The magic of a pool party, is that it's gloriously casual. You don’t need a seating chart or chandeliers and there’s no pressure to match your napkins to your menu font or plan the perfect toast. Someone is balancing a tray of spritzes, there's a spontaneous cannonball and a sea of sunglasses sitting on top of big smiles. Unlike evening soirées or candlelit dinners, pool parties gather us under a very specific kind of spell of sunshine and easy-breezy childlike joy. They belong to inflatable flamingos and daylight instead of formal fancy dresses and the darkening of dusk where the pool is the entertainment.
Pools: The Original Group Gathering Venue
Historically, pools have always been social spaces. From the Roman thermae (where political debates took place) to the mid-century motel pools that served as makeshift cocktail lounges, pools were never just for swimming. They were the stage for seeing and being seen, the original social network.
By the 1960s, the pools of Italy’s Amalfi Coast had become synonymous with la dolce vita. Jackie Kennedy and famous film starts like Sophia Loren, Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart were spotted sporting swimsuits next to the iconic striped cabanas we all still love. Resorts in Capri set the scene with blue-and-white parasols, sparkling terraces, and Campari-fueled afternoons that made the world fall in love with the "Italian summer". Poolside was where glamour went to tan. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, 1970s motor lodges turned Americana into a vibe: kitschy neon signs, low-slung loungers, and happy hour margaritas in motel-branded tumblers. A gathering at the pool was a rite of passage, and that bright, nostalgic palette still informs the way we design summer to this day.
And of course...Slim Aarons, the photographer who practically invented the art of pool party voyeurism. From Palm Springs to the Amalfi Coast, his lens captured beautiful people doing beautiful things at beautiful pools. For decades his timless images have inspired us all to host poolside lunches with stripes, champagne and towers of shrimp cocktail.
No Shoes, No Seating Chart, No Problem: The Joy of a Poolside Gathering
Why is it that pool parties can transport us to the past more effortlessly than almost any other kind of gathering? Maybe it’s because they haven't changed all that much, and that’s exactly the charm. Gatherings by the pool, feels like a vacation in time because phones are usually left behind (because, well… water), and for a few golden hours, we’re untethered. We trade texts for talking IRL waist-deep in water and the aesthetic hasn’t evolved much either, thank goodness! Striped umbrellas still flap in the breeze like they did on the Amalfi Coast in the ‘60s. High-waisted swimsuits, caftans, kimonos and cat-eye sunglasses are still chic poolside uniforms not because they're trendy, but because they’re timeless.
The magic of the pool party is that it doesn’t try too hard, and yet it gives you everything because it’s retro without being ironic and chic without being curated. Unlike other parties that demand the perfect tablescape or a trend-forward theme, the pool party asks very little of us. There are no seating charts, florals that must be fluffed and no dress code beyond “dry or damp.” The design is already built in with sunlight reflecting on aqua water, terry cloth towels in citrus tones and a speaker playing disco or Dean Martin, depending on the crowd. Pool parties are daylight escapism with a permission slip to slow down, to be playful and to gather without a strict dress code. Just like decades ago, it’s all still remarkably simple. A good playlist, chilled drinks, and a gathering of friends and family is more than enough. Sometimes the most unforgettable parties don’t have seating charts.. they have cannonballs.
There’s also the magic of setting. Unlike traditional party venues, pool venues often come with a built-in aesthetic that’s part design, part nostalgia, and entirely transporting. Whether it’s a boutique hotel in Palm Springs or a countryside estate with a stone-trimmed lap pool, these spaces evoke a bygone glamour.
When the umbrellas are striped and the swimsuits are high-waisted,
it’s hard to tell if you’re in 2025 or 1965 (and that’s the point).
Easy Peasy Pool Party Snack + Drink Ideas:
The other beauty of pool parties are the simple snacks you can serve. While pool parties themselves capture the simple glamour of an age gone by, the menu itself just as nostalgic and simple:
1. Watermelon wedges with lime & tajín: Just slice, squeeze, sprinkle and serve.
2. Shrimp cocktail towers: Retro, chic, and refreshing. A Slim Aarons classic that feels like vacation on a tray.
3. Mini lobster rolls (or crab rolls): East Coast luxury, poolside edition. Bite-sized and breezy.
4. Cucumber & dill tea sandwiches: Pool party meets garden party. Serve with edible flowers for bonus photogenic points.
5. Caprese skewers: Cherry tomato + mozzarella + basil + balsamic drizzle = the perfect one-handed snack.
6. Popcorn with olive oil, rosemary & sea salt. Light, crunchy, and crowd-pleasing. Serve in striped paper cones.
7. Guac & fresh chips: Don’t overthink it. Everyone always wants this, even the glam guests.
8. Frozen grapes or chocolate-dipped strawberries: Poolside elegance meets effortless prep.
9. Crudité cups with hummus or green goddess dip: Individual servings = no mess, no double dipping, no regrets.
10. Chilled noodle salad in mini cups: Asian-inspired, zesty, and surprisingly refreshing. Bonus points for sesame crunch.
And the drinks are simply served best from chilled cans:
1. Serve canned or glass Italian sodas with crushed ice and citrus wheels: Let guests mix their own with flavored syrups, soda water, and fresh fruit.
2. Spiked cucumber mint lemonade: Make ahead and put in pitcher, add vodka, gin, or just sparkling water.
3. Aperol spritz pitchers: Classic, citrusy, and made for groups. Garnish with orange slices and rosemary sprigs.
4. Rosé in cans or split bottles: Low effort, high style, and no broken glass near the pool. Cheers to that.
5. Cucumber spa water: Always chic. Always needed. Add mint or lemon slices to keep it cool and classy.
Find more poolside cocktail recipes here →
You’re Invited: VR Swim Club
We rounded up the most iconic pools to gather at before summer slips away. From cabana-ready boutique stays to venue spaces made for sunset swims and poolside dinner parties, these are the places that turn "just a swim" into the story you’ll still be telling next year.
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