How to Throw a Hipster Party
A hipster party is fun to throw because it is not specific to any holiday or time of year. Before you begin planning, quietly remind yourself about the traits of the stereotypical hipster. Your answer will most likely be something along the lines of an individual who dresses like a hobo and hemorrhages irony. To ensure your party will be a success, first consider four basic elements of any memorable event, such as food, drinks, music, and costume.
Food
In terms of food, it is now fairly well known that contemporary hipster culture has experienced somewhat of a renaissance in the consumption of local/organic meats. Therefore, don’t feel shy about serving meat at your party. Hamburgers made with local/organic beef are an easy choice. However, if you enjoy cooking, a hipster party is a great opportunity to explore cooking rare or interesting dishes like rabbit or beef tongue. However, if you’re not a big meat eater, a fun and cost-cutting alternative is to ask guests to bring their favorite dish. You can add a hipster twist to any traditionally simple dish by using gourmet ingredients or a complex recipe, such as gourmet macaroni and cheese.
Beverages
Of course, you’ll want something to wash down that braised rabbit and saut�ed squash, and when it comes to hipster beverages, look no further than Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. Hipsters love it because it comes in a can, which complements the hipster aesthetic, and it’s cheap. Should your palette require something other than PBR, feel free to offer your guests a selection of local artisan or craft beers. Ask anyone at your nearby package or liquor store for suggestions on local beer. Whiskey is also an acceptable and authentic hipster beverage.
Music
Serenading you while you eat and drink in merriment should be some supremely angsty tunes. Anything that can be played on a record or tape player is always preferred. However, if you have neither, ask a guest or two to bring a playlist of his/her favorite hipster music. If you are unfamiliar with this type of music, simply do a little Internet research. For example, Pitchfork.com is a great online resource as it is lets you play underground and popular, aka hipster, music for free.
Costume
Now for perhaps the most important element: the costume. Ask your guests to come dressed as hipsters. An androgynous look is key. Skinny jeans, simple slip on shoes, torn t-shirts, a plaid button-down, and an edgy hairstyle will go a long way. Should you want to express a girlier side, floral-themed dresses and lace-up booties are also perfect.
Furthermore, one should never overlook the power of the ironic moustache. Turn your bathroom, or any small room with a mirror, into a moustache-application station. Take a lipstick (nothing permanent) and write “Moustache Station” on the mirror. Leave a black, brown, red, and yellow marker (each marker should correspond to a popular natural hair color) near the mirror. Guests can draw fun moustaches on themselves or each other! It’s a fun activity that will keep you laughing all night.
Finally, don’t forget to act the part. Be aloof and nonchalant...and have fun!
