Lisa
Game nights are growing in popularity due to high-profile celebrities hosting gatherings that feature old-school games, like spades, poker, various board games, mahjong, UNO, Jenga, dominoes, and more.
The Roots drummer, cookbook author, and film producer, Questlove (I’m a fan girl), is the OG of game night. Although I know some bridge-playing grandmas that might disagree. Questlove has been doing these game nights since the pandemic. What started as inviting his friends to his farm in Upstate New York has turned into a hot ticket with big-name celebrities vying for an invite.
GQ recently had a long article on how celebrity game nights are all the rage. They highlighted Questlove, as well as music and fashion mogul Pharrell, who hosted a post-Met Gala Uno tournament in a banquet room in NYC’s Meatpacking District. Recently, Actor Timothée Chalamet skipped the standard five-star Oscar nominee dinner for a private poker night, which he hosted in partnership with Cartier.
I see these game nights as a way to catch up with friends, share some great food, and bust out my highly competitive side. We don’t have any Cartier swag (I wish!), but bragging rights are definitely the gift that keeps giving.
On the last Sunday evening of each month, 3 of my besties and I gather (we rotate houses) to play Rummikub. We’ve been doing this for a little over a year. It’s sort of a potluck with the host determining a food theme. We’ve done “summer cold dishes only”, “breakfast for dinner”, “make your own pizza”, “taco night”, “Asian-inspired fare”, and so many others.
In fact, picking the food theme has also gotten a bit competitive. I’m lucky that our small gamer group is comprised of foodies who can really cook. It can be as simple as the host making crockpot chili, one of us making cornbread, and the other bringing a salad with jalapeno dressing.
Still, our goal is always to make the food part easy so the host doesn’t bear all the burden of cooking when we arrive, or spend a lot of money. Since the focus is supposed to be on the actual game, we try to have as little “cooking” as possible, with everyone’s dish already being prepped when they arrive. There might be a bit of heating in the oven. Balance between easy and delicious is the endgame.
Tips for Hosting a Small, Regular Game Night
Keep It on a Schedule
- Pick a consistent day (like the last Sunday of each month) so it becomes part of everyone’s routine. Weekly is often too big a commitment.
- Rotating houses helps spread out the work and keeps the experience fresh.
Set a Food Theme
- Potluck style keeps costs low and pressure off the host.
- Pick simple, creative themes like “Nacho Average Night,” “Soup + Bread,” “Mediterranean Mezze,” or “Retro Snack Attack.”
- Keep dishes easy to prep ahead so the host is not stuck in the kitchen while others are rolling dice.
Establish the Game Plan
- Decide in advance which game(s) will be played. This avoids wasting time on indecision.
- If you rotate games, keep a running list so everyone gets a chance to pick their favorite.
- For longer games (like Monopoly), have a backup shorter option in case people want to switch gears.
- Set an end time. It can be 3 games or done by 10 pm, whichever comes first.
Set the Atmosphere
- Clear off a big enough table or push tables together for space.
- Good lighting and comfortable seating go a long way for multi-hour sessions.
- Have some background music. It should be fun but not distracting (think playlists, not karaoke). Last month, my classic funk playlist had folks breaking out spontaneous dance moves several times. Entertaining and hilarious, but a bit disruptive.
Balance Competition and Fun
- Game nights are about connection, not just winning. Encourage lighthearted trash talk, but keep it friendly and respectful.
- House rules should be clear (and agreed on) to avoid disputes.
Make It Inclusive
- Rotate game choices so everyone gets to shine; strategy lovers, word-game fans, and casual players alike.
- Keep a few easy-to-learn games on hand for guests or new players.
Streamline Hosting Duties
- Encourage guests to BYOB or share a signature cocktail/mocktail. This also keeps costs low for the host.
- Use disposable or easy-to-wash dishes and serving ware so cleanup doesn’t kill the vibe.
- Keep snacks and drinks within reach of the table so gameplay doesn’t stop every 10 minutes.
Capture the Memories
- Snap a few group photos or game-action shots to share in a private group chat.
- Consider a “winner’s notebook” where you track bragging rights across gatherings.
A Few Pro Tips (basically, what I’ve learned)
- If you play the same game every time (like poker or bridge), it might be best to have a smaller, set group of people. Newcomers might not know the rules. And very often “regulars” just want to play, not spend time explaining.
- If you rotate invitees, pick games that aren’t overly complex.
- Print out basic rules and cheat sheets for newcomers.
- Set a time to start playing. It’s easy to start gabbing and catching up during the food portion of the event (especially if the group is larger) and forget about the game.
- If you have a game night where multiple games are being played at once, make sure to set a time for people to rotate to other games.
Game nights don’t have to be glamorous celebrity affairs to be unforgettable. With a little planning, a rotating schedule, and a balance of good food and friendly competition, they become the kind of tradition everyone looks forward to. Whether it’s bragging rights, laughs, or simply spending time together without distractions, hosting a regular game night is less about the cards or tiles on the table and more about the connections you build around it.s, or simply spending time together without distractions, hosting a regular game night is less about the cards or tiles on the table and more about the connections you build around it.
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