How to Host a Roaring 20s Party at Home (UK Guide)
Flapper dresses, secret speakeasies, jazz on the gramophone and cocktails in teacups. Here is everything you need to throw a Roaring Twenties party that your guests will still be talking about next year.
The 1920s were a glorious, glittery mess of a decade. In Britain we had the Bright Young Things racing around London on treasure hunts, the Charleston taking over dance halls, and a lot of very fancy hats. The good news is you can recreate the whole thing in your living room without selling a kidney.
Whether it is a birthday, a New Year’s Eve bash or just a Saturday night that needs more sparkle, this guide covers invitations, decorations, costumes, music, games, food, cocktails (and mocktails), a photo booth and party favours. There is a free printable at the end, too.
This post contains affiliate links, which I have hand-picked because I genuinely like them. If you buy through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Miow and Molly going, so thank you!
Quick Start: Your Roaring 20s Party Checklist
Short on time? Here is the whole thing in a nutshell:
- Colours: black, gold, champagne and ivory. Add pearls, feathers and fringe.
- Dress code: flappers and dapper gents (optional but encouraged).
- Music: jazz and swing, with a Charleston moment about an hour in.
- Drinks: a French 75, a Bee’s Knees and a good mocktail.
- Food: devilled eggs, cucumber sandwiches and anything that can be eaten in one bite.
- Activity: casino corner, costume contest or a murder mystery.
Roaring 20's style invitations
Set the scene before anyone has even arrived. Look for Art Deco style: gold foil, geometric patterns, bold fonts and a lot of glamour. Pop the date, time and address on, plus a line such as “Dress: 1920s glamour (flapper dresses, fedoras and feathers encouraged!)”.
Top tip: Encourage the dress code but don’t make it compulsory. Some people hate dressing up, and they will happily come in a nice waistcoat and a string of pearls. Think about the venue too: how many people are coming, and is it accessible for everyone?
Start your event in style with Art Deco invitations that capture the spirit of the 1920s. Think gold foil, geometric designs, and fonts that ooze glamour.
Want a secret-society feel? Send the invites with a speakeasy password (“the bee’s knees” works nicely) that guests must whisper at the door to get in.
1920s Party Decorations
Think gold, black and a generous amount of feathers. Art Deco motifs, fringe garlands and strings of pearls will take you most of the way there.
- Set up a corner as a speakeasy bar with a small sign, a tray of cocktail glasses and low lighting.
- Use candles, lanterns or warm fairy lights and turn the big light off. Low lighting does half the work.
- Borrow or hunt down vintage bits: a gramophone, an old typewriter, books, a jewellery box, a pretty lamp.
- Scatter pearls, feathers and gold confetti across the tables.
Some pieces that will do the heavy lifting:
This gold and black fringe garland will add instant glamour to your party.
Golden goose feathers, maybe from a Golden goose? — perfect table accents for a Roaring Twenties theme.
Add sparkle with Retro Gatsby Balloons and gold confetti. A few well-placed props make your party photos Pinterest-perfect!
Top tip: Charity shops are brilliant for this. Costume jewellery, old lamps, glass bowls and teacups all look the part under candlelight, and cost a few pounds.
1920s Costumes and Accessories
Nothing makes a theme come alive like dressing up. Sequins, pearls, feathers and fringe are your friends. If you are looking for more costume inspiration, my A to Z of fancy dress ideas might help.
Flapper dresses and accessories
The flapper look is all about fringe, sparkle and movement. Black, gold and red are the classic choices. Here is a fringe flapper dress and a flapper headband to get started. Finish with long gloves, pearls, a feather boa and a 1920s style bag.
Hosting? Keep a few spare accessories in a basket by the door for guests who forget to dress up. A pack of party accessories is a cheap way to do it.
Dapper outfits for the gents
Sharp suits, waistcoats, braces and a fedora or flat cap will do it. A pocket watch and a bow tie are optional extras. There is also a Great Gatsby men’s costume if you want to go all in.
Feeling very British? A flat cap and a waistcoat will have someone shouting “by order of the Peaky Blinders” before the first drink is poured. The show is set in Birmingham just after the First World War, so it fits the theme nicely.
Cosy extras
Cold evening? A faux fur stole or shawl looks wonderfully vintage and keeps your shoulders warm.
Flapper dresses were the fashion statement of the Jazz Age — all fringe, sparkle, and movement. Choose shimmering black, gold, or red for that authentic 1920s look.
Accessories make the outfit! Stock up on feather boas, pearl necklaces, long gloves, and sequined headbands so everyone can glam up on the night. Keep a few extras on hand for guests who forget to dress up.
Complete the look with a faux fur stole or shawl for chilly evenings — it’s elegant, vintage, and very 1920s.
For the gents, 1920s style means sharp suits, suspenders, and fedoras. Add a pocket watch or bow tie for an extra touch of speakeasy sophistication.
1920s Music for Your Party
Music is what turns a nice evening into a proper party. Make a playlist of jazz and swing and let it run. You could also hire a local jazz band or DJ if you are feeling fancy. Try 1920s jazz and Charleston collections on Amazon Music to get going.
For your playlist, start with the classics such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Fats Waller and Josephine Baker. Later in the evening, switch to some electro swing (Caravan Palace is a good place to start), which has the same bounce but is easier to dance to after a French 75 or two.
Kick off the evening with a Charleston dance-off! Hire a dance instructor, follow a YouTube tutorial, or simply play a 1920s jazz playlist and let everyone try those iconic moves. It’s fun, energetic, and instantly gets guests laughing.
Roaring 20s Party Games and Activities
Charleston dance lessons
Kick off with a Charleston dance-off. Hire an instructor, follow a YouTube tutorial or simply play the music and let everyone try the moves. It is energetic, a bit silly and gets everyone laughing straight away.
Costume contest: best flapper and dapper
Give out prizes for “Most Authentic Outfit”, “Best Gatsby Glam” and “Most Likely to Be a Gangster”. Little gold trophies, feathers or mini bottles of fizz all make good prizes.
Host a “Best Dressed Flapper & Dapper” contest. Hand out prizes for categories like “Most Authentic Outfit” or “Best Gatsby Glam.” You can use small trophies, feathers, or mini champagne bottles as prizes.
Speakeasy casino corner
Set up a poker or blackjack table, or even a roulette set. Use pretend money or sweets as chips and keep it for fun. Gambling was a big part of the era, and it gives guests something to do between dancing and eating.
Add a hint of mischief with a poker or blackjack table — just for fun or small prizes. This nods to the prohibition-era speakeasies and keeps guests entertained between dancing and dining.
Murder mystery dinner
There must have been a lot of murders in the 1920s, because there are plenty of 1920s murder mystery games, all organised and ready to go. You can buy a boxed murder mystery kit, download a speakeasy murder mystery, or try this 1920s murder mystery party in a box. Send out murder mystery invitations to set the scene. Want more detail? See my full guide to hosting a murder mystery dinner party.
Nothing screams 1920s glamour like a Murder Mystery Game set in a speakeasy or Gatsby mansion. You can download printable kits or buy complete boxed sets for easy hosting.
Printable games
A Roaring 20s bingo game is easy and great for mixed groups, and there are more 1920s party games here.
This printable roaring 20’s bingo game would be great fun at a party.
1920s Food and Drink
Aim for elegant, bite-sized food that people can eat while holding a drink and chatting. Think canapés, sandwiches and small treats rather than a sit-down meal.
Classic 1920s cocktails
Recreate a speakeasy bar with a few classics. Here are rough recipes for one drink:
- The Bee’s Knees: 50ml gin, 25ml lemon juice and 20ml honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water). Shake with ice and strain.
- The Sidecar: 50ml brandy or cognac, 20ml orange liqueur and 20ml lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain, with a sugared rim if you like.
- The French 75: 30ml gin, 15ml lemon juice and 10ml sugar syrup, topped with about 60ml of fizz.
- Serve finger foods and hors d’oeuvres like shrimp cocktails, deviled eggs, and mini sandwiches.
- Have a variety of classic cocktails available, such as the Sidecar, Bee’s Knees, and the French 75.
- Don’t forget to serve non-alcoholic options for designated drivers and non-drinkers.
Top tip: Use prosecco rather than champagne in the French 75, and supermarket own-brand brandy in the Sidecar. Nobody will know, and your wallet will be happier. Looking for more drinks? Have a peek at my easy cocktail party guide.
Mocktails for everyone
Don’t forget non-drinkers, drivers and anyone who just wants a night off. A “Bee’s Knees” mocktail (lemon juice, honey syrup and soda water over ice) looks just as smart in a coupe glass, and alcohol-free gin and fizz make a decent French 75 stand-in. Good glassware helps, so have a look at Art Deco glasses and cocktail sets.
Party hors d’oeuvres
Keep it simple and elegant:
- Devilled eggs (there is a free printable recipe card below)
- Prawn cocktail in little glasses
- Cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwiches
- Cheese straws and Welsh rarebit bites
- Mini sausage rolls (not very glamorous, but they always disappear first)
Sweet treats
Go glam with mini cheesecakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, macarons or champagne cupcakes with gold sprinkles. Add some flapper cupcake toppers or edible cake toppers for extra fun.
Speakeasy bar set-up
Turn a corner of the room into a hidden bar: a velvet tablecloth, candles, a stack of coupe glasses and an Art Deco sign saying “Shhh… it’s a speakeasy”. This sign would look perfect. Match the table with gold and black tableware for a Gatsby look without the mess of washing up.
If you want to go full nostalgia, here are some authentic 1920s recipes to try.
Recreate the excitement of a speakeasy bar with cocktails that defined the era. Serve up timeless favourites like:
The Sidecar – Cognac, orange liqueur, lemon juice
The Bee’s Knees – Gin, lemon, and honey syrup
The French 75 – Champagne, gin, and lemon
Add a few mocktail versions so everyone can toast in style.
Keep food elegant and bite-sized. Think devilled eggs, shrimp cocktails, canapés, and mini sandwiches. These easy-to-eat snacks fit perfectly with a standing cocktail party or buffet table.
Transform a corner of your room into a hidden speakeasy bar. Add a velvet tablecloth, candlelight, and an Art Deco sign saying “Shhh… It’s a Speakeasy.” Offer jazz tunes in the background and serve cocktails in coupe glasses.
For dessert, go glamorous! Serve mini cheesecakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, macarons, or champagne cupcakes. Add a gold sparkle dust or edible pearls for that vintage wow factor.
Tie it all together with matching gold-and-black tableware, plates, and cocktail napkins for that Gatsby glamour.
Roaring 20s Photo Booth
Give your guests something to post. Hang a gold fringe curtain behind a plain wall, add balloons and feather boas, and put out a basket of props: top hats, bow ties, pearls, champagne glasses and big cardboard cigars. Signs saying “Cheers, darling!” or “A little party never killed nobody” go down well.
Set the stage with a simple backdrop — gold and black fringe curtains, balloons, and feather boas create instant Gatsby glamour. Add a few Art Deco signs that say “Cheers, Darling!” or “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody.”
Make your booth extra fun with a selfie frame and printable props — think feather fans, champagne glasses, cigars, and pearls. These props make amazing social media shots!
1920s Party Favours
Send guests home with something small, classy and full of character:
- Chocolate cigars with 1920s labels: printable labels or ready-made chocolate cigars
- Cloche hat biscuits made with a 1920s hat cookie cutter, put in a 1920’s favour box.
Mini chocolate cigars wrapped in custom 1920s labels
Personalised matchboxes or tins.
Cloche hat–shaped cookies as edible keepsakes
Remember, the Roaring 20’s were all about extravagance, so go all out with your decorations and encourage your guests to embrace the era’s spirit. With the right atmosphere and attention to detail, your Roaring 20’s party is sure to be a hit!
FREEBIE ALERT!
From me to you, here are some signs for your loo door. Just download the PDF and you will get an A4 size 3 page prints.
Download includes:
“Guys & Gals” Art Deco restroom signs
“Flappers & Fellas” door print
Bonus Speakeasy Entrance sign
Your use only, not to sell.
Throwing a Roaring 20s Party on a Budget
- Dress code does the work. Guests supply the glamour, so you only need to decorate lightly.
- Lighting is free. Lamps, candles and fairy lights beat any expensive decoration.
- Print, don’t buy. Use the free printable below and make your own signs and cocktail menus.
- Batch it. Make one big jug of cocktail and one big jug of mocktail instead of mixing individually.
- Borrow and thrift. Glasses, teacups, lamps and costume jewellery are all cheap in charity shops.
- Ask guests to bring a bottle and name it on the invite as “BYOB: Bring Your Own Bubbly”.
What do you wear to a Roaring 20s party?
Women usually go for flapper dresses, sequins, feathers, long pearls and a sparkly headband. Men tend to wear suits or waistcoats with braces, a bow tie and a fedora or flat cap. Pearls, feathers and gold do the rest.
What food do you serve at a Roaring 20s party?
Finger food works best: devilled eggs, canapés, finger sandwiches, prawn cocktails and cheese straws, followed by small sweet treats like macarons and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
What music do you play at a 1920s party?
Jazz and swing from the era (Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith) plus some electro swing for the dance floor.
How do you decorate for a 1920s party on a budget?
Stick to black, gold and ivory, use lots of candles and fairy lights, borrow vintage props and print your own signs. Dressing up does most of the work for you.
Can I host a Roaring 20s party for New Year’s Eve?
Yes, it is one of the best themes for it! Glitz, fizz and a countdown to midnight go together perfectly.
How do I make a speakeasy at home?
Use low lighting, a hidden or “secret” entrance with a password, a bar corner with coupe glasses and a sign that says it’s a speakeasy.
The Roaring Twenties were all about extravagance, laughter and having a very good time, so don’t sweat the small stuff. Get the lighting right, play some jazz, put a drink in everyone’s hand and the rest will look after itself. Your guests will be calling it the bee’s knees before the night is out.
If you enjoyed this, you might also like my guides to a masquerade party, a decades party and a 1920s murder mystery. More ideas are in my full list of adult party themes, and you can find lots of free printables too.
Don’t forget to pin this post or send it to your fellow party planners!
