The Only Pool Party Guide You Need This Summer

It's not officially summer until you've hit up at least one pool party.

Jun 20, 2015
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Complex Original

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Your skin is tanning, your clothes are getting stickier, and that layer of sweat along your forehead is seemingly impossible to get rid of. That can only mean one thing: summer is approaching. But rather than complaining in your pricey apartment about your air conditioning bills, get outside. Better yet, head to a poppin’ pool party in your area. You know there’s bound to be one around the corner—especially if you live in NYC, L.A., or Vegas. Enjoy the sun (because come winter, you’ll be crying), enjoy some good music, good people, and great cocktails, and basically just enjoy life. Here’s the only pool party guide you need this summer to get you started. These parties are so lit that you better bring some floatation devices, just in case.

Atlantic City: Epic Saturdays at The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s Resort

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When: Saturday nights

Admission: Varies with DJ

What to wear: We know it’s a pool party but you can’t show up in trunks and flip-flops. This club requires business casual attire.

What to Drink: If you’re headed to Atlantic City because you want to save on a flight, we say splurge on some Bacardi bottle service.

You don’t need to wait ’til the weather’s a scorcher to enjoy The Pool After Dark. Get away from the grime of the NYC and head to Atlantic City this weekend for a night by the shore in one of Jersey’s go-to destinations. An enclosed, all-windowed space at the Harrah’s resort, The Pool After Dark’s weekly installment, Epic Saturdays, boasts a pretty campy celebrity DJ lineup that you wouldn’t believe. Unexpected names include Brody Jenner, Lance Bass, and Aaron Carter. You’re guaranteed to have tons of stories to tell your friends the next morning. Atlantic City used to be the place where your grandma would play nickel slots. Now it’s a bustlingly atmosphere for New Yorkers who want to get away and get their drink on.

Boston: Sun & Moon at the Rooftop at Revere

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When: All day Sundays

Admission: $20 for men; free for women with RSVP

What to wear: During the day, swimwear, shorts, tanks, and summer dresses. At night, probably a more business casual look.

What to drink: Rumor has it that the staff at Revere is gorgeous, so you have to order something impressive. Order a stiff drink, and don’t go for well liquor.

It doesn’t have to get crazy for it be a party. On Sundays, Rooftop at Revere opens its doors to everyone looking to sunbathe, snack, and sip some cocktails by the pool, and sway to some music. Not to mention that the massive outdoor space boasts art sculptures and lush greenery to appreciate, as well as cabanas with cooling ventilation. You know it’s an amazing place to pick up women with the combination of art, booze, and free admission for the finer sex.

Chicago: Upcoming Events at EnV

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When: Varies

Admission: Varies with event

What to wear: Swimwear or casual

What to drink: Whatever is provided by the event

Last August, Gilt City hosted its annual pool party at the EnV apartments in Chicago, featuring a star-studded lineup. First up was their ‘Betty Who Better Than Backstage Pool Party,’ that encouraged you to enjoy choice cocktails, a cool dip in the pool, and a live performance by Betty Who. Previous headliners include Of Monsters and Men and MS MR. If you’re not one to share a space with sweaty bodies during Lollapalooza, be sure to keep an eye out for the next annual pool party at the EnV, which happens around the same time. The magic of the city of Chicago lies in its hellish winters. When the sun finally starts to appear, every Chicagoan gets a little stir-crazy. This is not a crowd to miss when it comes to partying. 

Las Vegas: Encore Beach Club at Wynn

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When: Thursdays-Sundays

Admission: Varies with DJ

What to wear: Swimsuit, all the way. It gets a little crazy, so we also recommend a waterproof phone case.

What to drink: It’s going to be a long day of drinking at Encore Beach Club, and this is where a lot of people mess up. Don’t waste your cash on numerous beers; order a strong mixed drink and sip it until the DJ comes on.

Anyone who’s anyone DJs at Encore Beach Club. Just check out the upcoming lineup. To name a few, here are its regular acts: Zedd, David Guetta, Diplo, Kaskade, and Avicii. Screw the chaos of EDC—Encore Beach Club’s got you covered when it comes to enjoying the best dance music every single weekend. Not to mention, Encore is basically the go-to destination for L.A. socialites who are looking to brag at work the next day about their insane weekend in Vegas. Cop those bragging rights for yourself.

Las Vegas: Marquee DayClub at The Cosmopolitan

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When: Friday and Saturdays mornings

Admission: Varies with DJ

What to wear: Swimsuit—the more skin shown here the better. But uh, no speedos please.

What to drink: Fishbowls! This is Vegas after all. Get one to share with your friends and earn bragging rights.

You can never go wrong with Marquee. Based in Vegas’ bustling new city center, now the trendy heart of the Strip, Marquee never fails to deliver exactly what you want. It’s got two pools, several bars, and a gaming area, which you can enjoy if you’re not already getting down to Benny Bennassi or Politik. If you’re looking for a day club to beat the desert heat, start with Marquee. It’s the new name on everyone’s lips.

Los Angeles: NightSwim at The Tropicana Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel

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When: Tuesday nights

Admission: Free

What to wear: Your nicest swimsuit, because you’ll want to dress to impress. 

What to drink: You can’t go wrong at Tropicana; their drink menu is on point. Close your eyes and point to any beverage.

You can’t get any trendier in L.A. than NightSwim. For the City of Angels’ most social residents, NightSwim is also an option on Tuesday nights. Yes Tuesday, because here the weekends are for sleeping in or going to Vegas. Set at the famed Roosevelt Hotel, NightSwim has historically invited some of the most mind-blowing artists to the deck. Past guests have included Thom Yorke and Questlove. There have also been also pop-up shops to browse and underwater photo booths to capture the night’s craziest memories.

Los Angeles: Playa Escondida at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel

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When: Saturday and Sunday afternoons

Admission: Free

What to wear: Playa Escondida is a type of place where anything goes, but you still want to look put together. Some wear swimsuits, others dress business casual.

What to drink: The Perfect Storm is one of their most popular cocktails.

Set on a roof deck at The Mondrian Hotel, Playa Escondida is a nice alternative on a weekend day to the crowded Cali beaches. Not to mention, here it’s legal to enjoy an alcoholic beverage and dance to blasting music from the choice DJ of the week. Don’t worry about crowding around the pool area either. Skybar offers lounge chairs, tables, and a grassy area that’ll make you feel like you’re just kickin’ it at your coolest friend’s house.

Miami: Swim Club at Hyde Beach at SLS South Beach

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When: Saturday and Sunday afternoons

Admission: Varies

What to wear: Swimsuits, sunscreen, and your game face. Swim Club at Hyde Beach is insane.

What to drink: If you want to keep your wits about you, it’d be smart to go slow. But Miami is a hard town to do that in, so just be pure. Take a shot, grab a drink, and sip it.

If you’re in Miami, it’s a must to hit up a pool party. There’s no better choice than Swim Club at Hyde Beach. The venue’s third location after Las Vegas and Los Angeles, this Hyde is surely stepping it up. On Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy music from a rotating lineup of DJs that includes William Geslin and Patrick Pizzorini, in addition to YSL. And if you’re tired of just wading the pool, Hyde Beach’s oceanfront location leaves you steps away from fully enjoying the sands of South Beach.

New Orleans: Adults/Swim, WET at the W

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When: Sundays

Admission: $10

What to wear: Your swimsuit and your best straight face. New Orleans citizens are known to sneak into hotel pools—this is an honest way to get in.

What to drink: Anything to make you seem like a local.

Not to be outdone by the rest of the country, New Orleans has their own summer pool party, and you know this city knows how to party. On Sundays at the rooftop pool of the W, beat the humidity with some poolside drinks, good music, and an occasional swimsuit fashion show to feast your eyes on.

New York City: Summer Pool Parties at JIMMY at The James Hotel

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When: Saturdays and Sundays

Admission: Free

What to wear: Swimsuits or business casual

What to drink: You’re in Manhattan, so drink a Manhattan with Bacardi 8. Not your style? Order a classic cocktail, like a Bacardi and coke, instead.

The Hamptons are pretty sweet and all, but you don’t always need to trek that far for a solid water-side party. Not only does SoHo’s The James Hotel offer signature cocktails and snacks, but it also offers panoramic views of the city that never sleeps. It’s a nice spot to relax, get away from the surface-level subway smell, and truly soak in the Big Apple.

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