Partying in your pjyamas is now a thing

Pillow fights, pyjama-only dress codes, and foam parties. Why is Mumbai partying like kids at sleepovers?

On April 2, dozens of cities around the world — including London, New York and Sydney — celebrate International Pillow Fight Day. At a pre-decided time, locations like town squares, city halls and parks were invaded by kids and adults alike, in bedtime gear, carrying fluffy pillows. Soon, the pillow fight began, and hundreds of feathers were strewn on the ground.

The annual activity is a huge hit, and it’s easy to see why. Grown-ups getting to behave like 10-year-olds at a sleepover — what’s not to love? In our stress-ridden adult lives, any chance at letting our inner child loose is welcome.

A massive pillow fight party is set to take place next week at Royalty Club, Bandra. Expect DJs, music selected by attendees, and, of course, pillows. Eight hundred of them, say the organisers. Dublin-based events company, The Appreciation Society, is hosting the event.

Its co-founder and marketing director, Rory Dinnigan, says, “There is a large Indian population in Dublin, and having worked with and made friends with these Indian expats, we kept hearing that Mumbai is a great city that would love The Pillow Fight Party tour. We have tested the concept in cities like London and Chicago, and it has always been a great success. The pillow fight aspect of the event brings an extra element of fun to a club atmosphere.”

It’s not just pillow fights, though. Pubs and eateries are hosting pyjama nights, where patrons are encouraged to come sporting nightwear. Hoppipola, a youth-favourite bar, hosted The Frat House last month at its Todi Mills outlet. Apart from a pyjama dress code, there was a giant bed which acted as a photo booth. Mojo’s Bistro in Vashi also held a Slumber Party, where many showed up wearing pyjamas. “People like to have something to look forward to. Combining fun themes with a regular club night allows people to plan ahead and generate excitement among their group of friends,” Dinnigan adds.

But this anti-trend — where you don’t put on your LBD or party shirt, and dress down instead of dressing up — works because of the same reason retro nights or throwbacks work: the nostalgia factor.

“Childhood is the best part of one’s life. We can’t go back in time, but we want people to re-live it,” says Karan Chhawchharia, founder, Eventing Club. Chhawchharia is organising a foam party next week at Kohinoor Continental, Andheri. At the ticketed event, there’ll also be a pool and a DJ.

This trend is likely to work in Mumbai, where people don’t mind if they’re not dressed to the nines. “We noticed a lot of people walk in in their pyjamas, post dinner, to get some dessert. So we thought, why not have a pyjama night?” says Pooja Dhingra, owner of Le 15 Patisserie. Last week, Le 15’s Oshiwara outlet held a pyjama night, with a cheesecake special menu and a surprise tasting session.

Encouraged by the number of people who showed up, Dhingra now plans to host such a night across all three Le 15 Patiserrie outlets in the city. “We’ll introduce more elements to it. We are even going to tie up with Dandelion, a pyjama company,” she says.

If all of this signals that it’s perfectly acceptable to ditch stuffy clothes and walk into your friendly neighbourhood pub in your pyjamas, we’re all for it. After all, having a drink in your most comfortable jammies sounds like the best of adulthood and childhood combined.

Be there

The Mumbai Foam Party will take place on July 17, 4pm onward.

Where: Hotel Kohinoor Continental, Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri (E)

Tickets: Rs 500 onward on eventingclub.in