As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an Amazon affiliate link on my pages, I receive a commission based on that qualified purchase. It doesn't cost you any more money and it helps keep the site running.
212 VIP was one of my every once in a while, nighttime favorites. It was a scent that I had to be in the mood for, but it was a fun cologne to wear, when the opportunity arose. It’s flankers have been mostly decent, but I think that Party Fever was my favorite. I recently bought a decant from eBay, as I hadn’t tried it in a few years and wanted to do a full review before it disappeared forever from the secondary market. This is my write up.
What does 212 VIP Party Fever Smell Like?
Notes included: citrus, apple, tonka bean, vetiver, cannabis, juniper, ginger, geranium, and more
My Full Review
Party Fever opens up with apple, ginger, citrus, and cannabis as the most prominent notes. Honestly, if though it is rather distinct from the original, I do get that very familiar 212 VIP smell…just without the booziness.
It’s lightly spiced, fresh, and aromatic. I really like the apple note up top with just a touch of citrus in the mix. It does still have a similar effervescent quality to it like the original does. Not the same, gin and vodka blend, but it is uplifting.
After that, the cannabis and geranium become the stars of the show for a while. The base notes come of from the base to give it a woody/herbal type of aroma with that apple note still lingering around.
Yet, it retains its smoothness and a bit of sweetness throughout. The tonka bean does a very good job at moderating Party Fever and keeping it from being too much about the middle act.
For the rest of the wear, I get a fresh mix of cannabis, cedar, geranium blended with that impression of the original 212 VIP.
Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility
Sillage wise, it’s above average and actually pretty strong initially. It doesn’t come on as strong as the original and never captures that same monstrous projection. However, it doesn’t have that same enveloping thickness, and still does a very nice job.
Longevity for Party Fever is nice, but not amazing. 6-7 hours is what it seems to be capable of on my skin. That’s not too bad and pretty much what you’ll need for most nightlife situations. Not a complete club beast, but it gets the job done.
Seasonally, I could wear this out during the entire year without issue. Mainly, I plan on using this for nights out during this summer and I could’ve done the same in spring to great effect. That’s when it is at its best.
Party Fever for Men is much more versatile than 212 VIP. The original was really limited to nightlife, as it was so loud and boozy. Party Fever, while being a younger man’s fragrance, can be worn in other casual situations more easily.
Obviously, this isn’t a suit and tie style of scent, but it isn’t entire niche in its use case.
Overall Impressions of 212 VIP Party Fever
Overall, do I like 212 VIP Party Fever? I do enjoy it. It’s a more wearable version of 212 VIP with hints of other fragrances and a few surprises of its own.
The performance is solid, it’s not as beastly as the original was, and the smell is attractive. I like that it’s not too heavy and can be worn in the spring and summertime. I’m going to be wearing this off and on, until my mini sprayer is finished.
Naturally, since it’s been discontinued, bottles have been harder to come by. Is it worth the higher price? For under $100, maybe. If you really like this style of cologne, then you might be able to justify it on your individual needs.
For the mass of people? It’s not a must have. It’s a very good fragrance and a nice wear, but not a must have at any price. If you can still find it for cheap somewhere, it’s worth picking up. Even though, I like this and lost my bottle of 212 VIP, I don’t think I’ll be scooping up one of the last packages of Party Fever.
What fragrances smell like 212 VIP Party Fever?
212 VIP– The 212 VIP DNA is very noticeable in its flanker fragrance. This one is louder, heavier, and more of a club beast. At least, the bottle I had from 2015 was, not sure if it’s been reformulated or not since. It’s not going to give you the same versatility or warmer weather wear, but it can be a good alternative to Party Fever.
La Nuit de L’Homme Eau Electrique– Apple, citrus, geranium, and the base notes almost all overlap between Party Fever and Eau Electrique. However, Electrique is heavier on the tonka bean and vanilla, which gives more thickness and is more suited for colder weather.
Invictus– In terms of the actual smell, Invictus and Party Fever are two pretty distinct fragrances. However, there’s something about their styles, that makes me compare the two. Youthful, sweet aromatic colognes. If you like one, you’ll probably like the other. I prefer Party Fever, though.
Bad Boy Le Parfum– Yes, the cannabis note. No, it’s not the same, but it shares part of the same vibe. Also: citrus, vetiver, and geranium. Bad Boy Le Parfum is spicier and drier than what you get from Party Fever, but presents a nice alternative with a lot less of the fruitiness. My Review
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
User Review
( votes)
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.