THE JOURNAL
The DJ, The Mixologists, The Designer: How To Throw A Legendary Party, According To The Experts
Party season is upon us, so what are the ingredients needed for throwing the kind of event that people will still be talking about next year? We have tapped four tastemakers who are known for their party-making prowess to share their secrets – and to recall the best party they’ve ever been to.
01. Yinka Ilori
The multi-disciplinary artist and designer whose projects are inspired by Nigerian culture and traditions
Serve a selection of cocktails
“Negronis, peach bellinis, rum and coke – just a good range of drinks to have on offer, especially as guests arrive, to help set the mood and create a relaxed environment. To go with this, serve canapés – I love oysters and seafood in general. And I love West African food and flavours of drinks inspired by my Nigerian heritage. I consider food and drink to be key elements for when I host, as much as music. On that note, I like a mixture of Afro sounds, from Wizkid to Burna Boy to older, pioneering musicians such as Fela Kuti.”
It’s important not to have people shouting over the music
“So, I try to set the volume to a level where guests can both hear and enjoy it. I feel it’s quite crucial for creating a good, social atmosphere, so people can effortlessly engage and connect with each other.”
Bring different groups together
“I love mixing different sets of friends from home, from school and from the art and design world. Particularly those who wouldn’t necessarily meet outside of the event I’m hosting. I find that’s when the best conversations happen and it creates a really magical atmosphere.”
Curate an eclectic tablescape
“I find rich and vibrant glassware and tableware can spark interesting conversations.”
Host dinner parties at home or in a restaurant
“These offer an intimate environment, but still leave room for creativity and personal touches. I encourage guests to wear colour and something which reflects them, their heritage, and their influences.”
The best party he has ever been to…
“My sister’s birthday party when she was around seven or eight years old. It was in a community hall on the estate I grew up on in north London, and everyone from the estate attended. It remains such a happy and significant part of my childhood. I was dressed in the same outfit as my siblings and in the photographs, you can see me holding my sister’s cake as if it was my own. It just brought so much joy to everyone – it’s these kinds of memories which stay with you forever.”
02. Bradley Zero
DJ, promoter, owner of Rhythm Section International – record label, radio show, studio spaces, club night and concert series – and co-founder of the London bar, Jumbi
It’s all about the people
“You can spend forever searching for the perfect venue, most amazing sound system, epic lighting rig and the right DJ, but bring the wrong crowd in and it will all fall flat. The ‘right’ crowd is very elusive and it’s certainly not the ‘in’ crowd. To me, it’s a diverse group of open-minded people, connected by one or two degrees of separation, who are there to have a good time and ready to discover something new. Art school was a great vehicle for bringing young, creative, enthusiastic people together – this is where my journey as a promoter began and what inspires it to this day.”
The setting doesn’t make the party
“Some of the best parties I’ve ever thrown were in a dusty pool hall in Peckham with two turntables, a red lightbulb and a pair of speakers on sticks. For a while that was the best club in the world.”
The playlist is from a lifetime of collecting, curating and hours of preparation
“What do I want to say? Who am I saying it to? What are the requirements of the space – is it a big room? An intimate club? Am I warming up for a band, building up the dance floor or headlining a festival? There are myriad potential situations and an infinite number of ways to respond. That’s the fun bit, and why my job as DJ and promoter never gets boring.”
The best party he has ever been to…
“It’s hard to highlight a specific event, but the period following the pandemic was a really special time. Energy levels were high after a long hibernation and people flocked out to the clubs in numbers we’d never seen before with a renewed passion for coming together. I called it the third summer of love.”
03. Max Venning and Noel Venning
Cofounders of London bars Three Sheets Soho and Three Sheets Dalston
Get all your preparation done beforehand
“Try to have as little cocktail-making and food-plating when the guests are around as possible. Batch mix your cocktails and pre-prep your food. Make sure you have plenty of drinks and a decent set of speakers – it doesn't have to be loud but bad sound kills the vibe. Turn the big light off and use lamps and candles.”
Don’t force fun
“If you can’t have a good evening without getting a board game out, you might need new friends.”
Get a good mix of people
“The partiers and the people who are a bit more relaxed, make sure it's not all the same type of person, or people all from one industry. It should go without saying but try to avoid inviting the bad drunks.”
Have something for everyone
“Short boozy drinks aren’t great for a big party. Long refreshing ones work well and help people last the night. Make sure you have plenty of wine and a secret stash of champagne for your favourite guests.”
The best party they have ever been to…
“We’re definitely biased, but the ‘Friends and Family’ launch at Three Sheets Soho was a great night – the booze flowed and everyone had an incredible time. Otherwise, we went to a Brit Awards after-party where Nile Rodgers and Kylie did a set at the Savoy Hotel and we ended up at The Box club with Philip Treacy, a wild one.”