Grace Canterbury | Arts & Culture Editor | gcanterbury@mail.smcvt.edu
Dear future townhouse residents,
Let’s talk about the parties. They’re part of what makes senior year feel like senior year. But there’s a big difference between a great party and a reckless one. And trust us, you want yours to be remembered for the right reasons — not because Public Safety had to shut it down and give you a fine, or because your neighbors complained, or because you spent the next day repairing a broken table (or worse, your reputation).
We’ve been there. We’ve thrown the theme nights, the chill hangs, the crowded dance floors and everything in between. We’ve learned what works, what doesn’t and what will get you an email from ResLife. So here it is — your unofficial Guide to Throwing a Safe, Smart and Seriously Good Townhouse Party.
Why Throw?
Before you throw anything, ask yourself: Why are we hosting this? Is it a birthday celebration? A “just because” Friday? A sendoff before break? Clarity helps you set expectations — how big it’ll be, who’s coming and how much energy you want to pour into it. Not every night needs to be a rager. Some of the best townhouse memories come from ten people, a speaker and some games.
We Love a Respectful Ranger
Staying within the rules is essential to keeping your party safe and stress-free. Quiet hours begin at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 12 a.m. on weekends. So if your music is loud enough to rattle your neighbor’s windows, it’s time to turn it down. Be mindful of how many people you invite; overcrowding your townhouse can attract unwanted attention from Public Safety and bring in guests you didn’t plan for. Keep all drinks inside the house, as walking around the townhouse area with an open container, even a solo cup, is a code violation. And remember, Public Safety isn’t out to ruin your night — if they stop by, stay calm, be respectful and follow their instructions. A little responsibility goes a long way in making sure the fun lasts.
Know the Crowd
One of the quickest ways to lose control of your party? Randoms. We’re talking about those people who show up uninvited, don’t know your name and somehow end up snagging your valuables. Use a group chat, send a quick snap or just spread the word through your friends. Pro tip: Assign someone “door duty” — one or two housemates who make sure the guest list doesn’t turn into a free-for-all.
Add a Little Spice
So, how do you throw a party that’s actually fun — the kind people talk about the next day (in a good way) — without it turning into chaos? One word: themes. A good theme takes your party from “just another hangout” to Instagram-worthy. People loosen up, get creative, and suddenly everyone’s laughing over someone drinking from a teapot or rocking a velvet blazer they found for $3 at Goodwill.
Need inspo? Try Anything but a Cup, Thrift Formal or Neon Night with black lights and highlighters. Keep it chill with a pajama party or go full nostalgia with a Decades Night—think ‘80s to Y2K drip. Maybe get a little weird with it, Toga Time, Denim or Cops & Robbers. A good theme makes the night feel intentional, fun and totally worth remembering.
If you’re throwing a college party, drinking games are practically a rite of passage — they break the ice, spark chaos and get the whole room vibing. Drinking games like Beer Pong, Flip Cup, Beer Die or Stack Cup are party staples for a reason—they’re easy to jump into, get people hyped, and instantly turn strangers into teammates. The move? Set up a designated game zone during the pregame so there’s always something happening, but don’t let the whole night revolve around waiting your turn. Keep it casual and open—people can wander in, join a round, and bounce back to the dance floor or snack table. It’s all about creating flow: a space where games add to the fun without turning the party into one big queue for Pong.
Music, Music, Music
No party pops off without a “banger” playlist and the right gear to back it up. Your speaker is basically the DJ, so don’t rely on a dinky speaker. Invest in a good Bluetooth speaker (Soundboks, JBL Partybox, Onn Large Party Speaker). If it doesn’t shake the floor just a little, it’s not loud enough. Toss in some LED strips, a cheap strobe light, or even a sunset lamp if you want the room to go from “kitchen” to “club” in 30 seconds.
As for the music, you need a plan. No one wants emotional Taylor Swift ballads in the middle of peak party hours (unless that’s the vibe… then go full sad girl). Make multiple playlists: one for pregame vibes, one for peak chaos, and one for the afterparty wind-down. Pro tip: let guests queue songs but keep host control. It only takes one rogue guest to ruin the vibe with an eight-minute techno remix no one asked for.
If you or one of your friends knows how to DJ — use them. Seriously, a live DJ (even if it’s just your friend with a laptop and a control board) can take your party from fun to legendary. They can read the room, keep the energy flowing and mix in everyone’s favorite songs without the awkward five-second silence between Spotify tracks. Plus, nothing says “we planned this” like a legit DJ setup in the corner. Give them a vibe to stick to — throwback bangers, house party hits, or full-on rave mode — and let them work their magic.
Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Remember — not everyone’s throwing down on a weekend. While you might be blasting throwbacks and flipping burgers, your neighbor could be trying to finish a paper, catch up on sleep, or just enjoy a quiet night in. So do future you a favor: early in the year, go knock on some doors. Introduce yourself, say hey, maybe even invite them to your first get-together. You don’t have to become BFFs (though it happens!), but a little respect goes a long way. When you give your neighbors a heads-up before hosting, they’re way more likely to be cool if the music gets a little loud — or, better yet, they might join the party.
Joint townhouse parties are a total win: more space, more speakers and way more fun. Fire up a grill, toss on some burgers or veggie skewers, and turn
it into a pre-party cookout. Nothing brings people together like food and a shared aux cord. Plus, when your neighbors are in on the fun, you’ve got extra eyes to help keep things safe and chill. And while we’re talking respect — take out your trash, clean up your lawn and handle your space. Being a good neighbor means more than keeping the music down — it means being part of the community, and that’s what makes St. Mike’s feel like home.
Safety First
This part is non-negotiable. If someone at your party isn’t okay, step in. You don’t need to hover or babysit everyone, but you do need to stay aware
of how your friends and guests are doing. A quick check-in can make a huge difference. Have import- ant numbers saved and easy to access — Public Safe- ty, your RA, campus support services — just in case.
Always have a plan in place for someone who needs to leave early, get home safely, or just take a break. That could mean walking them back, calling their roommate or having a safe place for them to be. At the end of the day, being a good host isn’t just about throwing a fun party — it’s about making sure everyone feels safe, supported and looked after. Be the kind of person you’d want watching out for you.
Clean Up Crew
If you throw the party, own the aftermath. Don’t let your house marinate in stale drinks, crushed chips and the faint smell of “what happened here?” until Monday. Major love to our facilities team. They work hard, often early and unseen, so don’t leave your post-party chaos outside expecting it 11
A townhouse in the 300’s throwing a party on a Saturday night.
to magically disappear. Put trash cans out before the night even starts — future you will be grateful. Cleaning up isn’t a solo mission either; if you hosted together, clean together. Rally the crew, throw on a playlist and knock it out. Remember, St. Mike’s is a small campus — your actions echo, whether it’s the glowing reputation of “those awesome seniors” or the not-so-glowing one of “that townhouse with the trashed lawn.” Choose wisely.
Good Luck
Alright, that’s the rundown — everything we wish someone had told us before we hosted our first townhouse party. At the end of the day, it’s not just
about throwing a rager. It’s about creating the kind of nights people talk about for the rest of the year — the ones that start with grilling on the lawn and end with everyone singing in the kitchen at 2 a.m. Just be smart, respect your space (and your neighbors), and look out for each other. That’s how you keep the good times going.
Your turn now. Hold it down, have fun!
Good Luck,
The St. Mike’s Class of 2025 Townhouse Residents