Early party: the party trend that ends before midnight

Jakarta (ANTARA) - For some people, a party is synonymous with loud music, dance floors and activities stretching into the small hours. However, that perception is gradually shifting with the emergence of the early party trend.

The concept refers to parties that begin in the late afternoon or early evening and finish earlier, before midnight.

The early party phenomenon offers a different way to enjoy the party atmosphere without sacrificing sleep. The concept has attracted adults who still want to have fun but do not wish to wake up late or feel exhausted the next day.

In Jakarta, for instance, the concept was recently brought by Above30Club at Vault Jakarta in South Jakarta. The event, held on Saturday (22/8), started at around 3pm and ended at 8pm Western Indonesia Time.

Rather than waiting for night to fall, guests were already filling the dance floor by late afternoon. R&B and hip-hop music popular in the 2000s took centre stage, bringing a nostalgic atmosphere through songs by artists such as Alicia Keys, Usher, Ne-Yo and Beyonce.

At its core, the early party offers a simple proposition: have fun earlier so the night can still be used for rest.

For office workers, parents and anyone with early morning commitments, partying into the early hours often means paying the price the following day. Sleep is reduced, the body feels tired and productivity can suffer.

The early party concept seeks to change that habit. A party no longer has to begin when most people are preparing for bed.

It is unsurprising, then, that the concept aligns closely with today’s lifestyle trends, which prioritise a balance between entertainment and health. People can still meet friends, listen to music, dance and enjoy the party atmosphere without drastically altering their sleep schedules.

A similar early-evening party concept has also been held at Naaga Bar in the Menteng area of Central Jakarta, where events likewise finish before the early hours.

The idea on offer is straightforward: party earlier and finish before the late night. In doing so, guests still have time to rest before returning to their routines the following morning.

The phenomenon shows that an early party does not always mean one that starts in the afternoon. The timing may vary, as long as the core concept remains the same: shifting the party earlier and avoiding activities that run into the small hours.

A similar phenomenon has in fact already developed in a number of cities outside Indonesia. One example is the Earlybirds Club in the United States.

According to a report by The Guardian, the Earlybirds Club was founded in Chicago by Laura Baginski and Susie Lee, two women in their forties. The concept was created for women as well as transgender and non-binary groups who have jobs or morning responsibilities but still want the chance to dance and enjoy themselves with friends.

Those parties start at around 6pm and usually end at around 10pm.

Interestingly, the Earlybirds Club events also rely on nostalgic music from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. The concept turns parties into not merely a place to dance but also a space for nostalgia.

Its popularity has since grown. After holding its first event in Chicago, the concept was taken to several other American cities, including Brooklyn and Los Angeles.

According to its founders, the age range of attendees is more varied than initially expected. Beyond women in their forties and fifties, the events have drawn women in their sixties and even seventies, as well as younger generations.

The rise of the early party reflects a shift in how some people view evening entertainment. A party does not always have to run until 2am or 3am to be considered enjoyable.

Indeed, for some, time has become an important factor. They want the social and entertainment experience while still having the chance to get enough sleep and carry on with their activities the next day.

This also aligns with growing attention to more balanced lifestyles. After a full day of work or juggling responsibilities, people still need space to unwind and enjoy time with friends.

The difference is that the fun can now happen earlier.

Although the early party concept largely targets office workers, parents and the millennial and Gen X generations, this does not mean younger people cannot join in.

Generation Z, increasingly familiar with healthy lifestyle trends, could also become part of the phenomenon. After all, the early party offers a compromise between social life and the need to maintain adequate rest.

Ultimately, the early party is not merely about moving party hours from night to afternoon. The phenomenon signals a change in how people enjoy entertainment.

Whereas parties were once considered more exciting the later they ran, there is now a group who feel more comfortable when the party ends before they have to sacrifice their sleep, as summarised from various sources.