We’re proud to offer a wide variety of resources for Phoenix apartment residents, including information about how to use all of their great amenities. Some of the most popular features at any apartment complex include grilling equipment and pool areas. As the weather starts to heat up, learn from all of the following tips to become a master at hosting poolside barbeques this summer.
Invite Your Guests
You don’t have to come up with expensive, formal invitations just to host a pool party. A text message, email, or Facebook invite will be more than enough. An important thing to think about when it comes to inviting your guests is determining the correct amount of people. If you ask 30 friends over to join you for a poolside barbeque, your going to run into a few problems. For one thing, it’s a huge commitment to prepare or otherwise provide food for that many people. You also might overwhelm the size of your pool area. Other residents might be less than pleased if the entire pool is overflowing with your guests, and that’s not the right way to spread happy summer vibes.
If you’re inviting your guests for a poolside barbeque far into the future, you may just have to hope for good weather. Chances are good that it will be sunny outside– it is Phoenix, after all. If you’re planning for a pool party in the next week or two, it’s a great idea to check the forecast just in case. Think about which time of day you’d like your guests to arrive. Would it be better to do it in the hottest part of the afternoon, or enjoy your poolside feast as the sun goes down? Finally, let your guests know what they should bring– towels, food, drinks, and coolers will all come in handy.
Plan Ahead
You’ll be able to enjoy the day much more when you aren’t scrambling around for supplies at the last minute. Once you know how many guests to expect, you can run through the following checklist to make sure you’re covered in essential areas (we’ll go into more specifics later):
Towels – If you don’t have enough to provide for everyone, make sure people know to bring their own.
Pool Attire – You probably already own swim trunks and flip flops if your apartment has a pool, but it can’t hurt to revisit your wardrobe and make sure you’ll be a stylish host.
Sunscreen – Even if you’re not worried about yourself getting too much sun, some of your guests may be more concerned about their skin. Get a bottle of sunscreen to ensure no one gets a burn that could ruin their day.
Entertainment – Games, music, floats, and more will help everyone have more fun throughout the day.
Drinks – You and your friends will want plenty of refreshments on a hot summer day by the pool. If you don’t have a cooler or convenient refrigerator access right by the pool, get one before the event or ask someone else to bring one.
Food – This is arguably the most important aspect of your barbeque. Get the right food and prepare it correctly to ensure all your guests will be impressed.
Accessories – Plates, utensils, napkins, cups, and paper towels will all come in handy.
Entertainment Options
You already have a pool, great Phoenix weather, and some of your closest friends. That means you’ve already got a great start on some fun in the sun at your poolside barbeque. Make sure your friends stay entertained by adding a few finishing touches like music, games, and other fun toys:
Music – As long as it won’t cause a disturbance to other guests at the pool, make sure you have a portable speaker available for your day. Prepare a great playlist of summer hits or surf rock tunes that will help get everyone in the perfect mood. If there’s not a skilled DJ in your group, don’t worry– free streaming services like YouTube and Pandora have pre-build playlists that are perfect for a day at the pool.
Games – Horseshoes, cornhole, and washers are all great options for relaxing games by the pool. If you have enough room and a beach ball, try to get a good volley going in the water. We’ve even seen residents make up their own inventive games with supplies like solo cups and ping pong balls.
Other Toys – You can find all kinds of great supplies at a pool store, general store, or even the dollar store. Water guns, rafts, diving rings, and more are all excellent options for guests of various ages.
Get the Drinks Flowing
Cold beer, crisp soda, and refreshing lemonade are all great options for your poolside barbeque. Don’t forget to have plenty of water available, too, because people can get dehydrated in a hurry when they’re under the sun all day. Make sure you or someone else has a cooler, and get plenty of ice to go in it. If you’re on a budget, this is a part of the planning where it makes a lot of sense to ask for help. Make sure everyone knows to bring plenty of their favorite drink, then provide some limited options just in case. It’s also a good idea to get plastic cups and maybe a few koozies.
Master the Grill
The grill is where barbeque champions are formed. Before your friends arrive, make sure the grill is working and in good shape. Give it a good brushing to make sure it’s clean for your food. Have a few simple options that you know you can prepare correctly– hot dogs and hamburgers are great for beginners. If you’re cooking chicken, you may want to invest in an inexpensive meat thermometer so you don’t over- or under-cook it. Season the meats in advance, and they’ll be ready to go on the grill when your guests arrive.
Tell your friends what they can expect from you, and let them know they’re welcome to bring anything else they want to satisfy dietary restrictions or personal taste. Don’t be afraid to say yes when someone offers to chip in a side or dessert.
The Day of: General Setup
Go through your checklist again sometime in the morning before your guests arrive. Make sure the portable speaker is charged, and your playlist is prepared. Double-check that there’s a place for everyone to sit, and get your food and drink station set up (ideally in the shade). If there aren’t enough trashcans by the pool, bring some extra garbage bags out so your guests won’t create a mess. Once you’re sure you have enough food, drinks, napkins, and everything else, it’s time to get your swimsuit on and start relaxing.
Apartments for Rent in Phoenix, Arizona
Don’t miss out on hosting great pool parties and barbeques– find a Phoenix apartment community with common spaces that are meant for entertaining guests. Heers Management is proud to offer our residents beautiful, well-maintained common areas that will make your next summer party a massive success. Contact us today to schedule a viewing, and we’ll be happy to show you around the pool area, barbeque grills, and more!