The Roaring Twenties Party: Easy Ideas For A Brilliant Night In

The hedonistic, exuberantly optimistic and glamorous 1920s epitomised in The Great Gatsby is always a favourite party theme for drinking, dancing and partying. Picture sparkling champagne, jazz drifting through the room, stylish fringed flapper dresses, sharply dressed gangsters and friends laughing over prohibition cocktails. Whether you recreate Gatsby’s extravagant mansion or a hidden speakeasy, this is a surprisingly easy theme to pull off – and one guaranteed to get everyone dressing up and joining in creating fun memories.

1920s Party At A Glance

Budget: £££
Effort: ★★★☆☆
Best for: Birthdays, Drinks Parties, Housewarming, New Year’s Eve, Anniversary, Retirement, Murder Mystery, Milestone Celebration, Friends Get Together
Essential Ingredient: black & gold

The Quick Plan

(for those short on time and energy!)

Stick to 1920s art deco black and gold decorations
A cheese and charcuterie board covers those who are peckish
Pick three classic 1920s cocktails (suggestions below)
Jazz playlist in the background
Ask everyone to dress up

Done!

For more inspirational ideas and hosting tips for this theme, read on…

1920s Party Decoration Inspiration

Turn your house into a Great Gatsby luxury mansion or a secret prohibition speakeasy, using art deco styles, black and gold colours, and bold geometric and symmetrical designs paired with some glamorous ostrich feathers and tall candles. Vintage signs and food and drink will set your party mood.

If you have the budget, sourcing items such as crystal decanters, gold-framed mirrors, stacks of old books or newspapers, and even a gramophone would add era interest.

You don’t need the perfect backdrop, just a 1920s vibe.

Top Tip

If you’re going for a speakeasy style, play with the illegality of these prohibition joints. Stick a ‘closed’ sign on your front door and create a secret entrance round the back, where guests have to give the special knock and password to get in.

Fun Food & Drink For Your 1920s Party

In the 1920s light finger foods were the order of the day, so you could dance comfortably after eating. Popular choices include devilled eggs and shrimp cocktails, but I’d personally keep it more simple and elegant with a modern light buffet – cheese and charcuterie boards, olives and nuts would be perfect. Just make sure your table and plates look opulent and luxurious.

For drinks if you’re going Great Gatsby then champagne is a must. You could even create your own decadent champagne tower (we recommend plastic ‘glasses’ and glue…).

For speakeasies, a choice of 3-5 cocktails would work well. Don’t forget some mocktails for drivers, and a few beers for those who hate cocktails. Some very well-known cocktails were invented in the 1920s. Prohibition-era options include:

Gin Rickey
French 75
Old Fashioned
Bee’s Knees
Sidecar
Mint julep
The Green Fairy (absinthe) was also in fashion (and banned in many countries)

Keep things simple by choosing cocktails that use similar ingredients, so you’re not buying 15 different bottles.

Sadly it’s illegal in the UK and USA to make your own moonshine, and you’re more likely to poison yourself – so don’t! But there’s nothing to stop you mixing up one of the above cocktails in a large quantity, putting it a keg or glass drinks dispenser and labelling it as moonshine to fit your theme.

What to Wear for a 1920s Party

For ladies you want to dress up as a flapper girl, in a fringed dress, teamed with a headband with feather, long gloves and a string of pearls. If you have a short bob hairstyle and a prop long cigarette holder, even better!

Men have a few options. You could be an aristocratic Jay Gatsby in a vintage-style suit, complete with waistcoat, tie or bowtie and a fedora or trilby, in black tie, dressed as a 1920s US mobster in pinstripe suit and white scarf, or in a Peaky Blinders UK-inspired tweed suit, boots and flat cap. If you’re brave, you’ll likely cause a lot of laughter turning up in a 1920s plus-fours sporting ensemble.

Music for a 1920s Party

Nothing says “Roaring Twenties” faster than a room full of friends attempting the Charleston after two French 75s. Get some jazz playing before the first guest arrives – it sets the mood before anyone has even picked up a drink. Jazz, swing and 1920s dance music is a must – there are plenty of playlists curated for this on Spotify or YouTube.

1920s Party Extras

Not needed, but fun to have if your friends would enjoy them…

Hiring a dance instructor to teach you and your guests the Charleston or Lindy Hop would make for a very memorable evening – and some new dance skills! Alternatively you could source a short YouTube class and get guests to all give it a try together.
For a speakeasy, have guests pre-pick their 1920s gangster nickname, or you could give them nicknames as they arrive
For fun photos, create a mugshot photobooth by printing a height chart and fixing it on a plain wall for your gangsters to take their mugshot
Add a casino table with cards, poker chips and/or a roulette wheel for those who like playing
For something definitely memorable (and probably only if your party is outdoors), get some custard pies for a Bugsy Malone party ending

Hosting Timeline

One month before: send out your invites; start sorting out your fancy dress outfit
One week before: plan your playlist; buy non-perishable food and drink
One day before: buy perishable items and ice
Five hours before: chill drinks
Two hours before: prep foods (but keep them in your fridge); mix any big-batch cocktails; get into your outfit
30 mins before: food and drinks out so you’re ready in case of early arrivals
Guests arrive: hit play on your music; enjoy your party!

Our Top Tips For Your 1920s Party

Stick to art deco, geometric black and gold décor to create an elegant themed backdrop
Dim the lights – lamps and electric candles instantly create a more glamorous atmosphere than bright ceiling lights
Encourage everyone to turn up in fancy dress – 1920s is an easily achievable and fun look. Rummage through charity shops, or tweak some of your owned clothes if preferred
Make sure you’ve got your playlist ready ahead of your first guests’ arrival as the music will be key to setting your theme
Plan easy-to-prepare-ahead buffet options so you can be enjoying chatting to your guests, rather than slaving away in the kitchen making food
Pick cocktails with similar ingredients if you need to keep costs down
Making cocktails in batches in jugs or drinks dispensers with labels (rather than mixing individual drinks) makes it easier for everyone to enjoy them and avoids you being stuck behind the bar

Why This Party Works

We love this theme because almost everyone already knows roughly what to wear, jazz instantly creates atmosphere and you don’t need expensive decorations to make it feel luxurious. It’s glamorous without being complicated, which makes it one of our favourite themes for adults.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do guests have to dress up?

Not at all. Even a feather headband, pearls or a flat cap is enough to join in the fun. But it is an easy theme so most guests will likely enjoy going full out on their outfits.

What’s the easiest food to serve?

A cheese and charcuterie board, olives, crackers and a few sweet treats looks elegant with almost no preparation.

Can I host this on a budget?

Absolutely. Focus on lighting, music and a dress code, rather than expensive decorations. Raid charity shops for cheap 1920s touches, adjust clothes you already have, and ask guests to bring a bottle (assign them, so you don’t end up with 5 of the same) to be able to make 2-3 themed cocktails.