From Casual to Formal – 10 Ideas & Activities for a Successful Corporate Party in Los Angeles

9 mins read
From Casual to Formal – 10 Ideas & Activities for a Successful Corporate Party in Los Angeles
August 23, 2024
9 mins read

Let’s face it—the standard corporate party can feel a bit stale. So why settle for the ordinary?

Your office gathering can be so much more than finger food and small talk in a city as dynamic as Los Angeles!

From activities that spark inspiration and creativity to interactive entertainment that helps your team bond, we’ll help you plan an unforgettable event that ensures everyone feels valued and connected.

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Office Party Classics with a Twist

🌍International Potluck

rental kitchen in LA
Bond over an international cooking session with your team at Jikoni Studios in Little Tokyo.

A potluck can transform a simple party into an exciting opportunity to bond with your team. Plus, you can make your event more engaging by asking your team to prepare dishes from international cuisines

Start this activity by assigning countries to members of your team, and then bring everyone together to share that nation’s signature dish

For an even more engaging experience, you can rent a large kitchen where team members cook their assigned international dishes together.

To enhance the international theme, consider decorating the event space with flags, traditional tablecloths, or other cultural artifacts. You can also play music from various countries to help set the mood! 🎵

🎤Karaoke Night

entire venue at tang dynasty 1
Enjoy a karaoke session at an exciting bar, Entire Venue at Tang Dynasty

Karaoke is always a hit, especially when the party gets warmed up, and everyone is feeling more relaxed. As you and your team bond over everyone’s favorite songs, the energy in the room are sure to be contagious!

Here are some unique twists to add to your event:

  • Decade Duels – Divide your team into groups and have them compete in karaoke battles featuring songs from different decades.
  • Blind Karaoke – Blindfold one member of each team and have them attempt to sing a song while their teammates guide them.
  • Karaoke Roulette – Create a survey before the party asking everyone to submit their favorite songs. Then, create a wheel of songs and have participants spin it to determine the songs they will sing.

These fun twists will keep the energy high and the competition fierce during your event!

You could also offer prizes for categories like “Best Performance,” “Most Enthusiastic Singer,” and “Best Duet” to ensure that everyone has a chance to shine. So, make sure to prepare some fun awards!

🏆Bingo Game

corporate event venue la 1
Host an exciting bingo game at The Mint, a vibrant party bar in Pico-Robertson.

Are you ready to forget everything you know about bingo? Get ready to experience the game like never before!

We’re talking about a bingo showdown that will have your colleagues on the edge of their seats, eager to outdo each other and win fantastic prizes!  

You can customize the game to fit your company’s culture by incorporating industry-related terms, achievements, or inside jokes into the bingo cards.

For example, include squares with  “closed a big deal,” “most likely to be caught napping at their desk,” or “coffee run champion”.

And the prizes? You can offer everything from tech gadgets to spa vouchers!


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Outdoor Corporate Gatherings

🏊‍♀️Pool Party 

rooftop pool in LA
Unwind and enjoy summer vibes at the Broken Shaker in the Financial District.

Bring your whole office to a fun-filled pool party where you can enjoy delicious food and refreshing drinks in a relaxed atmosphere!

You can also include exciting activities like water volleyball, pool noodle races, and a friendly contest for the best cannonball splash!

Pool party venues in Los Angeles, such as Cabra Los Angeles in DTLA and Backyard Swimming Pool Oasis in Mar Vista, are perfect locations to host a corporate gathering with the excitement of a summer bash. 

🏖️Beach Day

beachfront venue in LA
Book a beachfront party venue like Modern Boho Beach House in Playa del Rey for your corporate event.

A day at the beach is more than just sand and surf; it’s an opportunity for team building and relaxation in an idyllic setting!

You can start the day with a morning yoga session by the sea, followed by a sandcastle-building competition or beach Olympics with activities like tug of war, frisbee golf, and relay races.

After working up an appetite, end the day with a beachside BBQ and bonfire!

Renting a beachfront party venue like Modern Boho Beach House is a fantastic way to enhance the experience with amenities like outdoor seating, fire pits, and even beachfront cabanas.

⛵️Party on the Water

Rental boat in LA
Enjoy a day filled with enjoyable activities like karaoke on the water at Island Boat MDR: Dock 55 sailing from Marina del Rey.

Board a majestic yacht and embark on a scenic journey along the breathtaking Los Angeles coastline!

Take your team on an exclusive cruise that blends the serene beauty of the sea with the thrill of sailing. You can organize various activities from gourmet dining under the stars to spotting marine life in their natural habitat.

Check out party boat providers sailing out of Marina del Rey, such as The Blue Moon Dolphin Cruises and Luxury Yacht Charter, for an unforgettable adventure with your team!

Explore unique venues for corporate events!

Browse our collection of stylish and versatile venues perfect for gatherings in LA.

Inspirational Experiences

🖼️Private Museum Tour

private art museum tour in LA
Get inspired by the latest art exhibition at one of LA’s renowned museums.

Dive into the world of art with a private museum tour, a unique and educational corporate party experience.

Los Angeles boasts many museums, such as LACMA, where your team can enjoy exclusive tours of current exhibitions.

You can also enhance the cultural experience by arranging for an art historian or exhibiting artist to guide your tour, providing deeper insights into the artworks.

This activity will spark inspiring conversations among your team, which could lead to a masterpiece of collaboration in the workplace!

🧐Vision Board Workshop

seminar room in LA
Rent an inspiring workspace like Ethos Society Koreatown and share each other’s vision.

Empower your team’s aspirations with a vision board workshop! A corporate party is a great opportunity to engage your team in a creative and reflective activity that encourages them to visualize their goals and dreams.

Supply magazines, posters, markers, glue, and boards, and then guide your team through the process of selecting images and words that represent their hopes and dreams. 

To make it more exciting, you can suggest a fun dress code related to dreams or aspirations. This could be “wear something that represents your dream vacation” or “dress like your future self.”

Not only does this activity offer a relaxing break from the usual corporate routine, but it also opens up avenues for team members to learn and support each other’s goals!

🍸Origami and Cocktails

LA corporate party activity
Try origami with your team and decorate your office afterwards!

Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, which transforms a flat sheet of paper into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques. 

Without the use of cuts or glue, origami pieces can range from simple shapes, such as paper cranes, flowers, and geometric figures.

All you need is a variety of origami paper in different colors and patterns, along with patience and precision, to create beautiful origami pieces. Inviting an expert to teach some basic and a few complex folds can add an extra layer of enjoyment as well.

Additionally, you can set up a DIY cocktail or mocktail station where team members can mix their own drinks. 

Along with a base liquor, offer a selection of unique Japanese liqueurs like yuzu (citrus), umeshu (plum), or matcha (green tea), so everyone can fold and sip delicious beverages while enjoying the art of origami!

🗣️TED Talk-Inspired Sessions

presentation room in LA
Invite speakers to a welcoming environment like the House of Cocotte in DTLA!

Bring inspiration and fun to your corporate party with TED-style presentations! 

Let the members of your team take the stage to present their passions, hobbies, and experiences outside of work.

You can choose a lighthearted theme for the presentations and give an award, such as “Most Inspirational Talk,” “Best Use of Humor,” and “Most Unexpected Hobbies of Our Colleagues.”

Alternatively, you can invite local comedians or improv artists in LA to give short, fun talks instead of serious business topics!


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To Wrap Things Up

We hope these ideas have inspired you to take your next corporate party in Los Angeles to the next level.

By incorporating these activities and venues in Los Angeles, you can create a memorable event that brings your team closer together along with fostering creativity and inspiration, which will ultimately lead to increased productivity and success in your business endeavors!

Remember, the key to a successful corporate party is to make it fun, engaging, and inclusive so everyone feels valued and connected.

Don’t settle for boring!

Find a venue with unique character and style that will have your team talking for weeks to come.

Q&A

What are some ways to include remote employees or those unable to attend the team building?

You can offer live streaming of key moments or speeches and consider virtual participation options, such as interactive games via video conferencing platforms like Zoom. Additionally, providing a detailed agenda and timeline for the event can help remote employees feel more included and informed about what is happening.

How do I create a seating arrangement that facilitates networking?

Mix guests from different departments or levels of seniority and consider using round tables to encourage conversation. Name cards can also help guide seating while also making guests feel welcomed. Read more on our blog post about event seating arrangements to determine the best seating plan for your corporate party.

What are some great themes for a corporate party in LA?

Great themes for a corporate party in Los Angeles could be “Hollywood Glamour,” where guests dress as iconic movie stars, “Beach Bash,” where attendees wear tropical attire and enjoy beach-themed decor, or “Tech Innovation,” which focuses on cutting-edge technology and futuristic elements. Discover more ideas on our blog on 170 Greatest Themes for Parties!

What are some tips for reducing waste at corporate events?

Choose digital over printed materials, encourage the use of reusable or compostable items, and plan food portions carefully to minimize waste. Partner with organizations to donate leftover materials or food.

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From Casual to Formal – 10 Ideas & Activities for a Successful Corporate Party in Los Angeles