Welcome to the Electro Swing Project’s ultimate guide to throwing a Gatsby Themed Party.
We’ve poured all the glitz, glamour, and experience from performing at some of the most dazzling Gatsby events into this easy-to-follow guide. Whether you’re going for roaring twenties elegance or full-on speakeasy vibes, this guide makes hosting a Gatsby-themed party a breeze, from sourcing your venue to booking your entertainment.
Step 1:
Choose Your Venue and Set The Date For Your Gatsby Themed Party
Start by choosing your venue. It is good to have a few dates in mind when viewing venues as they get booked up way in advance and being flexible will help secure the perfect venue for you, your guests and party plans. If possible, try to avoid peak holiday weekends or major public events that might make travel or accommodation more expensive for your guests.
We recommend choosing a venue that naturally embodies the Gatsby theme to save you time and money on decorating the venue.
Five of our favourite venues in London for Gatsby Themed Events:
- The Ned (featured above in this incredible photo), with their fantastic range of rooms for all event sizes.
- Fitz’s Bar at the Kimpton Fitzroy offers Art Deco glamour with its mirrored walls and vintage chandeliers
- The Bloomsbury Ballroom is a 1920s treasure.
- The Banking Hall, moments from Bank Station and an incredible treasure, like you have stepped back in time.
- The Great Room, at the Mayfair Hotel, for larger events of over 300 people.
All of these venues have ample space for a band, a dance floor ready for the Charleston, and everything in between. Giving you the perfect Gatsby backdrop with minimal effort required!
Some factors to consider when choosing your venue:
- Is it easy for my guests to get to?
- Is it the right size for the number of guests I am expecting? For example, if you have 30 guests, you do not want to choose a venue that has a capacity of 200 people as you will lose the intimacy of the event.
- Does the venue have on-site catering?
- Does it fit comfortably within my budget?
- Does the venue allow plenty of time to set up?
Excited to decorate the Venue and bring your own Gatsby take on the event?
If you would rather opt for a blank canvas and put your own stamp on the party, here are a few of our must-have venue decoration ideas:
- A Colour Scheme – Black and gold are the most prominent colours from the Gatsby era. A colour scheme makes it super easy to look slick!
- Table Centre Pieces – Think sequinned table cloths, tall feather centrepiece or balloons.
- Art Deco Photo Walls – They look fantastic and are great fun for guests to take photos and create memories.
Step 2:
Set The Scene With Some Great Gatsby-Inspired Entertainment
You’ve chosen your venue and set the date – now it’s time to bring your Gatsby soirée to life with unforgettable entertainment. The Gatsby theme is an event many of us have seen time and time again. Over 100 years of it in fact! So like us, I am sure you want to do things a big differently and put a modern spin on things. What better way to do that than with the Electro Swing Project – a band known for putting a modern spin on 1920s big band hits, intertwined with chart stopping party numbers of the 2020s!
The Importance of Choosing the Right Entertainment For Each Part Of The Night
Music sets the tone and gets your guests in the Gatsby spirit. The roaring twenties were all about extravagant parties and lively entertainment, with swing music taking centre stage. The music will help you define this and take your guests on a journey through the night.
We recommend having three stages to your event:
- Drinks Reception – Mix and mingle with your guests as they arrive, whilst they enjoy some background music and sip cocktails.
- The Main Party Band – It’s time to break loose and hit the dance floor.
- The After Party – Don’t forget to book a DJ so your guests can continue partying the night away!
The Drinks Reception – Welcome Entertainment As Your Guests Arrive
The drinks reception is your guests’ first taste of the night, so make it memorable. Combine visual spectacle with smooth jazz to get everyone in the Gatsby spirit:
- Live Jazz Band – Think golden-age melodies and toe-tapping tunes that immediately transport guests to the 1920s. Nothing captures the opulence of the Gatsby era quite like the brassy melodies of jazz.
- Aerial Acts – You could choose an aerial hoop or trapeze. There’s nothing quite like seeing performers in Gatsby attire suspended in the air for the ultimate WOW factor (rigging permitting).
- Flapper Dancers – No rigging? No problem. Two dancers in classic flapper dresses can greet guests, pose for photos, and later join the band for a full stow-shopping routine.
Top tip: Browse our range of circus performers to make sure your drinks reception is the perfect prelude to an unforgettable night!
For the Main Party Band and After Party – It Is The Electro Swing Band All The Way!
The Electro Swing Project breathes new life into the roaring twenties, infusing your Gatsby soirée with an irresistible fusion of vintage charm and modern flair. Treat your guests to the infectious energy of Swing and Big Band classics, complete with dazzling choreographed dancers and an afterparty DJ. Our consistent show-stopping performance has earned rave reviews from past clients, so you can feel assured the band will keep everyone on their feet all night long.
Booking a Gatsby-themed band is like a shortcut to party success – guests are whisked into a glamorous, glittering world reminiscent of a modern-day Gatsby fantasy. Are you ready to transform your party into an unforgettable celebration? Find out how easy it is to hire London’s exclusive Gatsby-themed band.
Step 3:
Send Out ‘Save the Date’ Invitations and Inspire Your Guests To Dress In Full Gatsby-Style
With the venue and entertainment confirmed, it’s time to ensure your guests save the date!
Create your invitations
These can be made so easily using apps like Canva, with their fantastic range of pre-made Gatsby invitations that are ready to personalise and send. Print them or send them out electronically via email or WhatsApp. Themed invitations not only set the mood but also help with RSVPs, ensuring you have a headcount for catering.
Things to include on the invitation:
- Venue address.
- Arrival time and carriages (a lovely Gatsby term for close of the night).
- Inspire your guests with a dress code, ‘Dress to Impress, Gatsby Style’.
- Give them a taste of what to expect, for example; welcome drinks at 7pm with live band and canapés.
- RSVP information.
Top tip: Keep track of RSVPs in a spreadsheet!
Help Your Guests Dress to Impress
The best part? Everyone gets to dress up in glamorous outfits! Include the dress code in your invitations and inspire your guests with Gatsby-themed costume ideas. The idea of dressing up for some people can feel a bit daunting, whereas for others they cannot wait to get the sequins out.
Gatsby Attire For the ladies
Sequins, sequins and MORE sequins! But sure, there is more to the Gatsby arrive than just sequins. Think tassel dresses, feather boas, and elaborate updos. BABEYOND sells a luxury range of women’s 1920s dresses that will help your guests step back in time. You can also get your last-minute orders off Amazon!
Here are some staple outfits and accessories for the ladies:
- Flapper Dresses – Think fringe, sequins, beads, and tassels in gold, silver, or black.
- Feather Boas – Adds instant drama and vintage flair.
- Long Beaded Necklaces – Often layered for an opulent touch.
- Feather or Jewel Headbands – Worn across the forehead for classic 1920s glamour.
- Elbow-Length Gloves – Satin or lace, perfect for that cocktail-hour elegance.
Gatsby Attire For the Gentleman
A black tie is so traditionally Gatsby, but you can mix it up with classic suits, braces, pocket watches and bowties. Garrison Suits have a great range of 1920s suits and accessories that exude chic elegance.
Here are our favourite men’s Gatsby attire and accessories:
- Tuxedo or Three-Piece Suit – Black, navy or white with satin lapels.
- Bow Tie or Skinny Tie – Classic formalwear with vintage charm.
- Pocket Square – Folded neatly or flamboyantly for flair.
- Braces (Suspenders) – Practical and stylish under a waistcoat.
- Two-Tone Brogues or Patent Leather Shoes – Polished and period-correct.
Looking for more inspiration?
When the band starts playing, those flapper dresses and sharp suits will truly come to life on the dance floor. For more inspiration, check out our Media Gallery!
Step 4:
Drinks, Canapés, and Gatsby Inspired Cocktails
To keep your guests well-fed and fully immersed in the 1920s vibe, coordinate your menu and bar offerings with the theme. Ask your venue or caterer if they can serve a signature Gatsby-inspired cocktail to really complete the theme.
Here is a list of our top five drinks and cocktails:
- Champagne – Or save yourself the money and go with Prosecco.
- French 75 – A sparkling blend of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and Champagne – a real favourite during the roaring twenties.
- Mint Julep – A Southern classic made with bourbon, mint, sugar, and crushed ice. Stylish and refreshing, this was the drink at Gatsby’s parties in the novel.
- Sidecar – Cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, served in a sugar-rimmed coupe glass. Zesty and elegant.
- Bee’s Knees – A Prohibition-era favourite made with gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup – sweet, sharp, and easy to drink.
Don’t forget the non-alcoholic options. Keep things fun and inclusive with sparkling mocktails or serve something with a twist like non-alcoholic gin and tonic, or a Virgin French 75 using sparkling lemonade and botanicals.
Food and Canapés
When it comes to food, you don’t need to go for full silver service, but presentation matters. Opt for elegant canapés and art-deco-style platters: think smoked salmon blinis, devilled eggs, oysters, and miniature beef Wellingtons. If you’re planning a sit-down meal, consider vintage-inspired dishes with a modern twist, like roast duck with cherry glaze or a Waldorf salad served in cocktail glasses.
Here are our top five Gatsby-inspired dishes and to serve your guests:
- Oysters on Ice – Nothing screams 1920s decadence like a chilled tray of freshly shucked oysters, served with lemon wedges and mignonette sauce. If raw isn’t your thing, opt for Oysters Rockefeller – baked with butter, herbs and breadcrumbs.
- Mini Beef Wellingtons – A refined, bite-sized version of a classic. These golden puff pastry parcels filled with beef tenderloin and mushroom duxelles are rich, hearty, and utterly indulgent.
- Devilled Eggs with Caviar – A retro staple elevated with a luxe twist. Creamy yolks spiced with mustard or paprika, topped with a delicate spoon of caviar or smoked paprika for colour and flair.
- Smoked Salmon Blinis – Elegant, bite-sized pancakes topped with crème fraîche, dill, and ribbons of smoked salmon. Add a sprinkle of lemon zest or a caper for that extra punch.
- Art Deco Dessert Table – End on a sweet note with a selection of mini desserts: macarons, chocolate-dipped strawberries, miniature lemon tarts, and a classic 1920s-style Champagne jelly served in coupe glasses for a touch of sparkle.
Step 5:
Plan the Night and your Event Timings
Now it’s booked and in everyone’s diary, let’s talk event flow.
Firstly it is important to know, nothing ever runs to time, but it is good to have rough timings set to keep the event moving and flowing throughout the night. We highly advise structuring your evening to keep the energy building, and your guests partying the night away. We’ve got years of experience playing at Gatsby-themed events, so here’s our favourite format for an evening that won’t disappoint:
- 7:00 PM: Welcome Drinks
Welcome your guests with a signature Gatsby-themed cocktail or champagne, even if you’re not offering a full bar. This small gesture makes everyone feel welcome and jumpstarts the party vibe.
- 7:15pm – 8pm: Jazz Trio Performs
A traditional jazz trio welcomes the guests from the Electro Swing Project, before the main Gatsby Party inspired band later.
- 7:30pm: Canapés are served
Begin serving canapés or smaller bites to keep guests energised and ready to dance.
- 8-11pm: The Electro Swing Project
Let the Gatsby-inspired band take the stage! You can even surprise your guests with a flashmob-style dance routine (see our Instagram for inspiration).
The band perform 2 x 45 minute sets, concluding around 11:00 PM.
- 8-45pm: Food is Served
Serve food during the band’s breaks to keep everyone dancing and enjoying a change of pace. Different moments happening throughout the night keep people interested, so they’ll want to stay until the very end.
- 11pm – 11am: The After Party!
Party the night away with our headlining DJ to follow the Electro Swing Project.
Ready to Throw a Lavish, Gatsby-Themed Affair?
By following these Gatsby themed party ideas, you’ll create an unforgettable night that your guests will talk about for years to come. So, don your finest Gatsby attire and join us for a truly remarkable Gatsby-themed soirée!
Get in Touch With Us Now. Let’s Start Planning the Party of the Century!
Dates are filling fast – secure The Electro Swing Project now to bring the spirit of the roaring twenties to life at your event. From high-energy swing to choreographed dancers, they’re the secret ingredient to an unforgettable Gatsby celebration. To secure your booking, contact us now.
