The glamour and decadence of the 1920s have made it an ever-popular party theme, with a spike in the number of 20s themed parties being planned as we enter the 2020s. With events themed around this opulent decade, there are options galore and beginning the planning process can seem daunting. From a light-hearted Gangsters and Flappers party to an elegant Gatsby-esque soirée, here are some pointers on how to execute your Roaring 20s celebration.
The Dress
The flapper is perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of the Roaring 20s and with their carefree style and fringe drop-waist dresses, one of the most fun to emulate. There are also slightly more formal, Downton Abbey style beaded gowns for an elegant look.
Dressing in a pin-stripe suit is a frequent choice of men attending 20s themed parties, particularly a gangster/flapper party. A three-piece suit can serve for a more polished look, while a bowtie and suspenders are perfect for a speakeasy-style occasion. Simple accessories like hats, sparkly headbands, and long gloves can be added to something from your closet to achieve a Jazz Age look as well.
The Décor
When thinking 20s décor, the Art Deco look is what springs to mind for most. Black, gold, silver, and white were frequently used colors and are easy to incorporate into any affair. Strands of pearls, ostrich feathers, vintage and mercury glass are another way to integrate the glitzy style of the 20s into your festivities.
The Drinks
Prohibition meant partygoers had to make do with what bootleggers could create, with gin and whiskey being the most readily available. These serve as the base for some of the most well-known mixed drinks of the decade including the Gin Rickey, the Bee’s Knees, and Mint Julep. Offering these on your drink menu will give your party the feel of a speakeasy for guests. Of course, no party is complete without champagne, and parties in the 20s were no exception. Associated with wealth and power, champagne echoes the celebratory tone of this lively era.
The Menu
As with all parties, the menu depends on your event type. For a co*cktail party, hors d’oeuvres like shrimp co*cktail, crab cakes, stuffed mushrooms as well as cheese trays and finger sandwiches were popular 20s fare. When planning a sit-down dinner, salad or soup along with a main course of smoked ham or roasted turkey will please your guests while staying on theme. If your dinner is a casual speakeasy style, fried chicken is another option that’s even mentioned in The Great Gatsby.
No matter the occasion, let All Occasion Catering impress you and your guests with our food service expertise. With over 20 years of experience in catering events of all types and sizes and customizable menus, you won’t have to look anywhere else. We also provide licensed bar services for all your bartending needs. Visit our blog for inspiration, and when you’re ready to book contact us online or give us a call at 865-521-1300.
FAQs
Hors d'oeuvres are a must. Try finger foods like devilled eggs, tea sandwiches, salted nuts, prawn co*cktail and canapés. Cakes were also very popular in the 1920s with red velvets, pound cakes and devil cakes popular.
What was a popular food in the 1920s? ›
Recipes for Chicken and Rice with Sauce; Baked Rice Milanaise; Prosperity Sandwich; Ice Box Cake; and a Sidecar.
What were the popular party activities in the 1920s? ›
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.
What are the most consumed items during the 1920's? ›
The prosperity of the 1920s led to new patterns of consumption, or purchasing consumer goods like radios, cars, vacuums, beauty products or clothing. The expansion of credit in the 1920s allowed for the sale of more consumer goods and put automobiles within reach of average Americans.
What food do they eat at speakeasy parties? ›
A growing number of finger foods have become popular due to the rise of these intimate events. Among the culinary delights served were lobster canapés, caviar rolls, crabmeat co*cktails, shrimp patties, oyster toast, anchovy molds, radish roses, devilled eggs, and savory cheese balls.
What was banned in the Roaring 20s? ›
Prohibition was a nationwide ban on the sale and import of alcoholic beverages that lasted from 1920 to 1933. Protestants, Progressives, and women all spearheaded the drive to institute Prohibition.
What are five activities people enjoyed in the 1920s? ›
More activities included playing board games, watching movies, listening to the radio, and reading. They played a lot of board games as families, like using the Ouija board and playing Hokum and Tiddledy Winks. They watched movies now because they started playing movies with sound that was made in 1923.
What candy was popular in the 1920s? ›
The 1920s featured a continued focus on chocolate as O'Henry Bars, Zero bars, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Baby Ruth, Mounds, Milky Way, and Mr. Goodbar all entered the scene. The 1920s introduced dextrose, a corn syrup, as a new cheap ingredient to replace sugar.
What food was served during The Great Gatsby? ›
“On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors d'oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold.” Gatsby convinces Nick to invite Daisy Buchanan to tea, but in the moments before she arrives, Gatsby begins to worry.
What do you call a 1920s themed party? ›
Planning a 1920s Party Theme – Gatsby, Speakeasy, Harlem Nights.
The 1920's Speakeasy Decorations
— Black & Gold Color Scheme: Get those art deco vibes rolling! Use a variety of objects in black and gold such as balloons, pearls, gold glittered wine bottles, plates, candles, ostrich feathers, etc. — 1920s Signs: Use signs and printables to quickly decorate for the party.
What did people drink at parties in the 1920s? ›
Gin Rickey
It's a classic from the era – so much so that it's still Washington D.C.'s official co*cktail! The original likely contained bourbon or whiskey, because that was preferred before they started mixing up gin in bathtubs during Prohibition.
What was a main course meal in the 1920s? ›
Dinner- Home dinners typically followed a formula of meat, starch, vegetable sides and a weird salad. Chicken a la King was popular. Jell-o salads like this 1920's ginger ale salad could be found in any cookbook. For dessert, an icebox cake made from cookies set in the ice box or newly invented refrigerator.
