Tiki Party - how does one even?
April 10, 2019 11:51 AM Subscribe
I have been into Tiki Culture for the past several years, I even have a Tiki Bar in my house! Yet... when trying to create ideas for an annual party (as in 50-100 adults), I'm a little overwhelmed about what to do without it coming out tacky yet... I don't want to spend a fortune. I love coming to Metafilter for ideas, so any tiki-heads or party planners or just general advice is greatly appreciated.
Details:
I live in Dallas, this will be mid-May (not super hot but hotter than most places)
I have a half acre with a huge bamboo grove, a covered patio with a projector screen, a deck, a huge yard, and a garden. I plan to have a DJ but outdoors is weather-permitting
As mentioned a tiny Tiki Bar (as in whole room) I don't intend to have a bartender for.
Here is what has worked and hasn't worked for me in the past:
Worked: Using the outdoor space and keeping the tiki bar as a place to visit but not congregate
Worked: Creating a few signature drinks with 2-3 ingredients to put in dispensers
Not Worked: Ordering 3-4 'asian style' pizzas that were consumed within an hour
Not Worked: Ice machine running out, booze running out, mixers running out
Not Worked: Kiddie pools - no one got in even though it was July in Dallas
Not Worked: Not having anything 'to do' besides drink and dance which I'd like to change but not be intimidating
So a few questions -
What are some drinks I can do batches of?
What are some events I can do? I am thinking having a SPAM contest (people bringing SPAM creations and judging)
If it's a rainout, how does one adjust to indoors and is that even viable in a 2K sq ft house or should it be cancelled?
Some creative ways to advertise the party on a private Facebook event?
Movies to project outside?
I have friends and family not all who get along and having a bit of a hard time deciding on the guest list - advice on how to navigate this?
If I decide to get crazy, what sort of entertainers would I hire?
Places to buy decoration or decoration ideas?
What do you expect, or have really enjoyed, out of a Tiki-themed party?
Much appreciation for any feedback!
Details:
I live in Dallas, this will be mid-May (not super hot but hotter than most places)
I have a half acre with a huge bamboo grove, a covered patio with a projector screen, a deck, a huge yard, and a garden. I plan to have a DJ but outdoors is weather-permitting
As mentioned a tiny Tiki Bar (as in whole room) I don't intend to have a bartender for.
Here is what has worked and hasn't worked for me in the past:
Worked: Using the outdoor space and keeping the tiki bar as a place to visit but not congregate
Worked: Creating a few signature drinks with 2-3 ingredients to put in dispensers
Not Worked: Ordering 3-4 'asian style' pizzas that were consumed within an hour
Not Worked: Ice machine running out, booze running out, mixers running out
Not Worked: Kiddie pools - no one got in even though it was July in Dallas
Not Worked: Not having anything 'to do' besides drink and dance which I'd like to change but not be intimidating
So a few questions -
What are some drinks I can do batches of?
What are some events I can do? I am thinking having a SPAM contest (people bringing SPAM creations and judging)
If it's a rainout, how does one adjust to indoors and is that even viable in a 2K sq ft house or should it be cancelled?
Some creative ways to advertise the party on a private Facebook event?
Movies to project outside?
I have friends and family not all who get along and having a bit of a hard time deciding on the guest list - advice on how to navigate this?
If I decide to get crazy, what sort of entertainers would I hire?
Places to buy decoration or decoration ideas?
What do you expect, or have really enjoyed, out of a Tiki-themed party?
Much appreciation for any feedback!
Not Worked: Ice machine running out, booze running out, mixers running out
Ice is cheap, I'd suggest buying some bagged ice and more than you anticipate needing. Booze isn't cheap, but it won't go bad and it sounds like you entertain fairly frequently.
If it's a rainout, how does one adjust to indoors and is that even viable in a 2K sq ft house or should it be cancelled?
What about a rain date instead of canceling?
How about getting some coconuts to crack open? (is there a coconut season? I have no idea...) It's like an activity and a snack in one...
posted by Jahaza at 12:09 PM on April 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
Ice is cheap, I'd suggest buying some bagged ice and more than you anticipate needing. Booze isn't cheap, but it won't go bad and it sounds like you entertain fairly frequently.
If it's a rainout, how does one adjust to indoors and is that even viable in a 2K sq ft house or should it be cancelled?
What about a rain date instead of canceling?
How about getting some coconuts to crack open? (is there a coconut season? I have no idea...) It's like an activity and a snack in one...
posted by Jahaza at 12:09 PM on April 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
How about for frozen drinks, Pain Killa? (from SOS Tiki Bar Menu) but I feel like I have seen versions of it elsewhere.
It's also possible to have a fruity tiki punch in a dispenser for people. SOS (link to their menu above) has a nightly punch that they switch out.
It looks like Oriental Trading has a selection of party straws and picks.
Could you have a bunch of cut up fruit that could serve as snacks and drink decorations?
What about a best tiki outfit/accessory contest?
posted by needlegrrl at 12:18 PM on April 10, 2019
It's also possible to have a fruity tiki punch in a dispenser for people. SOS (link to their menu above) has a nightly punch that they switch out.
It looks like Oriental Trading has a selection of party straws and picks.
Could you have a bunch of cut up fruit that could serve as snacks and drink decorations?
What about a best tiki outfit/accessory contest?
posted by needlegrrl at 12:18 PM on April 10, 2019
At parties, I like it when there’s stuff to do set up in areas that I can engage with at my own time. I think it works better than trying to be like, “Okay, everybody! It’s time to play the game now!” I don’t know much about tiki culture, but aren’t there carved figures? Maybe you could have a tiki figure decorating area.
posted by Weeping_angel at 12:54 PM on April 10, 2019
posted by Weeping_angel at 12:54 PM on April 10, 2019
And everybody loves a photo booth with fun props.
posted by Weeping_angel at 12:56 PM on April 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Weeping_angel at 12:56 PM on April 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
For a Tiki Party, embrace the Tacky. Lots of leis, maybe some big banners of Hawaiian flowered fabric, grass skirting on tables, drinks with umbrellas. Oriental Trading has Tiki String Lights, banners. See also Luau. With decorations, pick a couple items and get a lot, don't get small numbers of lots of stuff.
Tiki torches get a bad rap these days, but they give great ambiance.
I'm pretty well amused with drinking and dancing, but you could do Tiki-themed Jeopardy (volcanoes, voodoo, Don Ho, Trader Joe's) or teams for Tiki Trivia. Ask people to wear Hawaiian shirts, maybe have a contest for the best one. If, by any chance, there's a Hula Team in the area, or a Hula teacher, that would be fun, at least for goobers like me.
posted by theora55 at 1:01 PM on April 10, 2019
Tiki torches get a bad rap these days, but they give great ambiance.
I'm pretty well amused with drinking and dancing, but you could do Tiki-themed Jeopardy (volcanoes, voodoo, Don Ho, Trader Joe's) or teams for Tiki Trivia. Ask people to wear Hawaiian shirts, maybe have a contest for the best one. If, by any chance, there's a Hula Team in the area, or a Hula teacher, that would be fun, at least for goobers like me.
posted by theora55 at 1:01 PM on April 10, 2019
I think letting it get a *little* bit tacky might be fun.
Love the SPAM idea. Hawaiian shirt contest. Group hula lesson?
For movies, maybe Blue Hawaii?
Kebabs with ham and pineapple and things in teriyaki sauce?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:02 PM on April 10, 2019
Love the SPAM idea. Hawaiian shirt contest. Group hula lesson?
For movies, maybe Blue Hawaii?
Kebabs with ham and pineapple and things in teriyaki sauce?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:02 PM on April 10, 2019
Have some yard games (cornhole? ladder golf? 2 x 4 Jenga?) available and have something thematic on the projector and space to sit in front of it (even if it's just lawn blankets). A big mist-producing thing to cool off with might be nice, too.
I hate parties that force "hey everybody, now let's do a large-group thing!" If a hula class or whatever is an option, that's fine, just designate a space and let other folks converse.
Food: If people are drinking, they'll want / need to eat at a heavy-apps level, scale fanciness to your budget. Frozen heat-and-serve stuff - pigs in a blanket seem suitable? Spam musubi? Fruit platters? Macaroni salad in little paper cups? Chik fil A platters are not really on theme but are a huge hit every time I see them and not too expensive/difficult.
posted by momus_window at 1:14 PM on April 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
I hate parties that force "hey everybody, now let's do a large-group thing!" If a hula class or whatever is an option, that's fine, just designate a space and let other folks converse.
Food: If people are drinking, they'll want / need to eat at a heavy-apps level, scale fanciness to your budget. Frozen heat-and-serve stuff - pigs in a blanket seem suitable? Spam musubi? Fruit platters? Macaroni salad in little paper cups? Chik fil A platters are not really on theme but are a huge hit every time I see them and not too expensive/difficult.
posted by momus_window at 1:14 PM on April 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
I threw a tiki party once with 3 batch-made cocktails (2 tiki, one not), and I ended up with two batches of tiki cocktails left over. Make the decor tiki, but make the drinks anything else. Some people really hate odd colors (looking at you, Blue Hawaii).
The recipe that won everyone over:
Summer Sipping Tea
3 cans frozen concentrated lemonade
750ml Vodka
2 bottles of Bud Light (for color)
Don't make the lemonade (i.e., don't add the water to the concentrate), just mix the concentrate, vodka, and beer.
posted by hwyengr at 1:42 PM on April 10, 2019
The recipe that won everyone over:
Summer Sipping Tea
3 cans frozen concentrated lemonade
750ml Vodka
2 bottles of Bud Light (for color)
Don't make the lemonade (i.e., don't add the water to the concentrate), just mix the concentrate, vodka, and beer.
posted by hwyengr at 1:42 PM on April 10, 2019
Agreeing with those who are suggesting that tiki parties are supposed to be tacky.
posted by wryly at 2:43 PM on April 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by wryly at 2:43 PM on April 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
I think you can make any yard game tiki-ish with decorations. Croquet with flower festooned gates and a tiki statue for the wickets would work and be decorative as well. It seems like a limbo contest would fit right in.
Most liquor stores and super markets will let you over buy and bring back any unopened alcohol and mixers , just call around and ask to be sure. Do Not bring out the extra bottles until the first one's are totally empty.
As others have said. Oriental Trading and Party City are your friends for this. Pinterest too (scroll down for more). Will there be children? Don't forget something for them.
Music really sets the mood. Jimmy Buffett?
posted by BoscosMom at 3:45 PM on April 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Most liquor stores and super markets will let you over buy and bring back any unopened alcohol and mixers , just call around and ask to be sure. Do Not bring out the extra bottles until the first one's are totally empty.
As others have said. Oriental Trading and Party City are your friends for this. Pinterest too (scroll down for more). Will there be children? Don't forget something for them.
Music really sets the mood. Jimmy Buffett?
posted by BoscosMom at 3:45 PM on April 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
For movies to project (visual only with sound off, under the DJ music) 'The Endless Summer' (1966), 'South Pacific' (1958), 'Blue Hawaii' (1961), come to mind, there's more suggestions if you search for "Tiki Movies"...
(I hope your DJ is well-versed in the Exotica Genre, because vintage artists like Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, Les Baxter, Yma Sumac, etc, should really be setting the Tiki vibe. If the DJ leans more modern then the mood will just turn blah generic party. I'm a bit fussy about this because I've been to one or two amazing Tiki Parties with talented Exotica DJs.)
(Depending on your budget, having a mixologist bartender for the beginning of the event might be worth it.)
posted by ovvl at 6:00 PM on April 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
(I hope your DJ is well-versed in the Exotica Genre, because vintage artists like Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, Les Baxter, Yma Sumac, etc, should really be setting the Tiki vibe. If the DJ leans more modern then the mood will just turn blah generic party. I'm a bit fussy about this because I've been to one or two amazing Tiki Parties with talented Exotica DJs.)
(Depending on your budget, having a mixologist bartender for the beginning of the event might be worth it.)
posted by ovvl at 6:00 PM on April 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Will there be children? Don't forget something for them.
Kids could play Pin the Tail on the Parrot, Pin the Parrot on the Perch, or Musical Chairs with the theme song from Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:37 PM on April 10, 2019
Kids could play Pin the Tail on the Parrot, Pin the Parrot on the Perch, or Musical Chairs with the theme song from Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:37 PM on April 10, 2019
limbo
make sure DJ has lots of Les Baxter
posted by mrmarley at 9:01 PM on April 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
make sure DJ has lots of Les Baxter
posted by mrmarley at 9:01 PM on April 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
What if, in addition to pre-made leis you had a means to make your own? You could either have fresh flowers (though they may wilt in Texas heat) or you could purchase a bunch of dollar store fake flowers. If you put out those and some string, a few needles, and perhaps some beads or shells, it could be a lot of fun for guests who like that sort of thing.
posted by Sequined Ballet Flats at 9:21 PM on April 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Sequined Ballet Flats at 9:21 PM on April 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
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Because in the former case, perhaps a rented tent will give you some wiggle room on the weather without having to have everyone inside your house. And if it's sunny, then you have shade. In the latter case, a lot of people will just stay home because of the deluge and then the remainder will probably fit in your house.
The same places that rent tents probably also rent frozen drink machines which could cover for your ice running out and deal with some of your pre-built cocktail dispensing needs.
If I decide to get crazy, what sort of entertainers would I hire?
Hula-hoop fire dancers seem very Tiki to me.
I have friends and family not all who get along and having a bit of a hard time deciding on the guest list - advice on how to navigate this?
Will they make snide comments about each other or will they get into fistfights? Because, if it's the former, invite whoever you want to invite. 50-100 people is enough for people to break into their own tribes and ignore each other. If they will get into fistfights, then you have to be more careful about the decisions. Maybe don't invite the kind of people who get into fistfights at all, regardless of whether the people they would fistfight with are going to be there.
posted by jacquilynne at 12:05 PM on April 10, 2019