15 Creative 19th Birthday Party Ideas

Are you currently in the process of planning a 19th birthday for yourself, a friend, or a family member? Then you’ll want to take a look at our list of creative 19th birthday party ideas for some party-planning inspo!

As you read, keep an eye out for our links to several example Peerspace listings. Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals and makes it easy to book amazing birthday party spaces quickly and easily. Booking a Peerspace is the best way to elevate your next gathering from so-so to so-sensational. But for now, let’s explore our favorite 19th birthday party ideas!

1. Be sure to send out invitations ASAP

Around the age of 19, most young adults tend to be particularly busy (often in the process of moving, transitioning from high school to college, or starting their first career job). Therefore, sending out invitations well in advance of the date of the party is a great way to maximize the number of invitees who can actually make it to the party. Make sending out your party invites a priority.

2. Go out for karaoke and enjoy your much-deserved time in the spotlight!

What better way to celebrate being 19 than by going out to a karaoke bar or renting a private karaoke room and simply belting your lungs out? For instance, this large karaoke party room in Austin, TX bills itself as having the best karaoke system in the city.

The party room can accommodate up to 75 guests and contains tables, a large TV, a brand-new karaoke system, karaoke lights, and even a fog machine. The fact that it’s also a popular buffet restaurant that can cater your party with tempting global cuisine doesn’t hurt, either!

3. Go bowling and enjoy some friendly competition

Another classic activity for a birthday party has to be a few rounds of bowling! There’s a reason this one is so beloved and has been popular for decades. It encourages everyone in attendance to participate and get competitive but is still an accessible enough activity that almost anyone can give it a try, even if they’ve never bowled before.

You can even book a private bowling alley through Peerspace, like this sleek bowling alley in Seattle, WA! A little friendly competition can make for some memorable fun!

4. Gather outdoors for a lovely picnic birthday party

Have a fun, adorable picnic birthday party for your 19th! All you need is a pretty, sunny location (good weather is a requirement), a big blanket, the delicious food and drink of your choice, and a group of your best pals for the perfect picnic party.

If you don’t have access to a suitable outdoor space and don’t feel like having your party at a public park, consider renting an outdoor venue instead, like this outdoor event space in the Metro DC area. It’s such a lovely venue that it would be ideal for an elevated picnic experience. The host offers an array of amazing optional extras, like the use of a gas grill, padded chairs and white tables, a tent, a heater, and more!

It’s never too early to start planning: check out our 20th birthday party ideas, too!

5. Or if the weather’s bad, how about an indoor picnic?

Perhaps it’s the wrong season entirely for an outdoor picnic. In that case, put together a quirky indoor picnic, instead! This glam indoor picnic and event space in Jackson, TN is a great example of the kind of space we’re talking about and would make a comfortable space for an indoor picnic even on the most windy and rainy days. The host also provides optional charcuterie boards(!) for your birthday picnic here, which sounds like a must-have to us!

6. Decorate your venue with plenty of big “19” balloons

No matter what event venue you choose, you need to decorate it to ensure it has the party vibes you’re going for. A cheap yet impactful 19th birthday party idea is as simple as buying some huge balloons in the shape of a one and a nine and filling ‘em up! These 40-inch foil balloons from Amazon are less than $10, but you’ll find tons of balloon options online in a variety of sizes (the bigger the better when it comes to balloons!), colors, and finishes for the number 19.

7. Be birthday royalty with a “19” crown for the birthday girl or boy

Another way to make the birthday girl or boy feel like a star is with a crown celebrating their 19th! Once again, you can find lots of crowns with the number 19, but we think that this sparkly pink tiara (which also comes with a birthday sash!) from Amazon is an ideal option if its girly style suits the aesthetic of the party you’re planning.

8. Make it a chill birthday party movie night

One of our favorite 19th birthday party ideas has to be a classic movie night! Let the person who’s being celebrated choose the movie line-up, either on a theme like a genre (Horror? Comedy? Etc.) or era (80s? Early 2000s? Etc.), or just whatever random assortment of movies they love. Then the partygoers can spend an evening watching multiple movies, eating popcorn and candy, and having a blast together.

One way to take this 19th birthday party idea to the next level is by renting out a private movie theater venue instead of just having the movie night at home. For instance, this Hollywood Heaven cinematic bliss home in Los Angeles, CA boasts a private theater room (besides its many other party-perfect charms!). There’s a popcorn machine as well as state-of-the-art professional theater equipment for watching your favorite flicks with ease.

Find more venue options and additional details with our guide: how much does it cost to rent a movie theater for a birthday party?

9. Get groovy with a retro-inspired birthday party

Pick the past decade that’s your favorite – your favorite era for music, art, movies, pop culture, and more – and make that decade the theme of your party! Whether you go with the 1920s or the 1970s, you’ll have a ton of era-based inspiration to choose from as you plan out your decor, music, activities, and even food choices.

10. Set a dress code that stays on theme

For a unique party idea, consider having a dress code for your party – ideally one related to the theme. For instance, if you end up using our retro birthday party idea, the dress code could require guests to dress like they’re living in the decade of your choice.

11. Keep it intimate and have a small party with just your closest friends

One of the downsides of a big party is that it can be really hard for the person whose birthday it is to spend quality time with everyone in attendance. Having a smaller party with fewer than, say, seven guests is a great way to connect more with the guests who are there. If you’re someone who prefers hanging out in smaller groups, don’t be afraid to have a smaller party with only your closest pals.

12. Plan a whodunnit-style murder mystery birthday party

Most people might associate a murder mystery party with Halloween, but you can definitely have this be the central theme and activity for your birthday party, too! If this option interests you, here’s our guide to throwing a murder mystery party, to get you started.

Check out our outdoor birthday party ideas if you prefer to keep things al fresco!

13. Put together a nostalgic birthday slideshow

If you’re having your party in a space with a large screen or TV, make a birthday slideshow featuring not only the person whose birthday it is but also their friends and loved ones! Everyone will love looking back on their favorite photos of one another. Be sure to include some funny pictures in there.

This is another idea in which booking a private movie theater through Peerspace that also happens to double as an amazing event venue would be ideal! This private screening room in Los Angeles, CA, complete with plush seating and theater-quality equipment, is just one example.

14. Head to a 19th-floor sky lounge for views and fun

Celebrate your 19th birthday from the 19th floor of a Peerspace party venue near you! For example, our friends in Brooklyn, NY can book this 19th-floor sky lounge in Sheepshead Bay and party it up with up to 75 guests. It’s a stylish lounge that provides you with Manhattan skyline views, a furnished balcony, and a kitchenette.

A Peerspace user who booked their birthday dinner here shares: “I wish I could give this place 10 stars very beautiful- aesthetically pleasing! All the guests were impressed! Pictures do not do this place justice. The views are beautiful!”

15. Drink safely and elegantly at a non-alcohol wine shop

You may not be able to legally drink alcohol in the U.S. when you’re 19, but that doesn’t mean your party can’t serve the finer things! When you use Peerspace, you can book venues like this non-alcohol wine shop in Chicago, IL to host your 19th birthday party. It’s an all-ages space that can help you choose and serve tasty 100% alcohol-free wines to enjoy with your guests. Host a paint-and-sip party here for a 19th birthday that is both sophisticated and a total blast.

19th birthday party ideas: conclusion

As you can see, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy your 19th birthday. You just need to pick your favorite 19th birthday party ideas and then book a Peerspace event venue that suits your style and has all of the amenities you want. If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to the venue’s host and they’ll be happy to help. Between these ideas and a curated Peerspace venue, your 19th birthday party is going to be legendary!

Find unique birthday party venues on Peerspace