A Retro 70s Party is a blast from the past, packed with funky fashion, disco fever, and unforgettable music. From the disco ball to the bell-bottoms, the 70s are synonymous with vibrant colors, free-spirited attitudes, and of course, the disco dance craze. Whether you’re hosting a birthday celebration or just looking to throw a groovy themed party, here’s everything you need to plan an awesome Retro 70s Party:

1. Invitations

Start the party right with funky, retro-themed invitations that reflect the style and vibe of the 70s.

  • Disco Ball Invitations: Use disco ball imagery or psychedelic fonts on your invites to set the mood. You could even make the invite look like an old-school vinyl record.
  • Flower Power Invitations: Incorporate bright colors and groovy patterns, like tie-dye, peace signs, and flowers that reflect the hippie side of the 70s.
  • Retro Ticket Invitations: Create event tickets for a retro concert or a nightclub, mimicking the style of the 70s club scene.

2. Venue and Decor

Transform your venue into a funky 70s-inspired space with bold, vibrant, and nostalgic décor.

Color Scheme

  • Bright and Bold Colors: Incorporate warm tones like orange, yellow, brown, green, and avocado to evoke the iconic retro 70s color palette.
  • Disco Glitter: Use metallics, silver, gold, and neon accents to bring the glittering, sparkling vibe of the disco era to your party.

Decor Ideas

  • Disco Ball: Hang a disco ball or several around the room. This iconic symbol of the 70s instantly creates a dance party atmosphere.
  • Groovy Patterns: Use psychedelic swirls, floral prints, and checkerboard patterns to decorate walls, tables, and linens.
  • Lava Lamps: Set up lava lamps around the room for an authentic retro touch.
  • Retro Furniture: Use bean bag chairs, retro couches, and low-lying tables to create a chill, 70s-inspired lounge vibe.
  • Vintage Posters: Hang posters of 70s music icons like The Bee Gees, David Bowie, Elton John, and ABBA.
  • Funky Lighting: Use colored lights or black lights to create a vibrant atmosphere. Consider using string lights to add some whimsy to your décor.

3. Food & Drinks

No 70s-themed party is complete without delicious food and drinks that reflect the era’s style.

Food Ideas

  • Mini Quiches: Serve mini quiches or savory finger foods like cheese straws and deviled eggs—classic party food from the 70s.
  • Cheese Fondue: A staple of the 70s, have a cheese fondue fountain where guests can dip bread cubes, veggies, and fruits.
  • Cocktail Sausages: Serve cocktail sausages in BBQ sauce or cocktail meatballs.
  • Jell-O Molds: Serve Jell-O molds in different colors or with fruits inside. A classic party treat from the 70s!
  • Pigs in a Blanket: Mini hot dogs wrapped in dough, a classic 70s snack.
  • Finger Sandwiches: Serve tea sandwiches, such as cucumber or chicken salad sandwiches.

Drink Ideas

  • Tequila Sunrise: A fruity, colorful cocktail made with tequila, orange juice, and a splash of grenadine.
  • Pina Colada: Serve Pina Coladas for a tropical, beachy vibe.
  • Whiskey Sour: A simple yet classic drink from the 70s.
  • Gin and Tonic: A 70s staple, served with a lime wedge.
  • Classic Cocktails: Serve popular 70s cocktails like Tom Collins, Mai Tai, and Mudslide.
  • Non-Alcoholic: For a non-alcoholic drink, serve fruit punch or lemonade in colorful glasses.

4. Music Playlist

The 70s was a golden era for music, with disco, funk, and rock dominating the airwaves. A 70s party needs a great playlist, packed with the best hits of the decade.

  • Disco Anthems:
    • “Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees
    • “Le Freak” – Chic
    • “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
    • “Superstition” – Stevie Wonder
    • “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” – Michael Jackson
  • Funky Hits:
    • “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” – James Brown
    • “Brick House” – The Commodores
    • “Play That Funky Music” – Wild Cherry
    • “We Are Family” – Sister Sledge
  • Classic Rock:
    • “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen
    • “American Woman” – The Guess Who
    • “Dream On” – Aerosmith
    • “Life’s What You Make It” – Talk Talk
    • “Hotel California” – Eagles
  • Pop Hits:
    • “Dancing Queen” – ABBA
    • “Killing Me Softly With His Song” – Roberta Flack
    • “I Love the Nightlife” – Alicia Bridges
    • “Sir Duke” – Stevie Wonder

Make sure to include a mix of disco, funk, rock, and pop to keep the energy going throughout the night.

5. Party Activities and Games

Keep your guests entertained with fun activities that celebrate the 70s!

Disco Dance-Off

  • A disco dance-off is a must for a 70s party! Set up a dance floor with colorful lighting, and encourage guests to show off their best disco moves (think: The Hustle, The Bump, The Robot).

70s Costume Contest

  • Encourage guests to dress in 70s fashion, whether it’s disco glamour, hippie chic, or rockstar styles. Offer fun prizes for categories like Best Disco Diva, Best Hippie, or Best 70s Band Member.

Karaoke

  • Set up a karaoke machine for guests to belt out classic 70s hits like “Stayin’ Alive”, “I Will Survive”, and “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Disco Trivia

  • Host a 70s trivia game, where guests can test their knowledge of 70s music, pop culture, and fashion. Include questions about classic disco bands, movies, and famous figures like Elvis Presley, David Bowie, and Farrah Fawcett.

6. Costumes and Dress Code

Guests will love the chance to dress up in groovy, 70s-inspired outfits. Here are some costume ideas for your Retro 70s Party:

For Women:

  • Disco Queen: Think sparkly jumpsuits, mini skirts, platform shoes, and feathered hair.
  • Hippie Vibe: Go for bell-bottom pants, tie-dye shirts, flower crowns, and round sunglasses.
  • Funky Fashion: Wear flared pants, bold prints, high-waisted jeans, and vintage band tees.
  • Glam Rock: Dress in leather jackets, glittery tops, and wild hair for a David Bowie-inspired look.

For Men:

  • Disco King: Wear bell-bottom trousers, a tight shirt, platform shoes, and add afro wigs or sunglasses.
  • Hippie Style: Embrace peace signs, tie-dye t-shirts, fringe vests, and headbands.
  • Glam Rocker: Dress in tight pants, leather jackets, and silver chains.
  • Classic 70s: Think about flared pants, paisley prints, and wide collars for that stylish retro look.

7. Party Favors

Send your guests home with fun and quirky 70s-inspired party favors to keep the retro vibe alive!

  • Mini Disco Balls: Small disco balls or retro keychains make a great keepsake.
  • Flower Crowns: Flower crowns or peace sign necklaces for a groovy touch.
  • Mini Lava Lamps: Send guests home with mini lava lamps as a nostalgic reminder of the party.
  • Vintage Candies: Give out retro candies like Pop Rocks, Jawbreakers, or Candy Buttons.

8. Ending the Party

Finish the night with some fun and groovy music—something that brings the 70s vibe full circle, like “We Are Family” or “Bohemian Rhapsody”. You can also have a final disco dance session with everyone on the dance floor before the night ends.

A Retro 70s Party is the perfect way to relive the fun, funky, and vibrant era. With groovy décor, disco music, 70s fashion, and fun activities, your guests will feel like they’ve stepped into a time machine back to one of the most iconic decades in history! Get ready to party like it’s 1979!