'Love Island USA' watch parties have reached 'Super Bowl' levels of 'excitement'
In Washington, D.C., on July 8, fans gathered at the tropical-themed Royal Sands Social Club to enjoy food and drinks while watching the latest episode. The sold-out watch event was hosted by local event group Something Different.
"If you look inside the bar, it's ironically, very 'Love Island' themed, in a way, they have what looks to be like a villa of their own," co-founder Chance Albury told USA TODAY. "Being able to provide that atmosphere makes it an automatic draw."
Something Different hosts game nights, skate parties, and other community-focused events as an alternative to the city's robust nightlife scene. The bar exploded during Episode 32's dumping when Taylor and Clarke were sent home after receiving the fewest votes.
When Something Different dropped their initial flyer for the "Love Island" series, it was met with a good reaction.
"People love it. I remember the first one that we hosted. I was very shocked to see the outcome and the way that people engage with the show," Albury said. "I think that was incredible. It felt like a sports game."
'Love Island USA' Season 7 cast: See every islander so far
'Top tier'
Triniti Lemmons, 25, said she felt a similar feeling during a watch party at Texas Live!, a bar in Arlington. The show was plastered on multiple jumbo screens inside the establishment.
"I'm a huge sports fan, so it honestly gave me the same excitement of watching an intense football game with a group of people," she stated. "I knew that going to the watch party, I'd get the chance to talk about what was going down in the episode in real time with my friends."
Lemmons decided to attend the event after seeing how "Love Island" watch parties were gaining traction online. The reality dating series centers around a group of contestants looking for love in a Fijian villa. The show airs six days a week on Peacock, keeping fans entertained and invested throughout the summer.
"This is my Super Bowl," tennis star Coco Gauff cheered in a recent TikTok video after fan favorites Nic and Olandria re-coupled up on the show.
The drama-filled Season 7, which premiered on June 3, has become a massive hit on the streaming platform. From viral moments to the growing fandom's in-depth discourse, it's hard to escape "Love Island" content on the timeline.
"Getting to watch it on such a big screen, as if I were at a movie theater, was just top tier," Lemmons added.
People are seeking community, organizer says
Craft and Yap founder Tiffany Menzies' "Love Island" watch party at Driftwoods Sports Grill, based in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 26, attracted an estimated 170 people.
"We filled the patio, and we even had some, like, overflow in another room where we put some TVs in case there was a demand for it, but people loved it," Menzies said.
"Everybody was chatting and watching it, and screaming and having reactions to the different scenes and challenges, so it was really fun."
The party featured specialty bites fitting for the occasion, like calamari rings called "Tentacles of Temptation" and "Love Triangles & Loaded Lies" waffle fries.
Whether attending solo or with friends, Menzies said people are seeking genuine community.
"It's just reality TV, but I think the bigger picture within it is that people just want to all be involved in something and chat with each other," she added. "It's nice to see people just relax and be silly and yell at the screens together over stupid stuff. Sometimes we need that."
'Love Island' watch party flyers are flooding social media
There's no centralized place to search for "Love Island" watch parties, but social media has served as a bulletin board for many bars and restaurants hosting them across the country, capitalizing on local fans' interest.
And many organizers are getting creative. For instance, Something Different partnered with a medical spa to give attendees a "bombshell giveaway." They are offering winners a custom glow facial, two free lip fillers, and a tox sprinkle.
"Whether you're a bombshell looking to turn heads or just want to feel a little more muggy-season ready, we got you covered," the event group posted.
Although the watch parties are not as romantic as Huda's "dream" beach date, it is still a "cute" idea for Sunday's season finale.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
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