Throw a Roaring 1920s Speakeasy Party

Roaring Twenties Party

Welcome to the 1920s! The Roaring Twenties were a time of change in the United States. Women were given the right to vote, the stock market was booming, and the flapper craze was born. Alcohol was illegal, but that didn't stop people from going to speakeasies to get their favorite drinks. Here are some ideas to throw a great speakeasy party.

Party Invitations

Invite people to your party at least two weeks in advance so they can save the date. Guests needed a password in order to enter speakeasies of the past, so be sure to give your guests a password they must use when they come to the front door.

I highly recommend having people come in costumes of the time, so if you plan to do this, be sure to let people know when you invite them so they have time to put together a costume.

1920s Decorations

Black and gold are great colors for this theme, as they're elegant and go well together. This could include your tablecloth, paper products, and balloons.

For table decorations, spread some flapper beads and musical notes around the table (as jazz was big at the time).

Toss some poker chips and cards on the table, as gambling was very popular at speakeasies. Also, keep the lights dim for this theme, as speakeasies were illegal.

Roaring Twenties Food and Drinks

Food is an essential part of any party. If you would like to stick with a 1920s theme, then serve food that was popular during this decade. Here are some dishes to get you started:

• Shrimp cocktail

• Deviled eggs

• Baked ham

• Stuffed mushrooms

• Oysters Rockefeller

• Cheese platter

• Waldorf salad

• Cream cheese-stuffed celery

• Pineapple upside-down cake

When it comes to adult beverages, liquor was hard to come by in the 1920s due to Prohibition. However, it didn't stop people from having their favorite cocktails at a speakeasy. I suggest setting up a small bar area in a corner (as drinking was supposed to be secretive) and serving some cocktails that were popular in the 1920s, like Mary Pickford, Bee's Knees, and one of the most popular drinks of the decade, the Gin Rickey.

Gin Rickey Recipe

Making a Gin Rickey is quite easy. You'll need:

• 2 oz gin

• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice

• 4-6 oz club soda

• ice

• lime wedge

Pour gin and lime juice into a glass. Add ice. Fill to the top with club soda. Add a lime wedge for garnish.

1920s Music

Music is important to any party. It helps set the mood and is great for dancing. The 1920s had a wealth of great music. Irvin Berlin had such hits as "All Alone" and "Blue Skies". New Orleans jazz was also quite popular. "Saint Luis Blues" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" were top hits. Other popular songs of the decade include:

• "If You Knew Susie"

• "It Had to be You"

• "Toot Toot Tootsie"

• "Tea for Two"

• "When You're Smiling"

• "Ain't Misbehavin"

• "Singin' in the Rain"

• "I Wanna be Loved by You"

• "Yes Sir, That's My Baby"

• "Baby Face"

• "Makin' Whoopie"

• "Bye Bye Blackbird"

1920s Party Activities

Gambling was big in the 1920s. Consider setting up a poker table. If you don't want to play with real money, give everyone an even amount of chips, and whoever has the most at the end is a winner.

Feel like dancing? Before your party, learn how to do the Charleston, then teach your partygoers how to do the dance. Put on some music, and you're all set!

Because of Prohibition, drinking games weren't super popular in the 1920s, although they did exist. Get some cups and dice. For each round of play, every person playing should have a cup with five dice. Have them shake the cups and roll the dice. Whoever has the lowest score has to take a drink.

1920s Slang

Learn some of the slang of the decade and throw it in with your conversations. It will bring more authenticity to your party. Here are a few terms to get you started:

• Cut-a-rug (dance)
• Clam (dollar)
• Hair-of-the-dog (a shot of liquor)
• Whoopie (boisterous celebration)
• Doll (a pretty woman)
• Juice joint (speakeasy)
• John (toilet)
• Wet blanket (killjoy)

You now have some basics to throw a fun Roaring 1920s Speakeasy party. Have fun, take lots of photos, and enjoy some wonderful memories you'll be creating.

Have you ever thrown a theme party? If so, what was the theme? Please let me know in the comments below.