Cocktail Party Planning Ideas: Unique Party Themes For Adults

A cocktail party may have a theme as simple as the color Teal or as detailed as a Retro cocktail party, complete with Snack People!  Regardless, the theme is central to your event’s continuity and distinction.

Adult Cocktail Party Theme Ideas

Beach/Surfer Nautical Under the Sea Hawaiian Luau/Tiki Happy Birthday Color Black & White Blue Green Orange Pink Purple Red Teal Yellow Black & Gold Rubber Ducks Kokopelli Pirate Western River Raft Construction Disney Sponge Bob Naughty & Nice Casino Magic White Trash/Trailer Park/Redneck Baby/OBGYN Back to School Music Seasonal Summer Picnic/Ants Spring Floral Autumn Harvest Winter Ski Lodge Shapes Stars Multi-color Dots Cities New York, New York Chicago Gangster New Orleans Bourbon Street Miami Beach Hollywood Glamour

Time Retro Roaring 20s Rock n Roll 50s James Bond or Hippie 60s Disco 70s Rock Star 80s Animals Pink Flamingo Safari/Serengeti Jungle Bears Barnyard Moo-ving (Cow) Pink Elephants Nationalities Mexican Fiesta Viva Italia Chinese Around the World Greek Gods & Goddesses Jamaican/Reggae Space Cosmic Celestial:  Sun, Moon, Stars Holidays & Events Mardi Gras Kentucky Derby St. Patrick’s Day 4th of July Graduation Gay Pride Easter Bunnies New Year’s Halloween (use one) Owls Cat Ghost Witch Christmas (use one) Snowman Trees Snowflakes Candy Canes

Whether your theme is inspired by a guest of honor, holiday, event or other purpose, it will serve as your guiding reference for planning party invitations, flow, decorations, lighting, cocktails and music.

Guest of Honor Themes

Although you may be hosting a party for the guest of honor, choose a theme that everyone will enjoy and remember. For example, a Birthday Luau or Pink Flamingo Birthday is much more creative and memorable than an Over the Hill party.

If you want to relate the theme to the birthday boy or girl, instead of a 30th Birthday Party, throw a “Bon Voyage 29 Party” or simply use the guest of honor’s favorite color as your theme.  Here are some ideas for inclusive birthday party themes specific to the guest of honor, I'm sure you can think of more:

• Favorite Color –Color theme
• Birth Decade or Year – 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s
• XX and still hot! – Mexican Fiesta theme
• Bon Voyage XXs – Nautical theme
• Magical XXth – Magic theme
• Favorite TV show or movie – Specific TV or movie theme

And remember, every theme can be adapted with a few extra touches and surprises for the birthday boy, anniversary couple, graduate, divorcee, bachelorette, or honoree.  See Birthday Considerations for details.

Once you have chosen a theme, you are ready to put together your guest list and invitation.