How to Throw a 60s theme party: A Five Step Guide

Ah the 1960s, a time when four Liverpudlian lads stormed the UK and US charts, man first set foot on the moon and Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. When it comes to major events, this dynamic decade is hard to beat.

With so much packed into those ten short years, it’s easy to see why the 1960s is a popular party theme. There are so many sources of inspiration for everything from fashion and fancy dress to music and décor.

Fun-loving and free-spirited, the hippy movement of the late 60s lends itself perfectly to laidback gatherings. If free love and psychedelics aren’t your thing, look to the era’s rock scene and hire a Beatles tribute band. Alternatively, give your bash a sartorial spin and be inspired by the super models and fashionistas of the stylish 60s.

With the theme in the bag, you’ll be one step closer to swinging 60s success. All you’ll need to do next is pull together the details and start a retro food shopping list for your buffet!

The major advantage to choosing a 1960s theme is the music. A quick scan of the 1960s playlists on Spotify will tell you that this decade was packed full of banging tunes with something for everyone. We’ve handpicked the best of the bunch below, play them yourself or hire a vintage band or DJ for added wow-factor.

1. California Dreamin’ – The Mamas & The Papas

2. Baby Love – The Supremes

3. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell

4. Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations

5. I Say a Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin

6. You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes

7. You Really Got Me – The Kinks

8. Sunny – Bobby Hebb

9. Downtown – Petula Clark

10. Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher – Jackie Wilson

11. Come Together – The Beatles

12. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

13. I Can’t Help Myself – Four Tops

14. I’m a Believer – The Monkees

15. Hey Jude – The Beatles

16. Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys

17. Everlasting Love – Love Affair

18. It’s Not Unusual – Tom Jones

19. All Day and All of the Night – The Kinks

20. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones

21. 21. Twist and Shout – The Beatles

22. Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf

23. Do You Believe in Magic? – The Lovin’ Spoonful

24. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

25. Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison

In the 1960s, men and women alike shook off the formalities of the previous decade in favour of a more casual vibe. Mary Quant raised hemlines (and eyebrows) in London, injecting a fun and youthful feel into women’s fashions. Elsewhere, other designers made the most of the new fabrics available to them such as acrylics, polyesters and PVC to create pop art and space themed pieces. Towards the end of the decade hemlines made their way south once more, as long and flowing maxi dresses became the style du jour during the hippy movement.

Women weren’t the only ones having fun with fashion, men were also enjoying a more vibrant wardrobe. Patterned jackets, slim fit trousers and heeled boots were made popular by the likes of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Mick Jagger.

Before you hit the shops, check your wardrobe for anything you might be able to give a sixties spin. Bright colours and patterns are a great start. Next look to silhouettes; a maxi dress or skirt will give instant flower child vibes. Slim fit trousers paired with a denim or leather jacket are a shortcut to a rock star inspired ensemble.

To really ground your look in the 1960s, add some key details. Line your eyes Twiggy style and backcomb your hair at the crown for a signature sixties beehive look or comb your hair forwards a la Paul McCartney.

Alternatively, you can make your party a fancy-dress event and ask guests to dress as their favourite 1960s icons. From astronauts to hippies, to super models and political figures, the opportunities for dressing up are endless. You’ll have so much fun guessing who’s who!

• Colour explosion – fresh from the drab post-war years and with ration books firmly in the rear-view mirror, the 1960s was full of optimism. With all the positive vibes came COLOUR. Oranges, reds, bright pinks, vivid greens – throw them all at your colour scheme. We love this 1960s party pack that basically does all the work for you. Nice.

• Throw in some props – make it easy for guests by having some 1960s props on hand. Things like these hippy specs, peace sign medallions, flower crowns and these rainbow baker boy caps will quickly get guests into the swinging spirit of the 60s.

• Add some flower power – fill the room with peace and love, baby. Scatter some flower garlands here and some daisy balloons there, throw on a flower crown and keep the drinks flowing – you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right back to the summer of ’67!

• Go space age – throw it back to the very end of the decade when Apollo 11 landed on the moon and fashion started to look to the galaxy for inspiration. You’ll be surprised at how effective a silver disco ball and some metallic tablecloths can be when creating a space theme.

Want to give your drinks offering some authenticity? Mix up some 1960s style cocktails for guests to sip on. A quick google search instantly reveals the favourites of the decade but to save you time, we’ve rounded up the very best of the bunch below. Pre-party sampling optional but encouraged.

• Manhattan – mellow out with a Manhattan, one of the 1960’s most iconic cocktails. Made with whisky, sweet vermouth and bitters, it’s potent and delicious.

• Grasshopper – like a minty, creamy, boozy milkshake, these green beauties will go down a treat. Made with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream, they’re a deliciously decadent 1960s cocktail.

• Vodka Martini – did you know the first Bond movie was released in the 1960s? The world’s most famous fictional spy first ordered a vodka martini in the 1962 blockbuster, Dr. No. Shaken and not stirred, of course.

• Gimlet – Mad Men’s Betty Draper’s signature tipple, this simple cocktail is made from vodka and either lime cordial or fresh lime.

• Old Fashioned – conjuring images of smoke-filled gentlemen’s clubs and snazzy London bars, the Old Fashioned is the most sophisticated cocktail on the list. Make it with bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters, and a twist of orange peel.

• Mai Tai – created in the 1940s, the Mai Tai didn’t experience the popularity it deserved until the 1960s. Featuring rum, orange curaçao, lime juice, and almond syrup, this is a great choice for summer soirées.

• Rum Punch – nothing says retro like a bowl of punch at a party. Mix white rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice and ginger beer. Throw in some fresh fruit and you’re in summer party drink heaven.

While the playlist we provided above would do just fine, booking a band specialising in music from the decade would be even better. Authentically recreate the incredible 1960s music scene and transport guests to the dance floors of the decade with one of our top picks below.

• The Mod Cons – get the party rockin’ and rollin’ with The Mod Cons. This talented bunch can provide a dedicated 60s tribute show.

• Rubber Soul Beatles Tribute – The closest thing you’ll get to experiencing the magic of the famous four in the 21st century. Rubber Soul have a full repertoire of the Beatles’ most loved songs.

• The Debonairs – throwing it back to the heyday of rock’n’roll, The Debonairs cover everything from The Kinks to the Rolling Stones and the Beatles.

• Waterloo Sunrise – this fab foursome will bring the authentic sound of the sixties to your party. Not only that, Waterloo Sunrise will also throw in some modern favourites to mix things up.

• The Beatboys Beatles Tribute – guests will double take as The Beatboys take to the stage at your party. Not only do they nail the look, they’ll also nail the setlist with a full repertoire of the most famous Beatles’ hits.

• Sixties Out Loud – want a band with a setlist as eclectic as the sixties music scene? Look no further than this versatile foursome. Sixties Out Loud will take you on a deep dive of the most iconic sounds of the decade, covering everything from Motown to rock and soul.

• The Honeydrops – like a human jukebox, The Honeydrops will play all your favourite 60s hits with a few from the 1950s thrown in for good measure. With male and female vocalists, their repertoire is wide-ranging and versatile.