Start planning your 21st birthday with these brilliant ideas.
When it comes to organising a 21st birthday party, the biggest challenge is standing out from all the other events often happening in your friendship group. Luckily for you we have put together some unique birthday party ideas to will guarantee your 21st birthday party is one that will stay in your guests mind long after the party and have your mates wishing ‘I wish I had thought of that.’
Plan Your Birthday Party theme
You only turn 21 once, have fun with it! Set your 21st birthday party theme to something that’s all about you, whether you create the ultimate function club and all your friends dress up as something beginning with the first letter of your name or something/someone from the year you were born to celebrate you and your big day!
Tuxedos and Tiaras
This theme is a little like ‘black tie’ but bigger, better and with much more bling. This is the perfect 21st birthday party theme for the Birthday boy or gal who’s a little bit extra and proud of it. Think tiaras, pearls, and diamonds for days. Forget subtly, when it comes to a Tux and Tiara party more is always more.
70’s Disco
Disco themed parties were widely considered faux Pas for the last couple of decades but now they are finally having a moment! If you want to be ahead of the curb, a disco themed 21st birthday party is great way to let loose with your friends and family. Invest in great lighting, fun music and a truly outrageous outfit. We guarantee your disco themed 21st will be the grooviest party of the year.
Intergalactic Rodeo
The space Cowboy theme is about to blow up. How do we know? Because it’s fun, original and also because Kylie Jenner did it. This theme combines intergalactic futuristic alien and wild western vibes. This theme can be interpreted in many different ways, for example when you think of a space Cowboy you might think of Hans Solo or Rey from Star Wars, or you may think you a western style cowboy or girl with glittery cowboy boots and a matching hat. This theme is fun, original and certainly something no-one will forget.
Welcome to The Circus
Another fun 21st theme is ‘Welcome to the Circus’. Set up your birthday party venue like big top, hire a popcorn machine and encourage all your guest to dress up as something strange and magical you might see at the circus. For inspiration, you might want to watch ‘The Greatest Showman’ for some ideas about costumes and overall aesthetics. One idea is to rock a pink wig like everyone’s favourite Instagram it girl ‘Zenyada’ who plays a trapeze artist in the movie.
Your Favourite Colour Party
This is a simple theme that is easy for both you and your guests. Encourage your guests to wear your favourite colour then choose food, drinks, and decor to match. While the theme is simple it is also visually very effective and creates a really cool aesthetic.
Midnight to Midnight
Why not make the most of this milestone and turn it into an all day affair? Ok, so it might not be midnight to midnight, but with The pub opening at 11am you can cruise down after a sleep in (which everyone deserves on their birthday, right?) just in time for lunch.
The Costume Challenge
While a good ol’ costume party is not exactly a revelation, try challenging your guests to dress up only as people who were born on the same day as you. Bizarre costumes guaranteed.
The Surprise (Sort Of)
Sick of researching endless function rooms in brisbaneand fretting about your 21st? Let your family and friends take over the duties, but with one condition. Tell them they can do whatever they want, as long as it’s at the pub. That way you know the venue will be on point, and we’ll make sure your mum doesn’t go overboard with the sentimental stuff.
The Sophisticated Adult Option
Act like the adult that you now officially are and enjoy a private dining experience with your nearest and dearest in one of Brisbane’s best function rooms.
The Boozy Brunch
Unlucky enough to have your 21st fall on a school night? Yeah, that’s most of us. Our suggested 21st birthday party idea is a boozy brunch, instead of a wild night. You still get the celebratory drinks but you aren’t left cursing your adult freedom the morning after.
The Selfie Scavenger Hunt
In this day and age there’s only one way to preserve your memories, and that’s through selfies. Put together a list and spend the night making memories as you try and fulfil your friends 21 most bizarre selfie challenges.
Make Two Days of It
Fortunately for us lucky Australians, we can begin our celebrations before 21 actually rolls around. Start the celebration a day before your actual birthday to make the most of the occasion.
The Party With a View
When you think of your birthday and the photos you’ll be looking back on in the years to come, what do you envision? If it’s you and all your friends looking on top of the world, book out a rooftop bar and get that skyline view in your birthday shots.
Scenic Flights
Your 21st is one of the biggest events in your life. Step into adulthood with an epic scenic flight with a few of your closest. Helicopter charters in Brisbane offer a range of chartered and scenic flights around South East Queensland. Glide over North Stradbroke and Moreton Island or take in Brisbane City from a bird’s eye view.
The Artistic Option
Step out of the cookie cutter mould and show your artistic side. Fish Lane Studios is a dynamic, creative space that you can deck out however you like for a unique and unforgettable experience.
Free Room Hire Friday
Whether your birthday does or does not fall on a Friday, hold off trying to fit in all the celebrations that 21 deserves on a Tuesday, and push it out to a Friday function at one of the best venues in town. With free room hire, buy one get one free food platters and free bottle service with set bar spends, it won’t hurt to postpone your celebrations – click here to find out more.
The Mid-Week Soiree
If your heart is set on celebrating on the day of, don’t worry about what we said in #11. Function venues have many great options for a mid-week soiree too, with cocktail functions starting from only $45pp. Just make sure to let everyone know in advance so they can think up a good excuse for a sickie the day after.
Skip the Queue
Nothing will bring down your 21st more the standing in line at the bar all night. Avoid this by setting yourself up in a spectacular function room. With it’s own private bar you’ll have fuss free drinks all night.
The House Party
Want the vibes of a house party but without the hassle of hosting? Brisbane has so many function room options that you can get the house party feel whether you’re inviting 50 or 500 people.
The Entertainer
Set your 21st apart by going the route of live entertainment in the pub. With its own stage you can invite along everyone you know to bask in the atmosphere of your live music choices.
21 Drinks
This one is perhaps the most well known and worst idea of them all, according to your liver. We can’t stress this enough, but don’t try and cram all those drinks into one sitting. Enjoy a full day celebration, starting with a champagne breakfast and going from there.
The Colourful Option
Or the not so colourful option, if that’s your thing. Just get everyone to turn up in the same colour, whether it’s a bright green or an all white affair, it’s an easy way to make an impact.
The Un-Deletable Photos
Supply plenty of disposable cameras to your guests and get them to snap all night long. While you’re probably going to cringe at some (ok, most) of the snaps, they’re memories you can enjoy for many years.
The Themed Option
You either love or hate themed parties, but if you’re a fan, there’s no better time to throw one than your 21st. Base your theme on the year you were born and get ready to feel nostalgic.
The Personalised Playlist
Ramp up the sentimental factor of the occasion and get those closest to you to compile a playlist of 21 songs that remind them of you. Incorporate it into the speeches, or play it loud to kick things off.
Enjoy Yourself
This is our most important tip of all for your 21st. Enjoy yourself! No matter what you get up to, take the time to mark the occasion in whatever way suits you.
The letter theme
OK, let’s take a trip down memory lane, way back when we all learnt the alphabet for the first time. Yes, we are referring to ‘Munching Mike’ and ‘Annie Apple’! This is now the foundation for your next party theme – get everyone to dress up as something starting with the first letter of your name or their own name! An instant classic and guaranteed to produce hilarious results, get those creative juices flowing and watch your party kick into over drive – unless your name is Xenia…then you might need to go back to the drawing board.
Masquerade theme
Ooh la la a Masquerade party, notoriously elegant and sophisticated! Who is that beautiful girl with the blonde locks? Who is that handsome gentleman in the tux? Who kissed who? No one will ever know until the masks come off and you have some serious soul searching to do when you realize you’ve been chatting up your cousin for 45 minutes – but hey, talk about an anecdote you’ll be sharing for the next 21 years.
White theme
Forget your LBD, make your 21st a white theme for the ultimate 21st birthday statement. Yes, sister we are entering serious Beyonce and Solange territory! Nothing says suave better than everyone dressed in white, maybe just avoid the red wine…
Great Gatsby
It’s been done many times before, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. Pay homage to the grand party era of the 1920’s with a Great Gatsby themed party. Feathered headbands, sparkling dresses, cocktails and a mix of jazz and ragtime music. You can’t get more festive than that.
Mad Hatters Tea Party
If you have an affinity for the weird and wacky then treat your guests to a mystical, mind-blowing Mad Hatters Tea Party. Mix and match furniture of all shapes and sizes, have white roses painted in red on the table, odd-shaped dishes and cups, quirky cocktails and unique canapes.
Double Denim
For something more laid black, don your double denims and hit the dance floor in comfort. Who knew Jess and Justin would start the party trend of a lifetime. Or in a similar fashion, you can opt for a 90’s theme party when double denim, white sneakers and speed sunnies were a hit. It’s fun, easy and automatically lightens the mood of any party.
Start Early: Birthday eve
One of our favourite 21st birthday party ideas: Take a practice run and host a pre-party on the eve of your 21st birthday! You’ve got all day to recover before you do it all over again for your actual 21stbirthday party!
Hottest 21
Dedicate your 21st birthday party to the things you love! Have a “Hottest 21” countdown of your favourite 21 songs. You’ll be guaranteed to spend the night on the dancefloor showing your friends just how well you can move.
21 Drinks
Now, we’re not recommending that you do this in the space of a few hours. Start your 21st birthday off with a champagne breakfast, make your way to some lunchtime mimosas and see if you can get through 21 drinks before midnight (or before passing out, whichever comes first).
Invitation Ideas
Make your 21st birthday invitations kooky enough that nobody will want to miss it. You can write a riddle that your friends will have to solve to figure out the party details or just get crafty and make them on the back of cut outs of your face.
Scavenger Hunt Make a list of 21 tasks to complete before the night is up for you and your friends at your 21st birthday party. The tasks can be simple enough that they can be performed at the bar, the losers have to buy the winner a drink!
Decorate Your Function Space
Once you’ve finished searching for the top function room reviews, design your function space your own by hanging 21st birthday decorations everywhere. Create a photo timeline or slideshow, cover the place in balloons and lanterns to make the party truly your own.
Digital birthday cards
In lieu of birthday cards, organise a responsible person (i.e mum or dad) to go around the party videoing your friends wishing you a happy 21st birthday. The messages are bound to get funnier through the night.
Memory jar
Have an empty box, blank paper and pens set up somewhere at your 21st birthday party and instruct all of your friends to write down a funny or nice memory they have with you, you can read out them out later in the night for some laughs and “awws”.
Disposable cameras
Place disposable cameras around the party so that people can snap away throughout the night and document your 21st birthday party! This is bound to have funny results that, unlike a bad iPhone selfie or snapchat story, can’t be deleted.
Supplies
Don’t go in unprepared, make sure you stock up on 21st birthday supplies so that you’re ready for whatever the night throws at you. Tissues for those heart-warming speeches, a sick bag for the next morning and a pizza ready in the fridge for when you stumble home at the end of the night with the munchies.
For girls
For a truly girly girl’s 21st birthday, pamper yourself! Get your hair, makeup and nails done. Splurge on that dress you love so that you can look and feel like the party princess you are for the big night!
For guys
Guys can pamper themselves too, but if that’s not your idea of fun, you can have more of a “blokey” guy’s 21st birthday by doing whatever you fancy, whether it’s catching an afternoon game or sinking some pre-party beers with your mates.
Gifts
You’re probably going to get some pretty special gifts for your 21st birthday but if you’re worried you won’t get that special something you have your eye on, start dropping subtle hints to your friends and family leading up to the big day so that your 21st birthday presents won’t end up getting returned.
Games
A fun way to make your 21st birthday unique is to play some games that will not only show how much your friends all know and care about you but will also give you a walk down memory lane. Think up some games that will test your friends’ knowledge of how well they really know you.
Karaoke
Hire a karaoke machine and get ready to belt out all your favourite songs! Not only is karaoke lots of fun but you can totally embarrass your friends when it comes to their 21st birthday with the sneaky footage you took when it was their turn behind the mic.
Party X
Attach a go pro to your person or place it somewhere in the venue at your 21st birthday party or even just tell everyone to take lots of videos. You may not want to watch the footage the next day though, or ever.
Birth-weekend Bender
You only turn 21 once, you may as well milk it for all it’s got! Three nights of partying means triple the fun, right?
Get fancy
Demonstrate your maturity and organise classy canapés and cocktails at the venue for your 21st birthday party so that you can look the part of being a legal adult (even if you don’t quite feel like it yet).
Don’t get fancy
Totally disregard tip #19 and embrace your youth before it disappears forever! Turn those canapés into mini cheeseburgers and swap those cocktails for beers! It’s your 21st birthday party, you can act however you want!