15 Epic Roaring 20s Party Ideas

If you need help inspiring your next roaring 20s soiree, you’re in the right place. Here are some Roaring 20s party ideas that are sure to be epic. After all, the 1920s was one of the most iconic decades in history. Between secret speakeasies, flapper style, silent movies, and more, it’s an era that’s rife with inspiration for parties.

Besides these amazing party ideas, you’re going to need the perfect setting for your themed soiree. And that’s where Peerspace can help. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we make it easy to book stunning on-theme venues in cities across the globe. All venues are owned and operated by local hosts who strive to ensure your experience is excellent.

So without further ado, let’s get to our Roaring 20s party ideas! Special thanks to our amazing Peerspace hosts for sharing their inspiring spaces. 

1. Sip cocktails at a modern speakeasy with vintage vibes

If you want to take your Roaring 20s party ideas to the next level, why not host it at a real speakeasy? You can find tons of real-life speakeasies available to rent on Peerspace, like this one-of-a-kind gem. Located in LA, this European-style speakeasy is hidden away beneath a grapevine arbor. The fun and eclectic atmosphere is the perfect thing to get your party started. And your guests will feel like real-life 1920s partiers when they head down the stairs!

Another perk that comes with using Peerspace to book incredible venues? You can read genuine reviews from past renters before choosing a space! And this LA speak has plenty of informative reviews, like this one: “We rented the speakeasy for a new year’s eve event and had a great experience. Nick (the owner) is very communicative and responsive. It was a pleasure working with the host team. The venue itself has a cozy, intimate vibe, which is exactly what we were looking for. We also had a blackjack table set up for the night, which was a hit with our guests.”

If you’re located closer to New York City, then you need to see this luxurious speakeasy lounge in Midtown East. It is a super glamorous speakeasy that will make you feel like 1920s nobility. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and maybe even dance a few rounds of the Charleston to stay on theme!

2. Host a 1920s jazz party in a themed venue

Jazz was the trademark music of the Roaring 20s party scene. And what’s a good party without a little music?

Play some jazzy music over a speaker, or hire a band for a more authentic experience. If you’re going with a live band, keep an eye out for venues with plenty of space to play, like this 1920s-themed performance studio in Philadelphia, PA. It boasts three different themed lounges, a stage, and a separate bar area. So pretty perfect for when you want to throw an epic themed party!

3. Grab your moonshine and throw a bootlegger ball 

This Roaring 20s party idea is perfect for those who want something a little more extravagant. Put together a “bootlegger ball” with plenty of 20s-inspired music and dancing, and a little moonshine – just to stay on theme. 

If you need space to hold your party, you can rent a ballroom on Peerspace, like this charming vintage ballroom in the heart of Tacoma, WA. It has beautiful lighting, a stage, two dressing rooms, and a prep area for your caterers. The fact that the flooring is the original dating from 1925 is just further proof that it’s ideal for your bootleggers ball!

4. Keep the fun going and play some 1920s games

The 1920s was an era of board games, with classics like Parchesi and Backgammon rising in popularity. So why not play some of these classic 20s games at your Roaring 20s party? 

You can find 20s-inspired games for your party on Etsy, or play card games that were popular in the 20s, like poker, ridge, spades, and rummy. And what better place to play together than in this historic downtown 1920s hotel in Astoria, OR? It’s a two-floor renovated gem that has retained its original architecture, so your Roaring 20s theme remains intact!

Find more inspiration with our “Great Gatsby” party ideas!

5. Opt for elegance and host a 1920s dinner party 

Dinner parties used to be all the rage in the roaring 1920s. So why not host your own formal roaring 20s dinner party? For extra authenticity, you could even cook up some authentic 1920s recipes for your guests. 

If you need plenty of space for your distinguished guests, you can find awesome venues on Peerspace, like this 20s-era warehouse loft in LA. It provides space for 300 guests, with Peerspace reviewers sharing insights like this: “The space was great! Very easy communication, and detailed instructions. We’d definitely book this location again.”

6. Get immersive and watch silent movies

Silent films dominated the 1920s, so why not enjoy some of the classic 20s at a watch party? Gather your friends together and host a private film festival of silent movie classics, from classic comedies featuring Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin to early horror masterpieces like Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari. 

It’s an awesome roaring 20s party idea for movie buffs! You can make it even more special by hosting at a retro Peerspace movie theater, like this vintage downtown theater in Inglewood, CA. It boasts a 400-guest capacity, movie screening equipment, and an amazing vintage vibe.

7. Celebrate The Années folles

While Americans had the Roaring 20s, the French had their own roaring 20s called the Années Folles – or “crazy years”. Why not put a twist on your roaring 20s party ideas by giving them a Parisian flair? 

You can set the stage for your Années Folles party with an awesome French-inspired venue, like this French lounge bar in San Francisco, CA. It’s an exotic, glamorous club with state-of-the-art lighting and enough room for 110 guests. Check out all the pictures on its Peerspace listing and read all of the rave reviews from past renters like yourself!

8. Dress the part and host a 1920s costume contest 

No Roaring 20s party would be complete without a little flapper style. Host a costume contest for your guests and award a special prize to the best dressed. You could award points based on authenticity, originality, or best coordination for couples. 

To set the stage for your costume contest, you could set up a miniature runway at your venue. Or better yet, find a venue that already has a runway, like this open, artsy event space in Phoenix, AZ. Besides its on-theme ambiance, you and your guests can enjoy its A/V equipment, seating, ping pong table, outdoor space, and more.

9. Go for a classic and a plan a Gatsby theme 

Come on, what list of Roaring 20s party ideas would be complete without the Great Gatsby himself? 

Host a Gatsby-themed party with art deco-inspired decor, champagne, and Daisy’s favorite lemon cake. You can take the Gatsby opulence to the next level by hosting at an extraordinary venue like this Crystal ballroom in Las Vegas, NV. It’s housed within Liberace’s beloved mansion and features opulent touches and optional catering and bar services. Yes, please!

10. Solve a noir mystery in a noir mansion

In an era of bootleggers and gangsters, the 1920s is the perfect era to inspire a murder mystery party! You can find 20s-inspired murder mystery games for parties of all sizes on Etsy.

And how awesome would it be to host a murder mystery party at a real-life 1920s-era mansion, like this rockstar Italianate mansion in Detroit, MI? The home provides you with multiple terraces, a courtyard, and an impeccable basement speakeasy, true 1920s style. It’s a roaring 20s party idea your guests won’t soon forget! With space for 80 guests, it’s a dream come true for all of your Roaring 20s party ideas.

Can’t decide which era to fete? Then you need to see our decades party ideas!

11. Host your own Vaudeville show 

Vaudeville performances dominated the 20s entertainment scene. Why not put on your own Vaudeville show for your guests? You could even transform it into a talent show and encourage your guests to put on their own performances. 

To take this roaring 20s party idea to the next level, make sure there’s enough space for everyone to perform. This modern day upscale speakeasy lounge in Chicago, IL is an awesome option. Here you can enjoy creative craft cocktails as you watch the Vaudeville performers do their thing.

12. Dance your heart out with a Charleston contest 

The Charleston was the quintessential dance of the 1920s. So why not hold a Charleston contest where your guests can dance their hearts out in true flapper style? 

To ensure that your guests have plenty of space to dance, you can host your roaring 20s party in a Peerspace dance studio rental, like this large dance studio event space in Minneapolis, MN. It’s spacious enough to house 75 guests and boasts high ceilings, a lighting grid, and eclectic decor.

“The space was absolutely gorgeous and our organization had a wonderful time,” shares a Peerspace reviewer. “The lighting was beautiful. Rebecca and her team were incredibly helpful and responsive to our needs.”

13. Capture every moment by snapping some 20s candids

When you and your guests are all decked out in their best flapper apparel, you’ll want to immortalize the moment. So why not set up a photo booth where your guests can snap pictures? 

Keep an eye out for photogenic venues on Peerspace, like this East Hollywood Speakeasy-styled club, and don’t forget to equip an old-fashioned camera filter on your phone!

14. Put a modern spin on the Roaring 20s

There’s a century separating the 1920s and the 2020s. But we have more in common with the 1920s than you’d think. After all, the Roaring 20s only started to roar after the Spanish flu. 

A new era of roaring 20s could be right around the corner. So why not get a head start by combining the best trends of the 1920s with the 2020s? 

Style Dark Academia-inspired flapper outfits, dance to Electric Swing music, or sip 20s-inspired cocktails with a modern twist. It’s a fun and creative Roaring 20s party idea sure to keep the fun flowing like moonshine.

As always, you can make it even more fun by hosting at a swinging Peerspace venue, like this fun ballroom in the Bronx. It boasts perfect lighting, elegant decor, and of course, plenty of dancing room. The host even offers extras like a popcorn machine, a photo booth, a red carpet, and a DJ, making it a one-stop-shop for all your Roaring 20s party ideas.

15. Grab your partner and compete in a dance marathon

Did you know that dance marathons were a major fad of the 1920s? It’s true! But not just any dance marathons. These were gruelling endurance competitions in which couples would dance non-stop for hundreds and hundreds of hours! Check out the 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? to see what a 1920s dance marathon really looked like as you plan yours.

You may not want to take your Roaring 20s party ideas so seriously (and we can’t blame you there), but you can still make a dance marathon a part of your party. To do so, first book a ballroom that can accommodate your guests will providing plenty of room to stage your own “callus carnival”. Partygoers in London, UK may want to consider booking this 1920s Grade 2 Listed Bloomsbury ballroom to host your 1920s-inspired dance marathon. It’s period perfect and exceptionally elegant.

Consider making your dance marathon one that benefits a charity of your choice, and be sure to have prizes (and plenty of hydrating beverages!) ready for the winners.

Roaring 20s party ideas: conclusion

We hope these Roaring 20s party ideas have inspired you to throw your own 20s-themed bash in a way that celebrates the era! Remember to check out Peerspace for all the sensational, themed party venue rentals near you to really bring your vision to life. Talk to the host if you have any questions or requests, and they’ll do what they can to oblige you.

A Roaring 20s party thrown at a bespoke Peerspace venue is sure to make you feel like a Jazz Age tycoon.

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