19 Chic Cocktail Party Themes For Your Sleek Soirée (2024)

Whether you want to celebrate an anniversary or simply want to gather your besties together, a cocktail party is the way to go! Everyone gets to dress their best and enjoy a few drinks while socializing. Have you thought about the theme of the evening at all? From ideas about appetizers to how you’ll structure the decorations, Peerspace has 19 chic cocktail party themes party planners are sure to find helpful!

Ideas for a cocktail party theme

1. Serve seasonal cocktails and drinks

One fun cocktail party theme to try is making it a seasonal party! Choose between spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Or you can even embrace all four seasons, with snacks and drinks that honor each one. A spring cocktail party can have fresh flowers, green and white decorations, and floral-themed cocktails like lilac lavender gin sours!

2. Focus on one type of alcohol

Make your cocktail party even more interesting by choosing a single kind of alcohol to focus on. For a Mexican fiesta party, stick to tequila-based drinks like margaritas and mezcalitas. If your party is Mardi Gras-themed, you might stick to bourbon and rum-based cocktails! 

The venue should be chosen with as much care as the drinks for this theme. Did you know that Peerspace has dozens of hand-picked themed venues for a cocktail party? For example, this speakeasy-themed space in Philadelphia, PA, has a perfect Prohibition-era feel thanks to the decor, wet bar, and full cocktail shaker set that comes with your booking! 

3. Pick a decade for a retro party

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Cocktail parties have been around for decades so why not pick your favorite as a cocktail party theme? A recipe book from the decade of your choice is one way to really get creative with this idea. Along with proper retro cocktails, you can also encourage your guests to dress the part for a decade party! Peerspace has some thoughts to get you started; check out our 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s party and outfit ideas! 

4. Have a cocktail color party

Looking for a cocktail party theme that embraces creativity in every aspect? How about throwing a cocktail color party? It’s just like a traditional cocktail party except you will be choosing a color to focus on. A red-themed cocktail color party means red beverages like cosmos or sangria. You will also want red party food ideas like cranberry dip and tomato bruschetta to go along with it. And don’t forget to wear red cocktail party outfits!

5. World travel cocktail party

Taste and sip international flavors with a world travel-themed cocktail party! With this theme, you can include drinks and meals that take you far abroad without needing a plane ticket! The European section might feature the French 75 cocktail with Mediterranean pasta dishes or Spanish tapas appetizers. Use sake for Japanese-themed cocktails along with gyoza or sushi rolls as snacks! You can get endlessly creative with this cocktail party theme!

Check out our chic Parisian theme party ideas to add a dose of exotic elegance to your cocktail party.

Ideas for cocktail party snacks

6. Pigs in a blanket

Pigs in a blanket are a party favorite that can find a place at any soiree! Especially if you include a honey mustard dipping sauce for them. They are easy to make since you only have two components; the mini hot dogs plus the rich, buttery bread that makes them so delicious. Different recipes call for biscuit or pretzel dough; follow this classic pigs-in-a-blanket recipe for a cocktail party hit! 

7. Chocolate fondue station

Cocktail party themes should be as much about the experience as they are about the flavors. And there are few better experience-oriented cocktail snacks than a chocolate fondue station! Some restaurants and hotels offer fondue fountains but a regular pot of hot chocolate works just as well. Serve cheese cubes, cut fresh fruit, pretzel sticks, bread, and other items to dip in the warm chocolate. Don’t forget a chocolate fondue pot that keeps itself warm so you don’t have to attend to it and can enjoy the party!

8. Deviled eggs

Deviled eggs are one of those dishes that seem to find their way into every kind of party! They’re vegetarian-friendly, easy to make, and easier still to customize with extra ingredients. For classic deviled eggs, follow this recipe to have cocktail party snacks in just 40 minutes of preparation time. For a splash of color (perfect for a cocktail color party), boil the eggs in water that has food coloring added to it. The whites of the eggs will take on some of the color you added. You can also add relish, paprika, mustard, and other ingredients to elevate your deviled eggs further!

9. Mini Swedish meatballs

Flavor-packed mini Swedish meatballs covered in a rich gravy are a delightful party appetizer you can make with ease. A fair number of ingredients go into each meatball, which is why they’re so yummy! From panko breadcrumbs to garlic powder, you may need to take a trip to the grocery store for this recipe. But it’s well worth the time it takes to prepare them!

10. Tomato bruschetta

Invoke the flavors of the Mediterranean and summer with a luscious tomato bruschetta appetizer for your next cocktail party! From the tanginess of the balsamic vinaigrette to the earthy salty tones of the feta that goes on top, this is a dish that’s classy yet not at all difficult to make.

11. Antipasto skewers

Antipasto skewers are fun to create because there’s no wrong way to make them. You can fill a large skewer with whole olives, folded pieces of meat, cheese ravioli, and cherry tomatoes. Or you can make mini skewers with sliced cheese and smaller pieces of meat. Customize these appetizers to perfectly match your cocktail party theme!

12. Finger sandwiches

Finger sandwiches are like antipasto skewers; once you have the basic idea down pat you can customize them to your liking! Cucumber and cream finger sandwiches are traditional as a tea party snack as well as cocktail parties. Or you could make mini muffulettas for a New Orleans Mardi Gras party!

13. Pork wontons

Pork wontons are a delicious option if you want the flavors of Asia to be a central theme for your cocktail party! Ground pork forms the base, flavored with ginger, garlic, and other spices. You can steam or fry pork wontons as well for either chewy or crispy cocktail party appetizers. Pork is the most common filler but you could also go with chicken, shrimp, or tofu instead.

14. Clams casino

Clams casino are a fun dish that most people buy rather than make. But as the name suggests; they aren’t that difficult to prepare! Did you know that the “casino” in the name refers to the Italian word for “a big mess?” Turn these little clams into a big mess of flavor by following this easy recipe for clams casino!

And once you have them ready to serve, take them to a venue suitable for a cocktail soiree! Peerspace has venues that you can book for a few hours, rather than an entire day, like an Airbnb. That makes cocktail party venues like this art gallery in Chicago, IL, extremely affordable despite the upscale atmosphere and amenities offered!

Love the idea of hosting your party in an art gallery? Then check out our guide on how much it costs to rent an art gallery to learn how!

15. Chicken satay

From the creamy peanut sauce to the flavorful grilled chicken, is there any party appetizer as sure to disappear in a heartbeat as chicken satay? You’ll need to grill these with care for the perfect smoky grilled flavor without any dryness. Fortunately, this recipe will ensure that even beginners can make restaurant-quality chicken satay skewers for a cocktail party!

16. Shrimp cocktail

Budget-friendly and iconic, shrimp cocktail is the perfect cocktail party appetizer. Best of all, you can make your own shrimp cocktail that tastes much better than what you’ll find at stores. The secret is seasoning the poaching water beforehand with lemon, Old Bay, and other seasonings. That way the shrimp has a bit of kick that the cocktail sauce only enhances, rather than being the one flavoring that rescues bland, overcooked shrimp.

17. Baked crab & artichoke dip

Cheese-packed crab and artichoke dip is a wonderful snack table addition when paired with crackers, chips, or slices of bread! From preparation to serving hot out of the oven, you can have this recipe completed in just 35 minutes!

18. Stuffed mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are one of those recipes that you can really customize to your liking! Most recipes call for cheese as the foundation and you can add bacon bits, chives, shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and other additions. But you can easily make a lighter vegan-friendly stuffed mushroom dish using hummus or bread crumbs instead.

19. Coconut shrimp

Bring the flavors of the tropics to the table with coconut shrimp! These are a perfect appetizer for a beach or Tiki cocktail party theme! The coconut breading gets crispy when baked; use a creamy baja sauce or a sweet chili dipping sauce for these coconut shrimp appetizers.

Cocktail party themes: conclusion

As you can see, cocktail parties can be hosted in all kinds of ways! We hope you’ve found our list of chic cocktail party themes useful as you plan your upcoming event. Peerspace is all about helping people make lasting memories together. And while you are here, take a look at the cocktail party venues near you we have to offer! 

Find unique event spaces for your cocktail party on Peerspace