A company beach party: summer, perfected

When organising a beach party, the first choice is: do you go to the beach, or do you bring the beach to you?

A beach party at a real beach location: the Netherlands has an extensive range of beach clubs along the North Sea (Zandvoort, Scheveningen, IJmuiden, Bloemendaal) and the IJmeer. Beach clubs are set up for events and offer catering, DJ rigs and beach décor. Advantage: the atmosphere is right by default. Disadvantage: travel distance for staff outside the Randstad, and in high season beach clubs are booked up early. Reserve at least 3 to 4 months in advance.

A beach theme at a venue of your choice: with sand, parasols, sun loungers and the right décor, you create a convincing beach atmosphere. That can be in a garden, on a festival site or even in a company car park. This makes the beach party accessible for staff across the Netherlands, regardless of how close the sea is.

An indoor beach party: a large hall with a sand floor, neon lighting and beach-club décor. A DJ makes it feel like Ibiza. This set-up works well for larger groups (150 or more) and offers the advantage of being weatherproof.

Our recommendation: want to limit travel time and logistics? Then go for a created beach atmosphere at an external venue in your region. The atmosphere can be replicated: the sand, the light and the music do the rest.

For a beach party you have two main categories of venue: beach locations on the North Sea and inland alternatives with a beach concept.

Beach locations on the coast: beach clubs in Zandvoort, Bloemendaal, Scheveningen and IJmuiden offer professional event infrastructure. They're set up for groups of 50 to 500 people, with their own kitchens, bars and audio systems. Cost: rent plus minimum spend, which comes to €60 to €120 per person in total. Book at least 3 to 4 months in advance during the summer season. The most popular venues are fully booked for the whole season as early as May.

In recreation areas with a beach, such as the Amsterdamse Bos, the Maasplassen and the Reeuwijkse Plassen, you can hire beach strips. These venues offer more room for a bespoke set-up and are easier to reach for teams outside the Randstad. Cost: €20 to €50 per person for venue hire, excluding catering.

On your own grounds you set up a beach concept yourself: with a party tent, sand, sun loungers and parasols you build a convincing beach. The sand can be hired through event suppliers. Cost: €15 to €30 per person for the set-up, excluding catering and entertainment.

Our rule of thumb: for groups of up to 100 people, a beach concept on your own grounds or in a recreation area works excellently. For larger groups, or if you really want the atmosphere of the sea, go for a professional beach club.

A beach party without entertainment is a picnic. The programme is what turns it into a party.

Beach games are the backbone of a beach party programme. Think of beach volleyball, beach tennis, beach football, frisbee, water-play kits and beach bowling. These activities work for all ages, are easy to join and create movement and competition. Run them as separate activities or as a beach olympics with teams.

Music is essential. A DJ is the most common choice for beach parties: they adapt the music to the mood and the time of day. An acoustic act or gentle live music during the day and a danceable DJ in the evening is a tried-and-tested set-up. Cost: €400 to €1,200 depending on the duration and the set-up.

Live acts that suit beach parties well: a reggae band, a Caribbean steel-drum band, a samba percussion act or a relaxed jazz duo for the aperitif hours. Cost: €600 to €2,000 depending on line-up and duration.

Extra experience: a photo corner with beach props, a cocktail station with tropical drinks, a sandcastle competition or a tattoo artist. Think of sunglasses, beach balls, parasols and temporary tattoos as props. Budget for extras: €500 to €1,500.

A beach party calls for catering that feels like a holiday: light, fresh, colourful and summery. Not a heavy three-course dinner, but an experience you can eat.

Beach food works best in a market set-up: various stalls or stations with fresh food. Think of ceviche, strawberries with prosecco, oysters, grilled seafood, fish tacos, açaí bowls, or fresh soup for warm evenings. Higher-budget alternatives: a chef cooking live on the beach, a sushi station or a lobster bar.

For a summer drinks menu: tropical cocktails and mocktails, fresh lemonades, neatly stacked spritz glasses, draught beer. Reckon on three to five drinks per person at a four-hour beach party. A welcome cocktail on arrival sets the tone straight away.

Catering budget (excluding alcoholic drinks): €25 to €45 per person for a full beach-food offering. Total including drinks: €40 to €70 per person.

Pay special attention to the vegetarian and plant-based offering: with beach food this is easy to arrange. Think of salad, grilled vegetables, hummus, oysters or fish. Make sure every member of staff can eat something they really enjoy.

A corporate beach party costs roughly €250 to €350+ per person ex. VAT for 250 to 500 guests. For 500 to 1,000 guests, reckon on around €225 to €325+ per person. For 1,000 to 2,000 guests, around €200 to €300+ per person. Above 2,000 guests, around €150 to €200+ per person. All amounts exclude VAT.

Book a beach club in the summer season at least 3 to 4 months in advance.

A beach party that feels like a holiday, but with your team. You don't make that by chance. You make it with the right venue, the right catering and entertainment that fits the mood.

Live Impact organises beach parties for companies of 50 to 500 people. From concept to delivery, from DJ to beach bar.

Call us on 085 401 40 14 or send an email to hello@live-impact.nl.

Seriously fun.