How to Host a Silent Party
These days, the concept of "silent parties" or silent discos is becoming increasingly popular—especially in the world of event planning. If you're looking to host a party that will have people talking for months, this unique concept may be worth a try. Before you tackle the task of planning and hosting a silent party, however, there are some things you need to know.
Start with a basic understanding of what constitutes a silent party! Generally, a silent party is an event where attendees are handed a pair of headphones when they step into the space; all music and announcements are played only over these headphones.
Benefits of a Silent Party
To somebody without headphones, a silent party might look a little silly, but there are numerous benefits to hosting this unique type of event.
Avoid Noise Complaints
For starters, a silent party allows you to reduce the potential for issues like noise complaints. This, in turn, makes it easier for you to host your party just about anywhere and at any time.
Enjoy Easy Conversation
Have you ever been to a loud party where you couldn't even hold a conversation without having to yell over the music? A silent party removes this common frustration, since attendees can easily slip their headphones off to chat with friends.
Tailor the Experience
A silent party allows you to customize the experience for your attendees by playing different music into different channels. This way, you can give attendees a choice when they walk in to select between two different experiences!
Preparing for a Silent Party
Are you sold on the idea of hosting a silent party? If so, then you may be wondering what steps you can take to ensure a smooth and successful event.
Select Your Equipment
Start by deciding on your equipment. There are many different companies out there that will allow you to rent out headphones for your guests. Will you choose over-the-ear headphones or ear buds? How many different sets of headphones will you have, and what other rentals will you need in terms of audio equipment?
Deciding on Audio Channels
If you'd like to offer a tailored silent party experience, you'll need to be able to set up more than one audio channel for your attendees. This can complicate things a bit, since you'll need two different sets of headphones as well as different audio components. If you're hiring a DJ, you might also need more than one DJ, depending on their level of experience.
Setting Up Staffing
Depending on the size of your event, your staffing needs will vary. Aside from needing someone to hand out headphones to guests as they walk in and collect them when they come out, you might also want to consider hiring security for events of 50 or more people.
Keeping Your Equipment Safe
Again, depending on the size of your group and how well you know your attendees, you might want to take additional precautions to keep rented equipment (such as headphones) safe. Consider, for example, collecting IDs as collateral and returning them to attendees in exchange for their headphones when they leave. You might also consider collecting a cash deposit as people arrive, as this will offset any potential costs related to damaged or lost headphones.
With a little bit of careful planning, your first silent party can be a resounding success! When pulled off correctly, a silent party can be a great way to get people talking and can make for an experience that your attendees won't soon forget! Looking for the ideal location to host your silent party? Check out Soho Studios today!
