How to Plan a Weekend Potluck Party at a Farmhouse Near Bangalore?

Last month, I was very tired and had no energy because of all the sounds from outside the city and the fast stressful life in bangalore. I really wanted to feel calm and quiet in my mind. I also deeply wished to spend real, meaningful time with my close friends or loved ones. That’s when the idea struck — how to plan a weekend potluck party at a farmhouse near Bangalore? I saw many people sharing pictures and stories of these kinds of get together on apps like Instagram or Facebook. But I didn't just want to watch, I wanted to actually do it myself and feel how it really is. So I took the first step to make it happen.

 I called my friends and made a plan to do something special not at a crowded hotel, but at a quiet farmhouse with nature all around us. And what happened? It turned out to be one of the best weekends we’ve had in a long time. We felt calm and happy. We laughed a lot, ate delicious food, and talked for hours while sitting outside under the night sky. This blog is not just a list of steps. It also shares the real story of what we did and how it felt — so that you can use the same idea and plan your own amazing weekend potluck party.



1. Shortlisting the Perfect Farmhouse

We started talking in a relaxed and informal way in our whatsapp group with friends. I gave the idea to plan a weekend potluck party, and in just a few minutes, 10 friends said yes and agreed to come. The first thing was we had to find a good farmhouse that matched our energy vibes. That was:

• Within 90 minutes from Bangalore

• Surrounded by nature but with good roads

• Had basic amenities like a kitchen, outdoor area, clean restrooms, and maybe a small pool or play area

We looked at several farmhouses online on rental sites. After comparing them, we finally chose and booked a nice farmhouse near Sarjapur. The farmhouse had a big open grass area (lawn), looked simple and natural (rustic charm), and also had a place where we could light a bonfire. Believe me, the place you chose creates the overall mood or feeling for the event. A good location makes the party more enjoyable. When people reach a calm and quiet farmhouse, they naturally forget their worries and enjoy the present time.

We picked this farmhouse mainly because someone else had said very good things about it.

They shared their good experience in a blog, and that made us feel confident about booking it.

That blog gave tips and suggestions about how to plan a weekend potluck party in a farmhouse near Bangalore.

It talked about what to do, what to carry, and how to organize the event.

That blog post (or web link) was really useful to us.

It gave us helpful information that made our planning easier.

The blog also showed pictures or ideas about how to arrange things at the farmhouse in a fun and smart way.

We saw how to decorate, where to set up food, where people can sit, etc.

2. Confirming the Guest List & Group Coordination

This part was a little difficult, I had to make sure that people didn't cancel their plans at the last moment. I created an online document(using Excel Sheets) that I shared with everyone, so they could all see and edit it together.

• Confirmed their attendance

• Selected a dish to bring (starter, main course, dessert, or beverage)

• Mentioned any special dietary needs.

We planned the food in a smart way. We made sure that different people brought different types of food, like:

• Vegetarian dishes (without meat or eggs)
• Non-vegetarian dishes (with meat, like chicken or fish)
• Desserts (sweet items like cake or gulab jamun)
• Finger foods (small snacks you can eat easily with your hands, like samosas or chips)

By doing this, we made sure that there was a mix of all types of food, not just one kind. Also, it was easier for everyone, because one person didn't have to do all the cooking. Everyone shared the work by bringing one dish each.

We also used that same shared sheet to coordinate rides and assign roles like:

• "The DJ" who brings the speaker

• "The Organizer" who handles farmhouse booking and check-in

• "The Supplies Person" for disposables, tissues, garbage bags, etc.

This group effort actually brought everyone closer even before the event began.

3. Planning the Potluck Menu (Where the Magic Happens)

The potluck part was the most fun. We made sure the menu had:

• A welcome drink (lemon juice or cold coffee)

• Two starters (one veg, one non-veg)

• Three main course items (like veg pulao, chicken curry, parathas)

• One dessert (gulab jamun)

• Snacks like chips, cookies, and some soft drinks for the evening

All the people, friends or guests were feeling very happy and looking forward to the event. They wanted others to see and taste the special food items they are the best at cooking. I really feel this way. The food had a special feeling because it was made by friends, with love and effort — not by strangers. Food made by a hotel or restaurant (catered meal) does not feel as special or personal as this homemade food.

We also came across a useful website or article online. The website or blog was about organizing a potluck party, It included food suggestions or a list of what dishes to prepare. The food should still taste good without warming it up again. This kind of food is ideal when you are at a farmhouse, where kitchen equipment may be limited.

• One of my friends cooked a special chicken dish from Andhra Pradesh. It's a spicy and tasty dry chicken recipe that he is known for.

• Another person in our group made brownies — these are soft, sweet chocolate cakes cut into square shapes.

• I cooked a large amount of vegetable pulao (a rice dish with mixed vegetables and spices) using an electric rice cooker, which makes it easier to prepare and doesn't need a gas stove.
• We wrote names for each food item on small papers or cards and placed them next to the dishes so everyone knew what the food was.

• We arranged all the food neatly on one big table.

This table was kept outside, in the open area, not inside a room. It felt like a picnic or outdoor lunch.

4. The Drive and the Arrival Experience

• Our group started the journey from Bangalore on Saturday morning at 8:30 AM.
•  We used three cars to travel. The roads were not crowded or busy, so we reached the farmhouse (which is in Sarjapur) by 10 o’clock in the morning. 
• As soon as we walked into the farmhouse area... We instantly felt calm and relaxed, like a wave of peace washed over us. 
• There were no loud car horns like in the city. It was quiet. 
• We saw open lands covered with green grass or crops all around. The air had a fresh, natural smell — like soil after rain.

We turned on calm and relaxing music in the background while we were arranging everything for the party — like putting chairs, setting up the tables, and organizing the space. The boys placed the chairs in the shade, under the trees, so everyone could sit comfortably. At the same time, the girls took care of arranging the table — like spreading the tablecloth, placing plates, food containers, and other decorations. After just one hour of setting things up, the area looked so beautiful and well-decorated — just like the pretty picnic places you see in travel magazines or online pictures. It felt peaceful, stylish, and perfect for a fun weekend with friends.

A good potluck party is not only about eating together — it should have a smooth schedule so everyone knows what to do next. This helps people relax and enjoy each moment. This is how we planned our own potluck day, step by step.

Between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM:

• Guests started arriving at the farmhouse.

• We played simple, fun games like Uno (a card game) and cricket.

• Light background music was playing to set a happy mood.

This time was kept casual so people could settle in, relax, and enjoy themselves.

At 1:00 PM, we all sat down to eat lunch together.

• Everyone brought their own homemade dishes (that's what a potluck means).

• We arranged the food outside in a shaded area so it was cool and comfortable.

By 3:00 PM, we were ready for more fun.

• Some people got into the swimming pool and played water games.

• Others played with a frisbee (a plastic disc you throw and catch) on the lawn.

• This part was about being active and playful.

In the evening at 5:30 PM, we served

• Hot tea for a refreshing break.

• Homemade cake brought by one of our friends.

• It was a cozy tea-time moment to relax after all the fun.

At 7:00 PM, we lit a bonfire (a small controlled fire built outdoors).

• We sat around it in a circle.

• Played light music, and

• Shared stories — funny, personal, or emotional ones.

By 9:00 PM, we were all a bit tired.

• We ate a small dinner using leftover food from lunch.

• Then we lay on mats or sat quietly, looking up at the stars.

5. Adding Activities That Brought Joy

The farmhouse had a speaker — a device to play music. It was not very big, but it was good enough for us.

So, during lunchtime, we played soft Bollywood songs. They were simple and used instruments like guitar or piano — not loud or full of beats. One of our friends carried his own guitar to the farmhouse.

As we sat near the bonfire (a fire lit outdoors for warmth and fun at night), he started playing the guitar. The whole moment felt magical, like something very special, peaceful, and full of joy.

We played:

• Dumb Charades

• Antakshari

• Board games like Taboo and Jenga

A peaceful and natural place like a farmhouse makes even small games (like UNO, charades, or catch) feel more fun and enjoyable than usual. In that calm environment, people are not busy with their phones or work. Everyone is focused on having fun and enjoying each other's company. We brought yoga mats with us. We not only used them for yoga or sitting, but also used them as a relaxing area ("chill zone") beside the swimming pool, where we could lie down or sit comfortably.

6. Wrapping Up, Cleanup, and Respecting the Property

The following day, when we got up, the air smelled very clean and fresh. Someone had also made tea, so the smell of tea was in the air. A few people in our group took a small walk outside, maybe around the farmhouse or nearby nature. The rest of the group stayed back, relaxed, and chatted with each other. Once we finished eating breakfast, we started cleaning the place. We picked up any trash or waste and made sure everything looked neat. 

We wanted to leave the farmhouse just as clean as it was when we arrived. Cleaning up after the party is a very important part of potluck tradition. It shows that we are thankful to use the space and also responsible for keeping it clean. The person who owns the farmhouse praised us. He said we worked well together as a team. He also mentioned that many other groups don’t clean up as nicely as we did. Just before we left the farmhouse, all of us stood together under a mango tree and took one final photo. This picture would remind us later of the beautiful and fun day we had.

Conclusion

 If you want to take a break from the busy and noisy life in the city and spend quality time with your loved ones, doing something fun and meaningful, you need to know how to plan a weekend potluck party at a farmhouse near Bangalore.This is more than just a party or gathering. It feels like healing for your mind and heart. You get to spend peaceful, happy time with the people you love — enjoying tasty food, having fun, and being close to nature.

For Dozzy Farmhouses Download Playstore  App Store and website : https://www.dozzy.com/bangalore

FAQ 

1. How do I choose the right farmhouse for a weekend potluck near Bangalore?

Answer:

Choose a farmhouse within 90 minutes of Bangalore that offers a peaceful natural setting, has clean restrooms, a basic kitchen, a lawn, and maybe even a pool or bonfire space. Check online reviews, rental platforms, or blogs from people who’ve already been there. A place with a calm vibe and greenery helps set the right mood for the event.

2. How can I make sure friends actually show up and don’t cancel last minute?

Answer:

Share a simple online document (like an Excel sheet on Google Drive) where everyone can confirm their attendance, choose the dish they’ll bring, and coordinate tasks. This way, people feel involved and are less likely to cancel. Assign fun roles like “DJ”, “Organizer”, or “Supplies Person” to keep everyone excited and accountable.

 3.What kind of food should we bring for a farmhouse potluck party?

Answer:

Bring homemade dishes that don’t need to be reheated — like pulao, dry chicken curry, samosas, chips, brownies, or cold coffee. Mix vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, along with snacks, desserts, and drinks. Label dishes clearly with small name cards, and set everything up on a table outdoors for a picnic-style lunch.