How to Throw a Party in a Park (Legally and Successfully)

A park party is the great equalizer of social life. Nobody needs a nice apartment. Nobody needs to clean their bathroom. Nobody needs to worry about noise complaints. You just need a blanket, some drinks, and people.

The Legal Stuff

Check your local laws. Open container laws vary by city, park, and even section of park. Some cities allow alcohol in parks. Some do not. Some look the other way. Some do not. Know before you go.

If your park does not allow alcohol: opaque cups, discretion, and not being obnoxious. The people who get in trouble at parks are the people who draw attention. Be chill. Keep the music at a reasonable volume. Pick up your trash. Nobody bothers the quiet group on a blanket minding their own business.

The Setup

One large blanket. Big enough for six to eight people to sit comfortably. This is the footprint of your party. If you need more space, bring a second blanket.

A cooler or insulated bag. For drinks and anything perishable. Do not bring a hard cooler if you have to walk more than five minutes. A soft cooler with ice packs is lighter and more portable.

A speaker. Small, portable, and at a volume that your immediate group can hear without forcing it on everyone else in the park. This is not a concert. It is a soundtrack.

The Drinks

Shelf-stable cocktails are perfect for parks. No glass (pour into cups), no cooler space needed for transport, no mixing required. Two bottles of Deko Cocktails serve eight people. Bring cups and ice in the cooler.

Beer and seltzers work too. Anything in a can is park-friendly.

Bring water. Real talk. A park party in the sun without water is a medical event waiting to happen. One bottle per person minimum.

The Food

Sandwiches, chips, fruit, cheese and crackers. Nothing that requires utensils. Nothing that attracts animals aggressively (looking at you, fried chicken, even though you are delicious). Everything in sealed containers.

The Exit

Leave no trace. Every cup, napkin, bottle, and piece of trash leaves with you. Bring a garbage bag. The park is your venue and your host. Treat it better than you would treat a bar. The park did not charge you cover.