Emo Party: Ideas for Reliving Your Scene Kid Glory Days

Get ready to take it back to the 2000s and relive your Emo days with the ultimate themed party. Whether you rocked out to My Chemical Romance or wore Converse with everything, use these in-depth ideas to create an unforgettable Emo bash.

Find the Perfectly Emo Venue

Choosing the right venue is crucial for setting the dark and intimate vibe you want. Consider these options:

• Rent a small art gallery, event loft, or music space. Dim overhead lights and use black candles throughout to create atmosphere. Search sites like PeerSpace and Splacer that connect you with unique, non-traditional venues. An enclosed art gallery with hanging divider walls creates the perfect moody backdrop.
• Host it at home if you want full control over the decor. Transform your basement, garage, or enclosed patio into an Emo haven. Tapestry fabrics, curtains, and soft lighting help make indoor areas feel more intimate.
• Scout local dive bars, cafes, or small music venues and ask about renting their space during off hours. Look for ones with a stage, even if small, and check if they host open mic nights. This vibe already sets the mood.

Some key things to look for in a venue include ceiling hooks for dangling lights and fabrics, a contained layout vs. wide open rooms, and dark paint colors on the walls. Bonus if the spot comes preloaded with scuffed floors, graffiti art, and an underground edge.

Design Invitations Worthy of a Swoopy-Haired Emo Kid

Send snail mail invitations with a perfectly Emo vibe:

• Mail flat 5×7 or 4×6 black cardstock folded in half as the invite. Use silver, white, or red ink and include lyrics from favorite Emo anthems inside. Songs like “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” or “Welcome to the Black Parade” set the tone.
• Create digital invites using dark-themed templates on sites like Evite. Upload grungy backgrounds and bleeding heart clip art. Include a link to an unlisted Emo party Spotify playlist.
• Make paper invitations by hand to add that DIY touch. Use cardstock or repurposed paper bags cut down to size. Write in whiteout, silver sharpie, or your best faux calligraphy. Bleeding heart drawings and band logos make great decorative images.
• Attach temporary tattoos inside like small skulls, spiders, nautical stars, or band symbols. Order custom Emo logo tattoos or pick up variety packs.
• For a personal touch, print out polaroids of you and your friends rocking your most dramatic Emo looks. Add captions with your favorite song lyrics.

No matter which method you choose, take time making the invites special. It sets the tone for how your guests will dress, act, and embrace the Emo essence. Send out 4-6 weeks early to build true anticipation.

Decorate with All Things Dark and Romantic

Transforming the party space is a must. Go all out creating that darkly romantic Emo atmosphere with these ideas:

Create a Photo Backdrop Wall

Use black fabric like velvet, satin, or tulle to cover one wall/area from floor to ceiling. Layer and drape for texture. Hang white papery Chinese lanterns sporadically. Add pops of color with long strands of pastel crepe paper or tissue tassels.

Place tall electric candelabras dripping with black and purple melted wax pillars on either side. Hang vintage-style frames at varying heights and fill with Emo styled Polaroids or artwork.

Lighting

Search for used candelabras and wrought iron candleholders at thrift stores. Spray paint black and fill with flameless battery-operated candles for safety.

Hang strands of warm white string lights or paper lanterns from hooks on the ceiling to create an intimate dining-like feel. Place battery tealights around the room and along any tables, bars, or serving areas.

Tables, Floors, and Surfaces

Drape black tablecloths over tables and bars. Use Ouija board or menu sign table toppers. Scatter faux roses, candles, and crystal wine glasses for a moody high-end vibe.

Cover dark hardwood or concrete floors with a patchwork of vintage Persian rugs layered on top. They absorb sound and prevent echoing in large venues.

Place Emo prints in dark frames on side tables and walls. Prop up large vintage books, skulls of fake flowers. Cover end tables and console tables with band tees, torn fishnets, and other dark textiles.

The Musical Corner

Create a central “stage” even if small. Use plywood covered in fabric to build a riser. Top with amps and speakers and hang up guitars, mic stands, and cordless mics. Line the walls with vinyl album covers, collages of emo magazine photos, and printed lyrics.

Set out a “guest mic” sign-up sheet and croon some karaoke when you crank up that Emo playlist later on!

Cue the Music: Emo Anthems Only

Speaking of playlists, the music makes or breaks the party. Stay true to those Emo roots with these throwback tunes everyone will know:

Make the playlist collaborative ahead of time, so guests can request faves. Bring a Bluetooth speaker as backup and leave room in the lineup for impromptu performances!

Dress to Impress: Emo Outfit Inspiration

Encourage everyone to embrace their inner Emo with these nostalgic look ideas:

For the Ladies

• The Pop Punk Princess: Purple skinny jeans, band tee (tied up) with a tank underneath, studded/spiked belt, and Converse high tops. Accessorize with bangle bracelets, jelly cuffs, and a choker necklace.
• The Romantic Goth: A black floral babydoll dress over fishnet tights, layered with a cropped band hoodie, topped with a statement zip-up oversized hoodie. Add chunky boots, fingerless gloves and dark vampy lipstick.
• The Scene Queen: Brightly colored skinny jeans, band tank with a built-in shell bra, arm warmers, and a polka dot or plaid clip-in hairpiece. Pile on beaded necklaces, jelly bracelets, a studded cuff, and hype sneakers.
• The Emo Diva: For high drama, wear a ruffled punk-ish mini skirt with black lace tights, stacked Mary Jane platforms, and a cropped corset or bustier tank. Top with a classic band hoodie and finish with heavy black eyeliner.

Dudes can Rock Emo Style Too

• The Pop Punk Prince: Baggy black cargos or dark fitted jeans, a studded/spiked belt, Vans or Chucks, and a retro band or ironic graphic tee layered over a long-sleeve shirt.
• The Heartthrob: Skinny black jeans, a wallet chain, band tee, and a button-down shirt worn open. Add Converse shoes, black fingernail polish and “guy-liner.” Finish with scene-swept bangs or faux-hawk with color spray.
• The Nightmare Before Christmas: Black tapered jeans or JNCOs, black boots, and band shirt layered underneath a dark fitted blazer. Add Gothic rings, a lip ring, and dark nail polish. Keep hair sleek.
• The Rock Star: Shredded light jeans, Vans, tons of band tees and flannel tied around the waist layered on top. Toss on wrist cuffs, a bandana, beanie, and round sunglasses. Blast your hair with color spray.

Encourage guys to go all in with the makeup and accessories too. No Emo look is complete without the details!

Fuel Your Feels with Emo Edibles

Emo kids know how to keep the energy flowing. Offer these snacks, drinks, and treats:

Fun Drinks Both Spiked and Virgin

• Rootbeer Floats – Vanilla ice cream with root beer soda and a shot of whiskey or rum for the 21+ crowd
• Blood Red Punch – Fruit punch, lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, frozen raspberries, and Swedish Fish gummies (spiked with rum)
• Emo Hot Chocolate Bar – Peppermint and regular cocoa with flavored syrups, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and peppermint or coffee liqueur shots (if desired)
• Virgin Faves – Ramune Japanese soda, bubble tea, Mexican Coca-Cola, cream soda, and regular Root beer floats for the sober crowd
• Emo Cocktails – Blackberry Mojitos. You can leave out the alcohol for non drinking guests.

Emo-fied Party Bites

• Vegan Black Bean Taquitos – With spicy avocado dipping sauce (avo, salsa verde, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeno)
• Eggplant Fries – Sliced grilled eggplant sticks with zhoug sauce or vegan ranch dip
• Beet Sliders – Roasted beets as mini burger patties on charcoal black buns with hummus, greens, and crunchy dukkah spice blend
• Mac n’ Cheese Bites – Rolled into balls, breaded, and deep-fried with vegan ranch or marinara for dipping
• Pizza Dippas – Pizza dough cut into long breadsticks-shaped strips, baked then served with marinara or vegan melty cheese sauce

Sweet Treats and Candy Galore

• Skull Cake Pops – Cake dipped in icing then decorated with dark food coloring and skull candies
• Vampire Cupcakes – Red or black velvet cupcakes swirled with bloody red filling and piped with black icing
• Spider Cupcakes – Chocolate or spice cupcakes decorated with black licorice legs
• Candy Graveyard – Headstone buckets labeled with candies like Pop Rocks, Laffy Taffy, Nerds, SweeTarts, Dots, and Bottlecaps
• Emo Candy Apples – Caramel or chocolate w/ crushed cookies and black sprinkles

Bring on the Emo Games

In between all the eating, drinking, and merrymaking, entertain your guests with these themed games and activities:

• Emo Karaoke Showdown – Pass the mic and belt out your best My Chem, Paramore, and Panic! Tracks. Award winners with skull trophies.
• Scene It? Movie Edition – Test guests’ knowledge of legendary Emo films like Donnie Darko, Empire Records, and Juno with trivia and video clip challenges.
• Emo Makeovers – Split into teams and use the costume supplies to give each other dramatic scene-kid makeovers in 10 minutes. Take Polaroids of the final looks.
• Guess the Emo Song – Play clips from hit Emo songs and see who can name them fastest. Hand out band pins and patches as prizes.

Send Guests Home with Emo Favors

Make the night last by sending your guests off with custom Emo party favors they’ll fawn over.

• Temporary Tattoos – Give everyone their own sheet of small Emo tats to take home. Order custom logos of bands, symbols, phrases, and images.
• Emo Survival Kits – Gift bags with black nail polish, liquid eyeliner, hair chalk, and lip wax in dark shades.
• Candies and Treats – Attach skull lollipops, candy necklaces, or Halloween sweets to gift bags.
• Snacks and Drinks – Give out cans of Monster Energy drinks, bags of Hot Cheetos, and packs of Pop Rocks candy.
• Music Memorabilia – Offer band pins, patches, and logo stickers.
• Jewelry Keepsakes – Studded leather bracelets, chokers, and wallet chains as reminders of their inner emo.
• DIY Frames – Decorate little frames with emo sayings then insert printed party polaroids.

With this detailed guide, you have all the inspo needed to become an Emo party-planning extraordinaire. So unleash those bangs, get dramatic with the decor, and throw the most unforgettable party worthy of My Chem themselves!