Grab your bellbottoms and platform shoes, because we’re taking a trip back in time for the grooviest party of the year! The 1970s were a colorful, creative decade filled with iconic music, fashion, and culture. Capturing the spirit of this far-out era for your next bash is easy with our complete guide to planning a rockin’ 70s party!
We’ll give you detailed ideas for creating a phenomenal atmosphere from start to finish. From psychedelic decorations to funky fashion, rockin’ tunes, festive foods and vibey venues, we’ve got you covered on all things 70s.
Finding a Funky Venue or Pad to Get Down In
Finding the perfect scene to capture the essence of 70s style starts with the right venue. Consider these options for finding a funky space to get down:
- Community recreation centers offer large, open rooms perfect for converting into colorful party zones. Their size allows for activities like disco dance-offs and limbo contests. Rent a disco ball and light set to hang from the ceiling and transform the space into a glam, retro disco.
- Backyards and outdoor areas channel a laidback, festival vibe. Set up a stage or designated dance space and decorate the surrounding trees, fences and tents with string lights and lanterns. This is an affordable option for those groovy days and nights.
- Your living room easily morphs into a far out 70s lounge. Clear furniture to open space and roll up rugs to create a make-shift dance floor. Use fabrics like tie-dye tapestries as wall hangings and set up a disco ball to reflect light. Add pillows and beanbags to create a chill-out zone.
- Event spaces and lofts offer blank canvases to deck out however you please. Paint or project psychedelic graphics on walls and hang beaded curtains to section off different areas. Rent retro furniture like egg chairs, womb chairs and brightly colored couches.
Wherever you choose, make it colorful, fun and full of 70s character!
Invitations to Set the Tone
Once your venue is set, it’s time for the most essential part – spreading the word! Your invites set the tone and get guests excited. Make them as bold, psychedelic and rockin’ as your party will be. Consider these far-out ideas:
- Design brightly colored, trippy invitations with curvy retro fonts. Include radical lingo like “Be there or be square!” and “Can you dig it?”. Print on cardstock, tie-dye paper or faux leather.
- Channel art deco style with geometric patterns. Use metallic foils and neon colors for added pizzazz.
- For e-vites, attach graphics of 70s elements like lava lamps, Vinyl records, shag carpeting and band logos.
- Attach small metal peace signs or beads with miniature tassels.
- For save-the-dates, mail custom temporary tattoos complete with 70s motifs, so guests can rock them to the party.
Get creative and set the vibe – your invites are the first glimpse into your shindig!
Decorating with Psychedelic Style
When it comes to decking out your venue, go big, go bright, and don’t hold back on the pizzazz. Some ideas for far-out decorations:
- Cover walls in retro concert posters depicting 70s bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd. Recreate famous album covers like The Dark Side of the Moon.
- Drape beaded curtains and hanging macramé wall hangings at entryways and between rooms. Use brightly colored beads and fringe trim for texture.
- Project swirling psychedelic graphics or lava lamp visuals using retro slide projectors or laser lighting. This transforms blank walls into hypnotic focal points.
- Display colorful blow up furniture like sofas, chairs and ottomans to add whimsical seating areas.
- Fill the space with lava lamps, strobe balls, bubble machines and disco balls of all sizes to cast a kaleidoscope of light effects.
- Place potted hanging plants like ferns or ivy throughout for an earthy vibe. Incorporate hanging flower rings.
Go for sensory overload – the funkier, the better! Allow 1–2 hours for decorating, and make it a pre-party activity for your grooviest friends.
Cranking the Tunes: Iconic 70s Jams
What’s a 70s rock party without some, well, 70s rock? This playlist should be enough to keep guests rockin’ all night.
Rockin’ the Stage: Rock Star Costumes
What better way to emulate the rebellious, rule-breaking spirit of the 70s than by dressing up as some of the most iconic rockstars of the era?
When it comes to costumes, encourage your guests to channel their inner Hendrix, Jagger, Plant or Slick by transforming into one of these legends of rock n’ roll:
Freddie Mercury
Gentleman can strut like the charismatic frontman:
- Find a short black hair wig or style your hair with short sides and longer strands on top.
- Wear a black and white jumpsuit to get that 70s queen look
- Drape a long silk robe with embroidery, fringe, or intricate designs over your tank and pants to emulate Freddie’s flamboyant stage style.
- Optional props include a microphone stand, a crown, and a scepter.
Stevie Nicks
Ladies can recreate the bewitching singer-songwriter’s look:
- Long cornsilk blonde hair with braids and scarves
- Airy dresses or peasant blouses and flowing skirts
- Layers of fringe shawls and capes
- Stacked platform heel boots
- Gold bangle bracelets and pendant necklaces
- Dark, smoky eye makeup
Steven Tyler
Gents can tease their hair and strut like the Aerosmith wonder:
- Long dark curly wig, bandana or scarf tying back hair
- Vibrant patterned tops unbuttoned over chest
- Skinny scarves, funky sunglasses
- Skintight bellbottoms or leather pants
- Chunky platform boots
- Temporary chest tattoos
Blondie
Ladies recreate the 70s icon:
- Sequined top
- Black mini skirt
- Strappy heels
- Dark eyeliner, blue eye shadow and red lipstick
- Gold bangles
So break out the hairspray, practice your stage moves, and pay homage to these unforgettable music icons. Becoming a rock legend for the night is sure to amp up the entertainment and energy!
Grubbing Down with 70s Nosh and Refreshments
Keep your guests energized for an all-night boogie by serving these satisfying 70s eats and drinks:
Delectable apps and finger foods:
- Fondue stations with bread cubes, veggies and fruits for dipping
- Deviled eggs with retro garnishes like caviar and bacon
- Swedish meatballs in savory gravy
- Nacho bar with guacamole, pico de gallo, queso sauce and salsa
- Potato skins loaded with cheese, bacon and green onions
Hearty main courses:
- DIY taco and fajita bars with meat, veggie and vegan fillings
- Mac n’ Cheese Bar: Elbow pasta with cheese sauces, bacon bits, scallions, jalapenos, crushed chips and more
- Baked Bean Bar: Varieties like BBQ, bacon, chili and more toppings like slaw and cornbread
Groovy plant-based plates:
- Falafel patties with hummus, pickled red onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and spinach on pita bread
- Grilled veggie kabobs loaded with bell peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant and tofu cubes
- Vegetarian sloppy joes made with lentils, walnuts and spices served on potato slider buns
Psychedelic sweets and treats:
- Custom tie-dye cake pops swirled with pink, purple, blue and green colors
- Frosted brownies, blondies and cut-out sugar cookies decorated with peace signs
- Gelatin s molds shaped like guitars, records and flowers
70s Beverages:
- Fruit punchbowls with floating ice rings
- DIY slushies and milkshake bar with groovy toppings like sprinkles, whipped cream and cherries
- Non-alcoholic choices like sodas, juices and Shirley Temples
- Boozy options like Manhattans, Harvey Wallbangers, Fuzzy Navels and Singapores. Have beer, wine and bubbly on hand.
Top it all off with psychedelic cake pops, popcorn bars and candy stations, so guests can grab goodies as they dance the night away!
Far Out Entertainment: Games and Activities
In between bustin’ moves, give guests a chance to show off their 70s know-how and talents:
- Rock Strut Offs – Hold freestyle strutting competitions and see who can move like Jagger or thrust like Plant.
- Name That Tune – Have teams compete to identify the most 70s rock hits from just a few seconds of songs.
- Retro Game Stations – Set up Twister boards, connect four games, corn hole and card game tables for nostalgic fun.
- DIY Lava Lamps – Provide oil, food coloring, glitter, water and jars. Guests can mix up their own far out lamps.
- Rock Star Karaoke – Hand out funky feather boas, fluffy microphones, big hair wigs and glam sunglasses for guests to rock out in style.
- Polaroid Station – Provide vintage instant cameras and funky costume pieces for guests to snap memorable pics in.
The activities are endless – just be sure to keep that groovy 70s energy going all night long!
Send Guests Home with 70s Favors
After a night of dancing, laughing and rock n roll memories, make the 70s vibes last by sending guests home with righteous parting gifts:
- Tie-dye bandanas, scrunchies, and peace sign patches and pins
- Beaded necklaces with puka shells, wooden circles or zodiac charms
- Macrame friendship bracelets in earthy patterns like chevron, stripes and crisscross
- Succulents in colorful, groovy pots hand painted with 70s designs
- Small bottles of glitter gel nail polish, blue eyeshadow, and temporary tattoos
Conclusion
Let’s get this party started! With our detailed guide to all things 70s, you have everything you need to create the shindig of the century. So tap into your inner 70s rocker and start planning a celebration even Black Sabbath would envy. It’s time to boogie on down!
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