Nobody in the UK has their own pool so we don't do what American TV had led me to believe are true 'pool parties' (I'm imagining the end of High School Musical 2, but with less Zac Efron).
But I do have fond memories of friends' birthday parties where we'd go to the local swimming pool and have junk food after.
I have never been to a "pool party". That's not really a thing here. Well, bonfires neither. I mean I like pools. But I would rather go to a bonfire party. (Been to some bonfires.)
Pool party. I think bonfires are boring, and heat makes me super uncomfortable. I am very sensetive to extreme heat, so whenever someone has a big fire like that I have to sit as far away as possible from it. I also don't like marshmallows.
It's always just a little too cold, so everyone is always bundled up. And there's always that one girl with a huge blanket. I feel like at a bonfire the night always ranges from somebody almost dying, to quiet meaningful talks with your friends. And I love it.
Watching some of your friends try to be macho and start a fire can also be pretty funny.
Only downside is the smell of smoke all over your clothes afterwards.
Both are super fun, I guess I prefer pool parties because I like home pools better, and usually when we have pool parties we barbecue, get rummy, and light tiki torches =D With bonfires they're most fun when done at a beach where you can go swimming too, I love night swimming.
I've never really been one for swimming, though I don't hate it. I've been to more pool parties than bonfires, so bonfires feel a bit more unique and fun due to their rarity. So yeah, bonfires get my vote.