18 Creative Pool Party Themes For Adults

If you’re throwing a pool party for adults, you may be racking your brain for creative themes that’ll be suitable for your grown-up guests. These 18 pool party themes for adults will add flair and excitement to your soiree, from tropical extravaganzas to retro vibes and much more.

As you explore our suggested pool party themes for adults, picture the dream setting for your aquatic extravaganza—envision a venue that perfectly complements your chosen theme. Once you’ve crafted the vision, make it a reality by discovering stunning party and event venues with pools near you on Peerspace. It’s the web’s largest marketplace for these kinds of rentals, and its highly effective and intuitive search tool makes it easy to find exactly what you’re seeking.

1. Design your own tropical paradise

Starting our list of pool party themes for adults: a tropical paradise-themed party! Transform your pool (or pool rental, if you don’t have a pool of your own) into a lush oasis using details like tiki torches and fruity drinks.

2. Go cinematic with a movie night pool party

You don’t have to choose between a movie night and a pool party! Throw your party in the late afternoon, and as the sun sets, transition from splashing in the pool to gathering around and watching a great movie with your pals.

3. Throw it way back and have a 1950s retro splash

Ask your guests to wear their best vintage (or vintage-inspired) swimsuits and cover-ups and use the aesthetics of the 1950s as the inspiration for your pool party theme! Throwback tunes from the 50s and 60s are an ideal way to cultivate that retro atmosphere.

4. Make it a totally rad 80s pool party

Especially if you and your guests were alive and sentient in the 80s, using it as the theme for your party is another awesome throwback idea. With plenty of neon colors and 80s music, it’ll be clear what era your party is emulating.

5. Go heavy on the beach vibes

If you’re having a pool party, we’re guessing you’re not throwing your party at the beach. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring some of those beach vibes to your gathering with beach balls, surfboards, and beach-themed aquatic decor.

In case you do want to book a beach house for the day, learn how to do so with ease using our beach house rentals guide!

7. Plan a lovely enchanted garden pool party

We love the idea of an enchanted garden-themed pool party, incorporating floral arrangements, fairy lights, greenery, and garden-inspired decor for a deliciously whimsical gathering.

8. Make it a glowing after dark fiesta

What about utilizing UV lights and glowing accessories—hand out glow sticks to your guests, for example—for the perfect after-dark pool fiesta?

9. Flamingo pool party

Bright, saturated flamingo pink and the deep aquatic blue of a swimming pool make for a beautiful color scheme! And it’s easy to find tons of options for flamingo pool party decor, including flamingo pool floaties and more.

10. Barbie pool party

Speaking of pink, what about a Barbie-themed pool party? Thanks to the hit film that made waves around the world, 2023 was the year of Barbie, and the love for Barbie (among those of all ages) is still going strong in 2024!

11. Mix it up with a mermaid and pirate party

Don’t choose between a mermaid party or a pirate party. Combine the two into one, and invite your guests to dress up as either (or both?) of these iconic aquatic archetypes!

12. Get creative with a “Dunk & Donuts” pool party

We love a pun, not to mention a fun and unexpected theme—this one checks both those boxes. Get a bunch of donut-shaped floaties and make sure to serve donuts at your party!

13. Host an Under-the-Sea pool party

It’s hard to imagine a more fun or suitable theme for a pool party! From inflatable fish to oceanic blue lighting, there are tons of ways an under-the-sea pool party makes your guests feel like they’ve stepped below the waves for an evening.

Learn more about how to discover the perfect pool party rental using our resource post on how and where to rent a pool for a day!

14. Enhance the fun with a poolside cocktail party

What’s more refreshing than a dip in the pool? A dip in the pool followed by a delicious, refreshing cocktail! If possible, hire a mixologist to prepare beautiful cocktails for your guests, and be sure to serve tasty snacks alongside them.

15. Feed the masses with a poolside BBQ

One of the best ways to draw guests to your party is with the promise of tasty food. A BBQ party certainly fits the bill!

16. Keep warm in the cold with a winter wonderland pool party

You probably won’t be throwing your pool party in the middle of winter, so you may not remember all the bad stuff about winter (like being freezing cold or having to dig your car out of the snow). Incorporate all the fun, aesthetically pleasing stuff about winter for your winter wonderland pool party, like snowballs and snowflakes and peppermint-flavored food and drink.

17. Make it extra glam with a Great Gatsby gala

A Great Gatsby party isn’t terribly unique as party themes go, but a Great Gatsby pool party definitely is. Use Gatsby-inspired attire, jazz music, and touches of luxury wherever you can incorporate them (offering elevated snacks like champagne and caviar, perhaps?) for an extra glamorous pool party.

18. Pet-friendly party

Not everyone will want to invite their friends’ pets to their pristine pool, but if you don’t mind a few furry guests in the mix, the presence of friendly dogs who love to swim makes any party that much better!

Pool party themes for adults: conclusion

Still looking for a great pool party venue? Take a look at Peerspace to find spaces with pools near you! Choose from thousands of unique spaces to select your dream venue and bring any of the pool party themes for adults on this list to life!

Find unique pool party venues on Peerspace