Your Guide To An Epic 90s TV Party

If you’re craving a serious dose of 90s television nostalgia, a 90s TV theme party is the perfect way to time warp back to the days of Must See TV. This complete guide will make planning your radical 90s TV bash easy and fun. From picking the perfect venue to nailing the decor, costumes, food, music and activities, we’ll cover everything you need to pull off an unforgettable party filled with all your favorite shows and characters. Let’s do this!

Scout Out the Ideal Venue

The first big decision? Choosing where your awesome 90s TV time warp will take place. Consider these options when picking your perfect party venue:

Host at Your Home

Your own home may be the easiest and most affordable choice for hosting your 90s TV extravaganza. Clear out your living room to create a large area for mingling, dancing and photos. Bring in extra seating like beanbags and floor cushions, so guests can lounge 90s style. Use your kitchen and dining room for food and drinks.

Set up camping tables for buffet service and stack paper plates and cups for easy cleanup. Your backyard could also be utilized if you want an outdoor space. Having the party at home lets you go all out with decorations and theme, since you don’t have to worry about venue rules.

Rent a Community Center

Many local community and recreation centers offer affordable rentals for special events and private parties. These centers provide spacious rooms like gyms, halls and common areas that can accommodate large gatherings.

Rental fees are usually hourly or daily. Many community centers also have industrial kitchens you can use for food prep and cleanup.

The rental fees tend to be budget-friendly compared to other venues. Just be aware of any policies on decorations, noise, alcohol etc. and how late you can stay.

Book a Retro Entertainment Venue

For ultra authentic 90s nostalgia, consider booking your bash at a retro entertainment venue like a roller rink, bowling alley or arcade. Many feature decor and amenities already decked out in neon 90s style.

Bowling alleys often have lounge areas, food service and occasionally allow alcohol with a permit. Roller rinks and arcades are ideal for parties with lots of nostalgic activities built in. Availability and rental rates can vary widely, so call ahead.

Reserve at a Local Bar or Restaurant

Bars, pubs and restaurants are go-to choices for many private events. Contact eateries in your area to ask about reserving space for your 90s TV party. Many accommodate private parties, especially on slower nights like Sundays or Mondays.

Pricing is usually based on a food and drink minimum you agree to spend. Make sure to ask if they allow outside food and alcohol, or if you must use their supplies. This can significantly affect your budget.

The venue may be able to help you arrange extras like a 90s costume contest, trivia games, photo booth and prizes. Their decor and atmosphere however won’t be 90s focused, so bring themed props and signage to transform the space.

Outdoors at a Park or Pavilion

During warmer months, parks and picnic pavilions can provide an affordable outdoor option for your 90s television throwback. Look for local parks with sheltered pavilions, picnic tables, power outlets, lighting and grills.

Fees are generally very low. Supplement with tent shelters in case of rain. Bring along games like cornhole, ladder golf and giant Jenga. Outdoor TV showings could also be set up to view those 90s classics.

Picnic style finger foods and desserts. Just be sure to nix alcohol if prohibited at the park and wrap up the event on time.

DIY Party Space

If you can’t find a suitable rental space, consider temporarily transforming an unlikely spot, like your garage, backyard shed or a friend’s warehouse space. This takes work, but you can fully customize the decor.

Spend a day cleaning and clearing the area out. Bring in seating, tables, lighting plus flooring and decor to theme it out. Make the layout open for activities, dancing, photos, catering and more.

Arrange any required permits, insurance, restrooms and electricity access. While challenging, this option allows complete creative freedom!

Whatever venue you select, deck it out in sensational 90s style from top to bottom. Keep reading for awesome ideas. But first – spread the word with righteous 90s invites!

Hype It Up with Fresh 90s TV Invites

Once your venue is set, it’s time to get guests hyped up for your radical 90s TV throwback! Design colorful invites that will build major FOMO. Consider these creative ideas:

Craft postcards or mini posters with a collage of classic 90s television characters like the Friends gang, Baywatch, 90210 teens and more. Use colored markers and fun fonts to draw it out.
Print invites using classic 90s computer graphics and Word Art. Think neon text, busy backgrounds and cheesy clip art.
Attach stickers like 90s candy, toys and TV icons. Lisa Frank and Nintendo stickers would be amazing.
For e-vites, include a gif that flashes through iconic 90s TV opening credits – Full House, Family Matters, Frasier.
Tell guests to dress up as their favorite 90s character. List popular options from Melrose Place, Fresh Prince, Buffy, Boy Meets World, Seinfeld and more.
Include memorable and zany 90s TV quotes like “How rude!” “Did I do that?” or “You got it dude!”
Mail physical invites in colorful 90s-style envelopes sealed with Lisa Frank stickers. Hand deliver some for a personal touch.
Create a social media event with TV characters as the banner and profile pic. Post clips of iconic 90s TV shows, trivia questions and quotes to keep guests excited before the event.

With creative, nostalgic invitations, your guests will be so stoked for your 90s TV bash. Now transform your space with bodacious decor!

Deck Out Your Venue in True 90s Style

When prepping your party space, go crazy capturing the full 90s television experience. Use these ideas to nail the decor:

Make a giant mural with the logos of beloved shows like X-Files, Sex & The City, Saved By the Bell, 3rd Rock From The Sun and Dawson’s Creek. Leave room for guests to sign by their faves.
Print out classic TV Guide covers and pages from the 90s. Tape them up or lay them out across tables.
Display old VHS tape jackets and VCRs for mega nostalgia. Bonus points if you actually play tapes!
For seating areas, use bean bags, floor cushions, butterfly chairs and bright hammocks.
Hang disco balls, lava lamps, beaded curtains and glittering streamers.
Make photo backdrop walls covered in 90s patterns like checkerboard, tie dye, neon squiggles or abstract shapes.
Include old electronics like Nintendo systems, Polaroids, boomboxes and Walkmans as prop decor.
Use colorful plastic tables and chairs straight out of the 90s.

Your decor can really amplify the 90s TV nostalgia. Now let’s dive into essential 90s tunes and costumes.

Cue Up a Bodacious 90s TV Playlist

Get guests jammin’ 90s style with a bangin’ playlist of beloved retro TV tunes, hits and throwbacks:

Include iconic theme songs from hit shows – Fresh Prince, 3rd Rock From The Sun, Buffy, Beverly Hills 90210, and so many more!
Add other smash singles that were featured on shows or popular during the era – “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts, “MMMBop” by Hanson, “I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys.
Don’t forget novelty tunes that were 90s mainstays – “Macarena,” “Cotton Eye Joe,” “Barbie Girl.”
Throw in classic 90s artists that cranked out hits – Spice Girls, NSYNC, No Doubt, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Aqua.
Take requests and make playlists based around dance tracks, slow jams, boy bands and divas so guests can hear their faves.
Have mega fun transitioning between TV theme songs as the perfect sing-along segues.

With the ideal 90s filled playlist pumping, it’s time to hit guests with epic 90s looks from TV’s top shows.

Dress to Impress in 90s TV Style

The costumes really make a 90s TV theme party legendary. Encourage your guests to channel their favorite characters with these fun costume ideas:

Quintessential 90s Gear

Windbreakers and tracksuits in neon pops
Overall shorts and floral baby doll dresses
Chokers, overall clips, scrunchies, barrettes
Gelly sandals, platform sneakers, Doc Martens
Ripped jeans and flannel

Iconic TV Character Costumes

Friends – Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, Ross.
Fresh Prince – Will, Carlton, Hilary, Ashley, Uncle Phil, Geoffrey.
Full House – DJ, Stephanie, Michelle, Joey, Jesse, Kimmy, Uncle Jesse.
Saved By the Bell – Kelly, Zack, Screech, Lisa, Slater, Jessie, Mr. Belding.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Buffy, Willow, Xander, Cordelia, Angel, Spike.
Boy Meets World – Cory, Topanga, Shawn, Mr. Feeny.
Seinfeld – Jerry, Elaine, George, Kramer, Newman.
X-Files – Mulder, Scully.
Beverly Hills 90210 – Brandon, Brenda, Dylan, Andrea, Kelly, Steve, Donna.
ER – Dress in white coated medical personnel
Baywatch – Don those signature red bathers

Encourage your gusts to dress as their own favorite TV characters from the era. Supply name tag stickers of characters, so everyone can ID each other. Get ready for tons of pics and costume shenanigans! Now feed your guests plenty of bodacious bites and drinks.

Cater Rad 90s TV Grub and Beverages

Fuel up your guests with totally gnarly 90s eats, drinks and desserts to power an epic night of revelry.

TV Show Themed Drinks:

Central Perk Coffee Cart – coffees straight from Friends.
The Max from Saved By the Bell – fruit smoothies.
The Peach Pit from 90210 – sparkling punch in coconut cups, shakes, mocktails.
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – snazzy cocktails, mocktails in fake champagne flutes.

Quintessential 90s Beverages:

Surge Soda
Clearly Canadian
Capri Sun

You could of course always adult up these drinks with a little booze if you wish. Don’t forget to include the standard selection of beers, sodas and punch for your guests but serve them in 90s style red cups, or that most iconic of designs from the decade, the solo jazz cup.

Nostalgic 90s Finger Foods:

Mini Sliders
Bagel bites
Smiley face fries
Mozzarella sticks
Chicken wings
Corn dogs
Frito pie

Snack Station Spreads:

Candy bar – Skittles, Nerds, Warheads, Ring Pops, Baby Bottle Pops, Push Pops, Gusher fruit snacks, Fruit roll up pinwheels, Popcorn from old school popcorn machines.
Chips and dip – Funyuns, 3D Doritos, Cheetos, Dunkaroos, Bugles with cheese whiz

With rockin’ 90s eats and drinks flowing, it’s time bring on the games!

Get Competitive with 90s TV Activities and Contests

After filling up on food, fuel some friendly competition with lively 90s TV inspired games and contests:

Friends trivia bee – with rapid fire bonus challenges like stuffing marshmallows in your mouth and saying “Monica’s fluffy Cat.”
90s Pop Culture charades – have teams act out classic shows and characters for points. Play in rapid succession.
Nickelodeon-style Splat challenges – set up dunk tanks, inflatable obstacle courses, slime making stations.
Seinfeld marble rye contest – teams balance marble ryes on unusual body parts for the longest time.
Name That TV Tune – play audio clips of TV theme songs and guests write down the matching show.
Friends “Smelly Cat” karaoke contest – have guests do solos or duets. Award prizes for creativity and commitment.
Cornhole and ladder ball – set up lawn games painted with 90s designs and characters.
Mario Kart and Mario Party tourneys – hold 90s video game competitions with Nintendo 64 or a Mini console preloaded with 90s classic games.
Twister – use custom game mats with 90s TV patterns and characters.

Keep activities short, silly, and light to get everyone having a blast together. Then send them home with happy memories using fun 90s favors and giveaways.

Gift Retro 90s Swag for Guests

Make the night unforgettable by gifting fun 90s nostalgia to your guests. Fill individual bags or set out a help yourself table with:

Slap bracelets and scrunchies
Crazy shaped erasers
Bubbles
Temporary 90s style tattoos
Glow sticks and bead necklaces
Stickers of TV show logos and characters
Ring pops
Warheads candy
Mad libs and word find puzzles themed around 90s shows.

Your radical 90s TV party will certainly leave guests grinning from ear to ear. They’ll be totally stoked reliving the extreme fun of the decade’s best shows. I hope you have an excellent time with your friends and loved ones.