Throwing a great Philly summer party

Summer is here and there’s no time like the present to start planning a fun seasonal party at your Philadelphia apartment. Take the excuse of warmer weather, longer daylight and a few extra holidays to gather up your friends and neighbors and celebrate the best time of the year.

Here are a few things you’ll need to do and provide to make your summer party a success:

-Great drinks. Drinks are one of the most important parts of a summer shindig. It’s hot out and you’ll want to give everyone a refreshing beverage. If you’re holding the party in a common area of your apartment complex, make sure it’s OK for you to serve alcohol before you head off to buy in bulk. For summer drinks, stay away from wine unless it’s white wine or spritzers. Seasonal light beers, either from boutique brewers like Fat Tire or Blue Moon, are always fun. Specialty cocktails like margaritas, mojitos, pina coladas or mai tais lend a vacation-like twist. (By the way, did you know that if you make a pina colada with vodka, it’s called a chi chi?)

-Good food. Keep it simple but there’s no better time than a party to experiment with some fun new recipes that you’ve been wanting to try. Grilling is the staple cooking method for the summer BBQ but it’s definitely not your only option. If you’re looking for a healthier choice or wondering what to do about your vegetarian neighbor we have some easy suggestions. Make some salads and desserts ahead of time so you won’t have to mess with any last minute preparations when you are busy having fun.

-Entertainment. It’s not a party without some fun and games. A few recommended summer outdoor party options include bocce, corn hole, croquet, Frisbee and Ladder Ball. If you have access to a swimming pool, you can take the games into the water with some pool based volleyball or keep away.

-Good tunes. Don’t forget the music. It’s the most important part of any summer celebration. Are you on Spotify? They have great communal playlists you can use for your party if you’re too lazy to make your own.