One of the most rowdy and over-the-top Super Bowl events, memories of the Playboy Party often turn into legends. They’ve been doing this for years, and they’ve steadily grown from an exclusive invite-only party to a 2,000+ guest list. But don’t worry, they try to make sure their event attracts at least 50% women… So what’s it like inside?
Super Bowl 51 Playboy Party
The Playboy Party in Houston was no exception to the brand’s usual crazy glamorous style, but this time they chose to expand it to two nights due to popularity. The events took place in the church turned lavish nightclub, Spire. The former sanctuary made for a roomy main stage, but there was plenty of private space for VIP tables too. Spire is one of Houston’s newest clubs and the Playboy Party helped to break it in after its January 2017 opening. TAO, the international restaurant and nightclub brand, jointly threw the party and provided a few DJs for entertainment
Although filled with crowds, the party was a sexy soiree-style affair. Playmates in those iconic Playboy Bunny outfits greeted guests at the door and provided table service to the packed venue… because um, what else would you expect there? Clad in satin and bowties, they mingled with guests and kindly posing for selfies.
Sponsors included Indian Motorcycle who provided a bike on which guests could pose for pics and a contest where they could enter to win one of their own. And Effen Vodka provided the cocktails for the second year in a row.
A private table at the Playboy Party went for $25,000 last year, but hey, that included VIP bottle service and a private hookah at each table! Regular tickets went for a reported $1,250 on the secondary market.
Always packed with celebs, this year was no different. Jeremy Renner and Chris Evans were there, along with other actors from The Avengers. UFC fighter Dana White was there, along with celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern and rapper Young Jeezy. The owner of the Cowboys, Jerry Jones, and head coach Jason Garrett made an appearance. And of course, there were some famous Playmates from back in the day.
Flo Rida performed his new hits to get everybody pumped, and 50 Cent – apparently unsure whether he was a guest, a performer, or both – also jumped onstage to surprise the crowd. DJs took the reins after that and kept the music going long after the alcohol, with crowds staying until 6AM… reportedly.
Past Playboy Super Bowl Parties
But Playboy always does it big.
For Super Bowl 50 in California, Playboy opted to change its style a bit with a futuristic twist and EDM stars like ALESSO, DJ Politik, and DJ Ruckus. They used this party to help launch their first non-nude issue of Playboy in 2016, giving guests previews through Instagram-enabled vending machines. (Yeah, we know, that exists?)
Celebs like Kendall Jenner and Cuba Gooding, Jr. turned up to watch the famous DJs, and Bud Light helped sponsor the event. Cocktails from a “molecular mixology bar” contributed to the theme, and San Francisco food truck dishes were served to guests. And in your free time, you could even play around with an interactive hologram sponsored by Dodge… whatever that means?!
Other Playboy parties have tried to change it up with guests like Florida Georgia Line for the country music fans… with Nelly there to keep the momentum going just in case.
But it was the 2004 Playboy Super Bowl Party that really went down in history. In Houston before the time of social media, this was Playboy’s 50th anniversary and the stars were out for some debauchery. Those in attendance claim it was like the Playboy Mansion relocated. Or a Disney World for adults. The event was housed in The Corinthian, a neoclassical former bank building with a two story atrium. Perfect for the heaven-and-hell theme dreamed up by Playboy’s “Party Team.”
And it quickly went off the rails. Former members of N’Sync partied alongside pro athletes like Terrell Owens, John Elway, and John Rocker. Jaime Pressly, Pharrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Jenna Bush were all there, and the party reached capacity before Steven Tyler or Jerry Jones could even get inside. The fire marshall capped the entrance of guests at 1,500 by 10:45PM. It was basically “VIP only” inside the party. And everyone else wanted in.
There was an ice luge, a massive chocolate fountain, body painting, and a Playstation area where you could challenge Playmates to a game of Madden. Um, this sounds like a dream, right?
The most exclusive event of that Super Bowl, those who were there can barely believe it happened, and not just because of the bottles of Jack Daniels served up on silver platters.
Verdict: Even though Playboy has slightly lowered the bar on exclusivity since making its parties a little more fan-friendly and opening up its doors to those of us who can afford tickets, it’s still one of the most anticipated parties of the year. There will no doubt be tons of scantily dressed women, booze, food, and great jams. Get your tickets here!
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