Going out all the time is overrated. Here us out—A typical night requires some travel to get to your destination, a decent amount of money spent on drinks and food in a crowded bar or restaurant, and the hassle of traveling back home at the end of the evening. How much better would it be to bring the party to your own apartment? At-home game nights are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to going out with friends, and for good reason: Everyone saves money, weather can’t ruin the night, and you’ll get to show off your awesome apartment. It’s a win for everyone. If this sounds good to you, read on for our tips on hosting the ultimate game night in your apartment.
Compile a Guest List
The first step to planning the ultimate game night in your apartment is to decide who’s coming. When compiling your guest list, consider the amount of seating and space that you’re able to provide. If you’re right on seating, the floor makes perfectly acceptable seating for laid back game nights. Don’t feel like you have to cut your guest list short just because you don’t can’t provide enough sofa space.
Pick Your Menu
Next, you’ll want to figure out what to serve as food and drinks for guests. In general, it’s best to stick with simplicity. Snacks like chips ‘n dip are or cheese and crackers are easy crowd pleasers, and beer and wine pair perfectly with finger foods. Pick out one splurge litem, like a craft beer, to provide a little some extra for your friends. Another option is to make it a potluck and ask your friends to bring along some food and drinks to share.
Choose the Games
Now it’s time for the best part—picking your games. Remember to consider your guest count when picking a game. You don’t want to choose one that requires six people if you’re only inviting three friends over. Classic board games like Monopoly never fail. It’s easy to turn card games into drinking games, so if that’s the vibe you’re going for, try Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity. If you’re feeling nerdy, try something more involved, like Risk. But be warned—games like Risk can last for several hours, so be ready to play all night long.
Spread the Word
Finally, it’s time to get the word out about your game night. You can easily rely on texts or social media to invite friends to your gathering. If you wanted to do something a little special, go one step further and make it a little more formal with a tangible invitation. Even if your game night is casual, your friends will appreciate the gesture.
