Support for venues

Thinking about hosting your first watch party?

Legal clarity and best practice: Clear licensing guidance empowers venues to host confidently, avoiding copyright pitfalls and building sector-wide standards. Make sure you have the correct licence for your event.

Watch parties are emerging as a powerful bridge between the struggling hospitality sector and the public’s craving for communal entertainment. They offer venues a scalable, low-barrier way to reignite footfall, revenue, and cultural relevance.

Here’s how this marriage between hospitality and watch parties can thrive:

Why Hospitality Needs a Revival

• Post-pandemic shifts: Many venues still face reduced footfall and changing consumer habits, especially with younger audiences drinking less and favouring early-evening or sober experiences.

• Economic pressure: Rising costs and competition from delivery services and virtual entertainment have squeezed margins.

• Cultural disconnect: Traditional nightlife formats don’t always resonate with today’s wellness-focused, community-driven audiences.

How Watch Parties Can Reinvigorate Venues

• Built-in audience demand: Reality TV hits like Love Island and The Traitors have massive fanbases eager to experience the drama together. Venues like LA’s Palm & The Pine in the US saw Tuesday revenue surge 5x after launching themed watch parties.

• Flexible formats: From sports finals to nostalgic movie marathons, watch parties can be tailored to different demographics and time slots - perfect for venues adapting to early-bird or sober trends.

• Low-cost activation: Unlike live performances, watch parties require minimal setup - just screens, seating, and themed food/drink. This makes them ideal for venues with tight budgets.

• Partnership potential: Venues can collaborate with streaming platforms, local influencers, or fan communities to co-host events, boosting visibility and credibility.

• Repeatable format and revenue: Weekly or seasonal watch parties create consistent footfall and opportunities for upselling - think themed cocktails, merch, or loyalty schemes. Unlike one-off events, watch parties can run weekly or seasonally, creating reliable revenue streams.

• Midweek footfall boost: Bars and pubs often struggle on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Watch parties fill these gaps with consistent, engaged audiences.

• Cross-demographic appeal: From students to families to fashion fans, watch parties can be tailored to different groups - expanding a venue’s reach.

Watch parties are becoming a powerful driver for going out, especially among audiences seeking low-pressure, social entertainment. They offer venues a fresh way to attract footfall by turning passive viewing into active, communal experiences.