Our Fave Ideas for

Office Holiday Parties That Don't Suck

The holidays are coming up, and, for some of us, that means the oft-dreaded and usually very awkward office holiday party. We've all been there -- team-building exercises, crummy catered food, half-hearted Secret Santa gift exchanges... Or maybe you're one of the lucky ones, and your office parties are super rad! Need a refresh for a super fun holiday party that includes more than just handshakes and office small talk in a fluorescently-lit conference room? We have a few ideas with Jupiter NEXT as a sexy backdrop (and yeah, we've totally done some of these in recent years, so we can attest that they are VERY good). Before you head into party-planning mode, be sure you...

GET YOUR ROOM (Book a whole block for the office!)

Make Your Own Cocktail Party

Sure, you can offer cocktails and make it a cocktail party, but we're known for being the location of Liquor.com's Best Hotel Bar in the country: Hey Love! Such a strong statement inspires us to want to share sweet cocktail-making skills with the world! Hire a bartender or two and instead of just serving cocktails at your office party, teach your staff how to make their own! Then, let them sit back and enjoy the fruit of their labors. Add in some delicious charcuterie platters from local maker Charcuterie Me, and your holiday party will be the talk of the town.

‍

Karaoke Night with Baby Ketten

When is the last time you got the team together for some kickass karaoke? Did you know local phenoms Baby Ketten Karaoke can be hired out for private events? Their epic list of music has EVERYTHING. We mean it. Savage Garden b-sides? They've got it. Weird industrial song you love that no one else has heard of? Look it up, it's probably there. That song you used to jam out to in your car alone but it's been long enough that you're not all that embarrassed by it anymore and now it's kind of nostalgic? Yep, it's in the book. Learn about your staff's musical tastes and their sweet, sweet singing skills! Plus, BKK is super great with the COVID-safety issues around sharing mics -- you get your own mic cover and the mic is sanitized between singers. They set up lights in the Arium Ballroom at NEXT for our holiday party last year and everything. It ROCKED.

‍

Staff-Wide Open Mic Night

Karaoke not appealing to everyone? We'll never understand that ourselves, but we get it on some level... So why not hold an open mic night instead (or in addition?!)? Maybe you have that budding stand up comedian (we see you, Josh Larsen), that one guy who absolutely SHREDS on the guitar, or a spoken word prophesier that needs to be heard. Whatever the medium, get these folks on a stage! Jupiter NEXT has all the A/V equipment you need to let your staff shine, however they want to be seen!
‍

Instagram-Worthy Backdrops

Who's up for a little friendly yet decidedly badass competition? In the week or two before the party, split your departments into teams and ask them to design an epic selfie-style backdrop for the best holiday party photos that have ever come out of an office party. Keep the themes open or give the designing minds a head start. Offer a small budget for items to decorate and set your teams loose at The Lippman Company, Cargo Inc, or any other cool as hell places with lots of bits and bobs to create just the right ambience to get the whole team pumped to take pics! Need a camera? Rent our Instax cameras for the night!
‍

Gamble the Night Away

What's a holiday office party without a little vice? Our Arium Ballroom has plenty of open space to make the Casino of your dreams. Bring in some blackjack tables, a craps game or two, and whatever other casino favorites your staff can enjoy. Set up a bar in the corner, hire a local DJ to spin sweet tunes all night long, and you'll have a party to remember. There are several companies in Portland that offer not only the equipment to build out this Company Casino, but they also bring the dealers, too! 

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT AT JUPITER

Party hard with your crew, then unwind in the center of it all! Need a place to cozy up and decompress before heading up to your room for the evening? Stop in at Hey Love for a night cap. Autumn at Jupiter Hotel is unparalleled. All we need is YOU.

GET YOUR ROOM

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍