The Best Virtual Parties To Turn Your Living Room Into A Club This Weekend

The internet cannot be defeated. The world wide web has (for the most part) been a source of refuge in a time where social-distancing is the new normal amidst the global coronavirus pandemic. We’re using Zoom to communicate with our co-workers, we’re checking in with friends via group Facetime, and now, because we can’t hit up our fave weekend spots for the foreseeable future, we’re turning up online.

In the past week, virtual parties have popped up all over our Instagram feeds. One in particular, hosted by L.A.-based DJ D-Nice, ran for nine hours straight on Instagram Live and drew in over 100,000 guests (who joined virtually and watched) like Rihanna, John Legend, Michelle Obama, Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah, and Missy Elliott. Partygoers have dubbed it Club Quarantine, calling it “the biggest party in the world.”

Virtual parties aren't just fun, they help us feel connected especially in a time when so much social isolation can lead to loneliness. The best part is there’s no velvet rope, no dress code, and everyone gets a booth.

So, while the days of hitting the club with your girls are on pause for now, why not check out some of the hottest parties online? Ahead, we’ve put together a list of the best virtual parties from a black-tie gala event (yes, you read that right) to slow jams to dancehall parties. Some are re-occurring, and others are one-time-only, so get ready to come out and show out from your living room.

DJ D-Nice, real name Derrick Jones, hosts Club Quarantine on his Instagram Live every day at 5:00 p.m. EST. Once the party is over, you can check out his curated throwback playlist titled “Homeschool” on Spotify.

Questlove, drummer for the Grammy-Award winning band The Roots, spins the finest in R&B, reggae, dancehall, and slow wine on YouTube daily at 10:30 p.m. EST.

In Toronto, Club Q, an online queer dance party with over 20,000 followers, runs every night at 9:00 p.m. EST on Zoom. The party features resident DJs, drag queens, and guest performances from local and international talent — including a set by British pop icon Charli XCX. (According to the Huffington Post, there’s even a virtual bouncer who’ll “click out” partygoers for any hate speech.) The code to join is announced daily on the Club Q Instagram bio. The party is free, but donations are accepted through PayPal to support DJs and guest performers financially affected by the shutdown of Canada's bars and restaurants.

This virtual party definitely calls for a couch fort. Brooklyn-based photographer and filmmaker Tyler Mitchell will be live-streaming his favourite movies and videos straight from his computer — for 24 hours. The theme is "Americana/ I Can Make You Feel Good" and will include films like Boogie Nights, The Farewell, Rapture, and Solange's director cut for When I Get Home. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. EST on icmyfg.com and a full schedule can be found on his Instagram page. Go on, grab your jammies (that is if you’re not already wearing them).

URGNT Live is a Toronto-based online venue that promotes social-distancing by presenting events virtually. Tonight at 8:00 p.m. EST, is a hip hop party headlined by Quincy Morales and Treymane StayOutLate with live performances featuring Charlie Noíír and special guest DJ Wavy Oasis. You can join the turn up via Maclean's Magazine’s Facebook live or URGNT.ca.

This Toronto tropical dance party city is hitting your fave browser. Sounds will be provided by resident DJs Me Time and Danny Thrax. The event page says it best, “just because we can’t sweat the dancefloor doesn’t mean we can’t still sweat together.” The party starts at 9:30 p.m. EST and is free to attend. However there’s a donation option to support organizers. 

Remember when wearing shoes to go out was just something normal you did? Yeah, that feels like a distant memory, but ALDO is stepping in to liven up your weekend. Starting at 8 p.m. EST tune into ALDO’s Instagram Live for a night of music and dancing with DJ Mansa. The dress code is simple, wear your party shoes and BYOB.