Dinner Parties Are So Back

When you hear the words ‘dinner party’, what comes to mind? Do you immediately picture white doilies, red wine, and a bunch of adults trying to one up each other on who’s hit the next big adult milestone? Well, you’ll be glad to hear that those days of uptight, performative soirées are over, because Gen Z have completely changed the dinner party game.

If you’ve been on TikTok in the last year, you’ve probably seen at least one ‘hostcore’ video make its way onto your FYP. Cosy apartment kitchens draped in paper buntings, fairy lights, tables covered with flowers, colourful napkins, and taper candles stuck into empty wine bottles. This is what the new age of the dinner party looks like.

Is it a recession indicator? Honestly, maybe. It’s becoming pretty unfeasible for young people to get together and enjoy a meal in a nice restaurant these days, so it’s not surprising that everyone’s deciding to go DIY. And dinner parties really do save you a lot of money, especially if it’s a team effort. It’s very typical for guests to bring their own homemade dishes, drinks or sides with them, relieving them of a lot of pressure and spending. 

@foodieholly_ Host an Italian themed dinner party with me!! This was honestly so cute & so much fun 😋 I highly recommend #dinnerparty #dinnerpartyideas #hostingtips #recipes ♬ A Summer Place – Hollywood Strings Orchestra

Not only are dinner parties more cost efficient, but they’re a great way to spend some quality time with friends. We’ve all got very busy schedules, but most people still manage to take time out of their evenings to have dinner, so why not ask your friends to join you? The idea of the dinner party is also particularly appealing to the millions of young people working from home, where cooking a meal for a group of friends is no longer a massive inconvenience. 

The revival of the dinner party is likely another byproduct of younger generations’ efforts to establish a sense of community. In the age of the internet and social media, it can be hard for young adults to feel properly connected to others, and sharing a meal is a very intimate way to spend time with someone. These tasty get-togethers can serve as a reminder to us that we have people in our lives that genuinely enjoy our company, and want to make the effort to spend time with us. 

Although this new generation of dinner parties are a lot more laidback and casual than those of the past, try not to underestimate how much effort still goes into them. Themed dinner parties, with specific menus, decorations, dress codes and even fun activities have become the norm for these young diners. This is just another way that a host can make sure their guests, and they themselves, are going to enjoy the night and remember it for years to come, without that pretentious stress that used to come with being a host. Now, the priority is enjoying some good food and even better company.

@jadecarlyle I felt like a women💌💘 @Sarah Wood ♬ Golden Hour: Piano Version – Andy Morris

And this sudden surge of appreciation for dinner parties is very real. According to Pinterest’s 2024 Summer Trends report, the app witnessed an increase over over 6000% in searches for “dinner party”. Now, there’s no shortage of inspo for your next dinner party, whether it’s table layout, flower arrangements, seasonal cocktail recipes, or the perfect sourdough recipe.

 There’s a whole cult around this, and rightfully so, because honestly, how could you say no to a good dinner party. All your best mates around one table, a delicious slow-cooked vegetable lasagna in front of you, the cheapest bottle of sauvignon blanc you could find in Lidl, and a pack of cards. A recipe for the perfect evening. 

If we’ve got you in the mood to organise your own dinner party, we’ve made you a little list of ideas to try out if you want your night to really stand out!

• Murder Mystery Night: Come up with a fictional crime for you and your friends to solve around the table.
• Potluck: Get all your guests to bring a different dish, and enjoy a diverse meal that tastes like teamwork!
• Wine and Cheese Night: Now this one’s a classic. A bit of brie and Savvy B? Doesn’t matter if that’s not the right pairing, give it here!
• DIY Burritos: Set the table, put out all the ingredients, and enjoy watching your besties battle against those unfoldable tortilla wraps… and lose.