Throw a Bootlegger's Ball Theme Party

Here are some ideas for a Bootlegger's Ball Theme party.  We'll cover:  Invitations, Menu, Decorations, Music, and Games.  Don't be shy - you can actually charge a per person or couple "cover charge" if you are going all-out with the costumes, food, games, etc.  Even the reluctant ones will have a blast and be willing to do it again.

Invitations:

Try the Newspaper style invitation with an amusing pseudonym for each guest.  (Use your browser's Back button to return to this page.)

• try a headline with the name on top - e.g.:  "Lisa, alias 'Lulu Floozy' Busted!"

• then change the character/guest name on each one and run them off (having a computer helps with this...)

Check out the invitations page for more ideas!  

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Menu:

Menus for a Bootlegger's Ball are easy - almost anything goes!

• Try a nice ham - hot or cold.

• Add a hot or cold potato dish and some veggies/salad and sweets for dessert.

• If you go with a punch, try one that you "spike" occasionally by putting the mix into old-fashioned looking booze bottles before you conspicuously fake "sneaking" it into the punch bowl.

• Do it all buffet style.

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Decorations:

Make the room look like a "speakeasy".  

• Place a semi-cryptic sign over the entrance, e.g.:   "knock 3 times and whistle Dixie"

• Guests are welcomed and frisked at the door.

• Low lighting and atmospheric smoke is a must have.

• Gambling tables are good - have lots of small tables for 2 or more persons dotted about the room.  Card tables work fine, just cover with a tablecloth.

• Serve drinks in inconspicuous cups.

• Have some late-comers bust in like they are the 'Feds' raiding the joint.

• Conspicuous imitation guns for the guards and the 'Feds' are a nice touch.

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Music:

Music is a no-brainer.  

• Get hold of some "roaring twenties' music - old and scratchy versions work nicely - record them to get this effect.

• Big Band tunes, Blues, Jazz also work well.

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Games:

Try these ideas for your party.

• Picture quiz of who's who of the 1920s underworld - do a web or library search to find black and white pics and print them off or photocopy.

• Shooting games - try a cork gun shooting range.

• Fast-moving card games - a fake shootout over 'cheating at cards' is a nice effect.

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