Invite people over at a reasonable hour
First things first: inviting people. Listen, drinks are expensive, and cocktails with dinner does not an easy bill-split make. People do want to drink before the evening's outing but if you're over 25, chances are your friends will start ordering their Ubers home just after 12. (Hey, we're all tired.) In order to avoid a calling off of the main event, start your pregame gathering at a normal cocktail party hour. Say, 7:30?
[Photo via @campcraftcocktail]