Holding A James Bond Party Night

Something that can really make your party go with a swing is a theme. One of the most enduring and popular is the James Bond theme. It offers glamour, a touch of mystery, and gives everyone a chance to dress up to the nines! You can make it a classy affair or more silly, depending on your guests and the type of party you want.

Casino Tables

Nothing says Bond quite like a casino table! You can buy fun casino kits in the shops quite easily but for a real wow effect, it’s worth spending money on hiring one. These tables come with fun money and offer guests the chance to play at real roulette or blackjack tables. The one with the most money at the end wins a prize. Check on the internet for local hire companies and make sure you get a couple of quotes as prices vary. Tell them it’s a Bond night too, as they may be able to dress their croupiers accordingly.

Shaken Not Stirred!

You can’t have a Bond night without offering martinis. The best thing would be to make the martinis in jugs and pour them as guests arrive. Invest in good quality plastic disposable glasses to save you a large washing up job at the end of your party. Other things to offer are glasses of champagne, or the ‘Vesper’ – a martini blend that Bond drinks in the movie Casino Royale. Through the years Bond has drunk a fair few drinks, so a bit of online research will turn up most of them. But for the iconic theme, you can’t beat the classic vodka martini.

Costumes And Where To Get Them

Dressing up is a must for guests, and black tie at a minimum! Generally you'll find that most guests are just happy to come dressed in the most glamorous outfit they own, but if they want to go that extra mile, and come as Oddjob, Pussy Galore or Jaws, do a little research beforehand and include details of costume or fancy dress shops to your invitations. You could also get in some fun items to leave lying around for guests to use on the night, such as bow ties, Bond masks, and replica Walther PPKs.

Catering For The Night

As with all parties, have a good think about the food you will serve. You probably won’t want to provide your guests with caviar all night but a bit of glamour in the food stakes is definitely required. If you decide to hire in caterers, tell them about the theme and get them to make suggestions. But if you’re going to cater yourself, think about nibbles that go well with martinis and champagne, like seafood appetisers, canapés and olives. You should also consider how people will be eating, and offer places to sit or stand near to tables if plates are involved. It's no good being dressed in your all your finery and having to juggle food and drink.

The Right Music

Definitely get some Bond theme tunes for the night. Apart from the theme tune, there are familiar songs by a wide range of artists including Shirley Bassey, Duran Duran, Aha, Sheena Easton, and Carly Simon to name but a few. It's wise to have some other music to play too, as listening to endless Bond music may well drive your guests crackers after a while.

Decorating Your Party

It’s not necessarily feasible to imagine you'll have an Aston Martin on the drive, but you can add a touch of Bond glamour for a lesser budget. Think about buying some film posters to hang on the walls, and it’s also possible to buy large playing cards to hang up, too. Black and white helium balloons, which you can buy from party shops and sometimes even florists, add a bit of fun to a room. Watch some of the films beforehand to generate ideas. This will help you to decide which era you’re most inspired by too, as the films change considerably in style through the decades.