Maxim Magazine: Party The Right Way

1. Determine the Chosen Ones
The ideal ratio of women to men is 60:40. “A female-dominated room has great energy,” says Nathan Ellis, founder of Syndicate, a New York–and L.A.-based event-planning firm. And don’t be afraid to mix worlds. “No one wants to only see people they already know,” Ellis says. “Invite a degree or two away from your core social group—but not five. Hedge fund guys and indie rockers probably won’t hit it off.”

2. Provide Social Lubricant
Stock a cooler with canned domestics. When it comes to the hard stuff, vodka’s always the first to go, so make the ratio of spud juice to other hooches 2:1. But keep it cheap, advises Jack Stanley, owner of Cactus Jack’s Tex-Mex bar and restaurant in Portland, Oregon: “Have a high-end brand, but nobody needs to pour the good stuff into Red Bull.” Other essentials: rum, whiskey, Scotch, and tequila.

3. Show ’Em Your Ditties
Party music has just one purpose: Make. Girls. Dance. “Aggressive songs tend to put guys in an aggressive mood and put girls off,” says Paul Sevigny, DJ and co-owner of New York hot spot the Beatrice Inn. “If girls are dancing, everyone’s having fun.” Sevigny suggests femme-friendly artists like Mary J. Blige and TLC. And the guaranteed crowd pleaser? “Playing Prince is like cheating to DJs,” Sevigny says.

4. Be the Host With the Most
“Hit the dimmers as people come in,” says Ellis. “Too much light will make guests scatter. The first rule of partying is that everything looks better in the dark.” Amen! This is how hot girls end up making out with your chubby, balding, grateful friends. No dimmers? Cut the overhead lights and string up white Christmas bulbs. Just don’t light any candles; open flames and clumsy drunks don’t mix.