This is one of my favorite decades to have a theme with. I love the clothes, the music, the lingo…the sneaky cocktails. 😉 When Andrew turned 30 we threw him a “Say Goodbye to Your Roaring 20s Party” so this isn’t my first time planning a 20s themed evening. Also, it being 2024 we’re kind of in our own roaring 20s right? Here are some ideas for a date night in that’s sure to be the cat’s meow.

What to Eat:

Spaghetti and meatballs! The Influx of Italians seeking a new life in the US between 1880 and 1920 had quite the influence on cuisine at the time. Italian meatballs became popular because they could be made cheaply but were still filling. I love this meatball recipe. Make them small for a more typical spaghetti and meatball dinner or make them big a bold and serve with a nice salad and crusty bread.

Speaking of salads, the Caesar salad was invented during the 20s so that would be perfect as part of your date night meal. Baked ham was also popular during this time, served with carrots, peas and potatoes. This recipe looks good because it uses maraschino cherries that were super popular. For dessert lemon cake was the bees knees! The Ritz Carlton was known for their lemon cake during this decade, try their recipe here. Don’t feel like baking? Pick up some Neapolitan ice cream and top with some whipped cream and maraschino cherries!

What to Drink:

It may have been the era of Prohibition but that didn’t seem to stop the cocktails from flowing. Try a Bee’s Knees. It’s a vibrant and zesty concoction made with gin, honey, and lemon juice. A Sidecar is a classic that has a rich and tangy flavor. Transport yourself to a French cafe with the French 75. This sparkling cocktail combines gin, lemon juice, sugar, and Champagne. A Gin Rickey is perfect for a lighter cocktail, consisting of gin, lime juice, and soda water. If you’re not into the hooch, a nice seltzer with a splash of your favorite juice is a great choice.

What to Listen to:

Music of the 1920s was fun and jazzy. There are plenty of playlist on Spotify. I really liked one titles 1920s murder mystery. Search for Jazz Age, Gatsby, or simply 1920s and you’re sure to find one that’s just swell.

What to Do:

Dress the part if you can! For clothing inspiration check out this page. Try to throw in some slang of the time too. Checkers, dominos and Mahjong were all the rage and can easily be found at any game store. You could always watch The Great Gatsby (available on Netflix last time I checked). Murder on the Orient Express(max) or Gosford Park(rent on Amazon) are also excellent choices set during the 1920s.

Hope your date night in is just swell…or the real McCoy. Just don’t get too zozzled. 🙂