12 Creative 40th Birthday Ideas For Men (2024)

Hoping to uncover thoughtful and creative 40th birthday ideas for men? At Peerspace, we understand how amazing milestone birthdays are. A 40th birthday is a big deal, so we don’t blame you for wanting to do it right!

As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we at Peerspace also know how crucial the setting is for any gathering. And when the event is as epic as a 40th birthday, you’ll want to go all out and book a birthday party venue to celebrate the birthday boy that’s as cool and stylish as he is. We’ll share examples of such spaces ahead! Keep reading for 12 creative 40th birthday ideas for men that will get you inspired as you start to plan.

1. Pick a cool theme and let it guide your party planning

The sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing themes. But once you’ve decided on one, try to stick to it with your decor, and food, to give your party a more cohesive feel.

In terms of themes, Shelterness suggests options like “Las Vegas, rustic, moustache, [and] beer party,” while Event Up raises ideas like “masquerade balls, the roaring ‘20s, or a Hollywood red carpet night.”

A lot of these ideas might work well in a rented space like this cider bar in Central East Austin, which has an understated yet masculine design that could adapt to all kinds of decorating schemes. It has indoor and outdoor seating, room for about 60 guests, an A/V system, and of course, plenty of fresh hard cider.

To quote one of many happy reviewers who booked a birthday party here: “Awesome spot with a beautiful outdoors and lovely decor on the inside. Maggie was very helpful in answering any questions I had. Justin, the GM, was very helpful in setting up the PA system and the projector for us as well as serving us delicious ciders.”

2. Choose the perfect gift for his 40th birthday

This suggestion of a 40th birthday idea for men assumes that you aren’t the birthday guy himself but a friend or loved one who’s trying to plan a birthday for someone! Picking the right birthday gift is a pretty important element of this special day.

In their article suggesting 40th birthday gift ideas, Byliner offers a few tips to ensure you choose wisely. One is to consider what the giftee typically buys for himself and pick the same category of gift. Another is to take into account what the birthday guy generally does with his free time, to better understand his priorities, and buy something that works well with those activities.

We would also add that you should consider gifting an experience rather than an object. Spending the day at a retro arcade rental space near you might be a way more memorable gift than a watch, for example. And if this sounds like something the birthday boy would enjoy, then consider booking this retro arcade with a modern atmosphere in Fredericksburg, VA. It is a 3,500-square-foot venue with wall-to-wall games and a retro 80s aesthetic (which is perfect for a 40th birthday!).

3. Include some funny decor to delight the birthday guy

If there’s anything you learn when you spend four decades on Earth, it’s not to take yourself too seriously. Embody that spirit by selecting some of your decor based on it being funny rather than just being an attractive decoration. Not sure what we mean by funny birthday decor?

One of our favorites is these personalized face birthday banners that you can order on Etsy. Send the sellers a pic of the birthday guy making a funny face and use these to decorate your venue!

Get more inspiration with our birthday decoration ideas for adults resource page!

4. Take a camping trip to help him connect with nature

Some guys would prefer spending time in the great outdoors with a group of close friends over a regular party. If that’s the case, a special birthday camping trip is a wonderful choice.

Picture this: you’re all sitting around the campfire, stars twinkling overhead as you reminisce about favorite memories and discuss what you like about the birthday guy. Sounds great, right? Be sure to book the perfect cabin through Peerspace to procure a comfy camping venue near you.

While there are literally hundreds of options on Peerspace, our friends in Maine might consider booking this rustic camping venue with gorgeous lake and mountain views in Naples. It’s a 180-acre facility that provides you with private cabins and optional activities, like kayaking and zip lining!

Enjoy more camping activity suggestions and bookable camping venues with our camping party ideas article!

5. Go to a sports game and cheer on his favorite team

Another alternative to the standard birthday party for those who prefer to hang out with smaller groups of friends is a trip to a sports game to watch their favorite team. Whether it’s football, basketball, baseball, or hockey, this will make for a fun and memorable day that might well be a big improvement over a regular party.

Make it even more special by booking a bar venue through Peerspace, like this sports lounge with a 16-foot media wall in Elkhart, IN. With a bar, high-top and lounge seating, several games playing at once, and personalized service, it’s the perfect spot for a sports lover and all of his friends.

6. Catch a great concert to create new memories

Did you hear that one of your favorite musicians is on tour and will be in your area around the time of your upcoming birthday? If so, here’s yet another 40th birthday idea for men who don’t want to have a party. Instead, rock out to music you love while welcoming the next decade of your life in style.

7. Hit the lanes with a bowling party

If you’re the kind of person who wants your birthday celebration centered around an activity rather than unstructured socializing, consider a trip to the bowling alley! If you prefer to enjoy a bowling alley just to yourselves, check out Peerspace for options near you.

For instance, there’s this private bowling alley in Seattle, WA (pictured above). It’s a private space with two bowling lanes, a wet bar, a projector, and comfy seating.

Spend an afternoon here and there are sure to be lots of laughs. The competitive atmosphere will also make this one of those fun and engaging 40th birthday ideas for men.

8. Reflect on the past while looking forward to the future

A 40th birthday is an ideal chance to reflect on the past four decades of your life and how you got to where you are now. Consider putting together a slideshow of old photos or having a loved one do so, making sure you include photos of yourself and your friends and your record of all the best memories you had together over the years.

9. Make it a karaoke night and sing your heart out

If you and your friends love to sing, head out to a local karaoke place or rent the A/V equipment to do karaoke at home and sing your heart out! Singing some of your old favorites is another way to reflect on your past as your birthday prompts you to look toward your future.

Want to get out of the house for a few hours? Then you can also rent this colorful and fun karaoke bar in Los Angeles that provides the equipment, has a BYOB policy, and is spacious enough for 40 guests.

“Used this space for a karaoke birthday party and everyone had an absolute TIME,” shares a Peerspace reviewer. “So fun and so nice to not have to decorate because the space is perfect just the way it is. Joseph was also an incredible and accommodating host who was super responsive with all my questions leading up to the night. 1000% would recommend booking this space over and over again!”

We have even more memorable 40th birthday party ideas here!

10. Throw a classic outdoor grill & pool party

One of our favorite 40th birthday ideas for men is simply having your party outdoors and doing some grilling and swimming. Just be sure to prepare non-meat options for the vegetarians in the group!

If you don’t have an outdoor space where you can have an outdoor grill party, then rent one. This oasis at the Marquis in Fayetteville, GA has an amazing outdoor grill space. It also comes with a 40-foot swimming pool, a heated jacuzzi, a brand-new firepit, and a sound system so you can blast your favorite tunes.

A Peerspace reviewer who booked their own birthday party here shares: “The communication was perfect. The space blew us away! It was even better in person and the accommodations were more than we could’ve asked for. We will be back!”

11. Get competitive with a paintball birthday party

Have you ever played paintball with friends? If not, age 40 might be the time to start! But if you have, you’ll know that it can get really intense and competitive – and can also be incredibly fun, to boot. So consider a paintball party for your birthday celebration, followed by a delicious dinner with a few rounds of drinks to restore the goodwill and party vibes!

12. Hire a photographer to capture every moment of your party

If you’re planning a real party, you’ll probably want to have photos of the big day for when you’re looking back on it in the future. And sure, smartphones have cameras, and anyone can technically take photos of your event. But if you want the photos to be good, then you’ll want to pay a little extra to hire a photographer.

Besides being able to use Peerspace to discover the perfect birthday photoshoot setting, you can also consult our resource pages to find a portrait photographer whose style you like!

40th birthday ideas for men: conclusion

Whether you’re planning your own 40th birthday or someone else’s, we hope these 40th birthday ideas for men have inspired you.

To pull off the perfect celebration, start by booking a dream 40th birthday private party venue on Peerspace. Then, utilize one or more of these suggestions to design a 40th like no other. Planning will be a piece of (birthday) cake!

Find unique birthday party venues on Peerspace