80s Theme Birthday Party: Ideas for an 80s Theme Party

Planning an 80s-themed birthday party? Theme parties are fun to plan and always put partygoers in the mood, especially when it's an 80s theme. Here are some great ideas to incorporate for your next 80s party.

80s Theme Invitations

Make your invitation BRIGHT, just like the 80s! If you’re choosing a particular sub-theme, such as Miami Vice, then you’ll want to design the invitation accordingly. While the design is important to get people pumped up for the party, you’ll also want to make sure all the important and necessary information is included, such as the location of the event venue and the party date and time.

80s Theme Venue

When planning an 80s birthday party, the choice of venue plays a pivotal role in capturing the vibrant essence of the decade. Retro roller-skating rinks top the list, offering a nostalgic flashback complete with neon lights and groovy disco balls, where guests can skate to iconic 80s hits. Arcade bars or retro gaming centers, filled with classic video games from Pac-Man to Donkey Kong, provide a fantastic backdrop while engaging partygoers in delightful competition.

For those seeking a more relaxed ambiance, consider renting a vintage movie theater to showcase popular 80s films. Dive bars or retro nightclubs, decked out with neon signs and checkerboard floors, can recreate the iconic dance scene, making it perfect for partygoers to bust out their best moonwalk or electric slide. Lastly, for a more intimate setting, transforming a backyard or living room with 80s decor, complete with vibrant tablecloths, cassette tape centerpieces, and Rubik's cube decorations, can create a personal and immersive experience.

80s Theme Decorations

First, you will want to know the layout of your event space so you can purchase your decorations accordingly. Once you are ready to start shopping, check out thrift shops and party supply stores for your decorations. Generally, anything with Rubix cubes and cassette tapes will do the trick. Also, you can cover the walls with music and movie posters from the era. Check out eBay for these items. Alternatively, try stopping by your local craft store and purchasing a large yellow foam board and other colors. From there, you can cut out a large Pac-Man scene and hang it on the wall!

80s Theme Dress Code

For an 80s-themed birthday party, embracing the decade's distinctive fashion is paramount. Guests should be encouraged to dive deep into the colorful and eclectic world of 80s attire. Think big shoulder pads, vibrant neon colors, leg warmers, and high-top sneakers. Acid-washed jeans paired with oversized band t-shirts can give a nod to the rock and punk scene of the era.

For those looking to capture the pop culture side, attire inspired by iconic figures like Madonna, with lace gloves and layered necklaces, or Michael Jackson, with his signature glove and fedora, would be spot on. Let's not forget the athletic side; tracksuits, headbands, and scrunch socks were all the rage.

Hairstyles are equally vital—big hair, mullets, and crimped styles, perhaps accented with a flashy bow or headband—will transport partygoers straight back to this unforgettable era. Completing the look with chunky jewelry, slap bracelets, and bright eyeshadows will ensure that everyone is ready to celebrate in true 80s style!

80s Theme Food & Drinks

Your guests are going to expect traditional '80s food and drinks, so be prepared! Research cake companies in your area and have them decorate an 80s-themed cake for you.

80s Main Food Dishes

Here are some ideas for the main food dishes:

• Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs
• Hamburger Helper Taco Bake Dinner
• Tri-Color Pasta Salad
• Deviled Eggs
• Pigs in a Blanket

80s Snacks & Candy

Here are some ideas for snacks and candy:

• Dunkaroos
• Doritos Cool Ranch
• Cheese Balls
• California Raisins
• Lunchables
• Jawbreakers
• Fruit Gushers
• Pop Rocks
• Ring Pops
• Nerds

Non-Alcoholic 80s Drinks

For non-alcoholic drinks, try these classic 80s items:

• TAB Cola
• Jolt Cola
• Capri Sun
• Kool-Aid Bursts
• Orange Julius
• Squeeze its
• Tang
• Mellow Yellow

Alcoholic 80s Drinks

Remember these alcoholic beverages from the 80s? Your party guests are sure to love them:

• Electric Lemonade
• Sangria
• Cranberry-Apple Spritzer
• Malibu Bay Breeze
• Hurricane
• Screwdriver
• Sex on the Beach
• Tequila Sunrise 
• Blue Lagoon
• Fuzzy Navel
• Alabama Slammer
• Long Island Iced Tea
• Mudslide
• White Russian
• Wine Coolers

80s Music

If you don’t feel like hiring a DJ or putting together long playlists, you can use one of the many music websites out there to play 80s-era music all night long, such as Pandora or Spotify. To get your partygoers pumped, why not let them choose their favorite 80s songs as well? If you want to go above and beyond, you could also rent a jukebox with all 80s artists in it for the event.

Here are 15 of the most iconic 80s songs you’ll definitely want to play at your party:

1. "Billie Jean" - Michael Jackson (1983)
2. "Like a Virgin" - Madonna (1984)
3. "Every Breath You Take" - The Police (1983)
4. "Sweet Child o' Mine" - Guns N' Roses (1987)
5. "With or Without You" - U2 (1987)
6. "Take on Me" - a-ha (1984)
7. "Tainted Love" - Soft Cell (1981)
8. "Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey (1981)
9. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" - Cyndi Lauper (1983)
10. "Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor (1982)
11. "Another One Bites the Dust" - Queen (1980)
12. "I Want to Know What Love Is" - Foreigner (1984)
13. "Time After Time" - Cyndi Lauper (1984)
14. "Under Pressure" - Queen & David Bowie (1981)
15. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" - Bonnie Tyler (1983)

80s Theme Goody Bags

It wouldn't be an 80s party without goody bags full of treats! Fill them with Pop Rocks, leg warmers, jelly bracelets, wax lips, jawbreakers, and banana clips. Other ideas include bangles, headbands, whistle pops, and slap bracelets. Any type of toy or trinket with Pac-Man or Rubix Cubes incorporated into it works great as well.

Find the Perfect Venue for Your 80s Theme Birthday Party on EventUp

Looking for the perfect venue for your 80s theme birthday party? EventUp is the top online marketplace for thousands of birthday party venues across the U.S. From arcades to vintage bars and restaurants; we can help you find the ideal space for your 80s birthday party, making it easy to browse, connect, and book the perfect spot for your birthday celebration.

Use EventUp to search, find, and book your unique birthday party venue!

What other ideas do you have for hosting an 80s-themed birthday party? Share with us by leaving a comment below on Facebook or Twitter!