So, you’ve been charged with the task of hosting a themed party for a bunch of friends, family, stragglers and strangers? Whilst we wouldn’t want to scare you off the task to the point you call in to your own party sick, we would say this; you’re one brave host.
It’s not an easy task to throw a grown-up party that manages to straddle sophistication and a certain sense of frivolity and friskiness. Throw ‘themes’ into the mix, and you’ll find the grumpier attendees of the pack huddled in the corner, clutching a can and muttering about ‘’hating organised fun’’.
That’s if you choose the wrong theme, of course. Get the theme right, however, and you pretty much guarantee a night overflowing with laughter, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories.
Whether you are planning an intimate gathering or a grand soirée, introducing a workable, fun-filled theme will elevate your party to new heights. With that in mind, here are 6 of the best themed party ideas for sophisticated adults.
A Vintage Speakeasy Party
Journey back in time to the roaring twenties, to the era where Prohibition was in effect, and hidden bars, also known as speakeasies, were all the rage. Encourage your guests to don their most fabulous flapper dresses and dapper suits. Lay on the ambiance with jazz music, dim lighting, and classic cocktails served in crystal glassware. No speakeasy would be complete without a secret password at the entrance, of course!
If you’re looking for inspiration on the dress code, check out our guide to some retro and vintage pieces that every wardrobe needs.
A Casino Royale Party
At your very own Casino Royale, your friends can try their luck at poker, blackjack, or roulette, whilst feeling very suave and swanky doing so. A dress code suggesting sophisticated evening attire will contribute to the glamour of the evening. To keep the stakes high but friendly, you could arrange for guests to ‘buy in’ with a charitable donation.
Of course, to have a fun and successful themed casino night, you’ll need to set up the space properly. You don’t want any distractions during a tense game, so firstly clear any surfaces that will be used for gaming.
You’ll likely need to invest in some equipment specific for the game. This includes a deck of cards and poker chips, at a minimum, but if you’re going all out, then a dealer button, poker case, timer, poker mat or cloth and perhaps even an automatic card shuffler will all enhance your evening. Alternatively, you could outsource the minutiae of the games organising to those in the know, online. On sites like BonusFinder you’ll find a roundup of casino sites with bonus offers, to add a little spark to your casino royale party.
Murder Mystery Party
A Murder Mystery party provides a thrilling, interactive experience for your guests. When done right, we should add…
Because, when arranged without paying attention to the finer details of the game itself, a murder mystery can feel like a sloppy, chaotic experience. And no one wants that.
Choose a sophisticated theme such as a 1920s murder mystery or a Cluedo style manor house murder. For added theatre, why not enlist the help of some particularly thespian-forward friends and families to help roleplay the various characters within the story.
If that sounds like a step too far in organising terms, then several companies sell Murder Mystery kits that make setting up the evening a cinch. Some even involve interactive and virtual features easily accessible online.
Some of the more popular kits currently available in the UK include:
- Murder Mystery Flexi Party: This brand offers a variety of kits, suitable for various group sizes. Their plots are engaging and they provide downloadable content.
- Paul Lamond Games: They produce a series of murder mystery dinner party games that come with a DVD for an immersive experience.
- Cheatwell Host Your Own Murder Mystery: This includes everything you need to host a successful murder mystery night. It includes character scripts, invites, menus, and clues.
- The Murder Mystery Company’s Murder Mystery Zoom Parties: Social distancing measures might be a thing of the past, but a virtual party can still be a useful move. This company provides virtual murder mysteries.
- Murder 57: They host professional murder mystery events but also sell boxed murder mystery games that you can host at home.
- ITM Games: They offer a wide variety of murder mystery games suitable for different occasions and group sizes.
The Great Gatsby Lawn Party
A themed party inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby provides an opportunity for guests to dress in their finest 1920s attire. The dress code should ideally encourage guests to wear flapper dresses, pinstriped suits, feathered headbands, and pearl necklaces.
Organise croquet games, serve picnics, and sip mint juleps and champagne while lounging on an assortment of rugs and cushions. Don’t forget to play jazz tunes softly in the background for a truly authentic feel.
If you sense things are turning a little more raucous (Great Gatsby parties are known for their wild abandon, after all), then it’s time for a dance-off. Stick on some big band jazz and ragtime tunes from artists like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, and Bessie Smith; these lively, rhythmic tunes would keep party-goers in the spirit of the times and on their feet throughout the evening. Hopefully, with the right encouragement, you might even see the Charleston, Foxtrot, Shimmy, and Jive being attempted!
Wait, that sounded like my cherished vase smashing into a thousand pieces…
James Bond Party
Sure, we’ve already hosted a Casino Royale party a little further up the article, but why not pull the focus away from the poker table and on to your favourite 007 flicks? Ask your guests to dress as their favourite Bond characters and enjoy a night filled with intrigue and glamour. Serve Martinis (shaken, not stirred, of course), and consider adding a film screening of a popular Bond film to the festivities. Arriving in an invisible car is, perhaps, optional.
Mad Hatters Tea Party
For something a little quirky, yet sophisticated, a Mad Hatters Tea Party can be a real hit. This Alice in Wonderland themed party encourages creative costumes and opens up a world of opportunities in terms of refreshments, from an array of delightful English teas and a sumptuous spread of cakes, biscuits and sandwiches, all the way to something altogether more psychedelic.
Indeed, incorporating some offbeat elements – like rhyming tea-party rules or conversation starters pinned under each teacup – can lend an air of frivolity and playfulness to proceedings, one that’s well in keeping with the spirit of the Mad Hatter’s party.
The Bottom Line
These are just a few themed party ideas guaranteed to make your event one your guests won’t soon forget. More than anything, remember to add your own personal flair to the theme you choose. Start planning and prepare to host a fabulous soirée that will undoubtedly be the talk of the town. Toast to good company, splendid costumes, and unforgettable memories!