How to Create a Playlist for a Stock the Bar Party

While all you really need to throw a decent party is some food and drinks, add some music and you may be able to have a great party. Create your playlist in advance to set the mood for your stock the bar party.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stereo System
• DJ
• Mixed CD or DVD filled with music
• CDs or records

Create a Playlist for Your Stock the Bar Party

1. Find music that matches the theme, if you have one, as the basis of the playlist. You probably don't want to go overboard or your guests won't enjoy the music, so avoid being too literal. For instance, choose rockin' surf music for a luau instead of a playlist full of hula songs.

2. Mix in theme based songs with music your guests will definitely enjoy. If you don't have a theme, throw in a drinking song every now and then.

3. Find a good variety of music, so that everyone can dance to something. Unless your stock the party is a private affair with only your closest friends who all have the same taste in music, try to create a playlist that crosses several genres.

4. Plan to play more mellow music towards the end of the night. This will help people wind down and get ready to go home.

5. Settle on your playlist a few days before your stock the bar party, and then burn a few CDs or a DVD full of songs. Pre-mixing the music means you don't have to keep switching CDs.

6. Create a playlist on your digital music player and then just leave it on random all night. All of your music will be pre-selected to fit your party. Plus, your player can probably hold more music than you will ever need.

7. Consider hiring a DJ for larger parties, so you don't have to worry about the music during the event. Discuss the playlist with the DJ before the night of the party.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask some of your more musically inclined friends to bring mixed CDs to play at the party. Let them handle the playlist, so you don't have to worry about it.
• Put someone in charge of the music, making sure that something is playing at all times. She can also control the volume.
• If you don't want people dancing, keep the volume low on the music, so that it is obviously background music.