14 Awesome Adult Birthday Party Ideas (2024)

Looking for unique adult birthday party ideas for yourself or a loved one? It can be tricky since so many birthday party ideas are geared towards kids. But luckily, we at Peerspace have you covered!

Birthdays are one of the few occasions when you can gather your closest friends and family in one spot to celebrate with you. You should be celebrating every milestone you reach with something enjoyable. And with these adult birthday party ideas, it will be easier than ever. After all, what better reason is there to gather all of your closest people in one place, celebrating more time spent together?

When you were a child, choosing a favorite theme or venue for your birthday party was simple, but it can be more challenging to decide as an adult. As we became older, the themes tended to become more generic, such as “Join me at that bar we all enjoy!” or “Let’s just go out to dinner as a group”. And even if it isn’t a particularly memorable year, there’s nothing wrong with throwing a lavish adult birthday bash to commemorate the occasion. Ahead, we’ll show you how to do precisely that!

1. Make it super special by booking a Peerspace event venue

All the best adult birthday party ideas start by choosing a unique venue for the setting, and Peerspace is how you do it. We’re the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, including countless breathtaking birthday party venues in cities across the globe.

To begin your search, head to our homepage and search using your desired city and event type. Then, narrow down the selection by your preferred amenities, keywords, price range, and more. Pretty simple, right? But maybe you want to see the types of Peerspaces ideal for a birthday party?

Here are some of our favorites, for example:

• This Midtown fully-furnished penthouse and terrace in Manhattan, NYC (pictured above) with lounge seating, A/V equipment, a kitchen, and a barm with space for 80 guests.
• This brick and timber warehouse space in Logan Square, Chicago, IL with eclectic decor, an open layout, moody lighting, and plenty of seating areas, with space for 40 guests.
• This gorgeous colorful home in Seattle, WA with high ceilings, top-notch furnishings, a full kitchen, and surround sound, with space for 50 guests.
• This gorgeous studio in Clerkenwell, London, UK with tables, chairs, a kitchen, video equipment, and a chic setting, with space for 100 guests.
• This spacious event space in downtown Atlanta, GA with plenty of open space, high ceilings, large windows, a prep kitchen, and an outdoor courtyard, with space for 100 guests.
• This studio event space with LED lights in Toronto, ON with an open floor plan, a kitchen, a lounge area, high ceilings, and huge windows for natural light and views, with space for 30 guests.
• This luminous room with a zen, cozy ambiance in Arcueil, France with a kitchenette, private terrace, and plenty of amenities like furnishings and speakers, with space for 50 guests.
• This aesthetic venue with a stunning outdoor area in Melbourne, Australia, which combines elements of an industrial loft aesthetic with sleek, polished concrete floors and crisp white walls—it’s the perfect “blank canvas” for your party, with space for 55 guests.

You get the idea! And if you also need additional services for your birthday party, don’t worry. All Peerspaces are hosted by locals who strive to make your experience in their spaces perfect. Reach out to them with any questions or requests when planning your event if you need help with extras like catering, entertainment, staff, and furnishings.

2. Love the suds? Enjoy a beer-pairing birthday party!

Here’s one of our more unique birthday party ideas: indulge yourself by diving headfirst into the world of beer and discovering something new, while trying out something a little bit different from your typical wine tasting. Fortunately, there are several different varieties to select from. But, after all, it is your birthday, so choose your favorite ones to share with your pals.

Try beer pairings with delectable foods for extra gourmand delights. (As a matter of fact, we’re wondering: Which beers go best with birthday cake?) Make an evening out of it by going around the table and explaining each brew, as well as playing a game of beer trivia along with it.

Beer not your thing? Then try an elegant wine pairing dinner, beginning with an appetizer and ending with a dessert. If you’re in the Sydney, Australia area, then you need to check out this suburban nano brewery in Mortdale as an example. It serves beer, wine, cider, and tasty dishes, which can create a completely customizable experience for any adult birthday party.

Not in Australia? Well luckily, Peerspace has your back when it comes to exciting wine-tasting and brewery venues across the globe. Just type in your location and see what amazing spaces pop up!

3. Keep it fun and low-key with a retro movie night

Consider bringing the party back to your roots and reliving your school days of movie nights and sleepovers. Set up camp in the living room with lots of cushions and blankets or host the party outdoors if you’re feeling adventurous. Depending on how many people you invite and the vibe of the party, your movie night can be a quiet night in (if that’s what you’re searching for) or an exciting and energetic gathering.

You can also opt to book this incredible Northridge Valley home with an amazing yard complete with an outdoor theater!

Choose your favorite films as if you were going to a Blockbuster on a Friday night, and then combine them with delectable cuisine to complete the experience. A nice snack mix, as well as a choice of gourmet popcorn for your guests, is a must-have for any party. Make a handful of your favorite childhood dishes, such as stuffed crust pizza or cheeseburger pockets, to transport yourself back in time. To really bring back those childhood memories, consider having your retro movie night be a slumber party, too! 

Enhance this idea after checking out our 10 great movie birthday party ideas!

4. Enjoy food and games with a BBQ-loaded backyard party

You might consider moving the party outside if you have a beautiful outdoor or patio area to work with. A backyard barbecue party with all of your favorite dishes, from piled-high hamburgers to classic potato salad on the side, is a great adult birthday party idea for the weekend.

Include a few backyard activities such as ping pong or bocce ball in the mix, and set up a s’mores station for guests to relax around the campfire as the evening draws to a conclusion.

If this sounds like a lot of work (or your yard isn’t quite party-worthy yet) consider renting a Peerspace outdoor event venue. For instance, consider renting this well-equipped LA backyard. It boasts an outdoor grill, a pool house, a fire pit, a saltwater pool, a hot tub, yard games, and more! It’s definitely a fun place to live out your adult birthday party ideas while still feeling young at heart.

Love the idea of spending your birthday al fresco? Then you need to see these 13 awesome outdoor birthday party ideas!

5. Get grand and plan a fancy dinner party

What better excuse than a birthday to get dressed up and fancy? Order takeout from your favorite restaurant and host a delicious dinner party for your guests. Send invites in advance and serve an amazing experience. From a wonderful chicken piccata to a gorgeous glazed salmon, the meal could be anything you like. Take care of choosing your preferred main dish with sides and conclude the night on a high note with a nightcap.

If you don’t feel like staying home, consider booking a fantastically stylish Peerspace with a kitchen, like that in a mansion or a sultry lounge space, and serve your guests in a one-of-a-kind setting. We love the idea of booking this stunning Marin County meeting and event space for a memorable birthday dinner party. Besides its gorgeous setting, the venue also offers you full-service catering. This is one of those adult birthday party ideas that combines style, convenience, and fun in one!

6. Gather your favorite people and food for a Sunday-style brunch

You should celebrate your birthday with your closest friends and your favorite meals, of course. When you want to create a menu that includes breakfast favorites and lunchtime mainstays, the perfect solution is to serve brunch. Indulge yourself with croissant French toast, chicken salad sandwiches, gorgeous breakfast parfaits, and mile-high chicken and waffles.

Speaking of waffles, you can always book this bright and funky retro cafe in Seattle, WA, and let them handle the brunch-making for you. They specialize in gourmet waffles, including waffle dogs, have a full bar, and can provide florals and other decor for your brunch birthday! This is one party invite we’d never turn down, that much we know.

Check out our birthday brunch ideas for more meal and venue suggestions!

7. Feel like a kid again when you throw a pool party

There is nothing like a good old-fashioned pool party for a birthday celebration during the warmer months. Start by booking a gorgeous home with a pool on Peerspace. Depending on your location or destination, you’re sure to uncover a slew of beautiful pool venues near you that offer you the comforts of home and fun extras like a hot tub and barbecue grill.

This resort-style pool house and urban oasis in Atlanta, GA is exactly what we picture when we envision the perfect birthday pool party venue!

Bring out the pool floaties and noodles, and turn the music up to eleven. Set up a kiddie pool to fill with ice and use it as a unique beverage chiller. Then, serve your cooling beverages with poolside food to complete the experience.

Spicy chicken sliders and grilled pizza bites are the appropriate appetizers to provide for this gathering. If you decide to go for something a little different from your standard birthday cake, dessert can be delicious coconut tres leches cupcakes, which you will serve to thank your guests.

Our 12 epic pool party ideas for adults are the perfect accompaniment to this idea!

8. Ramp up the friendly competition with a game night

There’s nothing better than getting together with good friends for a gaming night. Bring out some of your favorite classic board games and introduce some new adult party game ideas to the mix.

A game of big Jenga or cornhole may be a great addition to an outdoor party, while a game of Apples to Apples can be a great way to get everyone laughing around the table.

9. Theme it up with a throwback birthday brimming with 90s vibes

Is there something that should be present at every adult birthday party? A delightful theme. Hire a 90s tribute band to serenade you in 90s-style baggy pants. This may be ultra appealing if you and your friends grew up in the 90s or if you just adore everything from that era.

This is also an awesome idea to combine with a costume party—simply ask your guests to dress in outfits inspired by the 90s, from vintage mom jeans to oversized flannel shirts, denim jackets, and combat boots.

Check out Peerspace venues near you that have a bit of that grunge style to make party planning even easier. One of our favorites is this buzz-worthy 90s-styled home in Tacoma, WA. It is 2,600 square feet of wall-to-wall 90s awesomeness. Plus, while here, you can also enjoy the screening room, the games room, the kitchen, and the outdoor space to your heart’s content.

If the idea of a decade party appeals to you, but you’re not excited about a 90s-themed party, consider centering your party theme around your favorite decade, instead! Decade parties can range from 1920s throwbacks inspired by flapper aesthetics to groovy 1970s-themed gatherings with a soundtrack of the best music from that era. (To make it a costume party, invite your guests to wear outfits from your chosen time period, too.)

Our 90s theme party ideas can help you make the most of this suggestion!

10. Go classy and thoughtful with a wine and cheese night

Perhaps beer pairing isn’t your thing, but you love a good old-fashioned wine tasting. If so, a classy and intimate wine and cheese night is an ideal way to spend a birthday. 

Search for the best wine and cheese combinations online, or make a charcuterie board of your personal faves. You can also visit local wine stores for inspiration. Wine flights are an excellent way to be lavish when you want to go all out.

Find a private winery near you on Peerspace to ensure the perfect ambiance and amenities. If you want to celebrate with your friends at your birthday party, then ask your guests to bring their favorite bottles along.

Consult our wine-tasting party ideas to bring this tasty suggestion to life!

11. Pamper yourself and your lucky guests during a spa party

Is there a better day to schedule some time for relaxation? The perfect adult birthday party idea would be to invite your closest pals over for a day of intense self-care and pampering. Try a cucumber face mask to start your relaxed day or a turmeric version if you’re feeling adventurous. Preparing simple sugar scrubs or other DIY bath treatments for your guests to take home may be a fun afternoon project to do together.

Want to take your spa party out of your own house? Then consider booking a luxury retreat spa venue through Peerspace! Our friends in Fort Lauderdale can book this El Dorado estate that’s complete with a luxury spa bathroom, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and other pampering perks you won’t want to miss.

Combine this restorative afternoon with refreshing infused spa water and a decadent lemon layer cake for an indulgent treat.

If you’re working with a budget, our cheap spa party ideas offer all the luxury for a teeny tiny price!

12. Make it a festive fiesta to remember

One of our favorite unique birthday party ideas is to host a fiesta complete with all of the trimmings and decorations. Set up a DIY taco bar so that your pals can create meals with various ingredients, including rice and beans, shredded chicken, beef, and carne asada. Don’t forget about the handmade guacamole!

Classic margaritas should accompany dinner but consider putting a unique spin on this timeless drink by offering cold cherry margaritas.

13. Get sleuthy with your very own murder mystery party

Bring a dose of suspense to your birthday celebration by hosting a Murder Mystery party. Assign each guest a character, then let the accusations fly as they all work together to unravel the fictional crime. You can also set the stage with simple props and clues, depending on the setting and theme of the murder mystery you’ve crafted.

Whether you decide to play one of the detectives or the murder’s prime suspects, you’re guaranteed a night of mystery and laughter, plus plenty of unexpected twists and turns.

14. Getaway with a destination celebration

Need to get away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life and go on vacation? Gather your closest friends and family for a destination celebration in the location of your choice—whether that’s a cozy cabin in the mountains, a vibrant city, a beachside retreat, or some other vacation destination you’ve been excited about.

While you’re there, you and your group of friends can enjoy intimate and delicious meals together, explore local attractions, and of course, find plenty of time to unwind and enjoy a reprieve from your usual responsibilities.

15. Enjoy fresh air and amazing views during a rooftop rager

Take your birthday out of doors and celebrate in style with a rooftop party! It doesn’t even necessarily have to be summer or for you to live in a warm climate to make this idea work. Many rooftops are equipped with electric heaters that keep you and your guests toasty all night long.

Don’t have access to your own party-worthy rooftop? Peerspace can help you out with that! For instance, check out this Chelsea rooftop with iconic views of NYC! It provides space for 50 guests and boasts a bar, a water fountain, a large-screen TV, and several different seating areas for mingling.

Wherever you host your rooftop party, you can eat, drink, and dance under the stars. This is especially perfect if you live in a city with skyscrapers that are beautifully lit at night. Adult birthday party ideas like this one are simple to arrange and create lasting memories.

In New York City? Then check out 7 of the most amazing rooftops that you can rent in NYC on Peerspace!

Peerspace brings your adult birthday party ideas to life

At Peerspace, we believe that location has everything to do with an amazing experience. We hope you enjoyed this list of the most awesome adult birthday party ideas and will rely on Peerspace to secure the perfect birthday party venue for yours!

And remember, your chosen venue’s local host is always just a message away when you want to maximize your party with gourmet catering, A/V equipment, and so much more. Between Peerspace’s jaw-dropping spaces and dedicated hosts, you’ll have an A-list experience that you may want to repeat more frequently than once a year!

Find unique adult birthday party venues on Peerspace