How to Throw the Ultimate Watch Party at Home

One of the best parts of being a sports fan is the feeling of community you get when you watch a game live and in person. Is there any other time in your life that you will find yourself giving high fives and jumping up and down with perfect strangers? No!

When you can't be in the stadium, you can still use game day to foster your friendships by throwing a great sports watch party. No matter the sport, there's something special about the food, the drinks, and the vibes that come with getting together to watch a big game.

Hosting a great at-home watch party isn't as easy as putting some chips in a bowl and turning on the TV. But there are some simple steps you can take to make your party as unforgettable as Kirby Puckett's homer in Game 6 of the '91 World Series.

Setting Up the Perfect Screen and Seating Arrangement

The first thing you need to do as a host is put together the best home setup for sports viewing. That doesn't just mean the size of your TV. It means setting up your space to give everyone the best view possible.

Choose the Best Screen for the Room

The best home TV setup for sports viewing requires the correct size screen for the room. A screen that's too big can make it hard for everyone to catch everything just as much as one that is too small. A 36 to 48 inch screen will usually do the trick if it is well-placed in a room.

You will want to make your TV the center of attention. It helps if your screen is above the eye level of someone sitting down to watch. Be sure you are conscious of glare. Don't put your TV right in a spot that gets way too much sunlight at game time. It doesn't matter how great your game day party ideas are if no one can see what's happening!

Arrange Seating So that Everyone has a Good View

There are two main things to consider in your seating arrangements: angle and height. Having seats with staggered heights such as couches, stools, beanbag chairs, and normal chairs helps preserve the whole crowds' sightlines. 

Then, to be sure that you have the best seating for watching sports, check the view from each seat. Have someone sit in front of you to be sure that the varied heights of your seats are working as intended. It's as simple as that.

Sound and Lighting

Something that goes under the radar for many people planning a sports watch party is the atmosphere that good lighting and sound create. As previously mentioned, you want to be sure to set up your viewing area to minimize screen glare, but you should also lower your lights to highlight the action on screen without making it hard for people to find their seats and their snacks.

When it comes to sound, setting a level can be a little difficult and you may have to adjust once your guests have arrived and congregated around your TV. You want the sound to be loud enough to hear, but not so loud that people can't talk to each other. Celebrating and worrying together is a major part of watching sports together as is trash talk — you don't want to make it impossible to do either.

When a Home Setup Isn't Quite Enough

There are times when a home watch party can't offer everything you want. Take the college basketball tournament every March. It's unlikely you will have enough screens to cover all the games you want to watch. And maybe you just crave the energy that a bigger crowd than you can comfortably host brings.

That's where you should consider moving your party to a great sports bar like The Rabbit Hole. With some planning ahead, you can reserve a spot for your crew, or you can walk in on game day and belly up to the bar or grab some high-top tables and watch all the sports your hearts desire on the dozens of big screen TVs we have strategically positioned all around the place.

Must-Have Food and Drink Pairings

Something that brings sports fans and non-fans together is a love of game-day snacks. Even if you don't care about football, I'd wager you wouldn't say no to a party with a full spread of awesome savory and sweet treats to share with friends during the big game.

Easy, Shareable Foods Everyone Expects on Game Day

Some things are classics for a reason. It doesn't matter if you're watching hockey, curling, or anything else — finger foods like wings, dips, fries, flatbreads, and pretzels always work. Be sure to offer a variety to your guests, but don't expect any leftovers by the end of the game.

Drink Pairings for Every Type of Fan

Whether the event you're watching has a drink associated with it (like drinking a mint julep while watching the Kentucky Derby) or you just want something tasty to pair with your pizza, game-day drinks are key for a watch party. Provide more than one kind of beer, margaritas, non-alcoholic options like pop or juice, or cocktails to keep everyone refreshed and you'll have a great time.

Set Up Food and Drinks for Minimal Interruptions

Once you've got your finger food ideas and your drink pairings figured out, it's time to come up with a serving set up. Putting your food out at stations that allow your guests to still see what's happening on the field will be appreciated. That way, everyone will be able to eat and drink to their hearts' content without missing anything.

When You Would Rather Not Cook

Just because you have the space to host a great party doesn't mean you have the skill or desire to cook for everyone. If you want great food, you can always come out to The Rabbit Hole instead or make an order for pickup to serve to your guests. 

Adding Some Friendly Competition to Your Sports Watch Party

Spicing up your party with some friendly wagers or drinking games can help your guests get even more invested in the event you're watching. It doesn't matter if you are watching international rugby or playoff baseball, you can always add a little zip to your event by incorporating a game within the game on screen.

Friendly Prediction Games for Any Sport

A great way to get everyone invested in the action of a game is to challenge people to predict certain outcomes. That could mean guessing who will score first, what will be the final score, or which player will get called for a penalty first. You can have prizes for each prediction category like a cupcake for the winner or a gift card. Remember: just because people are making wagers does not mean you need to put money on the line.

Simple Drinking Game Ideas for Adults

As part of your game-night planning, you can come up with some drinking game rules based on the event you will be watching. Simple things like taking a sip on scoring plays or when an announcer uses their catchphrase can really help contribute to a great party atmosphere. 

Include Options for Guests that Don't Drink

Not everyone drinks. That doesn't mean that those folks should be excluded from the fun. People can play drinking games with non-alcoholic beverages. And including some snack-based challenges can also help all of your guests feel included.

Turn Your Party Into a Social Event Beyond the Game

Say the game you organized your home viewing party around ends, but the night is still young — what options do you have? You can move your party to The Rabbit Hole and enjoy trivia, live DJ sets, pull tabs, karaoke, bingo, and a great atmosphere.

How to Keep the Party Going After the Game

When a game comes to an exciting end, chances are good that you will have a lot of energy to burn. When you look for a post-game bar in Minneapolis, you need look no further than The Rabbit Hole.

Guests tend to linger after the game ends to either celebrate and relive great moments or commiserate and bemoan the moments that led to a loss. That atmosphere combined with The Rabbit Hole's great food and drinks, and you have the perfect after party location.

Some Final Thoughts on Hosting a Watch Party from Home

When you are coming up with your party ideas for your game day watch party, keep these things in mind:

• Size and position of your TV
• A seating arrangement designed to allow good sightlines for all your guests
• Eliminating glare and setting a good level of light that is not too dark but not too bright
• Calibrating volume to allow everyone to hear the commentary without making conversation difficult
• Putting out a spread of classic game day snacks with a focus on shareable finger foods
• Providing a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Spice things up with friendly wagers or drinking games
• Plan where to go after the game in Minneapolis

When you look at that list, you can see that hosting a great sports watch party takes some work and planning. Whether you want help with food for your party or you want to forgo hosting and reserve a spot at a great bar, The Rabbit Hole can help.

The Rabbit Hole is the best sports bar in the North Loop for a watch party or an after party. You can make a reservation for a group, walk in, or show up after the game for a little more fun before the night's end. But don't take our word for it. Stop in and see for yourself.