The modern key party

The night

Say yes or no, talk, check in, then one reveal.

You answer about one person at a time: one photo and one name. The reveal shows one match, and only when both people said yes.

1. 1

   Say yes or no in private

   Before the night, you look at one person at a time: one photo and one name. Your own partner is never someone you answer about. Yes or no stays on your phone, and you can change it until the deadline.

2. 2

   Talk with the room

   The group chat opens when you join, so the room can talk before the party and before anyone checks in. Guests do not message each other in private. A message to the host is a private note only the host and co-hosts see.

3. 3

   Check in at the door

   Each guest has a door code and a QR pass. The host checks you in for the reveal. If you would rather not take part, tell the host.

4. 4

   One match, together

   The host starts the reveal. Every phone waits about ten seconds. Then you see one person, and only because both of you said yes. A private no stays private.

Two other ways to run the room

Read how a modern key party works, visit the hosts hub, or go back to the homepage.

Before anyone arrives

The host sends one private link per couple. An open room can include singles. Everyone confirms they are 18 or older, agrees to the house rules, and adds a name and a photo. If the host edits the rules, guests agree to the new version before they answer again.

Each answer is yes or no on one person at a time. You can change an answer until the deadline. Partners can compare answers before that lock. Each person sees the other's yes or no. A one-sided yes is not a hint.

The group chat opens when you join. Icebreaker prompts can post once a day before the party if the host leaves them on. Use the room to tease and to sort logistics. Use Message host if you need a private word with the host or a co-host.

The door, then the reveal

The street stays held until the host releases it. Do not ask the chat for the address. When it is out, you get the street, the map, and Open in Maps. At the door you show the pass. Only the host checks you in. Sitting out means telling the host, not skipping a button.

The host starts the reveal. Phones wait a short countdown. You see one person: one photo and one name, because both of you said yes. If both people sent a stronger yes, the reveal can say so. You do not get a list of every match. Later rounds, if the host set them, are still one person at a time.

If both partners needed to finish and one did not, that couple is not in the reveal. The host can see who finished. The host does not read nos to the room. After the name comes up, house rules still run the rest of the night.

A guest checklist

Read the rules with your partner before you answer. Use a photo that matches the person at the door. Finish both sets of answers if the host required that. Change a yes or a no before the deadline if you need to, and do not announce it.

Keep the real party name and other people's photos inside the app. Email already refuses to carry the party name. Do not put it back on a story. If the night is not for you, tell the host and leave. A first quiet no is a complete answer.

Ten seconds, then one name

The host starts the reveal when the room is actually in the room. Every phone holds for about ten seconds. Then the name comes up. You see one person, one photo and one name, and the match is there because both of you said yes. You do not get a grid of everyone who liked you. If the host scheduled another round, that reveal is still one person, later in the night.

You get one stronger yes for the party. If you used it on the person who comes up, the reveal can say you sent it. If they sent you one too, the reveal says you both did. A stronger yes is not a match by itself, and it does not override a no. The match is still a yes that went both ways. A private no stays private.

Partners, and a deck left half done

You and your partner answer on your own. Your own partner is never someone you answer about. You can compare answers before the deadline. Each of you sees the other's yes or no. Change a yes or a no before the lock. Do not narrate the change in the group chat.

If the host required both partners to finish and one of you did not, that couple is left out of the reveal. The host can see who finished. The room cannot. Sitting the night out is a sentence to the host, not a secret button. You show a door code or a QR pass. Only the host checks you in.

One Saturday, told straight

Picture eight couples in a straight room, with answers due Friday night. The street is still held. Chat has a place name and a dress note. One icebreaker posted on Thursday, because prompts go out once a day before the party starts. Nobody asked the room for the address.

Saturday the host releases the street, the map, and Open in Maps. At the door they scan the passes. Two people say they would rather sit out. Those two are not checked in. When the rest are ready, the host starts the reveal. Ten seconds. One name. House rules still cover phones, touching, and the ride home.

FAQ