diff --git a/bower.json b/bower.json
index 0575241efe..51d060e599 100644
--- a/bower.json
+++ b/bower.json
@@ -41,7 +41,9 @@
     "sticky": "1.0.3",
     "swagger-ui": "wordnik/swagger-ui#v2.0.24",
     "smart-app-banner": "78ef9c0679723b25be1a0ae04f7b4aef7cbced4f",
-    "habitica-markdown": "1.2.2"
+    "habitica-markdown": "1.2.2",
+    "pusher-js-auth": "^2.0.0",
+    "pusher-websocket-iso": "pusher#^3.1.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "angular-mocks": "1.3.9"
diff --git a/config.json.example b/config.json.example
index c7551fff04..a6b4fd0cf1 100644
--- a/config.json.example
+++ b/config.json.example
@@ -67,9 +67,10 @@
         "GCM_SERVER_API_KEY": "",
         "APN_ENABLED": "true"
     },
-    "FIREBASE": {
-        "APP": "app-name",
-        "SECRET": "secret",
-        "ENABLED": "false"
+    "PUSHER": {
+        "ENABLED": "false",
+        "APP_ID": "appId",
+        "KEY": "key",
+        "SECRET": "secret"
     }
 }
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index b2cdaed6ae..1ea9b6965e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -31,8 +31,6 @@
     "express": "~4.13.3",
     "express-csv": "~0.6.0",
     "express-validator": "^2.18.0",
-    "firebase": "^2.2.9",
-    "firebase-token-generator": "^2.0.0",
     "glob": "^4.3.5",
     "got": "^6.1.1",
     "grunt": "~0.4.1",
@@ -80,6 +78,7 @@
     "pretty-data": "^0.40.0",
     "ps-tree": "^1.0.0",
     "push-notify": "habitrpg/push-notify#v1.2.0",
+    "pusher": "^1.3.0",
     "request": "~2.72.0",
     "rimraf": "^2.4.3",
     "run-sequence": "^1.1.4",
diff --git a/test/api/v3/integration/user/auth/POST-firebase.test.js b/test/api/v3/integration/user/auth/POST-firebase.test.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 7ebd5a20cb..0000000000
--- a/test/api/v3/integration/user/auth/POST-firebase.test.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-import {
-  generateUser,
-} from '../../../../../helpers/api-integration/v3';
-import moment from 'moment';
-
-describe('POST /user/auth/firebase', () => {
-  let user;
-
-  before(async () => {
-    user = await generateUser();
-  });
-
-  it('returns a Firebase token', async () => {
-    let {token, expires} = await user.post('/user/auth/firebase');
-    expect(moment(expires).isValid()).to.be.true;
-    expect(token).to.be.a('string');
-  });
-});
diff --git a/test/api/v3/integration/user/auth/POST-user_auth_pusher.test.js b/test/api/v3/integration/user/auth/POST-user_auth_pusher.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..02691d0845
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/api/v3/integration/user/auth/POST-user_auth_pusher.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+/* eslint-disable camelcase */
+
+import {
+  generateUser,
+  requester,
+  translate as t,
+} from '../../../../../helpers/api-integration/v3';
+import { v4 as generateUUID } from 'uuid';
+
+describe('POST /user/auth/pusher', () => {
+  let user;
+  let endpoint = '/user/auth/pusher';
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    user = await generateUser();
+  });
+
+  it('requires authentication', async () => {
+    let api = requester();
+
+    await expect(api.post(endpoint)).to.eventually.be.rejected.and.eql({
+      code: 401,
+      error: 'NotAuthorized',
+      message: t('missingAuthHeaders'),
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('returns an error if req.body.socket_id is missing', async () => {
+    await expect(user.post(endpoint, {
+      channel_name: '123',
+    })).to.eventually.be.rejected.and.eql({
+      code: 400,
+      error: 'BadRequest',
+      message: t('invalidReqParams'),
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('returns an error if req.body.channel_name is missing', async () => {
+    await expect(user.post(endpoint, {
+      socket_id: '123',
+    })).to.eventually.be.rejected.and.eql({
+      code: 400,
+      error: 'BadRequest',
+      message: t('invalidReqParams'),
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('returns an error if req.body.channel_name is badly formatted', async () => {
+    await expect(user.post(endpoint, {
+      channel_name: '123',
+      socket_id: '123',
+    })).to.eventually.be.rejected.and.eql({
+      code: 400,
+      error: 'BadRequest',
+      message: 'Invalid Pusher channel type.',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('returns an error if an invalid channel type is passed', async () => {
+    await expect(user.post(endpoint, {
+      channel_name: 'invalid-group-123',
+      socket_id: '123',
+    })).to.eventually.be.rejected.and.eql({
+      code: 400,
+      error: 'BadRequest',
+      message: 'Invalid Pusher channel type.',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('returns an error if an invalid resource type is passed', async () => {
+    await expect(user.post(endpoint, {
+      channel_name: 'presence-user-123',
+      socket_id: '123',
+    })).to.eventually.be.rejected.and.eql({
+      code: 400,
+      error: 'BadRequest',
+      message: 'Invalid Pusher resource type.',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('returns an error if an invalid resource id is passed', async () => {
+    await expect(user.post(endpoint, {
+      channel_name: 'presence-group-123',
+      socket_id: '123',
+    })).to.eventually.be.rejected.and.eql({
+      code: 400,
+      error: 'BadRequest',
+      message: 'Invalid Pusher resource id, must be a UUID.',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('returns an error if the passed resource id doesn\'t match the user\'s party', async () => {
+    await expect(user.post(endpoint, {
+      channel_name: `presence-group-${generateUUID()}`,
+      socket_id: '123',
+    })).to.eventually.be.rejected.and.eql({
+      code: 404,
+      error: 'NotFound',
+      message: 'Resource id must be the user\'s party.',
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/website/client/js/controllers/chatCtrl.js b/website/client/js/controllers/chatCtrl.js
index 73aa1ab060..891abed5f6 100644
--- a/website/client/js/controllers/chatCtrl.js
+++ b/website/client/js/controllers/chatCtrl.js
@@ -29,13 +29,14 @@ habitrpg.controller('ChatCtrl', ['$scope', 'Groups', 'Chat', 'User', '$http', 'A
     $scope.postChat = function(group, message){
       if (_.isEmpty(message) || $scope._sending) return;
       $scope._sending = true;
-      var previousMsg = (group.chat && group.chat[0]) ? group.chat[0].id : false;
-      Chat.postChat(group._id, message, previousMsg)
+      // var previousMsg = (group.chat && group.chat[0]) ? group.chat[0].id : false;
+      Chat.postChat(group._id, message) //, previousMsg) not sending the previousMsg as we have real time updates
         .then(function(response) {
           var message = response.data.data.message;
 
           if (message) {
             group.chat.unshift(message);
+            group.chat.splice(200);
           } else {
             group.chat = response.data.data.chat;
           }
diff --git a/website/client/js/controllers/guildsCtrl.js b/website/client/js/controllers/guildsCtrl.js
index 34a1ab23a1..ec548cb35f 100644
--- a/website/client/js/controllers/guildsCtrl.js
+++ b/website/client/js/controllers/guildsCtrl.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
-habitrpg.controller("GuildsCtrl", ['$scope', 'Groups', 'User', 'Challenges', '$rootScope', '$state', '$location', '$compile', 'Analytics',
-    function($scope, Groups, User, Challenges, $rootScope, $state, $location, $compile, Analytics) {
+habitrpg.controller("GuildsCtrl", ['$scope', 'Groups', 'User', 'Challenges', '$rootScope', '$state', '$location', '$compile', 'Analytics', 'Pusher',
+    function($scope, Groups, User, Challenges, $rootScope, $state, $location, $compile, Analytics, Pusher) {
       $scope.groups = {
         guilds: [],
         public: [],
diff --git a/website/client/js/controllers/partyCtrl.js b/website/client/js/controllers/partyCtrl.js
index d6efe9a32a..6f2974703a 100644
--- a/website/client/js/controllers/partyCtrl.js
+++ b/website/client/js/controllers/partyCtrl.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
-habitrpg.controller("PartyCtrl", ['$rootScope','$scope','Groups','Chat','User','Challenges','$state','$compile','Analytics','Quests','Social',
-    function($rootScope, $scope, Groups, Chat, User, Challenges, $state, $compile, Analytics, Quests, Social) {
+habitrpg.controller("PartyCtrl", ['$rootScope','$scope','Groups','Chat','User','Challenges','$state','$compile','Analytics','Quests','Social', 'Pusher',
+    function($rootScope, $scope, Groups, Chat, User, Challenges, $state, $compile, Analytics, Quests, Social, Pusher) {
 
       var user = User.user;
 
diff --git a/website/client/js/controllers/rootCtrl.js b/website/client/js/controllers/rootCtrl.js
index 3e3429da98..b2c85ceafe 100644
--- a/website/client/js/controllers/rootCtrl.js
+++ b/website/client/js/controllers/rootCtrl.js
@@ -7,14 +7,19 @@ habitrpg.controller("RootCtrl", ['$scope', '$rootScope', '$location', 'User', '$
   function($scope, $rootScope, $location, User, $http, $state, $stateParams, Notification, Groups, Shared, Content, $modal, $timeout, ApiUrl, Payments, $sce, $window, Analytics, TAVERN_ID) {
     var user = User.user;
 
-    var initSticky = _.once(function(){
-      $timeout(function () {
-        if (window.env.IS_MOBILE || User.user.preferences.stickyHeader === false) return;
-        $('.header-wrap').sticky({topSpacing:0});
-      });
-    });
+    // Setup page once user is synced
+    var clearAppLoadedListener = $rootScope.$watch('appLoaded', function (after) {
+      if (after === true) {
+        // Initialize sticky header
+        $timeout(function () {
+          if (window.env.IS_MOBILE || User.user.preferences.stickyHeader === false) return;
+          $('.header-wrap').sticky({topSpacing:0});
+        });
 
-    $rootScope.$on('userUpdated',initSticky);
+        // Remove listener
+        clearAppLoadedListener();
+      }
+    });
 
     $rootScope.$on('$stateChangeSuccess',
       function(event, toState, toParams, fromState, fromParams){
diff --git a/website/client/js/services/chatServices.js b/website/client/js/services/chatServices.js
index 4020c9dd92..b6eab706a0 100644
--- a/website/client/js/services/chatServices.js
+++ b/website/client/js/services/chatServices.js
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 'use strict';
 
 angular.module('habitrpg')
-.factory('Chat', ['$http', 'ApiUrl', 'User',
-  function($http, ApiUrl, User) {
+.factory('Chat', ['$http', 'ApiUrl', 'User', 'Pusher',
+  function($http, ApiUrl, User, Pusher) {
     var apiV3Prefix = '/api/v3';
 
     function getChat (groupId) {
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ angular.module('habitrpg')
         url: url,
         data: {
           message: message,
+          pusherSocketId: Pusher.socketId, // to make sure the send doesn't get notified of it's own message
         }
       });
     }
diff --git a/website/client/js/services/pusherService.js b/website/client/js/services/pusherService.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..14198b249c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/website/client/js/services/pusherService.js
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+'use strict';
+
+angular.module('habitrpg')
+.factory('Pusher', ['$rootScope', 'STORAGE_SETTINGS_ID', 'Groups',
+  function($rootScope, STORAGE_SETTINGS_ID, Groups) {
+    var settings = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(STORAGE_SETTINGS_ID));
+    var IS_PUSHER_ENABLED = window.env['PUSHER:ENABLED'] === 'true';
+
+    var api = {
+      pusher: undefined,
+      socketId: undefined, // when defined the user is connected
+    };
+
+    // Setup chat channels once app is ready, only for parties for now
+    var clearAppLoadedListener = $rootScope.$watch('appLoaded', function (after) {
+      if (!after) return;
+      clearAppLoadedListener(); // clean the event listerner
+
+      if (!IS_PUSHER_ENABLED) return;
+
+      var user = $rootScope.user;
+
+      // Connect the user to Pusher and to the party's chat channel
+      var partyId = user && $rootScope.user.party && $rootScope.user.party._id;
+      if (!partyId) return;
+
+      api.pusher = new Pusher(window.env['PUSHER:KEY'], {
+        encrypted: true,
+        authEndpoint: '/api/v3/user/auth/pusher',
+        auth: {
+          headers: {
+            'x-api-user': settings && settings.auth && settings.auth.apiId,
+            'x-api-key': settings && settings.auth && settings.auth.apiToken,
+          },
+        },
+      });
+
+      api.pusher.connection.bind('error', function(err) {
+        console.error(err);
+        // TODO if( err.data.code === 4004 ) detected connection limit
+      });
+
+      api.pusher.connection.bind('connected', function () {
+        api.socketId = api.pusher.connection.socket_id;
+      });
+
+      var partyChannelName = 'presence-group-' + partyId;
+      var partyChannel = api.pusher.subscribe(partyChannelName);
+
+      // When an error occurs while joining the channel
+      partyChannel.bind('pusher:subscription_error', function(status) {
+        console.error('Impossible to join the Pusher channel for your party, status: ', status);
+      });
+
+      // When the user correctly enters the party channel
+      partyChannel.bind('pusher:subscription_succeeded', function(members) {
+        // TODO members = [{id, info}]
+      });
+
+      // When a member enters the party channel
+      partyChannel.bind('pusher:member_added', function(member) {
+        // TODO member = {id, info}
+      });
+
+      // When a member leaves the party channel
+      partyChannel.bind('pusher:member_removed', function(member) {
+        // TODO member = {id, info}
+      });
+
+      // When the user is booted from the party, they get disconnected from Pusher
+      partyChannel.bind('user-removed', function (data) {
+        if (data.userId === user._id) {
+          api.pusher.unsubscribe(partyChannelName);
+        }
+      });
+
+      // Same when the user leaves the party
+      partyChannel.bind('user-left', function (data) {
+        if (data.userId === user._id) {
+          api.pusher.unsubscribe(partyChannelName);
+        }
+      });
+
+      // When a new chat message is posted
+      partyChannel.bind('new-chat', function (data) {
+        Groups.party().then(function () {
+          // Groups.data.party.chat.unshift(data);
+          // Groups.data.party.chat.splice(200);
+        });
+      });
+    });
+
+    return api;
+  }]);
diff --git a/website/client/manifest.json b/website/client/manifest.json
index f9aa63bbf5..3b2756d188 100644
--- a/website/client/manifest.json
+++ b/website/client/manifest.json
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 {
     "app": {
         "js": [
+            "bower_components/pusher-websocket-iso/dist/web/pusher.js",
             "bower_components/jquery/dist/jquery.min.js",
             "bower_components/jquery.cookie/jquery.cookie.js",
             "bower_components/pnotify/jquery.pnotify.min.js",
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@
             "js/services/userNotificationsService.js",
             "js/services/userServices.js",
             "js/services/hallServices.js",
+            "js/services/pusherService.js",
 
             "js/filters/money.js",
             "js/filters/roundLargeNumbers.js",
diff --git a/website/server/controllers/api-v2/auth.js b/website/server/controllers/api-v2/auth.js
index cfa5c40a0d..9b27708614 100644
--- a/website/server/controllers/api-v2/auth.js
+++ b/website/server/controllers/api-v2/auth.js
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ var async = require('async');
 var utils = require('../../libs/api-v2/utils');
 var nconf = require('nconf');
 var request = require('request');
-var FirebaseTokenGenerator = require('firebase-token-generator');
 import {
   model as User,
 } from '../../models/user';
@@ -351,28 +350,6 @@ api.changePassword = function(req, res, next) {
   })
 };
 
-// DISABLED FOR API v2
-/*var firebaseTokenGeneratorInstance = new FirebaseTokenGenerator(nconf.get('FIREBASE:SECRET'));
-api.getFirebaseToken = function(req, res, next) {
-  var user = res.locals.user;
-  // Expires 24 hours after now (60*60*24*1000) (in milliseconds)
-  var expires = new Date();
-  expires.setTime(expires.getTime() + 86400000);
-
-  var token = firebaseTokenGeneratorInstance
-    .createToken({
-      uid: user._id,
-      isHabiticaUser: true
-    }, {
-      expires: expires
-    });
-
-  res.status(200).json({
-    token: token,
-    expires: expires
-  });
-};*/
-
 // DISABLED FOR API v2
 /*api.setupPassport = function(router) {
 
diff --git a/website/server/controllers/api-v2/groups.js b/website/server/controllers/api-v2/groups.js
index 31a21d7dc9..961faabb0f 100644
--- a/website/server/controllers/api-v2/groups.js
+++ b/website/server/controllers/api-v2/groups.js
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ var isProd = nconf.get('NODE_ENV') === 'production';
 var api = module.exports;
 var pushNotify = require('./pushNotifications');
 var analytics = utils.analytics;
-var firebase = require('../../libs/api-v2/firebase');
 
 /*
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -233,8 +232,6 @@ api.create = function(req, res, next) {
       function(cb){user.save(cb)},
       function(saved,ct,cb){group.save(cb)},
       function(saved,ct,cb){
-        firebase.updateGroupData(saved);
-        firebase.addUserToGroup(saved._id, user._id);
         saved.getTransformedData({
           populateMembers: nameFields,
           cb,
@@ -278,7 +275,6 @@ api.update = function(req, res, next) {
   group.save(function(err, saved){
     if (err) return next(err);
 
-    firebase.updateGroupData(saved);
     res.sendStatus(204);
   });
 }
@@ -548,7 +544,6 @@ api.join = function(req, res, next) {
       group.save(cb);
     },
     function(cb){
-      firebase.addUserToGroup(group._id, user._id);
       group.getTransformedData({
         cb,
         populateMembers: group.type === 'party' ? partyFields : nameFields,
diff --git a/website/server/controllers/api-v2/user.js b/website/server/controllers/api-v2/user.js
index b9439de09a..3812accfb6 100644
--- a/website/server/controllers/api-v2/user.js
+++ b/website/server/controllers/api-v2/user.js
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ import v3UserController from '../api-v3/user';
 let i18n = shared.i18n;
 
 var api = module.exports;
-var firebase = require('../../libs/api-v2/firebase');
 var webhook = require('../../libs/api-v2/webhook');
 
 const partyMembersFields = 'profile.name stats achievements items.special';
@@ -468,7 +467,6 @@ api.delete = function(req, res, next) {
     return user.remove();
   })
   .then(() => {
-    firebase.deleteUser(user._id);
     res.sendStatus(200);
   })
   .catch(next);
diff --git a/website/server/controllers/api-v3/auth.js b/website/server/controllers/api-v3/auth.js
index 692b2e0c49..d69597808d 100644
--- a/website/server/controllers/api-v3/auth.js
+++ b/website/server/controllers/api-v3/auth.js
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ import { model as Group } from '../../models/group';
 import { model as EmailUnsubscription } from '../../models/emailUnsubscription';
 import { sendTxn as sendTxnEmail } from '../../libs/api-v3/email';
 import { decrypt } from '../../libs/api-v3/encryption';
-import FirebaseTokenGenerator from 'firebase-token-generator';
 import { send as sendEmail } from '../../libs/api-v3/email';
+import pusher from '../../libs/api-v3/pusher';
 
 let api = {};
 
@@ -282,6 +282,76 @@ api.loginSocial = {
   },
 };
 
+/*
+ * @apiIgnore Private route
+ * @api {post} /api/v3/user/auth/pusher Pusher.com authentication
+ * @apiDescription Authentication for Pusher.com private and presence channels
+ * @apiVersion 3.0.0
+ * @apiName UserAuthPusher
+ * @apiGroup User
+ *
+ * @apiParam {String} socket_id Body parameter
+ * @apiParam {String} channel_name Body parameter
+ *
+ * @apiSuccess {String} auth The authentication token
+ */
+api.pusherAuth = {
+  method: 'POST',
+  middlewares: [authWithHeaders()],
+  url: '/user/auth/pusher',
+  async handler (req, res) {
+    let user = res.locals.user;
+
+    req.checkBody('socket_id').notEmpty();
+    req.checkBody('channel_name').notEmpty();
+
+    let validationErrors = req.validationErrors();
+    if (validationErrors) throw validationErrors;
+
+    let socketId = req.body.socket_id;
+    let channelName = req.body.channel_name;
+
+    // Channel names are in the form of {presence|private}-{group|...}-{resourceId}
+    let [channelType, resourceType, ...resourceId] = channelName.split('-');
+
+    if (['presence'].indexOf(channelType) === -1) { // presence is used only for parties, private for guilds too
+      throw new BadRequest('Invalid Pusher channel type.');
+    }
+
+    if (resourceType !== 'group') { // only groups are supported
+      throw new BadRequest('Invalid Pusher resource type.');
+    }
+
+    resourceId = resourceId.join('-'); // the split at the beginning had split resourceId too
+    if (!validator.isUUID(resourceId)) {
+      throw new BadRequest('Invalid Pusher resource id, must be a UUID.');
+    }
+
+    // Only the user's party is supported for now
+    if (user.party._id !== resourceId) {
+      throw new NotFound('Resource id must be the user\'s party.');
+    }
+
+    let authResult;
+
+    // Max 100 members for presence channel - parties only
+    if (channelType === 'presence') {
+      let presenceData = {
+        user_id: user._id, // eslint-disable-line camelcase
+        // Max 1KB
+        user_info: {}, // eslint-disable-line camelcase
+      };
+
+      authResult = pusher.authenticate(socketId, channelName, presenceData);
+    } else {
+      authResult = pusher.authenticate(socketId, channelName);
+    }
+
+    // Not using res.respond because Pusher requires a different response format
+    res.status(200).json(authResult);
+  },
+};
+
 /**
  * @api {put} /api/v3/user/auth/update-username Update username
  * @apiDescription Update the username of a local user
@@ -472,28 +542,6 @@ api.updateEmail = {
   },
 };
 
-const firebaseTokenGenerator = new FirebaseTokenGenerator(nconf.get('FIREBASE:SECRET'));
-
-// Internal route
-api.getFirebaseToken = {
-  method: 'POST',
-  url: '/user/auth/firebase',
-  middlewares: [authWithHeaders()],
-  async handler (req, res) {
-    let user = res.locals.user;
-    // Expires 24 hours from now (60*60*24*1000) (in milliseconds)
-    let expires = new Date();
-    expires.setTime(expires.getTime() + 86400000);
-
-    let token = firebaseTokenGenerator.createToken({
-      uid: user._id,
-      isHabiticaUser: true,
-    }, { expires });
-
-    res.respond(200, {token, expires});
-  },
-};
-
 /**
  * @api {delete} /api/v3/user/auth/social/:network Delete social authentication method
  * @apiDescription Remove a social authentication method (only facebook supported) from a user profile. The user must have local authentication enabled
diff --git a/website/server/controllers/api-v3/chat.js b/website/server/controllers/api-v3/chat.js
index ee629cebb7..5d79475df5 100644
--- a/website/server/controllers/api-v3/chat.js
+++ b/website/server/controllers/api-v3/chat.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
 import _ from 'lodash';
 import { removeFromArray } from '../../libs/api-v3/collectionManipulators';
 import { getUserInfo, getGroupUrl, sendTxn } from '../../libs/api-v3/email';
+import pusher from '../../libs/api-v3/pusher';
 import nconf from 'nconf';
 import Bluebird from 'bluebird';
 
@@ -53,8 +54,8 @@ api.getChat = {
  * @apiGroup Chat
  *
  * @apiParam {UUID} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
- * @apiParam {message} Body parameter - message The message to post
- * @apiParam {previousMsg} previousMsg Query parameter - The previous chat message which will force a return of the full group chat
+ * @apiParam {string} message Body parameter - message The message to post
+ * @apiParam {UUID} previousMsg Query parameter - The previous chat message which will force a return of the full group chat
  *
  * @apiSuccess data An array of chat messages if a new message was posted after previousMsg, otherwise the posted message
  */
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ api.postChat = {
     let lastClientMsg = req.query.previousMsg;
     chatUpdated = lastClientMsg && group.chat && group.chat[0] && group.chat[0].id !== lastClientMsg ? true : false;
 
-    group.sendChat(req.body.message, user);
+    let newChatMessage = group.sendChat(req.body.message, user);
 
     let toSave = [group.save()];
 
@@ -93,6 +94,14 @@ api.postChat = {
     }
 
     let [savedGroup] = await Bluebird.all(toSave);
+
+    // real-time chat is only enabled for private groups (for now only for parties)
+    if (savedGroup.privacy === 'private' && savedGroup.type === 'party') {
+      // req.body.pusherSocketId is sent from official clients to identify the sender user's real time socket
+      // see https://pusher.com/docs/server_api_guide/server_excluding_recipients
+      pusher.trigger(`presence-group-${savedGroup._id}`, 'new-chat', newChatMessage, req.body.pusherSocketId);
+    }
+
     if (chatUpdated) {
       res.respond(200, {chat: Group.toJSONCleanChat(savedGroup, user).chat});
     } else {
@@ -107,8 +116,8 @@ api.postChat = {
  * @apiName LikeChat
  * @apiGroup Chat
  *
- * @apiParam {groupId} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
- * @apiParam {chatId} chatId The chat message _id
+ * @apiParam {UUID} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
+ * @apiParam {UUID} chatId The chat message _id
  *
  * @apiSuccess {Object} data The liked chat message
  */
@@ -154,8 +163,8 @@ api.likeChat = {
  * @apiName FlagChat
  * @apiGroup Chat
  *
- * @apiParam {groupId} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
- * @apiParam {chatId} chatId The chat message id
+ * @apiParam {UUID} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
+ * @apiParam {UUID} chatId The chat message id
  *
  * @apiSuccess {object} data The flagged chat message
  */
@@ -243,8 +252,8 @@ api.flagChat = {
  * @apiName ClearFlags
  * @apiGroup Chat
  *
- * @apiParam {groupId} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
- * @apiParam {chatId} chatId The chat message id
+ * @apiParam {UUID} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
+ * @apiParam {UUID} chatId The chat message id
  *
  * @apiSuccess {Object} data An empty object
  */
@@ -318,7 +327,7 @@ api.clearChatFlags = {
  * @apiName SeenChat
  * @apiGroup Chat
  *
- * @apiParam {groupId} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
+ * @apiParam {UUID} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
  *
  * @apiSuccess {Object} data An empty object
  */
@@ -354,8 +363,8 @@ api.seenChat = {
  * @apiGroup Chat
  *
  * @apiParam {string} previousMsg Query parameter - The last message fetched by the client so that the whole chat will be returned only if new messages have been posted in the meantime
- * @apiParam {string} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
- * @apiParam {string} chatId The chat message id
+ * @apiParam {UUID} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
+ * @apiParam {UUID} chatId The chat message id
  *
  * @apiSuccess data The updated chat array or an empty object if no message was posted after previousMsg
  * @apiSuccess {Object} data An empty object when the previous message was deleted
diff --git a/website/server/controllers/api-v3/groups.js b/website/server/controllers/api-v3/groups.js
index 3f332f3b7c..1c03d71f35 100644
--- a/website/server/controllers/api-v3/groups.js
+++ b/website/server/controllers/api-v3/groups.js
@@ -17,10 +17,11 @@ import {
   NotAuthorized,
 } from '../../libs/api-v3/errors';
 import { removeFromArray } from '../../libs/api-v3/collectionManipulators';
-import * as firebase from '../../libs/api-v3/firebase';
 import { sendTxn as sendTxnEmail } from '../../libs/api-v3/email';
 import { encrypt } from '../../libs/api-v3/encryption';
 import sendPushNotification from '../../libs/api-v3/pushNotifications';
+import pusher from '../../libs/api-v3/pusher';
+
 let api = {};
 
 /**
@@ -66,9 +67,6 @@ api.createGroup = {
       profile: {name: user.profile.name},
     };
     res.respond(201, response); // do not remove chat flags data as we've just created the group
-
-    firebase.updateGroupData(savedGroup);
-    firebase.addUserToGroup(savedGroup._id, user._id);
   },
 };
 
@@ -179,8 +177,6 @@ api.updateGroup = {
       };
     }
     res.respond(200, response);
-
-    firebase.updateGroupData(savedGroup);
   },
 };
 
@@ -278,8 +274,6 @@ api.joinGroup = {
       response.leader = leader.toJSON({minimize: true});
     }
     res.respond(200, response);
-
-    firebase.addUserToGroup(group._id, user._id);
   },
 };
 
@@ -449,7 +443,15 @@ api.removeGroupMember = {
       if (isInGroup === 'guild') {
         removeFromArray(member.guilds, group._id);
       }
-      if (isInGroup === 'party') member.party._id = undefined; // TODO remove quest information too? Use group.leave()?
+      if (isInGroup === 'party') {
+        // Tell the realtime clients that a user is being removed
+        // If the user that is being removed is still connected, they'll get disconnected automatically
+        pusher.trigger(`presence-group-${group._id}`, 'user-removed', {
+          userId: user._id,
+        });
+
+        member.party._id = undefined; // TODO remove quest information too? Use group.leave()?
+      }
 
       if (member.newMessages[group._id]) {
         member.newMessages[group._id] = undefined;
diff --git a/website/server/controllers/api-v3/user.js b/website/server/controllers/api-v3/user.js
index 0a546cf945..8a6db2a01d 100644
--- a/website/server/controllers/api-v3/user.js
+++ b/website/server/controllers/api-v3/user.js
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import {
 import { model as User } from '../../models/user';
 import Bluebird from 'bluebird';
 import _ from 'lodash';
-import * as firebase from '../../libs/api-v3/firebase';
 import * as passwordUtils from '../../libs/api-v3/password';
 
 let api = {};
@@ -230,8 +229,6 @@ api.deleteUser = {
     await user.remove();
 
     res.respond(200, {});
-
-    firebase.deleteUser(user._id);
   },
 };
 
diff --git a/website/server/libs/api-v2/firebase.js b/website/server/libs/api-v2/firebase.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 8a8d9f002c..0000000000
--- a/website/server/libs/api-v2/firebase.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,83 +0,0 @@
-var Firebase = require('firebase');
-var nconf = require('nconf');
-var isProd = nconf.get('NODE_ENV') === 'production';
-var firebaseConfig = nconf.get('FIREBASE');
-
-var firebaseRef;
-var isFirebaseEnabled = (nconf.get('NODE_ENV') === 'production') && (firebaseConfig.ENABLED === 'true');
-
-import { TAVERN_ID } from '../../models/group';
-
-// Setup
-if(isFirebaseEnabled){
-  firebaseRef = new Firebase('https://' + firebaseConfig.APP + '.firebaseio.com');
-
-  // TODO what happens if an op is sent before client is authenticated?
-  firebaseRef.authWithCustomToken(firebaseConfig.SECRET, function(err, authData){
-    // TODO it's ok to kill the server here? what if FB is offline?
-    if(err) throw new Error('Impossible to authenticate Firebase');
-  });
-}
-
-var api = module.exports = {};
-
-api.updateGroupData = function(group){
-  if(!isFirebaseEnabled) return;
-  // TODO is throw ok? we don't have callbacks
-  if(!group) throw new Error('group is required.');
-  // Return in case of tavern (comparison working because we use string for _id)
-  if(group._id === TAVERN_ID) return;
-
-  firebaseRef.child('rooms/' + group._id)
-    .set({
-      name: group.name
-    });
-};
-
-api.addUserToGroup = function(groupId, userId){
-  if(!isFirebaseEnabled) return;
-  if(!userId || !groupId) throw new Error('groupId, userId are required.');
-  if(groupId === TAVERN_ID) return;
-
-  firebaseRef.child('members/' + groupId + '/' + userId)
-    .set(true);
-
-  firebaseRef.child('users/' + userId + '/rooms/' + groupId)
-    .set(true);
-};
-
-api.removeUserFromGroup = function(groupId, userId){
-  if(!isFirebaseEnabled) return;
-  if(!userId || !groupId) throw new Error('groupId, userId are required.');
-  if(groupId === TAVERN_ID) return;
-
-  firebaseRef.child('members/' + groupId + '/' + userId)
-    .remove();
-
-  firebaseRef.child('users/' + userId + '/rooms/' + groupId)
-    .remove();
-};
-
-api.deleteGroup = function(groupId){
-  if(!isFirebaseEnabled) return;
-  if(!groupId) throw new Error('groupId is required.');
-  if(groupId === TAVERN_ID) return;
-
-  firebaseRef.child('rooms/' + groupId)
-    .remove();
-
-  // TODO not really necessary as long as we only store room data,
-  // as empty objects are automatically deleted (/members/... in future...)
-  firebaseRef.child('members/' + groupId)
-    .remove();
-};
-
-// TODO not really necessary as long as we only store room data,
-// as empty objects are automatically deleted
-api.deleteUser = function(userId){
-  if(!isFirebaseEnabled) return;
-  if(!userId) throw new Error('userId is required.');
-
-  firebaseRef.child('users/' + userId)
-    .remove();
-};
diff --git a/website/server/libs/api-v3/firebase.js b/website/server/libs/api-v3/firebase.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 324183e85f..0000000000
--- a/website/server/libs/api-v3/firebase.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,69 +0,0 @@
-import Firebase from 'firebase';
-import nconf from 'nconf';
-import { TAVERN_ID } from '../../models/group';
-
-const FIREBASE_CONFIG = nconf.get('FIREBASE');
-const FIREBASE_ENABLED = FIREBASE_CONFIG.ENABLED === 'true';
-
-let firebaseRef;
-
-if (FIREBASE_ENABLED) {
-  firebaseRef = new Firebase(`https://${FIREBASE_CONFIG.APP}.firebaseio.com`);
-
-  // TODO what happens if an op is sent before client is authenticated?
-  firebaseRef.authWithCustomToken(FIREBASE_CONFIG.SECRET, (err) => {
-    // TODO it's ok to kill the server here? what if FB is offline?
-    if (err) throw new Error('Impossible to authenticate Firebase');
-  });
-}
-
-export function updateGroupData (group) {
-  if (!FIREBASE_ENABLED) return;
-  // TODO is throw ok? we don't have callbacks
-  if (!group) throw new Error('group obj is required.');
-  // Return in case of tavern (comparison working because we use string for _id)
-  if (group._id === TAVERN_ID) return;
-
-  firebaseRef.child(`rooms/${group._id}`)
-    .set({
-      name: group.name,
-    });
-}
-
-export function addUserToGroup (groupId, userId) {
-  if (!FIREBASE_ENABLED) return;
-  if (!userId || !groupId) throw new Error('groupId, userId are required.');
-  if (groupId === TAVERN_ID) return;
-
-  firebaseRef.child(`members/${groupId}/${userId}`).set(true);
-  firebaseRef.child(`users/${userId}/rooms/${groupId}`).set(true);
-}
-
-export function removeUserFromGroup (groupId, userId) {
-  if (!FIREBASE_ENABLED) return;
-  if (!userId || !groupId) throw new Error('groupId, userId are required.');
-  if (groupId === TAVERN_ID) return;
-
-  firebaseRef.child(`members/${groupId}/${userId}`).remove();
-  firebaseRef.child(`users/${userId}/rooms/${groupId}`).remove();
-}
-
-export function deleteGroup (groupId) {
-  if (!FIREBASE_ENABLED) return;
-  if (!groupId) throw new Error('groupId is required.');
-  if (groupId === TAVERN_ID) return;
-
-  firebaseRef.child(`members/${groupId}`).remove();
-  // TODO not really necessary as long as we only store room data,
-  // as empty objects are automatically deleted (/members/... in future...)
-  firebaseRef.child(`rooms/${groupId}`).remove();
-}
-
-// TODO not really necessary as long as we only store room data,
-// as empty objects are automatically deleted
-export function deleteUser (userId) {
-  if (!FIREBASE_ENABLED) return;
-  if (!userId) throw new Error('userId is required.');
-
-  firebaseRef.child(`users/${userId}`).remove();
-}
diff --git a/website/server/libs/api-v3/pusher.js b/website/server/libs/api-v3/pusher.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..74ac1e10a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/website/server/libs/api-v3/pusher.js
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+import Pusher from 'pusher';
+import nconf from 'nconf';
+import { InternalServerError } from './errors';
+
+const IS_PUSHER_ENABLED = nconf.get('PUSHER:ENABLED') === 'true';
+
+let pusherInstance;
+
+if (IS_PUSHER_ENABLED) {
+  pusherInstance = new Pusher({
+    appId: nconf.get('PUSHER:APP_ID'),
+    key: nconf.get('PUSHER:KEY'),
+    secret: nconf.get('PUSHER:SECRET'),
+    encrypted: true,
+  });
+}
+
+let api = {
+  // https://github.com/pusher/pusher-http-node#publishing-events
+  trigger (channel, event, data, socketId = null) {
+    if (!IS_PUSHER_ENABLED) return Promise.resolve(null);
+
+    return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+      pusherInstance.trigger(channel, event, data, socketId, (err, req, res) => {
+        if (err) {
+          reject(err);
+        } else {
+          resolve([req, res]);
+        }
+      });
+    });
+  },
+
+  // https://github.com/pusher/pusher-http-node#authenticating-private-channels
+  authenticate (...args) {
+    if (!IS_PUSHER_ENABLED) throw new InternalServerError('Pusher is not enabled.');
+
+    return pusherInstance.authenticate(...args);
+  },
+};
+
+module.exports = api;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/website/server/middlewares/api-v3/locals.js b/website/server/middlewares/api-v3/locals.js
index e6e06e3b16..306e4b26c7 100644
--- a/website/server/middlewares/api-v3/locals.js
+++ b/website/server/middlewares/api-v3/locals.js
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import { mods } from '../../models/user';
 const CLIENT_VARS = ['language', 'isStaticPage', 'availableLanguages', 'translations',
                   'FACEBOOK_KEY', 'NODE_ENV', 'BASE_URL', 'GA_ID',
                   'AMAZON_PAYMENTS', 'STRIPE_PUB_KEY', 'AMPLITUDE_KEY',
-                  'worldDmg', 'mods', 'IS_MOBILE'];
+                  'worldDmg', 'mods', 'IS_MOBILE', 'PUSHER:KEY', 'PUSHER:ENABLED'];
 
 let env = {
   getManifestFiles,
@@ -32,9 +32,11 @@ let env = {
   },
 };
 
-'NODE_ENV BASE_URL GA_ID STRIPE_PUB_KEY FACEBOOK_KEY AMPLITUDE_KEY'.split(' ').forEach(key => {
-  env[key] = nconf.get(key);
-});
+'NODE_ENV BASE_URL GA_ID STRIPE_PUB_KEY FACEBOOK_KEY AMPLITUDE_KEY PUSHER:KEY PUSHER:ENABLED'
+  .split(' ')
+  .forEach(key => {
+    env[key] = nconf.get(key);
+  });
 
 module.exports = function locals (req, res, next) {
   let language = _.find(i18n.availableLanguages, {code: req.language});
diff --git a/website/server/models/group.js b/website/server/models/group.js
index 0a6e2f119c..0474104fad 100644
--- a/website/server/models/group.js
+++ b/website/server/models/group.js
@@ -12,12 +12,12 @@ import {
   InternalServerError,
   BadRequest,
 } from '../libs/api-v3/errors';
-import * as firebase from '../libs/api-v2/firebase';
 import baseModel from '../libs/api-v3/baseModel';
 import { sendTxn as sendTxnEmail } from '../libs/api-v3/email';
 import Bluebird from 'bluebird';
 import nconf from 'nconf';
 import sendPushNotification from '../libs/api-v3/pushNotifications';
+import pusher from '../libs/api-v3/pusher';
 
 const questScrolls = shared.content.quests;
 const Schema = mongoose.Schema;
@@ -31,8 +31,6 @@ const LARGE_GROUP_COUNT_MESSAGE_CUTOFF = shared.constants.LARGE_GROUP_COUNT_MESS
 const CRON_SAFE_MODE = nconf.get('CRON_SAFE_MODE') === 'true';
 const CRON_SEMI_SAFE_MODE = nconf.get('CRON_SEMI_SAFE_MODE') === 'true';
 
-// NOTE once Firebase is enabled any change to groups' members in MongoDB will have to be run through the API
-// changes made directly to the db will cause Firebase to get out of sync
 export let schema = new Schema({
   name: {type: String, required: true},
   description: String,
@@ -109,10 +107,6 @@ schema.pre('remove', true, async function preRemoveGroup (next, done) {
   }
 });
 
-schema.post('remove', function postRemoveGroup (group) {
-  firebase.deleteGroup(group._id);
-});
-
 // return a clean object for user.quest
 function _cleanQuestProgress (merge) {
   let clean = {
@@ -239,12 +233,14 @@ schema.statics.getGroups = async function getGroups (options = {}) {
 // Not putting into toJSON because there we can't access user
 schema.statics.toJSONCleanChat = function groupToJSONCleanChat (group, user) {
   let toJSON = group.toJSON();
+
   if (!user.contributor.admin) {
     _.remove(toJSON.chat, chatMsg => {
       chatMsg.flags = {};
       return chatMsg.flagCount >= 2;
     });
   }
+
   return toJSON;
 };
 
@@ -308,7 +304,9 @@ export function chatDefaults (msg, user) {
 }
 
 schema.methods.sendChat = function sendChat (message, user) {
-  this.chat.unshift(chatDefaults(message, user));
+  let newMessage = chatDefaults(message, user);
+
+  this.chat.unshift(newMessage);
   this.chat.splice(200);
 
   // do not send notifications for guilds with more than 5000 users and for the tavern
@@ -331,6 +329,8 @@ schema.methods.sendChat = function sendChat (message, user) {
   query._id = { $ne: user ? user._id : ''};
 
   User.update(query, lastSeenUpdate, {multi: true}).exec();
+
+  return newMessage;
 };
 
 schema.methods.startQuest = async function startQuest (user) {
@@ -719,6 +719,11 @@ schema.methods.leave = async function leaveGroup (user, keep = 'keep-all') {
     promises.push(User.update({_id: user._id}, {$pull: {guilds: group._id}}).exec());
   } else {
     promises.push(User.update({_id: user._id}, {$set: {party: {}}}).exec());
+    // Tell the realtime clients that a user has left
+    // If the user that left is still connected, they'll get disconnected
+    pusher.trigger(`presence-group-${group._id}`, 'user-left', {
+      userId: user._id,
+    });
   }
 
   // If user is the last one in group and group is private, delete it
@@ -740,8 +745,6 @@ schema.methods.leave = async function leaveGroup (user, keep = 'keep-all') {
     promises.push(group.update(update).exec());
   }
 
-  firebase.removeUserFromGroup(group._id, user._id);
-
   return await Bluebird.all(promises);
 };
 
diff --git a/website/server/routes/api-v2/auth.js b/website/server/routes/api-v2/auth.js
index f8af1b4338..66d1bebb3a 100644
--- a/website/server/routes/api-v2/auth.js
+++ b/website/server/routes/api-v2/auth.js
@@ -16,6 +16,5 @@ router.post('/user/reset-password', getUserLanguage, auth.resetPassword);
 router.post('/user/change-password', getUserLanguage, auth.auth, auth.changePassword);
 router.post('/user/change-username', getUserLanguage, auth.auth, auth.changeUsername);
 router.post('/user/change-email', getUserLanguage, auth.auth, auth.changeEmail);
-// router.post('/user/auth/firebase', i18n.getUserLanguage, auth.auth, auth.getFirebaseToken);
 
 module.exports = router;
diff --git a/website/server/server.js b/website/server/server.js
index f86e6c63b7..2271552b21 100644
--- a/website/server/server.js
+++ b/website/server/server.js
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ import './libs/api-v3/i18n';
 
 // Load config files
 import './libs/api-v3/setupMongoose';
-import './libs/api-v3/firebase';
 import './libs/api-v3/setupPassport';
 
 // Load some schemas & models