Party ideas for adults
Adult parties can be as relaxed or as ambitious as you like. Host a tasting night (wine and cheese, gin, whisky or craft beer), a themed dinner such as a murder mystery or a gothic banquet, a cocktail or casino night, or something active like a golf day or go-karting.
For a bigger celebration, try a boat party, a glamping weekend or a hot tub in the garden. Every plan includes a menu, timings and the bookings to make.
51 ideas
Anti-Valentine's party
A tongue-in-cheek party for singles with black balloons, break-up songs karaoke, a piñata and comfort food.
Big game watch party
A big-screen watch party for the championship game with wings, nachos, a squares pool and halftime games.
Black tie dinner party
A formal five-course dinner at home with place cards, matched wines, candlelight and a midnight toast.
Board game night
A games café at home with a menu of board games for every group size, snacks and a tournament leaderboard.
Boat party
Charter a river cruiser or canal boat for a sail with drinks, a buffet and a sunset playlist.
Bon voyage retirement party
A travel-themed send-off with boarding pass invitations, a world map of suggestions and dishes from around the globe.
Bridal shower garden brunch
A floral brunch with a mimosa bar, a flower crown station and games that test how well guests know the couple.
Candle making party
Pour scented soy candles in jars, choose fragrances and colours, and take home a candle and a wax melt.
Casino and game night
Play-money blackjack, poker and roulette tables, a dress code and prizes for the biggest winner.
Christmas cocktail party
A glamorous festive drinks party with three signature cocktails, canapés, a mistletoe photo spot and a cracker toast.
Christmas wreath making
Build a fresh foliage wreath on a moss ring with pine, eucalyptus, dried oranges and ribbon, with mulled wine.
Comedy night at home
Book a comedian or two for a living-room comedy club, with cabaret seating, a bar and an open-mic spot.
Couples' cooking night
Couples cook a three-course meal side by side with recipe cards, a cook-off dessert and wine to match.
Craft beer and BBQ
A low-and-slow barbecue with a craft beer tasting flight, beer-paired dishes and garden games.
Festive afternoon tea
Tiered stands of turkey and cranberry sandwiches, mince pie scones and mini yule logs with tea and fizz.
Fondue night
A cosy evening of cheese fondue followed by chocolate fondue, with games until midnight.
Friendsgiving potluck
A shared autumn feast with friends: the host roasts the turkey, everyone brings a dish, and there's a gratitude tablecloth.
Galentine's brunch
A brunch for best friends with a waffle bar, a flower bouquet station, compliments jar and pink fizz.
Gin tasting party
Taste four craft gins neat and with matched tonics and garnishes, then build a signature G&T.
Glamping weekend
A weekend in bell tents or pods with a campfire feast, a hot tub and woodland walks.
Golf day
Book tee times for a friendly scramble, add nearest-the-pin and longest-drive prizes, then dinner at the clubhouse.
Grand prix race day party
Watch a motor race on the big screen with a chequered-flag theme, a race sweepstake and a sim-racing challenge.
Halloween costume cocktail party
A grown-up Halloween night with spooky cocktails, a dark buffet, a costume contest and a horror quiz.
Hen party cocktail class
A hands-on cocktail-making session at home, with a bartender or a step-by-step guide, games and a glam photo booth.
Hot tub party
A hired hot tub in the garden with fairy lights, floating drinks holders, a playlist and a robe for every guest.
Masquerade ball
An elegant evening of masks, candlelight, a waltz lesson and the big unmasking at midnight.
Mum-to-be pamper party
A relaxing baby shower with a mobile therapist for hand and foot massages, a face mask bar and a nourishing lunch.
Murder mystery dinner
Guests play characters at a dinner party and work out whodunnit across three courses.
New Year's Day brunch
A relaxed late brunch to start the year: pancake stack, full breakfast, Bloody Mary bar and resolutions jar.
Office Christmas party
A festive work party with a venue, a two-course dinner, awards, a secret Santa and a DJ.
Office summer social
A team summer party in a park or garden venue with a barbecue, sports day games and an ice cream van.
Paint and sip evening
Everyone follows the same step-by-step painting with a drink in hand, and goes home with a canvas.
Plant swap party
Guests bring cuttings and plants to swap, pot up new finds at a repotting bar and learn propagation tips.
Poker and steak night
A stag or birthday night with a steak dinner, a Texas Hold'em tournament with chips, and whisky.
Pottery workshop party
Hand-build mugs and trinket dishes with air-dry clay or book a pottery studio throwing session.
Pub quiz night
Host a proper pub quiz at home with teams, picture and music rounds, a jackpot question and prizes.
Retirement party
Celebrate a career with a 'this is your life' slideshow, speeches, a memory book and a bucket-list jar.
Roaring twenties party
Flapper dresses, pinstripe suits, jazz, a champagne tower and a speakeasy password at the door.
Stag adventure day
An active day out with axe throwing or paintball, a barbecue and a pub quiz about the groom.
Storybook baby shower
Each guest brings a favourite children's book with a message inside, building the baby's first library.
Surprise anniversary dinner
Friends and family secretly gather at a restaurant or home for a surprise dinner with messages from far-away loved ones.
Sushi making party
A hands-on sushi class at home: roll maki, shape nigiri and finish with mochi and green tea.
Tennis and strawberries party
A summer tennis-themed garden party with the big final on screen, strawberries and cream and a mini tennis tournament.
Through the decades party
A milestone birthday where each guest dresses as a decade, with a music quiz and a photo wall.
Twinkle twinkle little star baby shower
A dreamy star and moon theme with a gold balloon garland, wish stars for baby and a starry dessert table.
Ugly Christmas jumper party
Everyone wears their tackiest festive jumper for games, a jumper catwalk and a cosy Christmas buffet.
Vampire gothic dinner party
A candlelit gothic banquet with black roses, blood-red cocktails, a dark menu and velvet everything.
Whisky tasting night
Taste five whiskies from different regions with tasting notes, water droppers and food pairings.
White elephant gift swap
Everyone brings one wrapped gift; players unwrap or steal in turns for the funniest swap of the season.
Wine and cheese tasting
A guided tasting of four wines with matched cheeses, score cards and a blind-taste guessing game.
Yoga and brunch party
A private yoga class in the garden or a studio, followed by a healthy brunch spread and smoothie bar.