The  1920s and 1930s are remembered in part  for the  Prohibition Era where the government strove to make a more sober society by making alcohol illegal. Everyone still wanted booze with their Jazz and the Mafia and Gangster society grew rich by bootlegging; selling illegal alcohol. Hence the start of the Speakeasy; illegal gatherings where liquor was consumed – where there’s a will, there’s a way!  

If you’ve ever seen the movie “The Great Gatsby” or our favourite “Chicago” you’ve seen the flappers and gentlemen of the day. Velvet and satin gloves.  Long  feather boas. Sequin and shimmery fabrics, and stringed pearls of every length. Men like Hemingway and Scott Fitzgerald wore three-piece suits, Derby Hats, and Fedoras.

It was a Gatsby affair for all. These were the days of the speakeasy party. They make a great idea for a party in the 21st century!

Here are a few ideas for you to get you started…

Invitations

For every good flapper party, you need to send invitations. It doesn’t matter if you mail them to the residents of your guest list or send them online.

A great idea for an invitation must include the girl donned in flapper garb. She’s wearing a hat with a feather in it, low stockings with a garter, a dress made of fringe, or very sparkly. She wears a page-boy hairstyle popular in the ’20s.

You can have an artist create your invitations, make your own by hand if you’re good at art, or print some photos from the internet for your swanky party.

Decorations

When it comes to planning a speakeasy party, you have two choices. You can go with the shady style such as gangsters, bootleggers with lots of whiskey barrels, and gangster memorabilia.

Speakeasy clubs were dark. It was prohibition time and attendees didn’t want to be found. To create the mood, set up a warm, dim ambiance for your Gangster or Speakeasy party with candles and dim pendant lighting. Think Al Capone!

Place boxes around the room with signs that say ale and rum. And hang a “Bonnie and Clyde wanted poster on the wall offering a reward – you can find posters on the internet. Print them out and place them in a frame.

The other way to go is a sophisticated Gatsby theme. This party is elegant, refined, and only available for the members of high society – think Chandeliers, old fashioned Champagne glasses, glitter and balloons. The colour Gold features heavily.

Atmosphere

Since drinking establishments were against the law in the 1920s, partakers would need to sneak into the speakeasy without being seen. There would always be a doorman at the door who would ask you the password–or you weren’t getting in.

Once admitted, you’d enter a smoky room with low lighting with jazz performers or records like Duke Ellington playing in the background. In the backroom, people played card games like poker, craps, or Mahjong. And people danced to the Charleston everywhere!

Entertainers

We have a wide array of Entertainers available for a Gangster 1920s Speakeasy or Gatsby theme party.

Some ideas are…

Flapper or Gatsby Girls – to meet and greet your guests and for photo opportunities.  Great hostesses for the start of the evening.

Paparazzi Actors – Decked out in Trench Coats in 1920s and 1930s style. They will make guests feel like gangster stars on arrival and ask them the all-important questions like “where did you hide the bodies”!

Jazz Bands and Solo Jazz Singers – no Gangster party is complete without Jazz! We have a wide selection of Jazz groups or Jazz Soloists to add glamour and style to your event.

Gambling Tables – Start them up after dinner to run for 2 – 3 hours of fun.

Chicago or Gatsby theme Dance Show – a show of 3 – 6 gorgeous dancers performing numbers from the era. Shows work well after dinner for around 15-25 minutes.

Open Photo Booth – No party is complete without a photo booth. We can provide a photo booth with a 1920s or Gatsby Backdrop.

Party DJ –our DJ’s are true professionals and know how to read a crowd.  Guaranteed to keep the dance floor full!

Covers Band – we have a wide section of great dance cover bands to choose from which are ideal for after dinner.

Talent Online Package Deals

We have put together some package deals to make choosing easier for you.  

PACKAGE ONE – 50 guests

• 2 Flapper Girls to meet and greet guests for 1 hour
• Solo Jazz Singer for 2 – 3 hours
• Party DJ for after dinner dancing for 3 hours
• Open Photo Booth for 3 hours

PACKAGE TWO – 100 guests

• 2 Flapper Girls to meet and greet guests for 1 hour
• 3 x Paparazzi Actors for 1 hour when guests arrive
• Solo Jazz Singer for 2 – 3 hours
• 3 x Gambling Tables for 2.5 hours
• Party DJ for after dinner dancing for 3 hours
• Open Photo Booth for 4 hours

PACKAGE THREE – 100 guests

• 2 – 3 Flapper Girls to meet and greet guests for 1 hour
• 3 x Paparazzi Actors for 1 hour when guests arrive
• Solo Jazz Singer for 2 – 3 hours
• 3 x Gambling Tables for 2.5 hours
• Chicago or Gatsby theme Dance Show – 3 dancers performing a 3 – 4 minute dance routine as an opener.
• Party DJ for after dinner dancing for 3 hours

PACKAGE FOUR – 200 guests (or if you just want to spoil yourself!)

• 4 Flapper Girls to meet and greet guests for 1 hour
• 4 x Paparazzi Actors for 1 hour when guests arrive
• 4  Piece Jazz Band for 2 -3 hours
• 5 x Gambling Tables for 2.5 hours
• Open Photo Booth for 4 hours
• Chicago or Gatsby theme Dance Show – 6 dancers performing a 20 minute dance show.
• Party DJ for after dinner dancing OR a Dance Covers Band

There’s plenty more variations we can make for you for you, these are just ideas to get you started.

*Options and availability may vary depending on which city you are in.

If you would like more information on our package deals feel free to contact us. Let us know which City your event will be in and the date of your function and we will send through costs for the various options.