
FatReverend@reddit
Parties stopped having any real appeal when 100% of them became family friendly because everyone but me had kids. Clubs / raves are no longer anything close to what they used to be in music or drug culture and I don't want to hang out with the kids going to them so there's really not a lot of partying for me to do in life anymore.
Clear_Tangerine5110@reddit
Do you still listen to the music?
FatReverend@reddit
I still listen to the music of my era but not the stuff kids listen to today.
Clear_Tangerine5110@reddit
I’m pretty sure you knew the question I was asking. Electronic music is not just for kids. I don’t know why anybody would say that.
FatReverend@reddit
I never liked modern EDM or dubstep. Certain kinds of techno but mostly industrial was my thing. Above all else I've always been a metal guy. No I never said that electronic music was just for kids. I did say I don't listen to the music of the kids today because I just don't care for it. Ministry I like and they sound a lot different than whatever the kids are listening to now. The last more modern band I liked in those worlds it was called three teeth and if more modern stuff was like that I would like it more.
Finally music was not quite the main point of what I was saying. The main theme was that I don't want to be the old guy at the club, especially since there's no goth clubs around here anymore.
Wak3upHicks@reddit
I get up at 4am every day. There is no partying there is only work and caretaker duties
silentlyshe@reddit (OP)
May karma be kind to you. You’re a good kid.
-OccultOfPersonality@reddit
Between 3 and 7 is my party.
LLPhotog@reddit
Last year I survived…a lot. So I spent $500 and threw a joy party. It was ridiculous. I had every kind of pizza you can think of, gummi bears, a bar called cocktail island, a bubble machine, a kitten petting zoo through a rescue I support and I put googly eyes on everything in my house.
My home was full to the brim with people and music and laughter. But we all old so it was wrapped by midnight 🤣
silentlyshe@reddit (OP)
You had me at kitten petting zoo and googly eyes. That’s what I call epic!
dinosandbees@reddit
Also signing up to be your friend. Cocktail bar and a kitten petting zoo?? Amazing.
grandma-activities@reddit
That sounds amazing, and even my hermit ass would attend!
beahdawn@reddit
Dude, I want to be your friend. You throw great parties. (I’m glad you made it through a tough year, too)
LLPhotog@reddit
Thank you! This made my day. I’ll let ya know when the next one is :)
Leilani3317@reddit
I wish. I almost died from Covid and then got long covid, never recovered, and am mostly housebound. When I leave the house and see full grown adults open mouth coughing and sneezing into the air, i just go back home so I don’t die from an easily preventable illness because people can’t be assed to protect even themselves let alone others.
optimaloutcome@reddit
For me (and my wife too), the best party is:
We have some friends who host backyard get togethers like this fairly regularly and we love them. No alcohol at them either!
zenprime-morpheus@reddit
I go to this amazing party every night - it's called going to bed.
Top-Pudding-4139@reddit
Only party I want to go to
grandma-activities@reddit
THE BEST.
Clear_Tangerine5110@reddit
Lately? Well, I got back into DJing a couple of years ago, so "lately" for me would be this past Saturday at one of our local parks. And again tonight downtown.
https://417mixcollection.com/events/2026-04-11/flow-2026-part-i-earth/
Clear_Tangerine5110@reddit
Oh and we did this last week. A 6-DJ loop jam. We just played loops on top of each other, and it was surprisingly fun as hell. There's a bunch of us DJs in our area, both old & young, so it's fun to help nurture the music scene here. Us old-heads are looked up to.
Verbull710@reddit
This sounds like a friendly bot fishing for lifestyle data points for IKEA's algorithm or something
silentlyshe@reddit (OP)
Ha ha, I’m pretty skeptical of bots myself, but I’m a real person dreaming of fun, but I don’t know what that looks like anymore.
Verbull710@reddit
Primary-Strawberry-5@reddit
My mother in law throws a damn near monthly birthday party for whoever has a birthday that month (though her grandchildren get separate parties with everyone invited) and because I love my in-laws it’s nice getting together with everyone, and catching up with my niblings (yes I’ve adopted that term) and my sisters in-law and their SOs. These folks are actually a pretty tight and supportive group and I feel genuinely blessed to be part of it.
Cigarrauuul@reddit
I do one once a year.
I invite about 40 people, no kids, free chamapgne for everyone, buffet style good food, standing tables, music, maybe dancing. Starts in the afternoon and goes on till 3 or 4 at night. Usually we have a motto, last was pink party. All guests are between 35 and 50.
The_Fell_Opian@reddit
Friend's 40th was a big long murder mystery game with a ton of people playing, dressed up and I character for hours. Was absolutely epic. Probably the most fun I've ever had at a party since my 20s.
draoikat@reddit
The one I had all by myself at home with beer and good music and stupid dancing. Never been a party person in the first place anyway.
Topher0gr@reddit
The one that ends at 9pm
Weekly_Library9883@reddit
I took my dog to an Easter egg hunt at the dog park a few weeks ago. The dog who found the most tennis balls won a stuffy, and every dog went home with a little goody bag of treats. There was soda, pretzels, and chips for the humans.
So…yeah. My dream party is now one that is entirely focused on my dog, has easy snacks, and doesn’t require any human interaction besides “got an extra baggy?”
Mama-Wazz@reddit
My hubby threw me a trivia party for my most recent birthday. It has 2 rounds of regular trivia, and 2 Name that Tune (one was TV theme songs). It was amazing!
Cold-Monk5436@reddit
Honestly, I don't like parties. I feel awkward not knowing how long to stay in a conversation before I move on to someone else. They often feel a bit performative. You get everyone's attempt at their best self, but not their real self.
TappyMauvendaise@reddit
I’m a recovering alcoholic. So I don’t go to parties anymore.
ineffable_my_dear@reddit
My problem is that I’m nocturnal/N24 so I want to party but everyone else is asleep.
Miz_momo82@reddit
I'd need friends where I live to even attend or throw a party
Scissorsguadalupe@reddit
Not parties per se, but I'm trying to convince venues/bars to start having matinee shows for bands. Like start at 2pm and end by 7 or 8pm on the weekends. 20 years ago we wanted to be the last band at the end of the night, but now that's the dead slot
thewalruscandyman@reddit
At home with my stuff and the quiet.
StillhasaWiiU@reddit
Does new years 2009 count as "lately"?
red286@reddit
Only if NYE 2006 does too.
BritOnTheRocks@reddit
My friends throw great tabletop gaming parties. We’ll play games like Monikers, Hot Streak, Blood on the clocktower and end with some Jackbox.tv games. One couple is a big collector so there always something new to try and it’s really good fun.
drainbamage1011@reddit
A few months ago we went to a karaoke bar for my friend's birthday. I'd never been before and wasn't all that enthusiastic about karaoke, but it ended up being a blast. And most of us were xennial/millennial, so lots of 90s alternative. And then a late dinner and (more) drinks.
Otherwise, a typical "party" is board/card games at someone's house, snacks, a responsible amount of alcohol, and people start heading out around 9, lol.
LopensCouisin@reddit
We have no kids, but have never been into the party scene. Game night is more our jam.
smolbtchb1gflvr@reddit
If you're lucky to have friends with similarly aged children and interests, rent a houseshare for special occasions. Bring mics for karaoke, board games, instruments, etc We've done this for years and it's ideal.
fbissonnette@reddit
Define lately...
IceSmiley@reddit
Not so much lately but 2008 when I went to Playboy Mansion 🐰
sleepyguy007@reddit
im 45 and i still go to the dreamstate music festival which I guess is a giant party for trance music. i've been to what 11 years in a row, don't plan to stop. my gf got me into craps and we went to vegas a couple times last year and I guess were going to keep doing that too. your 40s isn't the end of partying, partying is forever if you keep your body together.
pug_fugly_moe@reddit
Party Cannon
grandma-activities@reddit
My hermit tendencies have taken over. I can't tolerate being around more than a handful of people at a time, and even then, I've got to be in the right mood and mindset for it. But I did have a blast at Easter dinner with my neighbors this year, and I'm looking forward to a little get-together with my two best friends from college. The most appealing event for me is a meal or a movie night with a small group of close friends or family.
ReggaeForPresident@reddit
Recently went to a suite at Petco Park for a Padres-Rockies game. It was fully catered and included all drinks. The game was done by 830 and I got home on the trolley by 10.
LifeWithEloise@reddit
My sister and BIL had a dinner party a few months ago with everyone in the area we grew up with(we’re in our 40’s and 50’s now and most have kids who are grown) and it was AWESOME. Just drinking wine, eating great food, talking, catching up, telling old stories, etc. Everyone got a little bit drunker than they’ve been in a while, the nice wines came out, as did the Fernet and Sambuca, and no one left until around midnight. It was the most fun party I’ve been to in years and there was really no real reason to have it, therefore no expectations.
LLPhotog@reddit
Fernet…SF? :)
LifeWithEloise@reddit
Haha no, east coast. But I’m a recovering bartender. 20+ years behind the stick, so I adore Fernet
FoppyRETURNS@reddit
The days of going to a dinner party with other adults and leaving your kids with an irresponsible teenager for ten bucks are long over.
AshDogBucket@reddit
I went to a pretty damn awesome gay wedding that was Renaissance fair themed on Sunday. The food was incredible, costumes were great, and the people were awesome. As a queer person it was extra delightful because of the reminder of how far we've come when it comes to progress. This party happened in a church and that was not possible in decades past.
Intelligent-Camera90@reddit
I have had a few extended family parties recently that were pretty fun - I got to see all my cousins and it wasn’t at a funeral.
I don’t really have friends, though and the last real party I threw was my housewarming in 2016.
Moxie_Stardust@reddit
"Epic" party? Yeah, no thanks, those have never really been my thing. Most of the parties I attend now revolve around live music, have gone to a couple in the last year where someone set up a PA in the yard, and folks either got up and jammed together or played solo, I did some solo songs but also invited a friend up to add bass on a couple tunes.
Blackbird136@reddit
Went to a Murder Mystery party a couple of weeks ago. Everyone dressed up in character, we ate dinner, got a little tipsy. It was a great time.
Over by 10, but it started at 5 so that felt reasonable.
1Frazier@reddit
I've been to a couple of Friendsgivings with completely different circles and they were very fun. The most recent was 2024 and it was pot luck. We had a good time tasting what everyone brought and nice conversation. Since it was more of a dinner party it ended earlier, which is fine with me. I had such a good time that when the host couldn't do it in 2025 I had it. It ended up being a smaller group but just as fun. We could all fit at one table so it was more of a traditional dinner party experience.
Some things I like in general at parties: a nice mix of people and I don't know all of them very well. No kids. Good food and drinks. 7-11 is the sweet spot for timing. Some type of optional activity that might not be at every party - pinata, telescope for star gazing, a good quality cigar bar, martini bar.
I have been to a wedding and a presentation with reception for donors to my university and both of those had staff at the door handing you a champagne when you walked in. If I ever wanted to have an epic party at my house I would have a champagne door person, and maybe a strip of bacon door person. Pittsburgh weddings (and some parties like graduation parties) will have a cookie table that serves as desserts and take home favors. Any party with a cookie table is going to be good so I would probably have that at my epic party too.
BoredPandemicPanda@reddit
Earlybird clubs are starting to pop up for us folk. Starts at 6, ends at 10. They play our jams. It's great.
Tylerdurden389@reddit
Watch parties on discord with my friends where we'll watch movies we've seen hundreds of times and chat the entire time lol.
VividAd7961@reddit
I think you are wrong
introextra-@reddit
My friends and I are all late 40’s and have kids in their teenage or college years. Parties for grown ups are back! Last one was a friend’s bday held at their home. Pub quiz. Live karaoke with some of the friends forming a band that played good sing-a-long tunes and a neighbor who spins records quit seriously as a hobby, closing off the night. It was good!
Ok-Energy5358@reddit
The pants party
anonymoususer98545@reddit
i bartend so my hours are all over the place.
That said, i have friends that throw insane parties for every single holiday and i try to attend them all if i'm not working. The latest was last month for her birthday and it went until 4 a.m. with a live band, DJ, dance floor, taco vendor, bartenders, photographer, stiltwalkers, etc. So, kind of like all their parties, lol.
fluffHead_0919@reddit
Celebrating DU’s 11th men’s hockey national championship baby! Go Pios!
Adrasteia-One@reddit
Wife and I went to an Alice in Wonderland-themed gala for our daughter's school. It was really fancy, and we were back home by 11 pm. It was the latest we had stayed up in something like 3 years, hehe.
cruisethevistas@reddit
There was a daytime rave called “Day One” on New Year’s Day. We went to brunch and then hung out till like 5 pm dancing our asses off.
Darkwing873@reddit
Do funerals count? They seem to be the only type of party more people are getting into these days.
SavedByTheBellingham@reddit
Still doing parties but usually done between 11 and midnight. Most commonly karaoke parties that also involve dancing.
generalfailure2077@reddit
Had one last weekend. Everyone left by 10. Felt empty.
Dramatic-Dark-4046@reddit
Only a few of us left it appears
aroundincircles@reddit
I don’t drink and don’t really enjoy being around people that do. Most parties seem to include alcohol, especially anything work related. So I just pass.
We invite friends over for dinner and games. We let the kids pick out a movie, and hang and talk. We try to get together once every other month or so.
Weak_Radish966@reddit
Visited my hometown and had a bbq at our air bnb. Friends were there I hadn’t seen in over a decade. We stayed up til like 3 am going song for song on the Bluetooth speaker. It was awesome! Parties like that happen maybe once a year for me.
smooth_grooves@reddit
I have a nearby cousin plus his friends who do euro board games nights regularly that I join when I can. They're younger, more mentally sharp than I and have less responsibilities, so it's hard for me to be competitive but it's still fun.
edasto42@reddit
A few annual parties are can’t miss events for me and my social circle.
The first one of the year is my bday. I’m usually figuring out something cool to go do. I often will perform with whatever artists I’m currently playing with. If not, I pick a location that intrigues me. A few years ago we went to the mini golf arcade called Golf n Stuff-which was the place Daniel LaRusso took Ali on their first date. I’ve also had in recent years a party that was very NSFW with an apartment full of clothing optional people that were also very promiscuous. But that’s not an everyday thing haha.
Then there’s the local pride celebration day where a friend hosts a hella brunch at his place before we all go to the parade and festival.
My friends recent baby shower was the first and best baby shower I ever went to. There was a taco truck that pulled up. Live music plus a dj. One of the funniest games was turning kids songs and nursery rhymes into classic r&b and hip hop songs.
But the most looked forward to event is Friendsgiving. My friends recent baby hosts it and it is amazing. All the people that attend are somewhere aligned in the creative fields (whether it be artist, musician, producer, actor, photographer, etc) but not pretentious. And it’s just fascinating to talk to everyone. There’s a dj spinning some great music that gets people dancing. And then there’s the food. There’s usually Cajun seasoned Turkey, honey ham, sweet potatoes, greens, dressing, fresh bread, and not a casserole in sight.
So I guess the key takeaways are location, music, the right people, and good food are the key.
ButterscotchAware402@reddit
A few years ago my husband's band "retired" and the founding brothers rented the most beautiful Air BnB. It was big enough to house the 5 piece band, their significant others, family and friends of the band. It was just a typical adult house party but it was so much fun. Plus the owners had a kitty.
NoContextCarl@reddit
Wow. Definitely not recently.
We have a local outdoor venue that hosts twice a year parties for the public - one on Halloween and one for Mardi Gras.
Went to that once if not twice a year for almost a decade but last outing was probably 2023. Gotta be functional for the kids the next day. 😅
AcadianTraverse@reddit
Our wedding last summer.
We had everyone staying on site at a small ski hill (not much else going on there in the ummer). Thursday were the bachelor and bachelorette parties, which were separate at dinner and then we met up at the bar on site. Friday was the welcome Barbecue. Saturday was the wedding. We had pizza, movies, and activities (with babysitters) for the kids during the reception and then opened up the Dance Floor to everyone. Yeah a lot of folks bowed out earlier than in our past, but the parties kicked on every night until 1:00, when we were kicked out including a healthy number of kids on Saturday.
Hour_Affect3046@reddit
NYE this year. A service industry friend invited me to her and her partners house. Very lovely home in my old neighborhood. I knew only my friend. I ended up making friends with almost everyone there. Once the drugs came out I was riding the high of meeting and talking to new people. Ended up seeing the sun come up.
I paid for it for days of exhaustion, but it was totally worth it. Best NYE I’ve had in a long while
SweetCosmicPope@reddit
The last non-work party I went to was in 2012 before I moved across the country. Other than that I haven't been to one, unless you count a couple of family get-togethers when I visited down in Texas. I'm talking beer, crawfish, and zydeco music, and a bunch of kids playing on the swingset type of thing.
Otherwise, I've only been to work parties. We have a few each year and I'm usually home right after suppertime, unless it's out-of-state.
ItsNadrik@reddit
Usually my own. We have people over for basically every holiday, and when it's nice out on we'll do drinks and a bonfire every couple weeks. I also host bottle shares and other whiskey related get-togethers occasionally.
No kids, sometimes drinking games, usually cornhole. Rare things go much past midnight any more, unless people are crashing in one of the guest rooms.
Deep-Interest9947@reddit
I haven’t been to a party since NYE 2020.
HuckleberryLogical63@reddit
Pretty sure the only party's I've been to the last few years are kids birthday party's lol. Trying to remember the last party party I've been to and coming up blank, probably a friends wedding after party a few years ago.
Separate_Counter9427@reddit
Backyard BBQ during the day. Out by 9pm!
usernames_suck_ok@reddit
None.